87/Front Line/The Holy Task Of Translating The Scriptures oF a Living Master
Front Line
To accurately record, for publication and distribution, Master's lectures
delivered in countries worldwide in as short a time as possible is an important
part of the mission to propagate the Word of God. The diversity of languages
spoken in the world has underscored the importance of dissolving linguistic
barriers for fellow practitioners and other people, to enable them to absorb
the essence of the discourses by a living Master and thereby establish
proper spiritual concepts.
One might refer to fellow initiates who have devoted themselves to the
translation work in different parts of the world as the Xuan Zang's of
modern times. (Xuan Zang was a seventh-century monk from China who traveled
on foot to India to secure the Holy Scriptures and take them back to his
country. His story has been recounted in the "Journey to the West".)
The group has opened up new avenues of access to the teachings of a living
Master. With the employment of the latest communication tools, such as
the computer and the Internet, it has transcended time and space to disseminate
Master's teachings and has reached out to countless numbers of people.
This special report by the News Group attempts to offer an insight into
the endeavors and accomplishments of the Formosan Translation Group and
to provide a reference for other translation teams around the world.
Interviews were conducted with several Taipei initiates who have been on
the translation team for a long time to find out how their work has changed
over time and how innovative projects are going. From them, the News Group
learnt of many new developments that spell a promising future for the spreading
of the Word. These fellow brothers and sisters also share with readers
the spiritual bliss and experiences of growth that have come with their
work for God.
The Formosan Translation Group: A Brief Introduction
For many years, the Formosan Translation Group has transcribed Master's
videotaped lectures in Chinese and English, and translated discourses given
in English into Chinese, while offering technical support for the insertion
of subtitles in videos released in other languages. The group currently
has a number of language groups working on Chinese, English, German, French,
Korean, Japanese and other language editions of videotape productions.
It has also formed support groups responsible for typing, data compilation,
image integration and administration. Through streamlined operations and
close cooperation, these sub-groups have pooled their efforts toward accomplishing
the translation work. All members on the team are volunteer lay initiates
who dedicate their spare time from their own work and household chores
to the various tasks.
Let's take a videotape of one of Master's lectures for example. The original
recording is transcribed and the transcription is re-checked against the
tape. From this transcription, a draft translation is made, proofread,
edited, and then punched into the computer. The Image Integration Group
comes onto the scene. It breaks the translated copy into lines of suitable
length and adds them as subtitles onto the videotape. The tape is viewed
and corrections made when necessary. For the Translation Group, this is
the end product.
Translation Group meetings are held whenever necessary to enhance the quality
of the work and speed up the work process. Meanwhile, the Group conducts
a number of peripheral activities including recruiting, assessing, and
training new members; gathering feedback and suggestions for translation;
producing translation samples; and offering computer courses.
Like other matters related to Master's work, the translation work is adapted
to meet the constant changes in time and circumstance. Over the past few
years, the group has demanded higher standards of itself and an increased
output of multi-language editions of Master's books and videotaped lectures.
It has also designed and purchased computer software to help it accomplish
its objectives. It has developed the "Good Go" software for subtitle
insertion, compiled a database of translation terminology in MS Word format,
and extensively explored the potential of the Internet.
An Innovative Success:
The "Good Go" Subtitle Software
In the earlier days, an expensive subtitling machine plus strong coordination
between a machine operator and a language expert were required to insert
subtitles in a videotape. However, machine malfunctioning and the inability
of subtitle team members to get together often delayed the release of the
tapes. All this has changed with the successful development of the user-friendly
"Good Go" software.
Now, anyone with an average understanding of the language can, without
the slightest difficulty, use his personal computer to record in a translated
file, the length of time that each subtitle line is to appear on the screen.
The subtitle file thus created goes to the Image Integration Group for
synchronization with the image. This procedure has recently been introduced
via the Internet to many language groups worldwide, such as the Korean,
Thai and Portuguese groups. This innovation has greatly reduced the time
required for what was once tedious and complicated insertion of subtitles.
The introduction of this software has removed a long-time hindrance for
the Translation Group. Commenting on how several amateurs designed this
professional program, brother initiate Cheng said, "Very often, efficiency
is raised by the timely appearance of a certain person. If the situation
requires, and when the time is right, Master will naturally arrange for
the right person to come along and solve the problem. Of course, before
this person appears, we have to handle the problem patiently in a not so
competent way. If you come to a bottleneck, don't jump to the conclusion
that it is impossible or very difficult. Negative thoughts won't help.
If you have the determination, God will always have plans for those who
are ready."
Database Of Translation Terminology
Initiates directly engaged in translation often come across religious terms
that can be translated in different ways. To avoid inconsistency and repeated
consultations, the Formosan Translation Group has compiled over the years
many commonly used terms and common errors. These have been verified and
categorized, and a Chinese-English cross-reference tool created. Not long
ago, the compiled data was converted into a database that can be accessed
at convenience via the MS Word tool bar.
Multi-language Compatibility
To meet growing demands for multi-language editions of videotape productions,
the Translation Group has successfully set up French, Spanish, Au Lac and
other language interfaces in the MS Word environment to facilitate the
simultaneous use of different languages, thereby effectively simplifying
the work process.
Meanwhile, many groups are working jointly on a project to compile an enormous
database that will serve as a reference for a diverse range of topics.
It is expected to provide more extensive and substantial information at
different stages of the publishing process, and to facilitate the speedy
access to and exchange of information.
Background Support
The work of translation requires extensive support in research, file management,
computer maintenance and personnel management. All this requires patience,
perseverance and a sharp eye for minute details. Brother Chen, who is conversant
with computers, is in charge of the computer assets of the Translation
Group. Responsible for equipment maintenance and file management, he also
helps group members install computer software and offers technical support
and consultations.
Sister Liang is responsible for research work. Through perseverance, she
overcame her initial unfamiliarity with the computer to master her job
and, with great patience, accomplished the tedious task of data compilation
and collection. She efficiently pools the human resources of the News and
the Internet groups to render efficient support to the translators. In
her spare time, Sister Xia, a housewife and a mother, catalogues audiovisual
productions and offers administrative assistance by relaying phone messages
to members of the Translation Group.
These interviews have highlighted the fact that each and every success
is the result of collective efforts, physical and mental, by many people
in different situations, different posts and different stages. It is their
loving dedication and contributions that have made it possible for us to
revel in the Truth, goodness and beauty of Master's teachings and nourishment
for the soul.
According to a member of the group, "Some fellow initiates think that
the Translation Group is doing a professional job, so they dare not join
in the team. Actually, there are jobs that are not very difficult, like
typing, research and transcribing. Even the translation work itself is
accomplished in many stages."
As for which members can do the work better, brother Huang, long-time head
of the English Group, said with feeling, "The best people are those
who are cooperative and willing to work, who want to learn humbly, and
who are ready to give their all. These people are our best working partners.
Some fellow practitioners might be highly competent, but they often fail
to cooperate as we expect them to, because they are busy with their own
work or have problems with their families or spiritual practice."
When asked to comment on what constitutes a good helper, brother Huang
said, "The key is the willingness to make sacrifices and the courage
to face trouble and setbacks. If we are prepared to be a helper in God's
hands, Master will help us do our jobs better than professionals."
Insights And Rewards
Brother Lu joined the Translation Group soon after he was initiated. "Whoever
is sincere in doing the translation work, will find his language proficiency
improve very quickly. Being on the team has let me understand Master's
teachings and our spiritual group better," he noted. "The friendly
relationship and working attitude of fellow initiates have made me firmly
believe that this is an exceptional group of people standing together in
heartfelt sincerity. Besides, I finally understand why God has bestowed
on me this language talent."
As brother Huang added, "Through my work for Master I can observe
my faults more clearly; I can also unearth my hidden qualities and talents.
It brings me closer to Master, and as the mundane hustle and bustle of
the past fades away, only details related to my work for Master crystallizes
in my memory."
Conclusion
The end products of the translation work form a bridge leading many fellow
and potential initiates to Master's teachings. These interviews with the
members of the Formosan Translation Group have shown that with Master's
blessings, they have accumulated a wealth of experience from their many
years of endeavors and perseverance in learning and sharpening new skills.
A working procedure is almost in place, software development is going well,
and quality control is assured. However, so extensive and comprehensive
are the teachings of an enlightened Master, so widely diverse are the languages
spoken, and so great is the number of Truth-aspiring souls longing to hear
the message from a living Messiah, that the loving dedication of many more
people around the world is essential to keep the translation work going.
Except for the Chinese and English language teams which can boast adequate
manpower, all other language groups suffer from a shortage of human resources
or a lack of organization, which explains why there are far fewer publications
available in these languages. The coming of a new century has been accompanied
by an increasing number of Truth aspirants. In short, more fellow practitioners
are needed, regardless of which part of the world you are living in, to
actively translate more of Master's discourses into various languages.
Disseminating the teachings of a saint is a noble task. Definitely it is
by the blessings of all the enlightened beings that one can be so fortunate
as to be able to partake in the sacred task of translating the teachings
of a living Master. Should you wish to join the team of modern-day Xuan
Zang's, please gather up your courage, seize this opportunity to train
yourself, and play a part in this magnificent congregation in the global
village of this epoch.
