[Registered Qual & Unit Std Home page] [Search Qualifications] [Search Unit Standards]
SAQA All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.
SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Master of Arts in Bible Translation 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
101861  Master of Arts in Bible Translation 
ORIGINATOR
University of the Free State 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
CHE - Council on Higher Education  HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Master's Degree  Field 07 - Human and Social Studies  Religious and Ethical Foundations of Society 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  180  Not Applicable  NQF Level 09  Regular-Provider-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Reregistered  EXCO 0821/24  2021-07-01  2027-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2028-06-30   2031-06-30  

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

This qualification does not replace any other qualification and is not replaced by any other qualification. 

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
Purpose:
The Master of Arts in Bible Translation [MA (Bible Translation)] aims to achieve the following: to educate and train individuals to translate the Bible and, through research, generate knowledge to do so. Bible translation involves a complex knowledge of translation theory and methodology, the ancient source texts and their cultural context, and the target language and its linguistic structures. The qualification will thus provide documentation that learners have achieved competency in these areas for the purpose of Bible translation.

Rationale:
Bible translation is a very important activity world-wide, especially in Africa and Asia.

The qualification is especially important for the main not-for-profit organisations involved in Bible translation. Bible translation organisations are focussing now on training of indigenous translators as opposed to the colonial model of an ex-patriate translating the Bible. The qualification is thus in accordance with the main goals of the organisations involved in Bible translation and enhances the value of indigenous languages.

There is no tradition of a Bachelor's Degree in Bible translation in South Africa. Instead, learners who want to study Bible Translation typically come from a theology background, secondarily from the study of the ancient biblical source languages (Hebrew and Greek), and thirdly from linguistics. The qualification will provide postgraduate education and training for learners in a field that is growing. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
Where applicants do not meet the minimum admission requirements stated, RPL may be used to grant access to the qualification. RPL will be applied according to the Recognition of prior learning, credit accumulation and transfer, and assessment (CHE 2016) and institution's RPL policy. The process will be managed by the central RPL Office in collaboration with the Faculty of Theology.

Note that:
  • Through its RPL policy and RPL Office, the institution will ensure that quality assurance processes that address the specificities of the RPL process (including applications, assessment, and reporting and management systems) and are implemented; and that administrative and support systems, both prior and subsequent to RPL assessment, are in place.
  • Applicants will be assessed against Level 8 competencies. Furthermore, an RPL application for access will be evaluated against the entry requirements of the Master of Arts in Bible Translation and assessment will be undertaken by the Faculty of Theology.

    Credit accumulation and transfer will be applied when a learner's achievements are recognised and contribute to further learning even if the student has not obtained a qualification. Any and all credits for an incomplete qualification may be recognised as meeting part of the requirements for the Master of Arts in Bible Translation as per institutional General Rules.

    Entry Requirements:
  • Bachelor of Divinity, Level 8.
    Or
  • Bachelor of Theology Honours, Level 8.
    Or
  • Bachelor of Arts Honours, Level 8.
    Or
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Theology, Level 8. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification consists of compulsory modules at Level 9 totalling 180 Credits.
  • Theory and Practice of Bible Translation, 40 Credits.
  • Linguistics for Bible Translators or Advanced Topics in Linguistics for Bible Translators, 40 Credits.
  • Bible Hermeneutics, Exegesis and Theology or Advanced Topics in Biblical Languages for Bible Translators, 40 Credits.
  • Mini-dissertation or published article/publishable manuscript, 60 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Apply the main approaches to translation.
    2. Understand and apply the key terms, concepts and techniques of the various approaches to translation within the realm of Bible translation.
    3. Apply the key terms and concepts of linguistics as applied within the realm of Bible translation.
    4. Identify and distinguish a variety of hermeneutical approaches to biblical texts.
    5. Demonstrate knowledge of current synchronic and literary approaches to biblical exegesis and discriminate/evaluate these.
    6. Identify, distinguish between and apply historical critical approaches to biblical exegesis.
    7. Generate, through research knowledge of Bible translation. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Apply the functionalist approach to translation.
  • Apply the descriptivist approach to translation.
  • Formulate translation briefs for translation projects.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Describe and apply the key terms and concepts of the various approaches to translation within the realm of Bible translation.
  • Analyse and apply the translation techniques and strategies in Bible translation.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • Understand and apply the key concepts of linguistics and apply them to issues of Bible translation.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
  • Understand, analyse and evaluate a variety of hermeneutical approaches used by biblical commentaries with respect to biblical texts.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:
  • Understand current synchronic and literary approaches to biblical exegesis.
  • Distinguish between these approaches and suggest suitable approaches for a particular context.
  • Analyse current synchronic and literary approaches to biblical exegesis with respect to translation of the Bible.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6:
  • Identify, distinguish and apply historical critical approaches to biblical exegesis.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7:
  • Identify an issue/problem.
  • Design a research plan and methodology based on a literature review.
  • Conduct the research.
  • Collect and analyse data.
  • Daw findings and communicate them.

    Integrated Assessment:
    The MA (Bible Translation) by coursework and mini-dissertation: The three coursework modules will be assessed through formative and summative assessment. Formative assessment will comprise, but is not exclusive to written assignments and presentations.

    The assessment approach for course content in the coursework MA (Bible Translation) will include elements of both summative (final examination) and formative (written assignment and practical/seminars/simulation exercises).

    Formative assessment will account for 50% of the final mark, while summative assessment for the other 50%. The combined mark of these forms will constitute the final grade and will determine whether a student passed or failed a module.

    Summative assessment: The module representing the research component of the requirements for a Master's Degree by coursework and mini-dissertation entails writing a coursework Master's mini-dissertation and generally comprises between 20 000 and 30 000 words, depending on the subject field and unless the faculty rules specify otherwise. It contains a justifiable argument that is based on research of limited scope and counts 50% of the achievement mark. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    Two comparable qualifications:
    Master in Bible Translation (specialisation of Theology and Religious Studies), Free University of Amsterdam:

    Qualification outcomes: The Learner is able to:
  • Apply information technology to the interpretation and translation of the Bible.
  • Apply insights from general linguistics, discourse studies, cultural anthropology and translation studies to the translation of the Bible.
  • Carry out research in the field of Bible translation.
  • Read and interpret biblical Greek and Hebrew texts in the light of existing information and research in the fields of theology and of Greek and Hebrew linguistics.

    This Masters of Arts (MA) is very similar to this qualification in the following respects:
  • Emphasis upon translation studies, general linguistics, discourse studies and information technology for the translation of the Bible.
  • Importance of knowledge of the source texts (Greek and Hebrew) for the translation of the Bible.
  • Importance of theological understanding for Bible translation.

    However, the Master of Arts in Bible Translation covers some aspects not mentioned in the information on the Free University MA:
  • Bible translation as part of a comprehensive plan for language development. As a result, learners need to learn how Bible translation can be part of adjacent goals of literacy, language documentation and Scripture engagement.
  • Knowledge of Greek or Hebrew is required before beginning this qualification, so that learners can move directly to translation.
  • Hermeneutics as well as theology is included in thisqualification.

    Master of Arts in Applied Linguistics at Graduate Institute of Applied Linguistics (Dallas, Texas). This qualification allows the learner to concentrate on "Bible Translation, Descriptive Linguistics or Cross-cultural Service".

    The qualification comprises 37 hours (USA system)13 hours are core requirements and 24 are concentration specific.

    Core requirements are the following modules:
  • Cross-cultural Teaching Seminar (1 hour).
  • Field Data Management (2 hours).
  • Discourse Analysis (3 hours).
  • Semantics and Pragmatics (3 hours).
  • Field Methods and Linguistic Analysis (4 hours).

    Bible translation comprises the following modules:
  • Theory and Practice of Translation (3 hours).
  • New Testament Greek for Translators 1 or Biblical Hebrew for Translators 1 (3 hours).
  • New Testament Greek for Translators 2 or Biblical Hebrew for Translators 2 (3 hours).
  • Principles of New Testament Exegesis or Principles of Old Testament Exegesis (3 hours).

    Learners may choose a non-thesis option by taking a comprehensive examination and four elective modules totalling 12 hours. Learners who choose a thesis option must take two elective modules totalling 6 hours and write a thesis.

    Analysis of the Master of Arts in Bible Translation as opposed to the Master of Arts in Applied Linguistics at Graduate Institute of Applied Linguistics:
  • This qualification requires two years of Greek or Hebrew as a prerequisite to the MA. The qualification offered at the Graduate Institute of Applied Linguistics has a lower standard by requiring only one year of Greek or Hebrew. Furthermore, in the Master of Arts in Applied Linguistics, Greek/Hebrew are part of the MA, thus taking up valuable time within the MA.
  • It is clear that the Master of Arts in Applied Linguistics is geared towards linguistics rather than to Bible Translation per se, as indicated by the core requirements. All of the linguistic topics of the Master of Arts in Applied Linguistics are included in the Master of Arts in Bible Translation within the module "Linguistics for Bible Translators" with the exception of "Field Methods and Linguistic Analysis," which is important for descriptive linguistics, but not for Bible translation per se.
  • The Master of Arts in Bible Translation requires a dissertation; whereas the Master of Arts in Applied Linguistics has a "non-thesis option". 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification offers systemic articulation possibilities with the following qualifications offered at other institutions provided the learner meets the minimum admission requirements.

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Master of Theology, Level 9.
  • Master of Arts in Hebrew, Level 9.
  • Master of Arts in Language Practice, Level 9.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Religious Studies, Level 10.
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Development Studies, Level 10.
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Hebrew, Level 10.
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Language Practice, Level 10. 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    N/A 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    N/A 

    NOTES 
    N/A 

    LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION: 
     
    NONE 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS QUALIFICATION: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    1. University of the Free State 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.