Translation Principles Workshop

I (John) am happy to report that the two-week Translation Principles workshop that my supervisor, Pat Andrews, and I taught in February went really well. Twenty translators from seven different language groups attended and by the end of the workshop we saw significant improvement in their understanding of translation principles and ability to draft. One of the translators, Gaias Daefa (see picture below), said,

I had taken Greek and Hebrew and other classes, but I still didn’t know how to translate. Thank you for teaching this workshop because now I feel like I understand what I’m supposed to be doing.

All the translators are currently doing a post workshop assignment. They are drafting a couple chapters each and also doing back translations so that Pat and I can check their work and make sure they are putting what they have learned into practice.

Gaias Daefa (right) receiving his certificate from Dr Alphaeus Zobule (head of the organization that manages the seven translation projects)

As a former school teacher it is always enjoyable to me to have a chance to teach (especially students who want to learn 😊)

One of the translator’s work on their assignment: left – NIV version; middle – language translation; right – back translation into English

Bughotu Old Testament

You may recall that Brena and I worked with the Bughotu people in the Solomon Islands from 1997 to 2009 to translate the New Testament. After we left, there were attempts to start translating the Old Testament, but for a variety of reasons not much was accomplished. It was quite discouraging to us. Now, though, it looks like there may be hope! A couple of months ago I (John) received an email from Edward Goha, a Bughotu man who had helped some with OT translation many years ago. Edward told me he recently retired from his work as a meteorologist, and he wants to be involved again in translation. There are also two young women who have just finished training and are ready to start translating. My Seed Company supervisor is in favor of allowing me time to assist with the Bughotu translation as a consultant and we are currently trying to come up with a plan so things can move ahead. Encouraging!

I met with Edward Goha (right) and Japhet Sikou (he is currently overseeing the Bughotu OT translation) to discuss how I might help with the translation.

Boutique

Brena has been volunteering recently at the SIL/Wycliffe center’s “Boutique” which is a thirty-minute drive from our house. The Boutique is a place for Wycliffe members to get free clothing, furniture, and household items (a lot of things in our house are from there!). They have been in need of help so she has been enjoying organizing the fabric room, one of the many areas in the Boutique.

PRAISE:

• that the Translation Principles workshop was successful, and the translators improved in their ability to draft well. I’m also thankful that for the most part we all enjoyed good health for the entire workshop.
• that Brena has been enjoying helping out in the Boutique.

PRAY:

• that plans for translating the Bughotu Old Testament will continue to move ahead and that I will be able to assist.
• for the translators from seven different languages in the Solomon Islands, that they will be able to apply the translation principles they learned to improve the quality of their drafting.
• that God will give John wisdom as he goes over the translator’s assignments in the coming months so he can give them helpful feedback

TO BE IN TOUCH:

903 Pontiac Ct., Arlington TX 76013

John: john_bruner@wycliffe.org (personal); john_bruner@tsco.org (work)

Brena: brena_bruner@wycliffe.org

WEB ADDRESS FOR PARTNERSHIP:

https://www.wycliffe.org/partner/Bruners

MAILING ADDRESS FOR PARTNERSHIP:

Send gifts to: Wycliffe Bible Translators, PO Box 628200, Orlando, FL 32862-8200 (The check should be made payable to Wycliffe Bible Translators and include a note that says “preference for the ministry of John and Brena Bruner”.)