Back to Translating the Bible
| 0. Introduction 1. SIL consultants serve individual translation teams. 2. SIL consultants serve the Bible translation programs in general. 3. SIL consultants share a common standard with other translation agencies. See Consultant Qualifications. |
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The role of a translation consultant is to help translation teams succeed in their task of producing a good quality translation that will meet the needs of the community for whom it is designed. Consultants seek to encourage, support, train, guide, and help translation teams in every way they possibly can.
(a) Giving them moral support, encouragement, and stimulation.(b) Guiding and training the translation team members in translation principles.
(c) Assisting the translation team in planning and organizing their project.
(d) Being available to discuss problem areas with the team, whether linguistic, exegetical, or organizational, working with them to achieve the best possible translation in their situation.
(e) Being ready to support the translation team in public relations in the language area, and also by being available to assist in local courses, such as training courses for those who will help in reviewing the translation, or seminars for church leaders.
(f) Consulting with the team concerning such matters as glossaries, footnotes, choice of illustrations, and other supplementary materials.
(g) Carrying out a complete check of the translation and of any supplementary information that is included in Scripture publications, working with the translation team. In all but exceptional circumstances, this will include a detailed verse-by-verse check, with a follow-up check of any material that is substantially revised after the main check has been carried out. (See also the more detailed instructions on final checking of translations for publication in section 11.2 of this handbook.)
(h) Advising the translation team on the preparation of the manuscript for publication, and confirming that it is satisfactory in terms of consistency, format ,and other practical requirements before being submitted for final processing and printing.
(i) Formally recommending the translation for publication, when he or she is satisfied that it is ready for publication. (In joint projects with the United Bible Societies, the UBS translation consultant must also give final approval for the publication.)
(a) Leading or assisting in translation-related courses, workshops, and seminars.(b) Helping in the preparation of written helps for translators.
(c) Participating in the training of other translation consultants through apprenticeship programs and in other ways.
Many SIL or NBTO translation consultants are not full-time consultants. They often also have an ongoing primary assignment within the translation team of a particular language, or some other responsibility in their local SIL entity. In determining the particular responsibilities of each translation consultant, their other responsibilities need to be taken carefully into account.
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
| Copyright © 1997 International Translation Department SIL International 7500 West Camp Wisdom Road, Dallas, TX 75236, USA |
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Created April-1997
Last modified: 3-Apr-2000 Questions/Comments: WWW@sil.org Or translation_department@sil.org |