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Wycliffe Bible Translators

Language Survey

Researching unwritten languages

One of the first steps before a Bible translation project can be started is to research how a language community can best have access to the Scriptures.

What languages are spoken, and by whom? Which dialects could potentially use the same translation? Which languages will still be used in 20 years time? Who would be key partners in any translation project? In what form are people most likely to engage with Scripture?

To research these things, language assessors, or surveyors, travel extensively throughout a language area, typically collecting word lists and interviewing local people in an attempt to understand the language situation. Factors such as comprehension and attitudes towards other language varieties are key when determining translation need.

Language assessment is an enormous job - perhaps as many as 2,300 of the world's 6,900 languages need to be surveyed to assess their need for Bible translation. The vast majority of these languages have never been written.

Language assessment is at the cutting edge of frontier missions, and often the first step in a long process of seeing God's message of love translated into languages and lives.

Surveyors use scientific research methods, the results of which can benefit not just Bible translation, but other agencies interested in minority language communities. They must work long hours under often rugged conditions, but the experience opens up a whole new world of discovery!

You may have some of these skills already. Others can be learnt over time. The training offered by the European Training Programme will give you the tools you need in language and culture learning.