Frequently Asked Questions
from church members

Partnership Development

1. Where is your assignment? Will you ever travel out of the US?
2. Are you working now?
3. When will your partnership team be complete? (Updated)
4. Do one-time gifts count toward your partnership goals?
5. Are you receiving income through Wycliffe now? (Updated 8/12/2004)
6. To whom do I send gifts for your ministry?

Computer Technology

1. Do you need to learn foreign languages or linguistics in order to design software for Wycliffe?
2. Can computers analyze or understand languages?
3. How much time has computer technology saved translators?
4. How do missionaries get power to their equipment?
5. Can missionaries access the internet?

Linguistics

1. How many languages have been translated?
2. How do linguists choose or develop a character system (script) for a minority language group?
3. What is the hardest language to learn?
4. How does Wycliffe avoid denominational bias in translation?

Frequently Asked Questions
from church leaders

1. How long is your presentation?
2. What equipment do you need for your presentation setup?
3. How would you like us to introduce you?
4. Would you consider visiting
   ... churches that cannot presently support you in their budget?
   ... churches that are a distance to travel?
   ... churches that are not in your denomination?
5. When are you available to visit?
6. Would you like to present during our worship service?
7. How does your para-church ministry relate to our denomination's missions?

Questions from Church Members

Partnership Development

1. Where is your assignment?
Will you ever travel out of the US?

My assignment as a Language Software Developer will be at the International Linguistics Center in Dallas, TX. For now, the best place I can serve missionaries is with the team in Dallas. But, perhaps in the future the Lord will call me to do translation work on the field or provide technical support overseas.


2. Are you working now?


I will be able to begin my work in Dallas as soon as my partnership team is sufficiently developed. My full-time job right now is to share my ministry with churches and individuals, showing them how God is using computer technology to help bring His Word to Bibleless peoples. As I share, I am trusting the Lord to build a team of those who want to join with me in this ministry by supporting me through prayer and/or giving.


3. When will your partnership team be complete?


See my latest newsletter or email communication to know how close I am to receiving a complete partnership team.


4. Do one-time gifts count toward your partnership goals?


Although one-time gifts are not counted towards the regular commitment I need for my assignment, they are helpful in covering ministry expenses such as travel costs and supplies for my regular communications.


5. Are you receiving income through Wycliffe now?


As a specified term member (STM), I will not receive income through Wycliffe until I start working at my assignment. Until then, gifts that are received go into a holding account. But, I can apply for reimbursement from this holding account to cover ministry related expenses such as travel and supplies.

(Updated 8/12/2004) Wycliffe recently consolidated its members into one membership category. As a result,
in September 2004, I will begin receiving from what is given to me every month, and I will be eligible for the same benefits as lifetime members. However, I will not begin my assignment as a software developer until the full level of financial partnership is reached.


6. To whom do I send gifts for your ministry?


Please send gifts to Wycliffe for my ministry (see address below). Make checks out solely to Wycliffe Bible Translators and enclose a separate note saying the gift is for the ministry of Eric Pyle. For reasons related to tax regulations for non-profit organizations, Wycliffe asks that you not write members names on checks sent to them.

Mail gifts to Wycliffe Bible Translators, P.O. Box 628200, Orlando, Florida 32862-8200.

1. Do you need to learn foreign languages or linguistics in order to design software for Wycliffe?
   
   Foreign languages and linguistic skills are not required for my position but can be very helpful. Most tools will not require knowledge of specific foreign languages since they will be generally useful for all translation projects. As I work with the team, I'll learn more about the way languages work and be better equipped to help with language specific technologies such as non-Roman script technology.
   
   
2. Can computers analyze or understand languages?


Currently computers are effective tools that aid linguists in analyzing languages and culture and can even provide rough translations based upon the linguists' input and analysis. Computers may never be able to learn languages and respond like humans can.


3. How much time has computer technology saved translators?


Communication technology has had the most obvious impact in reducing the time that important information can be exchanged. What used to take weeks through letter correspondence, now happens almost instantaneously.

More important than time saved is improvement in the quality of translations. Instant access to online dictionaries, references materials, spell check tools, etc. actually helps linguists produce better translations.


4. How do missionaries get power to their equipment?


Many have electricity like we do, although not as reliable. In the tropics, where power is unreliable, they often have solar panels that charge batteries, or gas/diesel generators. Much work can now be done on handheld devices that only take a few batteries.


5. Can missionaries access the internet?


Most missionaries have access to email part of the time. Many missionaries can access the internet to communicate with others, find information to solve problems, and keep up on current events around the world. They may have to travel to the nearest center that offers such connectivity, however.

1. How many languages have been translated?


As of 2003, approximately 3,000 known language groups have some Scripture translated. That leaves about 3,000 languages groups consisting of over 380 million people without any Scripture. Wycliffe hopes to have a translation in progress for the remaining language groups by 2025.


2. How do linguists choose or develop a character system (script) for a minority language group?


Typically, linguists use the script already used by the national language, modifying it only where the minority language has phonetic idiosyncrasies that cannot be fully represented by the national script. This makes it easier for the minority language group to learn to read the national language. The national government can also review the work of the linguist more easily.


3. What is the hardest language to learn?


Languages that are the most difficult to learn are those that are most different from your own mother tongue in sounds, grammar, and even background culture. Arabic has many features that are not easy for English speakers. In Arabic, verb tenses change by vowels sounds, not by suffixes as in English. Arabic also has a series of sounds deep in the throat that are difficult for English speakers. Likewise, some South African languages incorporate a series of clicks. Tonal languages like Mandarin Chinese require listeners to pay attention to the pitches used with the pronunciation.


4. How does Wycliffe avoid denominational bias in translation?
   
   Wycliffe translators are trained to determine the intended meaning of the text and how to communicate that adequately, rather than communicating bias and influenced positions. One of the best and simplest ways to guard against the influence of bias is the use of a translation consultant. The translation consultant is a key person in Wycliffe's checking process. He/she generally comes from outside the language group and has not been involved in the draft production. So, they are often able to see things from an objective viewpoint which escapes many who are intimately involved, and who could unduly direct the translation in a biased fashion.
   

1. How long is your presentation?
   
   My presentation has (but is not limited to) two main formats: a brief introduction (10 min) that can be used during church announcements before worship service, and an extended format (40 minutes) for a Sunday School or Bible study period. The basic outlines for these presentations are as follows:
   
   

   Format 1: Brief Introduction (10 min) Pastor's introduction Opening statement Luther and Bible Translation Shoebox: Creating dictionaries--then and now. Partnership Format 2: Sunday School (40 min) Pastor's introduction Opening statement [The necessity of Bible translation (Westminster Confession of Faith)] Luther and Bible Translation Shoebox: Creating dictionaries--then and now. Missionary Testimonies for New Computer Software Media Presentation of Technology Example (Non-Roman Script Initiative) [media] Computer Software Slides [media] Wycliffe's Need for Computer Personnel Partnership Q&A

   
   I can adapt and alter this material to fit the needs and time contraints of ministers, churches, and small groups.
   
2. What equipment do you need for your presentation setup?
   
   For my Sunday School presentation (Format 2), I need a TV and VCR w/RCA video input so I can show a multimedia presentation through the video output on my laptop. Plus, I need access to a power socket for my laptop and my stereo speakers. I'd like to be able to setup 45 minutes before my presentation.
   
   My brief presentation (Format 1) requires no special equipment.
   
   
3. How would you like us to introduce you?
   
   Before I present, I like to have pastors introduce me to their congregation with some basic facts about myself.
   
   
4. Would you consider visiting...
   ...churches that cannot presently support you in their budget?
   
   My desire is that the Lord would use my sharing to encourage members to be involved in missions in a variety of ways. Financial partnership is important, but perhaps even more important is the commitment to prayer and encouragement. In response to my presentation the Lord may lead some to commit financially, or, in the future the church may be blessed so as to be able to expand her ability to partner with me financially, but this is not my primary motivation for sharing.
   
   ...churches that are a distance to travel?
   
   Yes. I do not mind traveling out of state, and I like to go places I haven't been before. I do appreciate arrangements to stay with someone from the church the night before the presentation.
   
   ...churches that are not in your denomination?
   
   Yes. The Bible belongs to all of God's people and all of God's people should participate in its translation for all those who need it. I've begun by visiting churches in my denomination since I know the pastors of these churches, but I would also highly value being able to share with other churches.
   
   
5. When are you available to visit?
   
   I am generally available. My presentation schedule shows when I am unavailable.
   
   
6. Would you like to present during our worship service?
   
   I feel most comfortable giving a brief intro during announcements before worship service, or presenting during a Sunday School/Bible study period. I can also present on Sunday evenings if the church finds that more helpful.
   
   
7. How does your para-church ministry relate to our denomination's missions?
   
   Wycliffe's mission is to assist the whole church in making disciples of every nation through Bible translation. My role in Bible translation can be viewed as assisting your denominational missions by helping to provide the foundation of all missions: God's Word.