by Dr. Troy Manning
Daniel Telfort came from Haiti
for the Creole O.T. Workshop
1. The translator needs to reflect accurately the target language. The translator must have constant, current exposure to and participation in that language as well as ready access to other speakers of his language so that he can learn unfamiliar vocabulary and test his completed translation. During the consultant workshop, the language helpers are also invaluable because the translation team may not know how to resolve a difficulty on their own and can immediately call on the helpers for assistance.
2. It is usually less expensive for consultants to travel to the field than for the translation team to come to the U.S. Normally, there are only one or two consultants helping with a project, but there are several members on the translation team (one or two translators, the back-translator, office helpers, and the Read-and-Review Committee).
3. Consultants are typically seasoned travelers. They have been on multiple trips, have passports in hand and can easily obtain a visa, have the appropriate luggage and are experienced at moving through airports and in and out of varied cultures.
4. Consultants sometimes have to take care of other matters while on the field besides just translation checking. Sometimes they must resolve technical issues with computer hardware or software. They may have to recruit and train new workers for the translation team. They may also be called to provide guidance to the various committees associated with the translation project. They may even be able to give counsel on other aspects of the translation project (literacy needs, Bible distribution, etc.).
5. If the trip is to a Spanish- or French-speaking country, it provides consultants with the best chance to brush up on their use of the majority language there. It also gives them opportunities to minister to the national believers and to gain a deeper appreciation of the desperate need for Bible translation on the mission field.
6. Such a trip allows consultants to evaluate the translation project to determine which resources the home office might be able to assist with.
Other reasons could no doubt be added, but these six are sufficient to make the point that translation and consulting work are best accomplished on the mission field.
However, there are compelling situations, when having the translator come to U.S. may be preferable. Such a situation arose during the recent consulting workshop for the Haitian Creole Old Testament in early April at the home office in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The translator, Daniel Telfort, had already been to the U.S. multiple times, including his long-term stay for graduate studies at Bob Jones University. In addition, the head consultant, Dr. Hantz Bernard, was the translator of the Haitian Creole New Testament, so he could provide the necessary language assistance that would normally have been lacking in the U.S. I (Troy) also helped with the consulting work, so it was less expensive to fly the translator to the U.S. than it was to fly two consultants to Haiti.
Dr. Hantz Bernard, Dr. Troy Manning, and Daniel at work in the Grand Rapids Office
We were able to accomplish more in this workshop than we did in December (though factors other than location also contributed), finishing Ruth, Song of Solomon, Genesis 1-5, and Psalms 1-2. The rough draft that Daniel brought to the workshop was already of high quality and we were able to make it even better as we wrestled together with the meaning of the Hebrew text and the way in which that text could be translated into Haitian Creole. We are thankful for the prayers that the Lord answered for this very successful workshop.
While the U.S.-based Haitian Creole workshop was unusual, it was not unique. Workshops have been help in the U.S. for the Tenek New Testament project as well. (The Tenek are a group of Indians living in Mexico.) Because that environment is a bit more challenging than the one we enjoy here, consultants Ross and Cathy Hodsdon have opted to hold several of their workshops with Tenek translators Fernando and Christy Angeles in Maine, making those workshops teaching opportunities to which area pastors have been invited.
The next Haitian Creole workshop will be in December, but this time it will take place in Haiti. The six reasons above still argue for keeping the workshops overseas. In addition, Dr. Bernard always enjoys another opportunity to return to his home country!
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