Ethnologue.Bible

Ethnologue:Bible is a new initiative to organize language data. It is still in beta testing, but it looks to be a great place for Bible translators and the church to access information for prayer and strategizing.

Here's what the Ethnologue:Bible says about itself:

Get a complete picture of Bible translation - in one place....Ethnologue:Bible ties together information from many partners to provide a comprehensive view of Bible translation across the world, based on language - including translation need, program status, and available products. All in one place.

Bible Works, Accordance, or Logos?: Lamenting the State of Bible Software

I have been a decade-long Bible Works user, and I am very thankful for and helped by it.  What I love about BW is the immediate results you get in a search, and the fact that I generally like its layout, options, etc.  But here are a few recent critiques I have of the software, in no particular order (yes, I am considering changing programs):

1. Peshitta texts not available, although they used to be in BW (I still have not resolved this issue, if it is a glitch).
2. Grammatical search function (for doing complicated searches, I mean) much less intuitive than Accordance's.
3. Not many searchable resources available in BW, far fewer for sure than with Logos.

Disclaimer, though, I have BW 7 and not the most recent version of 8. Version 8 has the added bonus of having access to more original texts, which I would find incredibly helpful for text critical work.

My lament is: Why can't we get all the good things from BW-Accordance-Logos in one software? That is, one reasonably-priced program that has:

• the number of resources available in Logos
• the intuitive grammatical search function in Accordance
• and the quick results in Bible Works

Technology and Translation, part 1: LPDT

This is the first post in a series on some different ways that technology interfaces with translation.  This post focuses on a software program for translators and exegetes called Le Pupitre du Traducteur (LPDT, translated as "The Translator's Desk").

LPDT
LPDT puts French language tools in the hands (or computers, rather) of French speakers everywhere, but particularly Francophone Africa, where 400-600 languages are yet to have translation or literacy programs begun. Some facts about this tool, include:

• Its use began in 1996
• Used by 160 translation programs right now (incl. Mofu in Cameroon)
• Includes 8 French Bible Versions
• Has several dictionaries, Biblical lexicons, and various articles (all in French)

Use in Exegesis and Translation
I have recently received my copy of LPDT and look forward to using it extensively with our team, as this is the main French language exegetical tool available at this moment.  Nevertheless, LPDT won't be replacing my BibleWorks anytime soon (or Logos, if/or when I get that program).  There are simply fewer exegetical resources available in the French-speaking world than in the English-speaking one.

For francophone translation teams, to be able to compare versions of the Bible and reference articles and some commentary of a few books of the Bible is an invaluable tool for the work.