DOT
DOT (Deaf-Owned Translation) is a methodology that enables Deaf Christians around the world to translate and record all the books of Scripture into their own sign language. Its twelve steps help Deaf communities to translate the Word of God in a way that is accurate, clear, understandable, and—for the first time—accessible in their heart language.
How It Works
The steps listed below outline how the Deaf community can adapt the COBT Eight Steps methodology to use in their sign language.
Step 1: Consume
Take in the whole portion of content to gain an overall understanding of the chapter. This is usually done by reading, but sometimes a video of an interpreter doing a sign-through of the chapter is more effective for the translator. Do not write out anything from the chapter at this time.
Whichever method is used, the translator should not spend more than 5-7 minutes consuming the chapter.
Step 2: Express
Outwardly express what was understood from the chapter to a partner. What are the big ideas? What events and people were in the passage and what did they do? It is important that the text is outwardly expressed in the target language.
This is not a time for a discussion about the chapter, just a time to express in sign what was understood during the Consume step. This should take about 2-3 minutes.
Step 3: Chunk
Divide the passage into smaller parts that can be remembered and communicated clearly. The chunks should begin and end at natural breaks in the narrative and should be complete thoughts.
These should usually be about 4 verses, but the size will vary some depending on the content of the passage. Some translators may also be able to remember larger sections and others may need to make them a little shorter. The goal is to have the maximum amount of content that can be remembered.
Step 4: Memory Draft
Film the chunks from memory. These videos are not expected to be perfect translations. The checking steps later will catch any missed details and help with accuracy. The focus is to capture the material as naturally as possible in the target sign language. The chapter and verse reference numbers should be included for the chunks with a small pause between them and the translation of the chunk. Remember to save the draft.
Step 5: Self-Check
Open the source text and compare it to the filmed Memory Draft. Check for naturalness and make notes of mistakes, missing key words, etc. Take as much time as you need. During this step, you can write out the text in sign form if you wish.
Step 6: Peer-Check
Give the chapter to your partnered content reviewer* to check and discuss. They can ask questions about your translations and the signs you chose. You can also ask for help now if you did not know a sign or did not understand some of the words.
The goal is not to have a word-for-word or verse-for-verse translation, but together you should check: Is it natural in your sign language? Is the author’s intended meaning being communicated? Is it clear and understandable?
*Every translator should be partnered with a content reviewer at the start of each chapter. While the translator is going through Steps 1 to 5, the content reviewer will study the chapter with these goals:
- Become very familiar with the content of the chapter.
- Look for parts of the chapter that are difficult to understand or translate.
- Use any and all resources available to answer any questions you have about the chapter.
- Make a key word list from the chapter that will be used in Step 7.
Each content reviewer will move to a second translator for Step 7, and then to other translators for Steps 9 and 10.
Step 7: Key Word Check
Work together with a second content reviewer to make sure that all key words are present, understood, and used correctly.
Circle or highlight all of the key words and terms in the passage. Check carefully through the video and make sure that each word is included in the translation.
Note: A key word is any word of meaning-based importance; in other words, if that word were left out, the verse would not mean the same thing. Terms of spiritual significance—for example, Holy Spirit, glory, or sanctification—are especially important.
If many key words and terms are missing that were not noted during the Self-Check and Peer-Check, those checks should be done again more carefully.
Examine the use of each key word and make sure that the original meaning of the word is accurately communicated and that the term is understood. Move on by verifying for each key word: “Was the original meaning of this word accurately communicated?” (or) “What is the definition?”
Step 8: Second Draft
Re-film chunks that had any errors (even if it’s just one small one). This second draft should fix all of the errors found in steps 5, 6, and 7. If no errors were found in a chunk, that chunk does not have to be re-filmed. Save the draft!
Step 9: Verse-by-Verse Check
If there are two hearing interpreters available: one interpreter will watch the translation and say out loud (back-translate) what is being signed while another interpreter listens and follows along in the written text. The translation will not be word for word, but they should make sure that all elements are communicated.
If two such interpreters are not available, a content reviewer that is different from the ones who checked in Steps 6 and 7 should do a very careful, thorough check for key words, naturalness, smoothness, accuracy, clarity, and anything else.
If there are mistakes found in any chunks, those chunks must be filmed again before proceeding to the Group Check.
Step 10: Group Check
The translation must be checked by at least two Deaf, not including the translator who filmed the chapter.
This is to allow the Deaf community to have the final say on their translation, rather than having the hearing interpreters approve it for them.
The recorded content must be fully approved by the Deaf involved in the check before the translator can go on to Final Filming.
If any mistakes are found in any chunks, those chunks must be filmed again and then return to the Verse-by-Verse Check. The videos approved by the Verse-by-Verse and Group Checks will be templates for how the final film should look, so they need to be 100% correct.
Step 11: Final Filming
The finalized content from Step 10 is now filmed in front of the green screen in the studio. Each chapter number should be signed by itself first.
The interpreter needs to be dressed appropriately (solid shirt, no flashy jewelry, etc.).
This is still filmed chunk by chunk. The translator does not have to sign the entire chapter in one straight shot. They can review each drafted chunk before signing.
After filming a chunk, compare it to the approved draft from the Group Check. If the content is not the same, it must be re-filmed.
Make sure the reference is inserted for every chunk.* Save the translation!
*For instructions about how the translator should dress and how to insert references, please download the PowerDirector guide below.
Step 12: Final Check
The entire team watches the final version of the chapter. Check to make sure references are present and correct. Check that the signs are clear, natural, and understandable.
Do you understand the passage?
Watch our training videos to learn more.
Feel free to watch our video below to learn more about the DOT process
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