Oral Bible Translation: How Understanding the Neurosciences Helps, Part I

What is the relationship of Neuroscience, Bilingualism, and Educational domains with Bible Translation among oral cultures? This paper is part I of a two-part series about Bible translation (ВТ) among and by oral culture (ОС) people. Part I attempts to learn from neuroscience and allied fields in relation to ОС and the work of OBT. Part II offers an alternative OBT methodology for ОС people with the hope of increasing research and practice in the field of Orality to advance the Great Commission and Bible Translation among the oral majority. Bible Translation has long been recognized as an expatriate missionary task. This situation began to change at the beginning of 21st century when ВТ paradigms began shifting to mother-tongue translators in leading ВТ initiatives. This paradigm shift has been an extremely challenging scenario for both expats and native speakers, but is working because the churches of the language communities involved have served as anchors. With ОС being predominant in Bible-less people groups, the expanse of the work is astronomical. How is ВТ conducted among people who do not read and write? A literate ВТ paradigm by expats adapted to an oral ВТ paradigm by locals could be an ideal scenario, but still an accommodation that may recreate some old undesirable outcomes. An oral ВТ paradigm by nonliterate native speakers is wanting. It is imperative to look elsewhere and develop an OBT praxis, a locus that is universal and foundational for both OC and expats.