Translation is a review process, not a button

Translation brings a message to people who may not share the speaker’s language or cultural context. The goal is understanding, so the work begins before a target language is selected.

Prepare the source

Correct the transcript and identify names, scripture references and terms that need consistent treatment. Note a phrase’s meaning in context rather than assuming a literal equivalent will carry the same idea. If a sermon refers to a local event, decide whether the translated edition needs an explanation.

Provide terminology guidance in the translation workflow. Then compare the draft with the source as a whole. A line-by-line check can miss a qualification carried across two sentences.

Review as a viewer

Ask a fluent reviewer familiar with the ministry’s context to check theology, idioms and tone. For subtitles, play the media: text must appear at the right moment, remain readable, and avoid obscuring important visuals. Natural target-language phrasing may require different line breaks.

Export the chosen edition and test it in the intended player. Keep the source and reviewed project so future corrections can be made without reconstructing the work.

Create and review a translation.