Available in American Sign Language
This foundational certificate program provides an introduction and overview of language, communication, and translation with the goal to enable beginner translators to make a natural first draft of narrative text. Focus is given to the history of translation, its place in the Mission of God, the typical tasks of every translation team, the importance of working well with others, the use of tools and resources, and engaging the community at every stage of the translation process. During the final capstone project, learners have an opportunity to create a translation brief and translate a chapter of the book Ruth which will be peer-reviewed and graded.
Certificate Learning Objectives
The Foundations in Bible Translation certificate program aims to help train and equip Deaf translation workers through a collaborative, video–based customized online training platform, rooted in current Digital Training Library technology. When completed, students will have completed the following objectives:
- Have enough language and translation awareness to be able to make a natural first draft of narrative text
- Be able to read (or watch) with understanding the source text (LWC or another translation), demonstrating awareness of cultural context & theology
- Have been exposed to a brief introduction to Biblical languages and have a sensitivity of differences in language form and structure
- Have sufficient language awareness of and creative ability in their own (i.e. the target) language, i.e. able to express meaning in natural language
- Have developed a sensitivity to the importance of expressive (as in orality for spoken language) skills for translation
- Be aware of potential problems and pitfalls of communication and translation
- Have an awareness of tools that can be used to handle translation problems and challenges
- Understand that the translation may have a specific goal as stated in the translation “brief”
- Understand different modalities of translation
- Navigate specific nuances for Sign Language Bible translation