Performance Criticism

As a foundation for this special issue, especially for readers who are not yet familiar with orality, Julian Sundersingh (United Bible Societies), a well-known name in orality and literacy studies, surveys the intricacies of orality and textuality and explores whether translations should cater to oral or written formats, considering the preferences of oral learners and identifying features relevant to quality assurance. Bayamy Tchande (Bible Society of Chad) explores how community participation contributes to quality assurance in OBT. Tobias Houston (University of the Free State) introduces a quality-assurance model based on loyalty to both source text and audience, integrating quality checks into the translation workflow, and discusses quality assurance in relation to the oral translation component and the subsequent written version of the translation, with case studies from his work in Mozambique. Bryan Harmelink (Wycliffe Global Alliance) examines the implications of multimodality for exegesis, translation, and quality assurance processes in Bible translation. Bronwen Cleaver (Institute for Bible Translation) and Justin Randolph (SIL Global) encourage translators to research and analyze local genres to achieve high-quality translations using forms within the corresponding genre in the receptor language, showcasing the Altai people’s sung translation of Psalm 133. Fausto Liriano (United Bible Societies) discusses the integration of cognitive memory principles into translation workshops in projects where the memorability and performability of the translated biblical passages are key aspects of quality assurance. Marlon Winedt (United Bible Societies) applies social semiotics to enhance OBT, introducing audio recordings of written Scripture into the conversation and discussing what criteria should be considered for quality assurance in that format. Robin Green Ulibarri (Seed Company) and Swapna Alexander (Faith Comes by Hearing) then discuss the rationale for transcription and present case studies, aiming to initiate a conversation on best practices for quality assurance in converting oral to print. Phil Ruge-Jones (Grace Lutheran Church) focuses on ensuring fidelity in translation, emphasizing a performance-based approach and cultural contexts in a project in Guatemala.

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Oral Bible Translation and Its Role in the Future of Bible Translation

by Bronwen Cleaver

The Bible Translator 2023, Vol. 74(1) 5–20

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.

Full article available here, with permission of the author

The Revelation of St John

Performed by David Rhoads

SBL 1998

Special thanks to the Endowment for Biblical Research (EBR), Boston, for permission to present the recording here. This presentation was given as part of the "Frontiers in Biblical Research" lecture series sponsored by the EBR. For more information, see ebrboston.org.

Unwriting the Bible

Interviews by Nick Acker

Nick Acker is copastor of Grace Church Ventura, an adjunct faculty member with Stark.edu, and a resident fellow at B.H.Carroll.edu: "The Bible was written to be heard. This podcast explores aspects of the oral traditional origins of the Christian Bible." See Nick's interview with Ray Person at https://www.youtube.com/Q34rRHPkOCI?si=SrrxKk6dRU7EWZWO and links to other interviews.

Also on Spotify: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/nick-acker/

SBL 2025: Boston

Nov 22-25, 2025

BostonCC Biblical Performance Criticism investigates how meaning is made in communication events of biblical (and other) traditions involving a performer (e.g., lector, preacher, teacher), audience, tradition, situation, and media. Sessions in 2025 will focus on performance of apocalyptic literature (canonical and extra-canonical) and how embodiment and cultural memory shape the experience of meaning making. We will have three sessions and one networking meeting:

A Joint Session with John’s Apocalypse and Cultural Contexts Ancient and Modern. There will be three performances of Revelation 13-14 (one in each language, English, ASL, and Spanish) and three respondents exploring how the embodiment and cultural memory shaped their experiences.
A Joint Session with Linguistics and Biblical Hebrew on “Translation and Linguistic Issues in Apocalyptic Literature in Ancient Hebrew and Aramaic.” In recent years, questions have emerged on how to translate lexical, grammatical, and pragmatic issues in the Hebrew Bible, especially in the context of non-written domains.
Biblical Performance Criticism: What is it? How to do it? Where is it going? Papers will introduce the current state of BPC to interested parties and new practitioners and engage long-time participants in discussion of the direction of BPC.

Networking Luncheon. In San Diego, the BYOL lunch on Monday was a great success and will be repeated to bring new and long-time students and scholars together.