MAST
The 8 steps of MAST (Mobilized Assistance Supporting Translation) can be used to draft Scripture into either a written or an audio format, then carefully check it.
How It Works
Following the steps outlined below, native language speakers can quickly and naturally create a draft of God’s Word in their heart language. Then they can carefully develop this draft into a full translation, checking it for accuracy and clarity. The instructions are available for download in the following languages.
Step 1: Consume
Read or listen to the entire chapter, aiming to grasp its meaning and main point. Typically, this takes 7-10 minutes. If the chapter is longer, pause at the 10-minute mark, reflect on what you've read, and then continue.
Step 2: Verbalize
In this step, verbally summarize the main people, events, and ideas of a chapter in your native language. Use guiding questions such as:
- What are the main ideas?
- What events occurred and what happened in them?
- Who are the people mentioned, and what did they do?
Verbalize the summary aloud, as this aids understanding and retention of the chapter. This step typically takes around 2-3 minutes per chapter.
Step 3: Chunk
Chunking involves dividing a chapter of Scripture into smaller, easily memorable parts. You should form these "chunks" as complete thoughts, often containing about 1-4 verses. The goal is to include as much of the passage as possible while still being able to remember and recall it quickly. You should write lines on the source text or add markers in the source audio to indicate where you've chosen to separate the chapter into these chunks.
Step 4: Blind Draft
Read or listen to the first chunk of your chapter. Without referencing the source material,* record the chunk in your mother-tongue using natural language (whether through writing or in a sound recording). Proceed through your chapter, repeating this process for each chunk, one at a time, until all of the chunks in your chapter are recorded in your mother-tongue language. Do not expect the blind draft to be perfect; it will be refined in the next steps.
*Source material refers to Scripture that is available in a gateway language, either in a written or an audio format.
Step 5: Self-Edit
Look at (or listen to) the source text again and compare it to what you have written (or recorded). Check your draft for things like completeness, clarity, accuracy, smoothness, and key terms. Correct any mistakes that you notice in your draft. If there is a portion of your translation that you are unsure of, make a note of it. Consult available resources to determine if a difficult passage needs editing.
Step 6: Peer-Edit
Ask a team member to carefully review your blind draft translation. This person will compare it to the source material, asking questions and suggesting edits to ensure the intended meaning of the biblical author is effectively communicated. This team member will also check your translation’s completeness, clarity, and naturalness, ensuring that everything from the source material is represented accurately.
Checkers should refer to additional resources for further insight and suggestions, as needed.
Step 7: Key Word Check
First, you and a partner must identify key words* and important concepts in each verse of the source text. Terms of spiritual significance—for example, Holy Spirit, glory, or sanctification—are especially important.
Next, you and your partner will compare the source material to the translation, checking if the translation includes all of the key words and important concepts.
If the translation is missing a key word or concept, redraft the chunk(s) containing the key word to ensure inclusion in the translation.
If several key words or concepts are missing, the translator must repeat steps 5, 6, and 7 before moving on to step 8.
Once all of the key words and concepts are present in the translation, you and your partner should be able to answer the following questions:
- What is the definition of the key word in the source text?
- Is the original meaning of this key word accurately communicated in the translation?
Any available resources should be utilized in this step.
*Key words are those that are essential to correctly communicate the meaning and theology of the passage. Additional training and resources are available for identifying these words.
Step 8: Verse-by-Verse Check
In this step, two additional individuals, apart from the translator, are involved. These partners should be proficient in both the mother tongue and source language. The translator reads their translation chunk by chunk in the mother tongue. One partner verbally translates each chunk into the source language while the other compares it to the source text, suggesting edits as needed. While the wording between the source text and the back-translation may not match exactly, it's crucial that the translation conveys the same meaning as the source text and includes all events and details found therein. If the meaning differs or if any events or details are omitted, the translation requires editing. Any available resources should be utilized to aid in this step.
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