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.
Note: For more details on the translation work, please
write to the following Email addresses:
ufj1107@ms3.hinet.net
[sister Yeh]
ec087124@tpts5.seed.net.tw
[sister Zhang]
Front
Line 