Translating and Performing Psalm 133 by Bronwen Cleaver
Acta Theologica, 2026
The Institute for Bible Translation (IBT) in Russia has
recently started ten new oral Bible tran... more The Institute for Bible Translation (IBT) in Russia has
recently started ten new oral Bible translation (OBT)
projects in Dagestan, Russia, among minority language
communities. There are no Christians or churches among
these language communities. IBT helps these communities
preserve their minority languages that are slowly becoming
extinct, due to their assimilation with the Russian language
and community. This article examines how these OBT
projects began, how they are proceeding, the use of
machine translation in these projects, and the challenges
that both IBT and the communities are facing. Through
interviews with the Muslim translators and communities, the
author shows how these OBT projects are contributing to
the preservation of both the language and culture of these
communities. Finally, the author draws some conclusions
for other OBT teams working within Muslim contexts.
The Bible Translator, 2026
Kenneth A. McElhanon’s Biblical Metaphors provides a fascinating examination of the ways in which... more Kenneth A. McElhanon’s Biblical Metaphors provides a fascinating examination of the ways in which language, culture, and translation intersect with and influence one another. McElhanon argues that metaphors are essential to the biblical writers’ expression of their faith and life and are not merely decorative language. However, when Bible translators have substituted other imagery or abstract language for these metaphors, the meaning portrayed by the metaphors has been lost or diminished. The goal of his work is to restore those original biblical metaphors’ power, depth, and meaning.
Translating and Performing Psalm 133 Using Oral Bible Translation and Local Genres, 2025
The Bible was composed using multiple literary and oral genres for ancient audiences. Unpacking t... more The Bible was composed using multiple literary and oral genres for ancient audiences. Unpacking the complexity of the original languages and cultural contexts to communicate to modern audiences is no easy task and requires careful attention to both the original and today’s intended audiences. Bible translators aim to make the Scriptures as clear and natural as possible in the receptor language, as well as owned by the community, while retaining accuracy in terms of the original meaning. Quality control on many different levels is a vital part of this translation process. Utilising local artistic genres for performing the text can help ensure that the translated text resonates deeply with intended audiences while preserving the theological richness of the original languages. This article encourages translators to research and analyse local genres to aid their translations to achieve these goals, offering a case study from Siberia: the Altai people’s experience translating Psalm 133 in a sung poetic form. It examines different ways of ensuring quality assurance throughout that process.
EMQ, 2024
The Altai people of southern Siberia have a rich artistic
history. A local Bible translation team... more The Altai people of southern Siberia have a rich artistic
history. A local Bible translation team studied local art
forms to see which ones could be used to convey passages
of Scripture from the Psalms and Judges. The result was a
worshipful rendition of biblical passages performed using
local arts. This deeply resonated with local audiences
while also affirming the value of the Altai culture.
[Review of:] Tyuntesheva Ye. V., Bayyr-ool A. V., Ozonova A. A., Shagdurova O. Yu., Tazranova A. R., Fedina N. N., Koshkareva N. B., Nevskaya I. A., Shentsova I. V., Gorbunova V. A., Struchkova Ya. V. Human life space and the human’s spiritual world through the prism of Siberian languages. — Novo... Rodnoj âzyk, Dec 1, 2023
Oral Bible Translation and Its Role in the Future of Bible Translation
The Bible Translator, Apr 1, 2023
This article is about oral Bible translation (OBT), its key features, and how it differs from bot... more This article is about oral Bible translation (OBT), its key features, and how it differs from both written Bible translation and oral Bible storying. The author draws on her own experience as a Translation Advisor on an OBT team, and also from interaction with other OBT teams around the world. The article proposes that internalisation is the key component or "ingredient" in OBT, and also discusses emotional exegesis and voice prosody as essential features of the oral translation process. Ideas are offered on how consultant checking of OBT differs from that of written Bible translation. The article ends by recommending intensive training on internalisation for all Bible translation teams, the development of notes on emotional exegesis and performance, and increased training for translation consultants on orality.
Эпосоведение, 2021
The author of this paper will examine the role of both improvisation and memorisation in the oral... more The author of this paper will examine the role of both improvisation and memorisation in the oral performances of the Altai epics. In order to do this, initially the author will describe for the reader the Altai epics, their plots, the values that they reinforce, the singer and his instrument. Then, based on a discussion about the context in which the epic is performed and the poetic features of the epics, this paper will explore the theory that the epic teller is not repeating an exact text but is improvising and composing throughout the performance of the epic, producing a different version each time. The author bases her research in particular on several personal interviews with oral epic singers in the Altai Republic. One of these interviews was with Anatoly Turlunov from the Kosh-Agach district, who is a famous performer of the epic in the Altai Republic and now teaches throat singing. The second was with Nikolai Sergetkishov, a young epic singer living in Gorno-Altaisk, who is...
Rodnoy Yazyk , 2018
This paper is a summary of a survey undertaken to investigate some
aspects of the current socioli... more This paper is a summary of a survey undertaken to investigate some
aspects of the current sociolinguistic state of the language variety spoken
by the Chalkans of southern Siberia. The purpose of this survey was to
determine whether separate Scripture materials in the Chalkan variety
are required and what format would be appropriate if such materials
were necessary. Furthermore, the survey sought to evaluate whether
Chalkan speakers could adequately comprehend existing or future
Scripture resources in Russian, Southern Altai or Shor. This was done
using a questionnaire, a word list and the story re-telling method in five
Chalkan villages. The results demonstrated that Chalkan is a distinct
enough language variety to justify translating Scripture material, as it
is still used by many as the primary language in the home. However, the
Chalkan language variety is dying out because of the influence of two
other established languages: Southern Altai and Russian. The majority
of Chalkans, especially those who are younger, understand basic Southern
Altai, but prefer to read written material in Russian. The Chalkan
language variety is more vital in the more remote communities.
Papers by Bronwen Cleaver
Language in the Mission of God - SIL Global, 2024 General Editor: Michael Greed, 2024
In this chapter we examine oral, that is, spoken language. God’s mission is one of self-revelatio... more In this chapter we examine oral, that is, spoken language. God’s mission is one of self-revelation, to make himself known, and this he does, first and foremost, by means of oral communication. This is seen as he engages with patriarchs and prophets in the Old Testament, and also in the New Testament, where Jesus’ teaching was always delivered orally. (The one time when Jesus is said to have written something, in John 8:6-8, we are not told what he wrote.) In the second part of this chapter we examine the effectiveness of oral communication in God’s mission, and give some examples of its use. One particular way in which God speaks is through dreams, and two examples are given of lives transformed through God speaking orally in dreams. In the final section we compare orality and literacy and note some strengths of each.
Book Reviews by Bronwen Cleaver
The Bible Translator , 2026
Kenneth A. McElhanon’s Biblical Metaphors provides a fascinating examination of the ways in which... more Kenneth A. McElhanon’s Biblical Metaphors provides a fascinating examination of the ways in which language, culture, and translation intersect with and influence one another. McElhanon argues that metaphors are essential to the biblical writers’ expression of their faith and life and are not merely decorative language. However, when Bible translators have substituted other imagery or abstract language for these metaphors, the meaning portrayed by the metaphors has been lost or diminished. The goal of his work is to restore those original biblical metaphors’ power, depth, and meaning.
Uploads
Translating and Performing Psalm 133 by Bronwen Cleaver
recently started ten new oral Bible translation (OBT)
projects in Dagestan, Russia, among minority language
communities. There are no Christians or churches among
these language communities. IBT helps these communities
preserve their minority languages that are slowly becoming
extinct, due to their assimilation with the Russian language
and community. This article examines how these OBT
projects began, how they are proceeding, the use of
machine translation in these projects, and the challenges
that both IBT and the communities are facing. Through
interviews with the Muslim translators and communities, the
author shows how these OBT projects are contributing to
the preservation of both the language and culture of these
communities. Finally, the author draws some conclusions
for other OBT teams working within Muslim contexts.
history. A local Bible translation team studied local art
forms to see which ones could be used to convey passages
of Scripture from the Psalms and Judges. The result was a
worshipful rendition of biblical passages performed using
local arts. This deeply resonated with local audiences
while also affirming the value of the Altai culture.
aspects of the current sociolinguistic state of the language variety spoken
by the Chalkans of southern Siberia. The purpose of this survey was to
determine whether separate Scripture materials in the Chalkan variety
are required and what format would be appropriate if such materials
were necessary. Furthermore, the survey sought to evaluate whether
Chalkan speakers could adequately comprehend existing or future
Scripture resources in Russian, Southern Altai or Shor. This was done
using a questionnaire, a word list and the story re-telling method in five
Chalkan villages. The results demonstrated that Chalkan is a distinct
enough language variety to justify translating Scripture material, as it
is still used by many as the primary language in the home. However, the
Chalkan language variety is dying out because of the influence of two
other established languages: Southern Altai and Russian. The majority
of Chalkans, especially those who are younger, understand basic Southern
Altai, but prefer to read written material in Russian. The Chalkan
language variety is more vital in the more remote communities.
Papers by Bronwen Cleaver
Book Reviews by Bronwen Cleaver