Post-Panama News

Rapid Word Collection:an updated approach to dictionary creation

(May 2012) Far from being a minor by-product of a language development program,a dictionary is a powerful tool for supporting every aspect of language development. However,the time and effort required have often made dictionary publication a daunting prospect,causing it to be relegated to secondary status. SIL linguist Ron Moe has devoted years of study to this problem and developed a method known as the Dictionary Development Process (DDP). Eleven years since DDP was first introduced,a new research group has been formed to evaluate its successes,refine its methodology and promote its use.

DDP makes lexicography (dictionary development) accessible not only to researchers,but also to community members without extensive training in linguistics. To make this already promising method even more effective,Moe and his colleagues focused on one particular aspect of DDP–the Rapid Word Collection (RWC) workshop. During this carefully structured workshop,community members (mother tongue speakers of the language) collect words from their language,prompted by questions related to a selection of semantic domains (families of closely-related words). The nearly 1,800 domains can be grouped into nine main categories:

• Universe,creation
• Person
• Language and thought
• Social behavior
• Daily life
• Work and occupation
• Physical actions
• States
• Grammar

This focused effort to collect words is one of DDP’s most notable strengths. In the past,a researcher might make note of a few new words each day while engaged in language learning or language development activities. Moe contrasts the results of the traditional model and the Rapid Word Collection component of DDP:

The traditional method of word collection resulted in an average of 2.5 words being collected per working day. So,in two weeks a person might collect 25 words. In a year,he might collect 650. It would take 30 years to collect 15,000… Now we are routinely collecting over 10,000 in two weeks and sometimes as many as 20,000. What’s more,we can do this at the beginning of a language development project.

A Rapid Word Collection workshop is the first step in the Dictionary Development Process. The workshop begins with a day of training and practice. Each workshop participant has an assigned role. Data entry (using SIL’s WeSay and FieldWorkssoftware packages) is built into the process so that when the workshop ends,each entry is glossed and classified by semantic domain. After the workshop,the data is further refined and the entire database is uploaded to the Internet where it is accessible for continued research and development. The whole process,from training of the participants to transmission of the data,requires only three to four weeks. The community can continue adding to the dictionary and work toward publishing it in a format that meets their needs.

In early 2012,Moe and the RWC Research Group led a workshop for the Buli language of Ghana in cooperation with community members and the Ghana Institute of Linguistics,Literacy and Bible Translation. Approximately 15,000 words and senses (different meanings of a word) were collected,resulting in a database of nearly 10,000 unique entries. The researchers were able to observe the process in action and implement proposed adjustments to the method. The RWC Research Group met again in April to debrief the experience and discuss ways in which the system might be further improved.

At least 200 language communities have used the Rapid Word Collection method,resulting in a number of dictionaries. Moe and his colleagues hope to see this system used to launch dictionary projects in many of the approximately 3,000-4,000 of the world’s languages which have not yet been documented in the form of a dictionary. In turn,these new dictionaries will be available to support comprehensive language development efforts,making dictionary development a strategic investment of time and resources.

taken from the SIL website: http://sil.org/sil/news/2012/rapid-word-collection.htm

We have received a number of inquiries about the usage of the term “Son of God”in Muslim contexts around the world.  There have been lots of stories circulating about how Wycliffe translators are handling this issue.  Here are some resources.

(February 15,2012) To view online:http://www.wycliffe.org/SonofGod.aspx

Wycliffe USA remains committed to the divine inspiration and authority of Scripture in the original languages,and therefore is committed to translating the Scriptures in ways that communicate accurately. Wycliffe USA is committed to preserving the eternal deity of Jesus Christ and His relationship with the Father in every translation in such a way that communicates accurately and clearly.

In recent weeks,the debate over the translation of the divine familial terms (words translated into English as Son of God,Son,and Father) has grown. It is the policy of Wycliffe USA that the literal translation of divine familial terms be given preference. If the accuracy of the meaning would be lost when using a literal translation,Wycliffe USA,along with SIL,has sought to provide clear guidance for the translation teams. It is this allowance,in rare cases,that is the point of debate. While Wycliffe USA believes this approach has allowed for accurate and clear translation of the divine familial terms,the concerns that have been raised in recent weeks deserve prayerful consideration.

Wycliffe USA applauds the decision by SIL International leaders (06-Feb-2012) to “put on hold our approval of publication of translated Scripture around which this criticism is focused” for a season,while intentionally seeking “a fuller dialogue with our many partners globally and benefit from their input to [SIL’s] approach in Scripture translation related to this issue.”

Wycliffe USA and SIL have agreed to submit to a review of these specific Bible translation practices. Both organizations will participate in this conversation,but neither will control it. The formal review will be led by respected theologians,biblical scholars,translators,linguists,and missiologists from the global Church. We expect this review to produce a report that will guide future Wycliffe USA and SIL translation efforts.

Wycliffe USA and SIL are committed to transparency in this process,and to keeping our partners,supporters,staff,and the public apprised of its progress. Please see our FAQs at http://www.wycliffe.org/SonofGod/QA.aspx for more information.

We are grateful for the many people who have raised questions and concerns about this issue,as they have provided an opportunity for Wycliffe USA and our partners to ensure that our commitment to accuracy and clarity is being fulfilled. Doing so has demonstrated their love for God’s Word,for Bible translation,and for those who do not yet have access to God’s Word in the language and form that will serve them best. We invite others to participate by writing to response@wycliffe.org.

Today Wycliffe USA came out with the following statement on our website regarding the way we translate divine familial terms:

“Wycliffe USA is grateful to all those who have expressed their questions and concerns regarding reports that we have been removing “Father” and “Son” from certain Bible translations,particularly in Muslim cultures. Wycliffe USA is . . . →Read More:WBT and family terms