A Quality Translation is…

💡Clear translation is Understandable. The listener or reader is not confused by the words or sentences. ****

💠 Accurate translation is Faithful. The meaning transfers accurately from one language to another language.

🌸 Natural translation is Appealing. The meaning is communicated to the listener or reader in a beautiful way for the community.

✝️ Approved translation is Appropriate. The Christian community approves a translation that is appropriate for them.

Session Objective:

Discover the foundational principles underlying a quality translation through using OBS

Step 1: Individual Study 👤

🕦 60 minutes

Presentation + Facilitator Guide + Articles

Step 2: Team Discussion 👥 ****

🕑 40 minutes

Principle Review + Application

Step 3: Individual Study 👤

🕦 60 minutes

Presentation + Facilitator Guide + Articles

Step 4: Team Discussion 👥 ****

🕑 40 minutes

Principle Review + Application

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Discover the Foundation of Translation: Follow these steps to learn how to apply foundational principles of translation.

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Suggested Ministry Integration:

These four principles—Clear, Accurate, Natural, and Approved—are not just rules for better translation. They are the same principles your church community uses when they judge whether a Scripture translation serves them well. As your team discovers each principle, think about how church leaders, teachers, and believers in your community already care about these qualities when they read or listen to Scripture. Your translation work is already serving your community's ministry.

🗣️ Oral tip: When you find an example of "clear" or "natural" language during team discussion, ask: "Where have we heard someone speak like this in church or prayer meetings?" This helps oral communities connect Scripture principles to their own listening experience.

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Step 1: Individual Study💡🌸💠⛪

Qualities of a Good Translation:

• Click through and participate in this presentation on the Qualities of a Good Translation.
• Find deeper information and activities to support learning in Qualities of Good Bible Translation.
• Read through unfoldingWord’s Translation Academy’s in-depth articles onThe Qualities of a Good Translation.

👤 individual activity 🕣 60 minutes

Step 2: Team Discussion💡🌸💠⛪

Application:

• Read an Open Bible Story together.
• Locate examples of language in the story for each quality of a good translation.
• Create a list of reasons why it is a good translation.

👥 teamwork 🕗 40 minutes

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Suggested Ministry Integration:

You just identified how a real Bible story uses clear, accurate, natural language. Take what you learned into your community. Share this Open Bible Story with a church group, family gathering, or prayer meeting and observe how the story communicates. Ask listeners/readers: "Which parts were easy to understand? Which parts were beautiful?" Their answers teach you what makes translation work in your language community. You are already doing Scripture distribution and testing ministry.

🗣️ Oral tip: In oral communities, ministry naturally happens through retelling. Ask one team member to retell the Open Bible Story to another group, then ask that group what they noticed about clarity and naturalness. This is ministry-as-you-go.

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