What is your consulting philosophy? The consultant is a member of the translation team (translators, reviewers, and others), all of whom play their part to assure quality in the translation. This means that the consultant is less of a “quality checker” and more of a mentor, adviser, and facilitator, supporting the rest of the team to deliver their best work.

What translation resources do you really value? I regularly consult a wide variety of resources, but if I have to single out a few, I would mention the UBS Handbooks and Translators’ Notes. I normally turn to these first, whether I’m preparing for a consultant session or checking a translated text with a translation team. The enhanced resources in Paratext are also excellent.

How do you continue to grow as a consultant? (What helps you continue to grow as a consultant?) I think the important thing is to maintain a growth mindset, constantly striving to develop my knowledge, understanding, and skills. Some specific things I try to do as much as possible include reading in areas related to Bible translation (linguistics, biblical studies, literary studies, translation studies, etc.) and to keep practicing my Greek and Hebrew by reading the Scriptures in the original languages. I also like asking other experienced consultants the types of questions you are asking me here, for example about their favorite resources, how they prepare for a consultant session, or what they do to keep developing as consultants.

How do you share your translation discoveries with others? I mostly share my discoveries with mentees in personal conversations or during formal and informal training events. I simply don’t get to conferences as often as I’d like to, nor do I have the time to write as much as I’d like to.

Can you share about a time when you realized you were wrong and what you learned from it? I have had to tell translation teams more often than I care to remember that, upon further reflection and study, it became clear to me that the advice I had given during a previous session was only partly correct or even wrong. It is humbling (and necessary) to have to admit that to translation teams from time to time. I have learned that, instead of undermining their trust in me or my advice, it tends to foster greater respect and trust. It is important for them to realize that the “experts” are also imperfect humans and to see that growing together in an atmosphere of trust and grace is not only possible, but desirable.

What are your top tips for someone starting on a career path in Bible translation? What would you say to young / aspiring translators? Immerse yourself in the Scriptures, learning what you can about their content, meaning, context, literary genres, etc. Be intentional in developing your interpersonal skills, especially listening and facilitating group discussions.

Share something that you learned from a mentor or from a mentee? The consultant isn’t the “kingpin” in terms of quality assurance in translation. Although the consultant has an important part to play, quality assurance is a team effort involving translators, facilitators, reviewers, and others.

What do you see as the place of the church in Bible translation? There is no Bible translation without the church. Representatives of translation agencies are as much a part of the church as the translators who belong to the local church(es). All involved need to learn to give and receive from their brothers and sisters from other parts of the church. I think that extremes – translation projects where the role of the local church(es) is ignored or dismissed, but also projects where the contribution of the global church is rejected – are dangerous and can lead to confusion and the failure of translated Scriptures to serve the needs of the communities for whom they are intended.

What would you say to young/ aspiring translators? Embark on this ministry with prayer and commitment, seeking to be effective and available to the Lord as he works to reach the members of your community with his Word. Seize every opportunity to learn from the various advisers and mentors the Lord may send across your path, including the consultant(s) who will be serving with your team.

Any other comments? Take time to ponder the great privilege of being a part, however small, in fulfilling the ancient prophecy that “the earth will be as full of the knowledge of the Lord's glory as the seas are full of water” (Habakkuk 2:14).