Postscript

Photo contributed by Kent Schoeder

NAIROBI, KENYA—Eight language software trainees and consultants from various parts of Africa came to Kenya October 12-30, 2009 to participate in SIL* Africa area’s first Language Software Consultant Training Course taught in English.  The course was led by Kent Schroeder, language software consultant, and Doug Higby, language software coordinator.  It is being planned as an annual event.  Higby has previously taught the course in French to colleagues from French-speaking countries.

In Africa, linguistic computer consultants are few, communications resources are sometimes limited and staff are spread across large geographical distances, sometimes in remote areas.  This course brought consultants and trainees to one place to get the information they needed, so that they can then train linguist, literacy and translation staff in their regions. Participants received training in using and supporting a collection of software programs available to translation, literacy and linguist staff, and discussed strategies for how to most effectively use each program.  Some programs have been upgraded, so participants received the information they needed to smoothly transition themselves and others to newer software tools.  Every participant left the course with an eight-gigabyte flashdrive with all of the language software they need to install and troubleshoot.   They can refresh their knowledge by reviewing regularly updated course materials on-line.

“The consultant training program is not just about the workshop. These eight people have all committed themselves to a consultant development path and our goal is to help them excel in language technology. The course instructors are available to the students at any moment via email, Skype, and user groups,” said Higby.

Linguistic computing is a critical component of translation and language development projects.   Software programs help linguists and Bible translators store, sort, compare, and analyze data and then prepare it for publication.  This helps linguists focus their efforts on less tedious and repetitive tasks, and it can take years off of the total time of a Bible translation program.  SIL’s linguistic computing staff have developed more than 60 pieces of linguistics related software, and they continue to develop more.

In Wycliffe linguistic computing is part of the information technology domain.  Wycliffe needs more individuals with IT skills to serve in open positions available around the world.   See what kinds of jobs are available.

*SIL International is an affiliate organization of Wycliffe.

Read more about this course.

Popularity: 38% [?]

Photo by Leila Schoeder

MUSOMA, TANZANIA—Trial versions of transition primers have been completed for nine Tanzanian languages—Ikizu, Ikoma, Kabwa, Mkwaya, Jita, Ngoreme, Simbiti, Zanaki and Zinza. These approximately 20-page workbooks will help speakers of these languages who know how to read KiSwahili learn to read their mother tongues.  Primers have been designed to be self-checking. Individuals can go through them on their own and test their knowledge without an instructor or classroom time.  1,800 primers will be distributed the first week of December along with the first portions of scripture translated into these languages.  Those who have completed the primers should be able to read the scripture portions.

Leila Schoeder, literacy consultant for SIL International*, assisted in the creation of the primers.  She is looking forward to what will result when the primers and scripture portions are put into use. “I hope people will find reading their mother tongue to be easy, once they’ve tried it.  I also hope their appetites for the Scriptures will be something powerful, once they’ve had a taste.”

Primers will be tested and revised before the next publishing.  The communities that speak these languages are located on the shores of Lake Victoria in northern Tanzania.  Tanzania has 128 living languages.  KiSwahili is the national language.

Learn more about the nine languages receiving transition primers.

View some videos of life in Musoma.

*SIL International is an affiliate organization of Wycliffe.

Popularity: 50% [?]

Photos by Zeke du Plessis (photos added March 31, 2010)

NAIROBI, KENYA–Scripture translations are in progress in six African sign languages which are located in Ghana, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Burundi and Ethiopia. Translation teams are starting by translating a set of Chronological Bible Stories, checking, revising, recording them on video, and preparing to distribute them on DVDs.  Thirty-two stories in Kenyan Sign Language will be dedicated January 16-17, 2010.

Each translation represents the cooperative efforts of DOOR International, Wycliffe Bible Translators International, SIL International, Wycliffe Associates, The Seed Company, Bible Translation and Literacy and each Deaf community.

Learn more about Bible translation with the Deaf in Africa.

Sign language is not universal–there are more than 100 sign languages in the world. More sign languages are still being discovered and documented. Each sign language has its own unique vocabulary and grammar. They are not related to the spoken languages of an area.

Popularity: 44% [?]

NAIROBI, KENYA–Books of scripture have been published in two Tanzanian languages. The gospel of Mark is now available in Rangi (also known as Langi), a language spoken by approximately 350,000 people. Translation of portions of scriptures into Zinza started in 1930, and soon the book of Genesis will be distributed. Books were being delivered by plane to Tanzania.

Learn more about the Zinza. Read stories about translation work with the Zinza.

Learn more about the Rangi. Read stories about translation work with the Rangi.

Popularity: 8% [?]