Paratext 7

Paratext is a tool designed to help translators, exegetical advisors, translation consultants and Computer Assisted Publishing (CAP) staff produce quality translations from the point of view of both format and content.

The program enables the translator to input a first or revised draft of the text and check and review that draft against the biblical source texts and a selection of model translations and resource materials in electronic format. The UBS Translation Handbook Series complement and enhance the resources of the major Bible versions included with Paratext. The Handbooks are detailed commentaries providing exegetical, historical, cultural, and linguistic information on the books of the Bible. They are prepared primarily to assist Bible translators.

Translators and project co-ordinators can use a wide variety of checking tools in Paratext and related programs for checking the text for accuracy and consistency, in order to develop a ‘clean’ electronic database of their text. This one database of text can then serve as a basis for electronic typesetting or production of a range of different editions and formats in a variety of media.

Availability and Prerequisites

The Paratext program and its associated text files have been developed by the United Bible Societies for use by its translation and publishing project teams. Paratext is also made available for use by other Bible agencies for whom a formal licensing arrangement with UBS has been established. Persons qualified to use Paratext will include translation consultants, translators, reviewers, and those directly engaged in the translation's production. Copyright restrictions, especially those determined by third party copyright holders, require that use and distribution of Paratext be strictly limited to those engaged in the Bible translation and publishing process.