Transcription has opened an opportunity for language development in oral communities. For example, using the transcribed texts, in Participatory Language Discovery (PLD) the Marenje and Siphuthi programmes have discovered a lot of general knowledge and some linguistic features used in their languages. Before, they only spoke through tacit knowledge, but now they are aware of the parts of speech they are using. They discovered the most commonly used connectors, i.e. ‘but’, ‘then’, after’. Also, some letters are not reflected in the Marenje alphabet.

At the moment, Wycliffe South Africa’s preferred methodology for translation is called Oral Bible Translation and Transcription (OBT&T). This has been shaped by the language communities in which we work. The full-time projects work to a rhythm to produce an average of a chapter per week which is translated, community reviewed, consultant checked, recorded (as an audio), and transcribed. We use technology to assist the teams, but do not want to embrace tools like Artificial Intelligence if the community benefits more by being hands-on in the process. In dynamic transcription, the team has the opportunity to edit the text as they listen and write/type. We support Sign Language translations and pray for the Deaf to receive a Bible in their heart language.

Wycliffe South Africa’s Finance Team not only provides excellent financial management of the projects that we manage, we also provide financial management to others. Due to the majority of our projects being cross-border, we serve both the teams on the ground as well as the funding organisations to provide regular and accurate reporting and accountability. This means we are able to provide processing and reporting in three currencies, and be a seamless link between first-world systems and transactions in remote, rural communities

Translation is done best in the community itself, for a sense of ownership and so that the finished products can be taken to the people immediately. Training of the translation teams is done on-the-job so that decision-making is in the hands of the local community. Also,during the training, the team is familiarized with the working environment they will become part of, and a hands-on experience. Wycliffe South Africa personnel should always be considered as the guest supporters and not the leaders of the project.

It is a joy to serve the local Church and to serve with local churches. Wycliffe Links brings the Church in southern Africa closer to the translation communities for mutual blessing and encouragement. We partner with local churches to equip them in their mission and discipleship, and connect them to language communities for prayer, visits and equipping. We encourage “mission tourism” so that people from all over the world can experience first-hand what God is doing to transform lives and communities through His Word. The stories of transformation documented and published as videos, stories and social media is intended to inspire believers and congregations in service God in His mission to reach nations.