Richard Brown
Degrees
- Ph.D. Biblical Studies (2010)
- M.A., Linguistics (1981)
- M.Div. Biblical studies (1974)
- B.S., Physics, (1971)
Current positions
- Associate Area Director, SIL-Eurasia (2001– )
- International Translation Consultant, (1999– )
- Consultant for Special Audiences (1998– )
Other experience
- Board of Directors, SIL International (1996 – 2008)
- Language Affairs Director (Associate Director, East Mediterranean Group (1990–2001)
- SIL Corporate Vice-President, SIL (1996–1999)
- Translation Consultant, East Mediterranean Group (1993–2000)
- Language Program Coordinator, Eurasia Area (1990–1997)
- Translation Consultant, East Mediterranean Group (1993–2000)
- Language Program Coordinator, Eurasia Area (1990–1997)
- Literacy Consultant, Sudan (1981–1991)
- Academic Computing Consultant, Sudan (1985–1990)
- Literacy and Translation Advisor, Kresh language project, Sudan (1978–1991)
- Associate Professor of New Testament, John Wesley College, High Point, North Carolina (1974–1976)
Memberships
- Linguistics Association of Great Britain
- Society of Biblical Literature
Language Proficiency
- Biblical Hebrew
- Biblical Aramaic
- Biblical Greek
- Syriac
- Arabic
- German
- Kresh-Gbaya
Research interests
- Hermeneutics
- Key Biblical Concepts and Terms
- Orality
- Translation Theory
- Cognitive Semantics
- Relevance Theory
- Functional Grammar
Selected publications
2001. “A brief history of interpretations of ‘the Kingdom of God’ and some consequences for translation.” Notes on Translation 15(1):3-23.
2000. “Translating the whole concept of the kingdom.” Notes on Translation 14(2):1-48.
1998. “On criteria for identifying language groups and language clusters”. Notes on Sociolinguistics 3:3-42.
1995. “Designing programs for oral cultures.” Notes on Literature in Use and Language Programs 46:14-38.
1994. “Kresh.” In Peter Kahrel and René van den Berg, eds. Typological studies in negation. pp. 163-89. Typological Studies in Language 29. Amsterdam: Benjamins.
1993. “Some reflections on Scriptural exegesis.” Notes on Translation 7 (1):23-30.
1991. “Information focus in Kresh.” In M. Lionel Bender, ed. Proceedings of the Fourth Nilo-Saharan Conference pp. 325-45. Hamburg: Helmut Buske Verlag.
1982. “Thematization in the Greek narrative sentences in Acts.” Selected Technical Articles Related to Translation 6:14-27.
Selected papers presented
2008. “A Sociocognitive Model of Hermeneutics and Translation. ” Paper presented at Bible Translation 2008, High Wycombe, United Kingdom, February 4–6, 2008.
2006. “Factors of Scripture Engageability. ” Paper presented at the Forum of Bible Agencies International, Chiang Mai, Thailand, April, 2006.
2006. “Aiming for the Communicability of Annotated Translations. ” Paper presented at Bible Translation 2006, High Wycombe, United Kingdom, January, 2008.
2004. “A New Look at Semantic Functions and Lexical Meaning. ” Paper presented at the 11th International Conference on Functional Grammar, Universidad de Oviedo, Spain, September, 2004.
2004. “Current Trends In Oral Bible Strategies. ” Keynote presentation given at the 2004 Conference on Orality. Ft. Worth, Texas.
2003. “Translating YHWH in the OT and Kurios in the NT: A Call for a New Approach. ” The first John Beekman Lecture presented at Bible Translation 2003, Dallas, Texas, October, 2003.
2003. “New Dimensions in Bible Translation. ” The second John Beekman Lecture presented at Bible Translation 2003, Dallas, Texas, October, 2003.
2002. “Selecting Portions for a Panoramic Oral Bible. ” 2002 Conference on Orality. Ft. Worth, Texas, November, 2002.
Works online
2007. (with Richard Hoyle). “Guidelines for Checking and Testing Scripture Products Intended for Non-Print Media. ” http://www.geocities.com/bible_translation/list/files/checkingv4e.doc
2005. (with Richard Hoyle). “A Guide to Language Projects. ” http://www.geocities.com/bible_translation/list/files/guide9v.doc
2003. The meanings of κυριοç in the New Testament, (with Christopher Samuel).