Lausanne World Pulse – World Pulse Archives – World Pulse Archives

The pen is mightier than the sword,” said English novelist and reformer Edward Bulwer-Lytton. Words can create change. Missionaries have attempted to capitalize on this principle ever since the development of the printing press through tracts, leaflets, Bibles and books. Christian literature carries incredible potential. But when this material crosses borders, there is as much potential for harm as for good.

Does the author’s intent come across clearly in the translation? Or does it communicate something entirely different? Beyond textual innuendo, what do foreign titles tell readers? Are careful attempts at contextualization in other areas of mission overrun by the excess of Western books in non-Western bookstores?

In a Publishers Weekly article entitled “The U.S. Translation Blues” (May 21, 2001) Natasha Wimmer noted, “Of all the books translated worldwide, only 6%-and that is considered to be a generous estimate-are translated from foreign languages into English. By contrast, almost 50% are translated from English into other languages.” Whether this statistic holds true for Christian publishing, or is even greater, lacks statistical evidence. However, Mark Carpenter, CEO of Editora Mundo Cristão in São Paulo, Brazil, notes that even in highly developed Brazil, the majority of books are translated from English. Perhaps unintentionally, the imperial age of missions still lives in print media.

More than 115 people from 39 nations gathered at LittWorld 2002 in Tagaytay City, the Philippines (November 3-8, 2002) to develop as print media practitioners and prompt change. This was the ninth international conference of this kind hosted by Bloomingdale, IL-based Media Associates International (MAI). John Maust, MAI president, says, “MAI strives to train Christian writers in places where there are few of them.” And for the first time in its history, LittWorld was held outside of Europe or North America, and in closer proximity to many it seeks to help.

OMF Literature of the Philippines, local host of LittWorld 2002, exemplified the potential power of Christian publishing. Their bookstore sells 431 titles, 154 of which are written by Filipino authors. Few of the other 38 countries represented at LittWorld could vouch for bookstores with more than one-fourth of their titles by local authors.

OMF Literature-Philippines also increased sales to secular bookstores by 68 percent in the last year, and six of their children’s books won awards in the country’s most prestigious literary competition. Through achievements like these, OMF Literature-Philippines is initiating change both nationally and in the publishing world by attaining professional excellence, reaching readers who are not necessarily Christian, and giving local Christian authors a voice in that process.

Fledgling non-Western publishers increasingly desire to nourish local people with culturally appropriate literature. During a LittWorld roundtable discussion on globalization, author and anthropologist Miriam Adeney proposed that before Western publishers send their overrun stock overseas, they appeal to the author to use money for shipping to sponsor a national writer. This author could cover the same topic from a local perspective and be mentored to ensure quality of content.

Almost before Adeney finished speaking, the room erupted in applause. The angst over the oppression of Western media in the non-Western world is great.

LittWorld 2002 provided a forum for writers, editors and publishers around the world to sharpen their skills, encourage their spirits and network with colleagues. Many returned to their countries poised to be part of a worldwide Christian print media revolution-one that allows the local Christian a voice.

Caryn Pederson serves as communications director for Pioneers in Orlando, Fla.

Internationals who attended LittWorld 2002 are harnessing words to bring change around the globe.

NELSON CLEMENS from Sierra Leone initiated a magazine in 1992 to promote evangelical values among national leaders. Once known as the Athens of West Africa, Clemens notes his country has a literacy rate of 30-40 percent. Their readers are their leaders. The magazine counters the perspective of some Christians in the country who perceive the government as “dirty.” However, Clemens asks, “If we don’t get involved, who will clean it up?” Because of the publication’s quality, Clemens and his staff have had opportunities to address the nation’s president and other government leaders.

BEATRICE IGIHOZO is working in literature at the other end of the social spectrum. Igihozo prepares notes on Bible passages for children with Scripture Union Rwanda, in addition to working with a craft business for widows and orphans. Widowed after the 1994 genocide, Igihozo adopted two orphans to bring her number of children to five. Her literature work is a way to facilitate adoption of another sort for countless other orphans in her country. She wants to see each of them in Christ’s family.

PASTOR DANIEL NALBANTSKY of Bulgaria, winner of the LittWorld 2002 writing contest, was once interrogated for his faith and refused the chance to finish his education because of it. He recalls, “The only right we had was the right to remain silent.” As political oppression ceased, words emerged, but he says, “A person who remained silent all their life cannot start talking with a sentence.” Christian publishing in this country may be stammering at its start, but through authors like Nalbantsky, it is gaining momentum. This full-time pastor is committed to writing books that will equip Bulgarians to follow Christ in their post-communist culture.