Qualifications for Translation Consultants

a statement from the Forum of Bible Translation Agencies, April 26, 1994;
updated April 18, 1996; formally accepted April 24, 1997

Introduction
Interpersonal Skills
Academic Qualifications
Translation Skills and Experience
Language and Cross-cultural Skills
Skills in Organization and Planning
Consultancy Skills
Professional Standards
Processes of Consultant Development
Formal Recognition of Consultants
Subscribing Organizations

Introduction

One of the ways in which the member organizations of the Forum of Bible Translation Agencies can cooperate is in sharing our translation consultant resources (as local situations and availability permit).

While it is recognized that member organizations appoint their own consultants and may have their own internal required qualifications, in order to facilitate cooperation in the sharing of consultant resources, it was agreed to adopt a joint statement on minimum standards for qualifications for translation consultants. This aims to ensure a standard of qualifications, skills, and experience that is acceptable to all organizations involved. The statement focuses on professional qualifications. It is understood that all cooperating organizations, as members of the Forum, have identified themselves as being within the mainstream of historical Christianity.

This statement has been discussed over a period of three years, has been circulated widely in each member organization, and has been formally agreed upon by the Forum of Bible Translation Agencies,

Interpersonal Skills

Some of the most important qualifications for a translation consultant are in the field of interpersonal relations. Consultants must have the ability to relate well with others of different cultural background. Consultants must be sensitive to different situations, tolerant of different viewpoints, able to listen and learn, and also able to give an appropriate lead when needed. They must be good teachers and able to communicate effectively, both in writing and in speaking.

Academic Qualifications

Linguistics:: A minimum of one academic year of training in descriptive linguistics. Areas to be covered include sociolinguistics, phonology, grammar, discourse studies, cognitive linguistics, pragmatics, semantics, and language typology.
Cross-cultural studies:: At least one graduate (or upper undergraduate) level course in anthropology or cross-cultural studies.
Biblical languages:: A good knowledge of New Testament Greek and/or Biblical Hebrew (preferably both). More precisely, the minimum standard expected is a basic knowledge of the morphology, syntax and discourse structure of the language, the ability to make use of lexicons and other reference materials on the language, also of commentaries that refer directly to the original text, the ability to read the original text with understanding (with the help of reference tools), and a commitment to use and develop this knowledge.
Biblical studies:: A minimum of one academic year of concentrated study at the graduate (or upper undergraduate) level in Old Testament and New Testament. Areas to be covered include Biblical languages (see above), principles and practice of Biblical exegesis, and the historical and cultural background of the Bible.

Translation consultants should normally have an M.A. or a Ph.D. or the equivalent in one of the above areas (or a related discipline), and the minimum described above in the others. Formal qualifications may, however, occasionally be waived where the person concerned has other special strengths and/or has demonstrated his or her competence through long service and/or through the publications he or she has authored.

Translation Skills and Experience

A consultant should:

Have received training in translation principles (either through participating in a formal course or through personal tutoring from an experienced consultant) and have participated in translation workshops and training programs on the field;
Have had in-depth experience working in a translation project in one language over a prolonged period of time;
Be committed to the principles of functional equivalence/meaning-based translation while also showing sensitivity to local attitudes and situations regarding specific translation styles.

Language and Cross-cultural Skills

A consultant should have an understanding of the characteristics of the languages in the area of expected service. Usually a consultant should also understand and be able to speak fluently at least one language of the area, including any major language spoken in the area which is likely to be a medium of interaction with translation teams and church leaders. (Language learning may often be combined with the experience of working with one translation project in depth over a period of time. This could in some cases be a major language of the area.)

A consultant should have had experience of living for an extended period of time in a culture different from his or her own.

Skills in Organization and Planning

A consultant should have demonstrated ability to organize personal study projects and have had personal experience of cooperating in the planning and organization of a translation project.

Consultancy Skills

A consultant should have received training in consultant techniques and orientation to the role and responsibilities of a translation consultant. This will usually be through participating in a consultant training seminar and also through a close association with a senior consultant over a period of time in an apprenticeship or mentoring relationship.

Professional Standards

Translation consultants must have a high standard of professional integrity and an ongoing commitment to increase their knowledge and develop their skills in ways that will help them to become increasingly effective in their service as consultants.

Processes of Consultant Development

The processes that contribute to consultant development will usually include:

Formal training, as described above
Personal reading and study
Apprenticeship/mentoring relationship with an experienced consultant
Experience in translation and consulting
Participation in a translation consultant training seminar

Formal Recognition of Consultants

For consultants who are to be mutually recognized by all cooperating Bible Translation Organizations, the qualifications listed in the above statement are the standard.

In order for a consultant to be formally recognized, their qualifications will be reviewed by the Regional or Area translation coordinator or equivalent officers for UBS and SIL, and the equivalent officers for whatever other Bible Translation Organizations are active in the area or region concerned. This action is initiated on the recommendation of the local administration of the organization with whom the person concerned is working, and in consultation with that local administration.

Subscribing Organizations

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Created April-1997
Last modified: 3-Apr-2000

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