Thai SourceView Audio Bible

[matthewt.dr]

Hi there,

My name is Matthew Thompson. I'm on staff with YWAM in Chiang Rai, Thailand. We currently are very involved in seeking to End Bible Poverty and have developed a Thai SourceView Bible to help Thai people engage with the Bible in a style that is more oral and group oriented and a translation that is easier and also translated directly from the Greek (as opposed to English). The initial results of the use of this Bible have been very encouraging, but an obstacle that remains is to reach those who are functionally or literally illiterate, especially children, the poor, and the elderly. We believe an audio Bible version of our Thai SourceView would be extremely helpful for this, and even for those who are literate but prefer to learn orally. I'm writing to ask if you have resources, ideas, or insight that may be helpful for us. Here's what the project would involve:

Audio recording of Matthew-Acts.

At least 4 voices to read the 4 color-coordinated speaking parts of the Bible. 

A suitable studio and people with sound engineering know-how to record, edit, and produce it.

Any connections, advice, or resources you can suggest or offer would be very much appreciated.

Thank you!

Matthew

[Mark R. Caldwell]

Hello Matthew,

 

This sounds like a project whose time is overdue in Isaan where I work. There are approximately 20 million Isaan people and after working here many years I believe most of them are oral learners – even the university students. Isaan people love their language and music. Two sources come to mind who have some experience to what I hear you talking about:

 

1.      Dorothy Gerbrandt is presently working on a karaoke storying through the major Bible stories using Isaan mau lam singers. -  Dorothy, Gerbrandt (d_ger...@ntm.org)

2.      Ron Myers also has worked in the Isaan area for many years and has just finished an Isaan version of the N.T. using Thai script - Ron Myers ron...@gmail.com

 

If I think of others I will get back with you.

 

Grace and peace,

Mark

--
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Chiang Mai Orality Network" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to chiang-mai-orality-...@googlegroups.com.
For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.

[Ginny Bellamy]

Hi Matthew,

It might be too late to suggest this, but ...maybe not.

Having been involved in Chronological Bible Storying for the past few years in Isaan, I would like to add a thought to your wonderful ideas.  Since there is no understanding of a Creator God here and a lack of understanding of what mankind needs to be "saved from", if you could include the first 3 chapters of Genesis it would be great.  Open up that window, then on to Matthew.

Peace and joy to you,
Ginny

Ginny Bellamy

Ripe for Harvest

081 287 3328

---

From: mhnca...@gmail.com
To: chiang-mai-or...@googlegroups.com
CC: d_ger...@ntm.org; ron...@gmail.com
Subject: RE: [CMai ON] Thai SourceView Audio Bible
Date: Thu, 26 May 2016 19:45:17 +0700

[Mark R. Caldwell]

I would support that

[Matthew Thompson]

Thank you! 

Actually, the next time we print more Bibles, we are going to include the book of Genesis in it for just that reason! Right on!

[Mark and Sarah Schoenhals]

Matthew,

In our experience (also in Isaan), the challenge, even more than the content, is often the device, when it comes to audio scripture and other programs.  But Isaan people love to hear the Bible in their own language!

As for easy to understand translations, I suspect that folks here would be more open to a new translation in audio form than in printed form.  We work with a network of rural house churches that was planted about 20 years ago.  People are super attached to the 1971 (now, increasingly 2011) Thai Standard - because it's what they started with and because it's called "standard"!  This, despite challenges to understand the language at times.  But in audio form, there is more openness.

I love the idea of a translation that is based more on the Greek and less on English!

Another connection is Kris Garis, in Ubon Ratchathani.  She is part of a team who has developed Thai and Isaan Bible storying sets for Creation - Christ, and the book of Acts.  The Isaan stories are audio only.  They are currently developing them into a radio series, complete with songs and testimonies of Isaan believers.

Kris can be contacted at krisgaris@gmail.com

blessings to you,

Sarah

--

[Mark R. Caldwell]

Matthew,

 

I would support much of what Sarah has stated below in terms of version and ease of use of devices. While we do have youth/young adults in rural Isaan, the majority of our believers in the rural areas are older – often 50+yrs- and if they can read, it is not their preferred method of learning. They are also quite limited in terms of income. While most of them are now using cell phones, technology is a challenge. Therefore, the simpler and inexpensive you can keep such a device and more use I believe you will find. Since they are already into using cell phones I wonder if the best possibility is the use of a “card” they could stick in their phone to download Bible???  If they have youth around the youth might be able to help them download a program from the internet.

 

Mark Caldwell