ORAL BIBLE TRANSLATION
Training & Tools for Oral Bible Translation & Engagement
80% of the world’s population are oral learners—people who do not read or prefer to learn through spoken communication. This percentage is even higher among unreached people groups. Oral learners are not necessarily illiterate; they simply prefer to learn through storytelling and oral communication.
For the oral majority of the world to be able to truly engage with the living Word, Scripture must be translated and shared in ways they can understand and engage with. Traditional text-based approaches do not effectively “speak their language”.
In the Original (Old) Testament, God provides a model for discipling an oral nation. Drawing from the rich resources of the Bible’s language, land, culture, and historical context, we seek to serve as a Kingdom multiplier by developing programs, materials, and tools for oral Bible translation, storytelling, and Scripture engagement. We also work to create innovative ways for highly oral communities to access and engage with the whole Word.
EDUCATION AND TOOLS
We offer accredited courses and internships as part of our various degree programs to train the next generation of Bible translators, current Bible translators, and Bible translation consultants in training.
We also offer short courses, workshops, and seminars in Oral Bible Translation and Scripture engagement around the globe together with our partners.
Resources
Whole Word Institute produces and publishes media resources to support oral Bible translation and engagement and offers consultation on oral Bible translation to translation teams. Resources include:
- Master Storyteller (Digital Access and Film Package – master-storyteller.net)
- Oral Translation Brief
- Short Videos
- Visual Art
- Key Biblical Concepts for Oral Bible Translation
- Bible Translation Media Toolbox
COURSE OFFERINGS
Whole Word Institute offers the following accredited courses in the field of Orality to students in our two MA programs.
MA Classical (Biblical) Hebrew electives
Prerequisite Course: ביצוע כתבי הקודש
Course 1: Biblical Foundations of Orality
Course 2: תרגום מקרא בעל פה
MA Classical (Biblical) Hebrew and Translation Consulting
Core MA Courses
Prerequisite Course: ביצוע כתבי הקודש
Course 1: Biblical Foundations of Orality
Course 2: תרגום מקרא בעל פה
Specialization in OBT and Consulting
Course 3: Advanced Oral Bible Translation
Course 4: Ethnomusicology and Art
Course 5: Media Production
Internship: Oral Bible Translation Internship
We offer the following short courses in the field of Orality in partnership with other agencies around the world:
- Introduction of Orality
- Oral Bible Discovery