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FLExTrans

FLExTrans is a specialized machine translation tool designed to assist Bible translators in translating between related languages. By integrating Fieldworks Language Explorer (FLEx) with modern tools, FLExTrans enables structured, rule-based translation. This ensures linguistic accuracy while leveraging the similarities between languages.

Translation Efficiency​

  • FLExTrans helps translation teams produce high-quality Bible translations using all the features of the approved Scripture in the first language, including key terms, consultant-checked exegesis, spelling, punctuation, and formatting.
  • The system also enables structured translation of any other kinds of documents, making it ideal for translating health materials, trauma healing, and literacy resources.

Language-Specific Text Translation​

  • FLExTrans utilizes FLEx’s reliable system for storing, analyzing, and managing lexical and grammatical data and enables lexical sense linking that allows precise translations between languages.
  • Integrating Apertium, an advanced transfer engine, FLExTrans provides linguistic rule-based translation workflows that streamline the process.
  • Users can fine-tune language-specific transfer rules, ensuring that grammatical patterns of the target language are realized.

Multi-Language Translation​

  • Not only can FLExTrans be used to produce a high-quality draft in one language from another language, it can also be used in a language cluster situation.
  • In a language cluster situation, FLExTrans can be used for translating from one language to multiple related languages in parallel.
  • By defining transfer rules applicable across each of the multiple languages, translation teams can ensure consistency while adapting biblical terminology to each language’s unique structure.
  • FLExTrans streamlines collaborative cluster translation projects for both translation and language development teams, ensuring accuracy and efficiency.

Documented Success​

  • Connecting the Dots explores how linking data between similar languages accelerated translation efforts in the Philippines, helping the Ayta Mag-Antsi community produce high-quality drafts quickly, particularly impacting a group of widows who deeply resonated with the story of Ruth.
  • Like Drinking Water details how technology accelerated Bible translation for Quechua communities in Peru, enabling faster, high-quality drafts and transforming local worship through hymn books and literacy resources. The team has now realized the plans to translate into four more Quechua languages. This FLExTrans cluster project is making remarkable progress.

For more information go to software.sil.org/flextrans or contact us here.