מטרה 

The goal is to produce complete Old Testament translations in an accelerated timeframe of approximately 5-7 years, while simultaneously building long-term local training and translation capacity. 

Strategic Rationale 

Effective OT translation requires key translation team members (MTTs, exegetes, translation advisors, CiTs) who are proficient both in biblical Hebrew and in the recipient language. This model embeds Hebrew acquisition directly into translation projects, ensuring donor ROI through tangible Scripture outputs. Assisted Translation Technologies will be leveraged to further accelerate translation by generating draft OT texts from carefully prepared Hebrew-to-recipient-language datasets, key terms and concepts, and selected verses from all genres.  

Program Design 

The phases for the integrated model are: 

1. Selection and Screening Course 
2. School of Biblical Hebrew & Assisted Translation Technologies Training 
3. Hebrew Instructor Training 
4. Assisted Translation and Technologies Training 

• This field-based course will be the 4-week Jonah A&B course, preceded by its 40-60 hours of pre-requisite materials and exam. 

• Pre-select and vet at least two applicants from at least six to nine active OT projects (minimum for the course is twelve and maximum is eighteen). 

• Two Whole Word Hebrew Instructors present the Jonah course (4-weeks) with a pre-qualifying online exam, and a final exam in the Philippines. 

• The course will involve selected alumni from Whole Word Institute, serving as translation staff with Wycliffe Philippines in the local Jonah course, to evaluate their aptitude for the Hebrew instructor training. 

• The alumni are required to serve directly with active OT projects of Wycliffe Philippines. 

• The students who successfully passed this Jonah A&B course will be considered for enrolment in the School of Biblical Hebrew & Assisted Translation Technologies training. 

• Successful students from the field-based Jonah course begin intensive biblical Hebrew study in Jerusalem.

• After the School of Biblical Hebrew, qualifying students who received approval, will continue to: 

1. The Hebrew instructor-in-training in Jerusalem, or 
2. The Assisted Translation Technologies training and translation for 3 months in Jerusalem 

• Qualifying students and alumni from Wycliffe Philippines will continue their Hebrew pedagogy training in Jerusalem. 

• Ongoing evaluation and assessments will be given to each qualifying student. 

• Successful students will be certified to teach Hebrew courses according to the certification requirements for each course. 

• Qualifying students will continue their Assisted Translation Technologies training and translation in Jerusalem. 

• Students will translate by generating draft OT texts from carefully prepared Hebrew-to-recipient-language datasets, key terms and concepts, and selected verses from all genres.  

• Whole Word Institute Instructors and/or Consultants will remotely coach the translators during the process of translation. 

• These translations will form the training dataset for the Assisted Translation Technologies, which will generate a zero-draft OT book, or OT in the recipient language. 

• Once the students return home to their translation projects they will work to refine this draft towards a final OT. 

• Whole Word Institute and Wycliffe Philippines will launch the local biblical Hebrew training hub, when sufficient local Hebrew instructors and instructors-in-training capacity are available. 

• This will enable scalable Hebrew training with minimal disruption to translation work. 

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