A forum for presentation and discussion of developing theory and practice in Bible translationThe Bible Translation 2013 Conference will be October 11-15, 2013.
This academic conference is co-sponsored by the Graduate Institute of Applied Linguistics (GIAL) and SIL International; the Eugene A. Nida Lecture Series is sponsored by the Nida Institute. The BT Conference will be held at the International Linguistics Center (GIAL campus) in Dallas, Texas, USA.CONFERENCE THEME:
Promoting Excellence in Bible Translation
SUBTHEMES:
- Workforce and Training (including project management, cluster projects and other models, developing independent thinking and critical analysis skills, training paradigms, developing consultants, etc.)
- Bible Translation Theory and Practice (including textual and exegetical issues, factors of genre, key terms, extended metaphors, drafting approaches, etc.)
- Print and Non-Print Media (including storying, arts and performance, signed languages, scripts, study notes, multi-media, internet and new media, etc.)
- Engagement and Impact (including host community participation, scripture engagement, acceptability, ethics, contextualization, Scripture selection in the translation process, etc.)
The presenters for BT2013 come from at least 31 different Bible translation organizations and educational institutions
Sample titles from the 80+ papers that will be presented:
A Proposal for a Team Approach to Translation Consulting
Developing Critical Thinking Skills using Participatory Approaches
How Much Linguistics Training Does a Translator Need?
The impending paradigm shift in educational preparation for Bible translators, and what to expect
“Variety – the spice of life” OR “Too many cooks spoil the broth”: Successfully incorporating partners into language programs
Where there is no exegete: A model for training translators in exegesis
But What Does it Mean? Better Lexica for Biblical Languages
Changes in the Nestle-Aland Methodology and Apparatus for the Catholic Letters
On Translating Participles of Saying Verbs in the Four Gospels
Opening the valves in Paul’s long sentences
Qualitative Predicate Nominatives Translated as References to God in John
Reading Malachi 1:2-14 as a Unit: An Attributive/Echoic Discourse
Sociolinguistics and key-term development: To borrow or create?
The expression of emotion in language and in translation: Failures and successes in English translations
The importance of Biblical Theology for Bible translation and oral Bible storying, illustrated by an analysis and translation application of the key term “grace”
The Literal Truth: Confronting the Notion of Word-for-Word Bible Translation
TOTAL TRANSLATION: How application of relevance theory to video Scripture portions solves multiple translation problems
Translating Psalms to be Sung: Encoding the Poetic Line
Translation issues in clause chaining languages
Translation Quality in an Era of Localisation
Uncovering the Meaning we Translate: The Importance of Discourse Context
Women, the Church, and Bible Translation
Emerging Media Trends Affecting Progressive Publication of Newly Translated Scripture
Oral Drafting, Audio Checking-and-Revision: An Incipient Revolution for Bible Translation?
Paraguayan Sign Language Translation experience using Sign Writing
Print and Audio: Partnering Together during Translation
The Method and Advantages of Making Concordances for ParaTExt projects
A translation approach to address language change
Bible storytelling as an Entry into Written Translation Work
Bible Translation and the Promotion of Mother Tongues in Africa
Expressing cultural concepts of the Old Testament in Ewondo: An appraisal of Bible translation and reception
Integrating Bible Translation into Holistic Community Development
New Directions for Bible Translation in AfricaRegistration Costs(Regular and Student registration includes the Banquet.)
Regular registration, on or before 8/16/2013: $135.00
Regular registration, after 8/16/2013: $160.00
Student registration, on or before 8/16/2013: $50.00
Student registration, after 8/16/2013: $60.00
Daily Rate: $60.00 (banquet not included)
Banquet Only $35.00Please note the early registration deadline: August 16. Registration prices increase after this date.Registration Form and Information
Registration for BT2013 will be limited to 350 attendees. Register early to secure your spot.
Link to Registration Information.
Link to Registration Form.
The Registration Form is a Word document that can be filled in on your screen and sent as an email attachment. If you do not have Microsoft Word, write to BTConference_Dallas@sil.org for a copy of the Registration Form that does not use this feature.Plenary and Banquet Speakers
Beekman Lecture Series (Friday/Sunday evenings):
Dr. Lourens de Vries, Professor of General Linguistics at the VU University Amsterdam
Dr. de Vries holds the Netherlands Bible Society Chair of Bible Translation at the VU University Amsterdam. His research interests include the history and theory of Bible translation in the broader context of translation studies, linguistic aspects of Bible translation processes, and the study of Papuan and Austronesian languages. His articles on translation, sociology and linguistics have appeared in many respected journals and anthologies.
Eugene A. Nida Lecture Series (Saturday morning):
Dr. Phil H. Towner, Dean and Executive Director of Nida Institute for Biblical Scholarship at American Bible Society
Dr. Towner is both a biblical and translation scholar with extensive translation experience as a translation consultant in SE Asia and the Americas. Prior to assuming the leadership of Nida institute, he was the Director of Translation Services for United Bible Societies. Dr. Towner has authored and edited numerous scholarly articles and is the author of the NICNT commentary The Letters to Timothy and Titus (2006).
Public Banquet (Tuesday evening):
Doug Birdsall, President and CEO of American Bible Society
Doug Birdsall assumed his new role at American Bible Society in March 2013. As the Executive Chairman of the Lausanne Movement, he chaired the Third Lausanne Congress on World Evangelization in Cape Town, South Africa, in 2010. He is the founding director of the J. Christy Wilson Jr. Center for World Missions at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. Doug and his wife, Jeanie, served as missionaries in Japan with Asian Access, and he served as the Asian Access President. He is currently pursuing his doctorate from the Oxford Centre for Mission Studies.
Other Plenary Speakers:
Dr. Bryan Harmelink, International Translation Coordinator, SIL International
Jill Goring, International Translation Coordinator, New Tribes Mission
Additional speakers and additional information about the speakers will follow at a later date.
Conference Schedule:
The Conference schedule is expected to be as follows:
The opening event will be a plenary session on Friday evening.
Papers will be presented Saturday.
The only scheduled event on Sunday will be a plenary session in the evening.
Papers will be presented on Monday and Tuesday, with a concluding Public Banquet on Tuesday evening.
There will be additional conference events on Saturday and Monday evenings.
This schedule allows for more papers, discussion, individual interaction, and networking.
Note these pre- and post-conference events before planning your travel:
- Dr. Regina Koroma and Dr. Pete Unseth will present a one-day workshop on “Training Bible Translators in non-Western Contexts” on Friday, October 11, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., at the International Linguistics Center. See the Training Workshop flyer for registration and more information.
- Sue Hasselbring together with other facilitators will facilitate a Participatory Methods for Engaging Communities (PMEC) workshop either October 1-11 or October 16-25 in Duncanville, TX. Contact PMEC@kastanet.org to obtain more information and to register.
- Neal Brinneman and Phil Leckrone will offer ParaTExt Training October 16-18, 2013. Contact Neal_Brinneman@sil.org to register and obtain costs and other information.
- Wycliffe USA is planning to have Member Services Specialists available before and after the BT Conference to offer seminars and one-on-one sessions in areas such as career guidance, counseling, debriefing, and financial and retirement information. See their flyer for more information.
These events are not sponsored by the BT Conference; this information is provided to you as a service.
Conference History
This Bible translation conference series began in 2001. Since that time, each conference has grown in numbers of papers and participants, and has offered valuable contributions to the worldwide Bible Translation effort. BT2011 was attended by over 320 Bible translators, consultants, linguists, professors, literacy specialists, anthropologists, translation software specialists, orality specialists, and other professionals involved in the Bible translation task. These came from more than 50 Bible translation agencies and institutions, and from all parts of the world.
Please set aside these dates. Please plan to join us and encourage others to attend. You can print this BT Conference Flyer to share the conference with your colleagues. Contact Us