Translating into Haitian Creole    by Troy Manning

 “How long does it take you to complete a translation of the Bible?” 

This question comes up often as I travel on deputation. I reply that if all goes well, it takes 6-8 years for the New Testament and 10-12 for the Old Testament. Of course, people are amazed to hear of the length of time required and wonder why it takes so long. Those who know the history of the King James Version may contrast our extended process with the relatively quick work of those translators in the 16^th century. It took only 7 years for them to complete that beautiful translation. When we discover, however, that the Church of England benefited from the hard labors of 47 biblical scholars and linguists, we come back to the same question: why did it take so long? 

Though I could give numerous factors involved in Bible translation that would explain the extended process, I would rather focus on specific issues that affect our translation projects, especially in regards to the Haitian Creole Old Testament. In regards to all of our translations, I must point out that our projects are usually the responsibility of one main translator. In the cultures where we work, it is often difficult to find a well-trained, godly individual who is not loaded down with many other ministry responsibilities. In addition, conditions in the country are often economically and politically volatile and environmentally challenging. 

In Haiti, for example, the Lord provided a godly, gifted young man with many years of training in biblical studies and translation theory and practice. He arrived back in Haiti following his studies in the US in early 2008 and immediately began translating the Old Testament. Dr. Bernard and I made plans to visit Haiti in April of that year to establish the structure and methodology of the project. Riots because of high food costs, however, prevented me from going and limited Dr. Bernard’s activities in the country, though, thankfully the necessary tasks were accomplished. Also in 2008, the country was overwhelmed by four consecutive tropical cyclones. Thankfully 2009 was a relatively quiet year, but as we all know, just into 2010 Haiti was devastated by a massive earthquake, destroying churches, homes, and roads, and taking tens of thousands of lives. 

Daniel has also experienced various personal set backs. Shortly after arriving back in his home country he suffered with an undiagnosed foot disease that caused swelling for a number of months. Last year he mourned the unexpected loss of his father. Thus, it is understandable that his progress on the translation has been slow. In the first two years, he has completed Jonah, Ruth, the Song of Solomon, and ten chapters in Genesis and Psalms. 

In December Dr. Bernard and I conducted the third translation workshop on this project. We have been very pleased with the quality of Daniel’s work, but we gave serious attention to ways in which we could increase the quantity of production. As we met with him and the chairman of the translation committee, we sketched out a plan that would have Daniel finishing the Old Testament in 10 years. This will require that he translate more than ten times as many verses per week, but he agreed that it could be done. 

He has a burden to get this translation into the hands of his people as soon as possible. He knows that many pastors have to do their Old Testament Bible reading in French in their church services and then have to translate it into Haitian Creole on the spot so that the believers can understand the Word of God. Daniel realizes how much better it would be for them to read directly from a Haitian Creole Old Testament that has been carefully produced by a rigorous translation process. He also understands that believers desperately need their own copy of Scripture in their homes in their own language. Please pray for the Lord to enable Daniel to keep up this accelerated pace, and pray for us consultants as we will have much more work to do at each workshop!