Scripture Forge Enables Community Checking of Translations
Using technology to bring together the expertise of Bible translators and the cultural and linguistic knowledge of contemporary language speakers, Scripture Forge’s Community Checking enables clear, accurate, and natural Bible translation.
The Scripture Forge Community Checking feature is a way to include community engagement in translation projects without requiring the user to be an expert in Bible translation technology. It allows the translator and the community to interact over comprehension questions, get feedback, and share robust communication using tailored review tools. This also creates healthy dialogue where a community checker may recommend a word or translation different from what the translator originally selected. With Community Checking, translation teams can exchange notes and responses with community members about why a particular selection was made. Having contributed, community reviewers become enthusiastic early adopters of the finished work.
Secure: Scripture Forge provides this feature in the web-based app for translators. You can send a secure invitation to the community checker via a link. The checker’s link will open a web browser with a view of the verses they are being asked to answer questions about. The app on their device provides the workflow sequence. The app provides a mechanism where a translator can populate a list of questions and send them to reviewers for responses. Once those questions are answered, the translator can review and import comments as notes in Paratext.
Global: This feature also enables global engagement, so translators can gather feedback from checkers without geographical limitations. It allows the involvement of the language diaspora (whether they are in Syria or in the Bronx!). Community Checking is not time- or space-specific. You can participate when and where you want.
Scripture Forge Business Analyst JoEllen Magnus explains:
“Community Checking allows translation teams to engage more easily with more participants from the language community. It brings together people with multiple perspectives and allows them to ask questions and offer suggestions through both typed text and audio recording, so that language community members who prefer oral interactions can still participate in the development of the written text. It gives the whole community a way to be more confident in the final translation by participating in discussions about translation decisions.”
Accessible: The Community Checking app supports audio for questions and answers and Scripture playback. You can have users respond by retelling it in their own words. The app has mobile-first design, an asynchronous interaction option, and audio features. Through the app, it’s easy to post questions and collect answers online; and partners can participate on their cell phones. This helps with comprehension checking and readability feedback. Use of secure social media allows you to invite participants securely. Use does not have to be scheduled. Community members can participate when you want and wherever you are. Translators can mark responses for export to Paratext as notes.
For more information, go to help.scriptureforge.org/community-checking
