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What Are Some Ways to Use BibleWorks for Bible Translation Projects?
Author: M C Reference Number: AA-02986 Views: 11251 Created: 2015-02-03 10:48 Last Updated: 2015-06-10 15:27 0 Rating/ Voters

Comparing Greek or English Texts 
 
Comparing Greek texts provides visible clues where textual variants may influence translation decisions. Comparing English translations gives a quick visual reference for different ways to translate a passage. By comparing translations produced according to different translation theories you can more quickly see interpretive problems and proposed solutions.The text coloring settings will still apply even if all the versions are not displayed in the Browse Window, but you probably will want to display each of your chosen versions so you can compare them.
 
Difference Highlighting and the Text Comparison Settings tool provide a way to quickly see where two or more BibleWorks Greek versions differ.

Click here for a video on how to Display Differences Between Versions Using a Browse Window Option or see that same video under Help | How-to Videos in BibleWorks 9.

Difference Highlighting can be turned on or off on using the main menu in BibleWorks by clicking on View, then select Show/Hide and on the sub-menu click Difference Highlighting. You can also turn it on by clicking on the Browse Window Options button at the top of the Browse Window, then find and click Toggle Difference Highlighting or using a keyboard shortcut in the Browse Window if you click within the Browse Window text area and press the 'e' key on your computer keyboard.

Text Comparison Settings is an alternative tool that you can use to compare texts. Click here for a video on how to Display Differences Between Versions Using Text Comparison Settings or see that same video under Help | How-to Videos in BibleWorks 9. 

To open Text Comparison Settings on the main menu select Tools, Viewing the Text and then select Text Comparison Settings. In the top line of the Text Comparison Settings window, under Versions to Compare, type the three-letter abbreviations for the versions you wish to compare to each other. (The base text for comparison is the first version abbreviation on the left.) For our example, if you wish to compare the Nestle-Aland critical text (BNT), the Robinson-Pierpont Majority Text (BYZ), and the Textus Receptus (SCR). Type  bnt byz scr in the top line and select the Enable checkbox for the first line.

The background color for the comparison is light green by default. Now you need to display these Greek texts in the Browse Window. On the main menu select View, and then Choose Display Version(s). Under Greek select the BNT, BYZ, and SCR versions. Click the OK button.  
 

Comparing Greek texts will not provide all the information that a textual apparatus provides, but it does provide a quick way to see where text-types differ. The following indicates

BYZ is the Majority Text, a text that represents the Byzantine family of manuscripts. 
 
SCR and STE display the Textus Receptus, a Greek text developed from a small subset of manuscripts belonging to the Byzantine text family.
 
TIS is an eclectic text that favors readings from the Greek manuscript Sinaiticus.

M-01A is the transcribed text of the Greek manuscript Sinaiticus
  
WHO is an eclectic text that favors readings from the Greek manuscript Vaticanus.
 
BNT, GNT, and BGT are eclectic texts that draw from all the text types. These Greek texts are similar to WHO but containing more readings that agree with BYZ.


Viewing a Textual Apparatus for the Greek New Testament

BibleWorks 9 comes with the Center for New Testament Textual Studies' New Testament Critical Apparatus (CNTTS). This extensive database is an ongoing project devoted to recording and distributing a full critical apparatus built from thousands of manuscripts. The BibleWorks edition of the CNTTS NT Critical Apparatus makes it simple to access and to search the apparatus data. The BibleWorks edition has enhanced the database by adding a manuscript date and Aland category matrix for each variant reading. As you browse the text of the Bible, the CNTTS database tracks and displays in the Verse tab in the Analysis Window. To find the apparatus, make sure that you are viewing a New Testament verse in the Browse Window, then click on the Verse tab and choose CNTTS Apparatus from the drop-down list.

To learn how to use the CNTTS Apparatus, click here for the video The CNTTS Apparatus in BibleWorks, view the video under Help | How-to Videos in BibleWorks 9 or hold your mouse cursor over the apparatus and hit the F1 key for the Help file article concerning the apparatus.

 

Comparing English Translations

Displaying Bible Version Notes 
 
Some Bible translations in BibleWorks contain notes that clarify the interpreter's understanding of the passage, or which give alternative translations of the passage when there is more than one way the translation could be interpreted. Some of the English translations that include study notes are the KJV (with Geneva Bible Notes), NAS and NAU, ESV, NAB, NET Bible, NLT, and NRS. You can display each of these Bible's notes in the Analysis Window by displaying the Bible version in the Browse Window and placing your cursor on the Bible version text. In the Browse Window you can display the note number location in the verse by clicking the Browse Window Options button, and then selecting Toggle Version Notes.
 
 An Example of Comparing Bible Versions 
 
Let us assume you are studying Philippians 1:5. Display the following versions in the Browse Window: KJV, GNV, ESV, NAU, NET, NLT, NRS. Turn on Difference Highlighting using one of the methods above Open the Text Comparison Settings tool and enter each of these versions on the first line, with the KJV first. Select the Enable box, and click Apply and Close.
 
Difference Highlighting shows the differences between the Bible versions. The major difference is how the versions translate the word 'fellowship' as it appears in the KJV. This word is translated in a variety of ways, including 'fellowship' (KJV, GNV), 'participation' (NAU, NET), 'partnership' (ESV), 'have been my partners' (NLT), and 'sharing' (NRS).
 
The fact that there are different ways this word is translated tells us that there is something in the Greek text that is important for the translation and interpretation of this passage. This type of translation difference does not appear to be the result of the translators using different Greek texts. But the different translations do not necessarily have the same meaning.
 
The Bible Version Notes give more information. Place your cursor over the word 'fellowship' in the KJV to reveal the Geneva Bible Notes in the Analysis Window. The first note explains that the Geneva Bible translators view 'fellowship' in this verse as a reference to the fact of the Philippians' salvation, that they "are made partakers of the Gospel." The NAU notes explain 'participation' as "sharing in the preaching of the gospel." The NLT does not have notes, but the translation is very clear-the translators interpret the meaning of 'fellowship' (KJV) to mean being "partners in spreading the Good News about Christ." The NET Bible translates our word as 'participation,' as does the NAU, but the note suggests a slightly different interpretation than the NAU. The NET Bible translators understand Paul's statement to refer to "their active 'participation' with him in the gospel by means of the financial support they sent Paul on more than one occasion."
 
By comparing various English translations, we uncover an interpretive problem that we may have missed if we only used our one preferred translation. Some of the translations are ambiguous, so that we do not really know what the word means except through the translator notes. Other translations are clear, but if we use only one of these translations we will not realize that there are other possible ways to translate this word-and the clear translations may have it wrong. In fact, each of these translations provides a legitimate translation of this word. The problem is left to you, the interpreter, to figure out which is the best interpretation of this word in this context.
 

Searching for Words and Phrases 
 
Searches from the Browse Window are very easy. Simply double-click on the word you wish to search for in a passage where the word appears. Click here for a video that demonstrates Searching for a Word from the Browse Window or click here for Searching the Greek Text from the Browse Window.

You can also search for phrases by highlighting the phrase and placing your cursor over the highlighted word. Click your right mouse button and select Search for Phrase from the context menu. Click here for a video.
 
Searching from the Search Window 
 
The Search Window provides more powerful ways to search the English Bible. To search for one or more words in a verse, begin by typing a period on the Command Line, and then the word or words you wish to search. The period tells BibleWorks that we are doing an 'and' search. The words do not have to be appear in any particular order, but they all must appear in the verse. Click here for a video.
 
Another search could be for the exact phrase 'Jesus Christ'. We only want this exact phrase, so we will begin the search by typing a single quote mark. The single quote mark tells BibleWorks that you are searching for an exact phrase. On the Command Line type:  'jesus christ   then hit Enter. This search finds every place where the phrase 'Jesus Christ' appears. It does not find verses where the two words appear apart from each other in the verse. It also does not return hits for the phrase 'Christ Jesus'. Click here for a video on how to search for a phrase. 
 
Suppose you we wish to find all verses with either the word 'character' or 'behave' in the NAS. Since you want to find verses that contain either word, enter a slash on the Command Line, followed by the words 'character' and 'behave.' The slash tells BibleWorks that you are running an 'or' search. On the Command Line type:  /character behave  then hit Enter. This search finds every verse that contains either the word 'character' or the word 'behave'. If any verses contain both words, these verses will be found as well. Click here for a video demonstrating this type of search.
 
For more examples of Command Line searches, right click on the Command Line and elect Command Line Examples. Click here for a video demonstrating How to Get Help with Command Line Searches.
 

Searching Greek and Hebrew Words Using Strong's Numbers 
 
Finding the Appropriate Strong's Number 
 
You can search on Strong's numbers in BibleWorks in a variety of ways, but first you'll need to determine what the Strong's number is for the word you wish to search. One way is to search for the English word you are investigating, and then view the Strong's number. You can display the Strong's number for English versions that have Strong's number tagging by clicking the Browse Window Options button and selecting Toggle Strong's Numbers.

You also toggle the Strong's numbers by clicking your cursor in the Browse Window and pressing 'r' on your keyboard.

Searching Strong's Numbers, click here for a video.
 
You can search for Strong's numbers in order to search on the Greek or Hebrew word that is the basis for the English translation. You can search on the Strong's number in the Search Window. You can also double-click on a displayed Strong's number to search for that number. The numbers in parentheses immediately after certain Strong's numbers describe the "tense-voice-mood" parsing information for Greek and Hebrew verbs. You can search on the parsing information the same way you search on Strong's numbers that pertain to the lemma. See the help file for more information about searching Greek and Hebrew words using Strong's Numbers.
 

Finding a Definition for a Greek or Hebrew Word 
 
Finding the definition for a Greek or Hebrew word in BibleWorks is incredibly fast.
 
Begin by displaying a verse in the Browse Window where the word occurs. Select the Analysis tab in the Analysis Window. Place your cursor over the word in the Browse Window, and the lexicon in the Analysis tab automatically changes to give a definition in your default lexicon. Click here for a video.
 
You can quickly see definitions in other lexicons through the Resources Summary tab in the Analysis Window. Select the Resources Summary tab, and then place your cursor over the word in the Browse Window. The Resources Summary window automatically changes to show every lexicon that contains a definition for your word. Hold down your Shift key and move your cursor to the Resources Summary tab. Scroll down the window until you find a lexicon entry you wish to view. Click the link and the Lexicon Browser opens to the entry for the word in the lexicon you selected.
 
You can also lookup a definition for a Greek or Hebrew word by right clicking on it in the Browse Window and choosing Lookup Lemma in Lexicon Browser. Click here for a video.
  
Using the Louw-Nida Greek English Lexicon 

The Louw-Nida Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament Based on Semantic Domains has information especially helpful for translators. The words in this lexicon are arranged according to semantic domains, not the standard alphabetical list. When displaying the Lexicon Browser, click on Lexicons in the menu and choose Louw-Nida Lexicon. The BibleWorks integration of this lexicon offers many special features that make the use of this lexicon very fast and easy. By placing your cursor over a word in a Greek text, you can select the definition in the Louw-Nida Greek-English Lexicon by clicking on the definition the Resource Summary tab of the Analysis Window. The Louw-Nida lexicon opens to that word. You can also scroll through the list of words at the left side of the Lexicon Browser, or you can search for a Greek word in the Lexicon Browser command line at the top right of the Lexicon Browser window. The word definitions in the lower left corner frequently contain information about how to translate the word or phrase into a target language.

Click here for a video on how to use the Louw-Nida Greek English Lexicon.
 

How to Display the Greek and Hebrew Lexicons for English Bible Users 
 
It is possible for an English Bible Only-user to display and use the Greek and Hebrews lexicons in BibleWorks, not simply the enhanced Strong's dictionary or NAS dictionary definitions given in the Analysis tab. Begin your study with the English translation. For example, display NAS in the Browse Window. Click the Browse Window Options button and select Toggle Strong's Numbers. Display Philippians 1:5 in the Browse Window. Place your cursor over the Strong's number <2842> in brackets in the NAS. The Strong's 2842 definition shows the word 'koinonia' with a meaning of 'fellowship'.
 
To view a lexicon entry for a Greek or Hebrew word, you must first identify the word in the Greek or Hebrew text. You can do this in one of two ways. You can display a Greek or Hebrew text and then look through the text to identify the same word that appears in the Strong's or NAS dictionary entry. This will be difficult, though, since the words in a Greek or Hebrew text often do not look the same as the dictionary entry word, because the words appear in different forms in the text.
 
The second way is easier, since you do not have to read any Greek or Hebrew. Because we are studying a New Testament passage, we need to display a Greek text. Display the BGT in the Browse Window. In the NAS of Philippians 1:5, place your cursor over the Strong's number <2842>, the number for the word 'participation.' Hold down the Shift key, and then place your cursor over the Greek word immediately to the right of the Strong's number in the top line of the Analysis tab. Double-click this Greek word. This begins a search of that Greek word in a Greek Bible version. The search results appear in the Search Window, with the Greek word highlighted in yellow. Scroll through the list of search results in the Search Window and select Philippians 1:5. The Greek word will appear highlighted in the BGT text.
 
Place your cursor over the highlighted Greek word to show a Greek lexicon in the Analysis tab. There are other Greek lexicons in BibleWorks. With your cursor over the highlighted Greek word, click your right mouse button, and then select Lookup Lemma in Lexicon Browser to display the lexicon entry. Select Lexicons and you can choose to view the word in any of the Greek lexicons.

A variation on this technique can be found in the video How to Use English Words to Lookup Words in Greek Lexicons, click here for the video.
 

Creating a New Translation to Add as a BibleWorks Version 
 
You can create your own translation and add it to BibleWorks. Your new translation will function the same way as the versions supplied with BibleWorks. The new translation is imported into BibleWorks using the Version Database Compiler which is found under Tools | Importing/Exporting Information | Version Database Compiler. Please carefully read the opening screen and help file on a compiling version database found by clicking the Help button within the Version Database Compiler or holding your mouse cursor over it and hitting F1 on your keyboard. The help will give you important instructions about the proper format for your new translation and settings to use within this tool. See also the attached pdf document at the bottom of the screen for some screenshots that summarize the process and provide an example process for compiling a version.
 
Using BibleWorks to Refine Your Translation 
 
There are many benefits for creating your version and adding it to BibleWorks. You can search your new version the same way you search other versions. You can add translator notes that appear in the Analysis Window, just like other versions. In these notes you can record why you translated a word or passage the way you did, or include other information helpful for your translation team or readers. You can add cross references and Strong's numbers to your translation. The cross references and Strong's number tags work the same way as they do in other translations that have these items. You can send your BibleWorks translation database to fellow translators to compile in their own copies of BibleWorks. See the help file for the Version Database Compiler to find more information on these possibilities.

You can use the Word List Manager (WLM) to view all the words in your new translation. Since you may not have a spell checker for your new translation, you can scroll through the word list to find places where a word was misspelled. A simple click on a word takes you to every place where that word occurs in your version. For example, select Tools then Analyzing the Text from the BibleWorks menu, and then choose Word List Manager. Click the Load or Generate Word List button. Select the NLT, and then click the radio button for Load words from a Bible version. Click the Create list button. Now you have a list of all the words in the NLT, sorted according to frequency. Scroll to the bottom of the list and you see all the words that occur only once. It is likely that any misspelled words in your new version would appear in the lower frequency words. Double-click on one of the words, and BibleWorks searches for that word in the Search Window. After correcting your errors in your version database file, you can recompile your version in BibleWorks using the Version Database Compiler again.

Click here for a video, Finding the Number of Words in a Book Using the Word List Manager.
 

Creating a Printed Concordance for Your Translation 
 
You can easily create a printed KWIC (Key Word in Context) concordance to go with your new translation. A KWIC concordance is in the format familiar to users of Strong's Exhaustive Concordance. What took Strong many years can be completed in a very short time using the KWIC display feature in the KWIC/Collocation Table module.
  
To create a brief concordance of major words in your new translation, begin by creating a list of words in your version using the WLM, as described above. Since you will want your concordance in alphabetical order, you may want to select and delete the words in the WLM that you do not want to keep, and then sort the list alphabetically using the Sort, and then Sort alphabetically option in the WLM
 
Next, open the KWIC/Collocation Table module. Select Tools, then Analyzing the Text  from the BibleWorks menu, and then choose KWIC/Collocation Table module (or use the Tools button and click Find Related Words (KWIC). Select your new version in the version dropdown box. In the Word box type the first major word that appears in your WLM search results.  In the top window of the KWIC/Collocation Table module, the KWIC window, select each verse entry you wish to include in your concordance. Select Copy, and then choose Copy Selected KWIC to Clipboard (formatted). Paste the KWIC entries in the editor, word processor, or other program. Format your concordance and send it to your printer for printing, and you have a handy resource tool for the recipients of your new translation.  See the help file for further information on using the KWIC/Collocation Table module.

Click here for a video demonstrating the process.

 

last edited MC/GW, 2/3/2015


 

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