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Hyperpolyglot
1–2 minutesFrom the Economist: “The world’s most celebrated hyperpolyglot relied on the same tools given to first-year language-learners today. The conclusion? Hyperpolyglots may begin with talent, but they aren’t geniuses. They simply enjoy tasks that are drudgery to normal people. The talent and enjoyment drive a virtuous cycle that pushes them to feats others simply shake their heads at, admiration mixed with no small amount of incomprehension.” Read on…
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Translators as Agents of Change
1–2 minutesIn her review of Translation, Resistance, Activism, a collection of essays on “resistant translation” edited by Maria Tymoczko, the reviewer highlights the chapter on Bible translation (emphasis mine): Antonia Carcelen-Estrada in ‘Covert and overt ideologies in the translation of the Bible into Huao Terero’ (65–86) relates how the Bible came to be translated into Huao Terero, the language of the indigenous people of the Ecuadorian Amazon, called the Huaorani. Two threads run through this essay: one is the history of how the Huaorani came to be subjugated and exploited by outsiders, an endeavor led by missionaries set on translating the Bible into…
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Kindle, Christianity and the Future of the Book
1–2 minutesDon’t miss this very insightful post by Alan Jacobs (professor of English at Wheaton College) entitled Christianity and the Future of the Book. The similarity of the codex and ereaders, like the Kindle, might surprise you. …for those who love the book and especially the Book, the Bible, the rise of electronic reading devices should be the least of our concerns. Electronic reading devices like the Kindle, and even tablets like the iPad, preserve many of the essential features of the codex; and in this, they are quite distinct from other “screens” on which we might read. To decry the move…
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Reflections on Bible Translation Conference 2011
4–6 minutesI had the wonderful privilege of attending The 6th Biennial Bible Translation Conference over the last several days. The conference brought together linguists, translators and consultants from all over the world to discuss topics impacting the field today. Overall, I was tremendously blessed by the interactions, discussions, presentations, plenary sessions and speakers. It is truly an exciting time to be a part of what God is doing through Bible translation and I look forward to attending again in 2013, Lord willing. I now want to offer some reflections on the conference from the perspective of one who is relatively new to the…