What can we learn from Bible translators about studying the Bible? When Peter* first begins translating a new book of the Bible into his own language, he doesn’t just dive in. He works hard to understand the passage thoroughly in order to produce a clear, accurate and natural-sounding translation. When we visited him and his colleagues in Southeast Asia, he pulled out a fat scrapbook full of his notes, diagrams and illustrations.
Here are a few of the ways Peter studies the Bible – and a few ideas for applying it to our own Bible reading.
Read multiple translations
The first step in Peter’s process is to read the whole book in the national language. Then he reads it in another local language, and also in English. He reads them multiple times and uses lots of translations, noting the differences between them.
We might not speak as many languages as Peter, but as English speakers, we have a vast array of translations at our fingertips. Reading an alternative translation can be like hearing somebody different tell the story, revealing a fresh detail or a new perspective.
Use your head and heart
Next Peter notes down the features of the book – who wrote it, who they were writing for and why. When we understand what the author was saying to the original audience, we can better understand what God is saying to us through it today.
Peter uses all the resources at his disposal. He studies commentaries, looks at the original Greek or Hebrew, and uses software designed to help translators understand the Bible thoroughly. What resources are available to you?
Writing can often help organise our thoughts, but if you prefer processing aloud, explaining the passage to somebody else is a great alternative.
Another way to delve deeper into a passage is to explore style and tone of voice. What choices did the author make about how to share the message, and what impact does that have? If this idea appeals to you, why not start in Galatians, and try to understand what Paul was feeling when he wrote, ‘You foolish Galatians!’ How does the tone of that phrase influence our understanding of the letter?
When a Lote-speaking community in Papua New Guinea were involved in checking the Lote Bible translation, one person made a surprising observation: ‘This doesn’t sound like God’s word because it seems like John the Baptist is truly angry.’
In this community, Scripture was usually reserved for Sundays and read in a trade language. It was not expected to stir the emotions. But the translators were encouraged by this person’s reaction, because John really was angry – the emotion in the passage was coming across as it should.
Visualise the event
Peter likes to draw charts to illustrate the text scene by scene. Then he retells it in his own words, records himself telling it and listens to the recording. Once he is completely sure he has both understood it and taken it into his heart, he finally begins drafting his translation.
In order to picture the details in certain passages, translation teams sometimes get very creative, making models of the temple or dressing one member of the team up in priestly robes like Aaron’s (Ex. 28). Is there something you’re struggling to imagine? What creative ways could you use to visualise a historical event, or to absorb a metaphor, from Scripture?
Work together
This in-depth, creative study of the Bible is Peter’s favourite part of the translation process. His teammate Leah* appreciates his skill, and he is just as quick to recognise her gifts: ‘Leah is better at grammar and spelling, so she helps me with that.’ Between them they are able to create an excellent first draft, ready for the next stage of the translation process and the next members of their team.
Who could you ask to study the Bible with you? What skills do they have that might complement your own?
Live it out
If you’d like to have a go at studying the Bible like a Bible translator, why not start with a book you can easily read in one sitting, like Philemon? Pick the parts of the process that appeal to you, and don’t worry about trying to do all of it. The important thing is to absorb God’s word and be changed by spending time with Him. In the words of one Ngbugu Bible translator from the Central African Republic: ‘This vision is not just about Bible translation, but about who we are, what our lives are like. We need to reflect what we translate, because in the big picture of reaching others, our lives count!’ And that is just as true for us as it is for Bible translators around the world.
