The Push for Universal Bible Translation by 2033
Scores of millions of people flock to churches during the Christmas season, drawn by the timeless story of Mary, Joseph, and the baby Jesus. This year, Christian missionaries are harnessing the power of artificial intelligence (AI) to further their mission of spreading the Gospel. With the Bible already the most translated book in history, available in over 750 languages, these organizations aim to translate it into every one of the world’s approximately 7,000 languages. This ambitious goal is now more achievable thanks to advancements in AI technology.
The Challenge of Bible Translation
Translating the Bible is a complex and labor-intensive endeavor. The Old Testament contains around 600,000 words, and historical accounts suggest that 70 scholars were needed for its translation in the third century BC. The New Testament, written in a challenging form of Greek, presents its own set of ambiguities. For instance, the term “epiousion” in the Lord’s Prayer has been translated as “daily,” but its exact meaning remains uncertain. Such translation choices can have significant theological implications, as seen in the differing descriptions of Mary as either a “young woman” or a “virgin.”
Historically, translating the Bible into English was a perilous task, with scholars facing severe consequences, including execution, for their efforts. Although the Reformation eased some of these dangers, the translation process remains painstaking. In 1999, Wycliffe, a missions organization, estimated that it would take 150 years to initiate translation projects in all remaining languages. Initially, missionaries had to relocate, learn local languages, and spend decades translating the Bible. While local linguists have since been employed to expedite the process, translating the entire Bible still typically requires around 15 years.
AI: A Game Changer for Translation
The introduction of AI technology has the potential to revolutionize Bible translation. Estimates suggest that with the assistance of large language models (LLMs), a polished translation of the New Testament could be completed in just two years, while the Old Testament might take around six years. Organizations like IllumiNations, a coalition of Bible-translation agencies, are now striving to have at least a portion of the Bible translated into every language by 2033. They report being over halfway to this ambitious goal, having raised nearly $500 million over the past decade to support their efforts.
The breakthrough in AI translation can be traced back to Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, which released an open license for an AI translation model in 2022. This initiative aimed to enhance web services for 200 languages, particularly those in Africa and Asia. For mission organizations, this development is seen as providential, allowing them to adapt a secular tool for sacred purposes.
Navigating the Complexities of Language
Translating minority languages poses unique challenges. According to data scientist Daniel Whitenack, simply inputting a low-resource language into an AI model like ChatGPT will not yield useful results, as the model lacks exposure to that language. In such cases, translators often need to provide foundational texts themselves, sometimes translating parts of the Bible manually. Jeff Webster, a translation consultant, emphasizes the search for the “holy grail” of parallel texts that can effectively fine-tune AI models for better output.
While some Christians express concerns about the use of AI in translation, fearing it may undermine the role of the Holy Spirit, proponents argue that human oversight remains essential. The translation process still requires careful drafting, grammatical checks, and theological reviews, all led by people. AI also struggles with cultural nuances and abstract concepts, necessitating creative adaptations. For example, the term “battering-ram” may be translated as “machine of war” or “long wooden pole used to ram in city gates,” depending on the cultural context.
The Urgency of the Mission
The push for Bible translation into every language is driven by both eschatological beliefs and a sense of duty among Christians. Some believe that Christ will return once the Bible is available in all languages, while others are motivated by a desire to spread their faith. Missionaries are not only delivering the Bible to new regions but also introducing advanced AI technologies to assist in the translation process. This initiative could yield significant rewards, both in this life and the next, as they work to fulfill their spiritual mission.
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