Purpose of a Translation Brief

A Translation Brief is a living, or changing, document that guides important decisions about translation. Many people from many churches must be involved in a translation project. Because so many work together, the Translation Brief allows the group to develop a translator's mindset and make important decisions together. Every trainer helps their trainees work through this document before starting a project.

Guiding Principles to Create a Translation Brief

1. The actual process of discussing the questions in the Translation Brief is more important than the final document.
   1. The group makes collective decisions to create early commitment to the project through discussion.
2. The Translation Brief is a live document.
   1. A group creates the Translation Brief before starting the project.
   2. Then, the group consults the Brief during the project to remind them of decisions.
   3. Finally, the group reviews the Brief after the project.
   4. The group makes changes to the Translation Brief any time their ideas and their practice do not match the document.
3. Each language project has its own Translation Brief.
   1. A Translation Brief takes a lot of time to complete.
   2. Each language and church context requires group decisions and commitment to successfully complete their translation.

Instructions

1. Gather together church leaders, translators, and any other leader who will use the translation when it is finished. The group’s specific purpose is to discuss the questions in the Translation Brief.
2. Each section of the Translation Brief has a main question, followed by detailed questions. Discuss the main question before discussing the detailed questions.
3. Do your best to answer every question. If you cannot answer a question, it is ok to leave it blank and return to it later when the group feels it knows how to answer the question.
4. The newly completed Translation Brief is only a draft. Remember to return to it several times to edit it and make it your final document.
5. The Translation Brief will be added to every time the translation committee or team makes a decision about difficult translation issues.

Translation Brief Template