|
|
The Aitape West Translation ProjectThe Aitape West Translation Project (AWTP) is an experimental multi-language Bible translation and literacy project that includes at least 11 languages and dialects that are spoken west of the town of Aitape in Sandaun Province, Papua New Guinea. Here's a map of the area, showing where the languages are spoken. Regional groups and language teamsThe AWTP includes three regional groups of languages that are related to each other. Within each regional group, there are three or four languages. Each language team typically has two translators and two literacy teachers.
Training Phase: Working together, training togetherThe translators come together in Arop village three to four times a year for translation workshops. In the mornings, one of the experienced Papua New Guianean translators leads the translators in a lecture and discussion session about the passage they are going to translate that day. After the discussion, the teams gather at tables by regional groups to work on the translation together. When they have translated a verse or section, each language team (typically two men) reads their translation to the others in their regional group. In most cases, they can understand each other's languages and are able to help each other think of better ways to say things. As each chapter is completed, it is checked for accuracy by an advisor. Then the teams type their translations onto computers. At the end of the workshop, the translators take their draft translations home in the form of a booklet that also includes illustrations and Bible Study questions. Local translation committees help the translators check the translations to make sure they communicate clearly. In some cases this includes actually using the draft translations in local schools and churches. At the next translation workshop, the translation is revised before the translators move on to translating a new section. Before being published, each translation will be checked again by a translation consultant. Production Phase: Technology speeds the process
(Click on picture to see larger version.) After three years of translation training and experience, the new translators were ready to begin using computer technology to help speed the process. They are now using Adapt It software (picture below) to leverage the similarities between related languages. Using Adapt It, translators tell the computer that a certain word or phrase in the source language corresponds to a certain word or phrase in the target language. The more they use the program, the more the program knows about the relationships between those two languages and the more the computer can do for the translators. This gives the translators more time to work on the unpredictable things that happen between languages. So far, we believe the result has been higher quality translations in less time.
Connected by a wireless network, the translators are able to share important files and collaborate on their translations in real time. In the photo below, Emil, Peter, and Linus are having a good laugh about something in the translation they are working on. Peter (blue shirt) is doing the editing on his computer. Emil (foreground) is using his computer to watch what Peter (blue shirt) is doing as he edits the translation. |
|
|
