Chapter 9
Why is it necessary to test a translation?
- To discover whether the translation is truly accurate, clear, and natural. Does it communicate the true meaning effectively to the intended audience, that is, to representative speakers of the receptor language?
- To find ways of improving the translation.
- To give speakers of the language the opportunity to share their ideas and express their views on the translation. They become aware that the translation belongs to them and that their comments are valued.
What is the difference between “checking” and “testing” the translation?
- “Checking” describes the work that the members of the translation team do among themselves. It involves the careful examination of every aspect of the translation to make sure that it is as correct as possible in every way. Checking is a tedious task, but a very necessary one.
- “Testing” is the process of taking the translation out to other speakers of the language, to find out whether it is understandable to them, and whether the message it communicates is accurate. Different ways of testing will be described in this chapter.
- “Reviewing” is done my certain members of the receptor language community who are appointed as reviewers. Their task is to read the draft translations and give feedback to help the translators correct and improve the translation. Their contribution is particularly important in trying to ensure that the translation is acceptable to the bishops they represent, and to speakers of the regional dialects they represent.
Some ways of testing the translation include:
- Reading the translation aloud
- Listening to readers
- Tell-it-again test
- Questions and answers
- Comparing alternatives
Adapted from Barnwell, Katharine: Bible Translation: An Introductory Course in Translation Principles, Fourth Edition. (Dallas: SIL International, 2020), 105-107.