TA
BTT-Writer
Written Translation
Computer Support Training
BTT-Writer
BTT-Writer
In order to complete this section, you will need an
email address that you can check while doing this
work. (Of course, you will need some kind of
Internet connection, too.)
BTT-Writer
BTT-Writer
BTT-Writer can be downloaded by visiting https://bibletranslationtools.org/writer.
The latest version can also be downloaded from
https://github.com/Bible-Translation-Tools/BTT-Writer-Desktop/releases/latest or
https://github.com/Bible-Translation-Tools/BTT-Writer-Android/releases/latest.
BTT-Writer
Basic Translation Tools
BTT-Writer
Installing BTT-Writer
Installing on Linux
https://youtu.be/8cj7Iwwc20c
Version
Number
https://youtu.be/Z2mv1uIAE6o
Installing on macOS
https://youtu.be/UbX-MIRks6c
Installing on Windows
BTT-Writer
Installing BTT-Writer for Android
https://github.com/Bible-Translation-Tools/BTT-Writer-Android/releases/latest
BTT-Writer for Android is
downloaded separately.
You have to open
the .apk file to install.
BTT-Writer
Updates
If you want to be notified when there is a new
version of one of our programs, the easiest way is
to “watch” the download site.
This way, you will receive an
email when there is a new
release.
BTT-Writer
How Do I Use BTT-Writer?
Full documentation for using BTT-Writer can
be found at https://btt-writer.readthedocs.io/
In addition, we have many videos to help on the
MAST Tech Talk channel on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/@masttechtalk1916
Finally, we have many helps at
https://techadvancement.com BTT-Writer
“Logging in” to BTT-Writer
Use existing WACS account
Create a new WACS account
Use BTT-Writer without WACS
BTT-Writer
Important Agreements: CC BY-SA
CC BY-SA License
Video #2 Getting
Started in BTT
Writer for Desktop
BTT-Writer
https://youtu.be/SXsBXMa8nvw
Important Agreements:
Translation Guidelines
The Translation Guidelines state
that a translation needs to be
Accurate, Clear, and Natural.
Video #2 Getting
Started in BTT
Writer for Desktop
BTT-Writer
https://youtu.be/SXsBXMa8nvw
Important Agreements:
Statement of Faith
The Statement of Faith makes
sure that we are all working
together towards the same goal.
While we have seen fruitful work
in translation from non-
believers, we don’t believe it’s
best.
Video #2 Getting
Started in BTT
Writer for Desktop
BTT-Writer
https://youtu.be/SXsBXMa8nvw
BTT-Writer Home Screen
Logout is only used when a different translator is going to use
the program, or to switch between on-line and off-line use.
Create a new
The “3 dot”, or
project by clicking
“Hamburger”,
either the green
menu
button at the top
right, or the Start
a New Project
button.
BTT-Writer
Hamburger Menu (3 Dots)
Check to see if there is a
new GL in the catalog, or an
update to a GL.
Download a complete copy
of the database.
If there is an updated or new
Source, this will let you
choose what to download.
Check to see if there are any
new language codes.
BTT-Writer
Updating Sources
The circular green arrow indicates that
there’s an update for this source. Click on
the arrow to update.
However, don’t update unless either the
Project Manager asks you to do so, or you
haven’t yet begun translating that
particular book. Otherwise there may be
changes that will make checking difficult.
No update is available or needed.
BTT-Writer
Download Available Source Texts, Part 1
BTT-Writer
Download Available Source Texts, Part 2
Here, you can select multiple
books, and even multiple
formats. For English, I can
update both the ULB and the
UDB. In Arabic, I can update
both the Ketab El Hayat and
the Van Dyke translation.
You can select individual
books, versions, or the whole
Testament (Select All) to
download.
BTT-Writer
Update List of Available Target Languages
OR
BTT-Writer
Download New index.sqlite
BTT-Writer
BTT-Writer Settings
Select this option when translating a
gateway language. This will enable
more resources for each source text.
Leave this unchecked unless you
need it.
Blind edit mode should be enabled
BTT-Writer supports light and dark modes,   and is part of the MAST translation
including matching the OS theme.                      process.
You can change the font that displays
the target translation and have a
different font and size for the source.
BTT-Writer
BTT-Writer Settings: Version
and Data Path
BTT-Writer automatically
makes a backup every 5
minutes and saves it to this
location. The backup contains
Occasionally new releases of BTT-Writer       all data associated with a
are released. If you have problems, please    project.
include the version number you are using
when you ask your question.
BTT-Writer stores its working
files in the Data Path. This is
If you want to read the License          sometimes called the “happy
Agreement, Translation Guidelines,       path”.
and Statement of Faith again without
logging out, they are available here.
BTT-Writer
Interface Language
Soon, you will be able to change
the language that the program
uses to communicate with the
users.
BTT-Writer
Where do Language Codes
Come From?
Language Codes are either set by an International
Standards Organization (codes like zh, en, or pt-
br) or by language researchers. It is not the Tech’s
responsibility to create or request a language
code.
BTT-Writer
Creating a Project
Language Language
Name     Code
Video #3: Setting Up Your Work in BTT Writer for the Desktop
https://youtu.be/Jlra2ltbWhY
BTT-Writer
Selecting a Source
BTT-Writer
Imports
Imports are done from the Import menu on the Home screen.
This menu is not available while editing a project.
Import from Server allows importing from any account on
WACS. You do not need to be logged in to WACS to import a
project.
Import Project File will allow you to import
a .tstudio project file.
Import USFM File allows you to import a USFM
file from BTT-Writer or another program.
Import Source Text allows importing a Source
Text Resource Container.
BTT-Writer
Import from Server
Import from Server will allow you to search the server for
a project by User Name and/or by project name (here
called “Book or Language”).
If you are logged in to WACS, your user name will be
filled in on the left side, and projects from your WACS
account will fill in below.
If you have many projects in your account, it will take
some time before changes made to user name or book
or language will be reflected. This is especially true if you
have slow Internet.
BTT-Writer
Import Project File
Import Project File will open a standard file picker window that defaults to the Backups
folder in your Backup Location (from the Settings).
The only files that can be selected are .tstudio project files.
BTT-Writer
Project Already Exists
Sometimes you will try to
import a project and find
that it already exists on the
computer.
BTT-Writer
Does the Project Exist?
Sometimes a typist or technician will make a
mistake – he will turn on Gateway Language
Mode and create a ULB project instead of a
Regular project.
BTT-Writer
Correcting Meta-Data
If you need to change the project type or language
code, you can do that from the Home screen in
BTT-Writer.
BTT-Writer
Merge or Overwrite?
If you are                                            If you are
adding to a                                           importing a new
project                                               version, and
don’t need to
(bringing typing                                      save to old
from two                                              version,
If you aren’t sure, ask your project Overwrite the
typists, for     manager, or tech lead. If that’s not
example), you                                         Project. Be very
helpful or available, make a backup  certain, as this is
should merge     of the existing project before       very hard to
the projects.    merging or overwriting.              undo!
BTT-Writer
Merge Conflicts
Usually, a merge goes well, and you don’t need to
do anything more. Sometimes, however, the
merge has a conflict.
BTT-Writer
Import USFM File
Importing from USFM is slightly
simpler than importing from a
Project File or the server. There is
no merging. But some information
is lost.
BTT-Writer
Import Source Text
The most rare kind of import is the Source Text.
Almost any time you need a new Source Text, you
will get it from Updating the List of Source Texts,
and then downloading the new text.
BTT-Writer
8 MAST Steps
Step 1: Consume
Step 2: Verbalize
BTT-Writer
Chunking and Blind Draft
Step 3: Chunk
Step 4: Blind Draft
BTT-Writer
Checking Steps BTT-Writer Video #4 Navigating in BTT Writer for the Desktop
https://youtu.be/GM3Z48eVOsw
Placing a marker              Click the tick √
when you have
finished typing
BTT-Writer the chunk.
Steps on BTT-Writer for a
Translator
Print this
page out and
give it to
translators as
a reference.
You can
download this
page from
TechAdvance
ment.com,
and a copy is
on the USB
drive you
were given.            BTT-Writer
Finishing a Project
When the typing and checking have been done, it
can be hard to think of what needs to be done
next. While we encourage uploading as often as
possible, when a chapter is finished, there are
some additional steps you need to take.
BTT-Writer
Project Review
Whenever you finish a section
(usually a chapter), you should run
the Project Review. This will show you
many of the problems that might exist in the
project.
BTT-Writer
Project Review, continued
The Project Review shows a
green √ for each chunk that is
“closed”, and a pair of them for
a chapter or group of chapters
that is “closed”.
BTT-Writer
Project Review, continued
Incomplete translation of a chunk.
BTT-Writer
Project Review, continued
Chunk not closed
BTT-Writer
Project Contributors
Once the text has been
reviewed, spend a moment
reviewing the Contributors.
BTT-Writer
Project Report
Use the MAST Tracking Template to create a
report for the project. Make sure to include the
Upload Path that was returned after you
uploaded to WACS.
BTT-Writer
Footnotes
Some Source Texts have footnotes, and BTT-
Writer can help you to translate the footnotes.
Also, sometimes a Translator will want to add a
footnote to explain something that is difficult to
translate.
BTT-Writer
Footnotes, Part 3
1 Corinthians
It is possible to print footnotes when the translation is published. We have developed and
use a tool called USFM Converter to create a Word document from a translation project.
Video #5 – Performing Translation in BTT Writer for the Desktop
https://youtu.be/2lR_ZyWyD5c                          BTT-Writer                                USFM Converter can be downloaded from
https://github.com/Bible-Translation-Tools/USFM-Converter/releases/latest
Footnotes, Part 2
Click the footnote to
show the text.
In USFM
\v 28 But if someone says to you, "This has been offered in
sacrifice," then do not eat it, both for the sake of the one
who informed you, and for the sake of conscience— \f + \ft
Some ancient copies of the Greek text add, \fqa For the
earth and everything in it belong to the Lord \fqa* . But the
best ancient copies of the Greek text do not have this.
Many scholars see this addition as a duplication of verse
26. \f*
BTT-Writer
Exports
BTT-Writer
Video #7 – Uploading and Exporting in BTT Writer
Upload to Server
https://youtu.be/GnZEPp9uIUg
In order to Upload to Server, you must
●
Have a WACS account
●
Be logged in to your WACS account in BTT-Writer
If the project (same target language, same book, same project
type) already exists on WACS in your account, it will be
updated with the changes from your project.
If the project in your account has been updated by a different
computer since your last upload, BTT-Writer will offer to merge
the changes from WACS to the project on your computer, and
then try again to upload.
BTT-Writer
Export to Project File
You can Export a Project File, even without
●
a WACS account
●
Being logged in to your WACS account in BTT-Writer
If the project file (same target language, same book, same
project type) already exists in the location you choose to save
the file, you will be prompted whether you want to overwrite the
old file. BTT-Writer will not merge during this export process.
The default location for the export is the backups folder
located inside the Backup Location listed in the Settings.
BTT-Writer
Export to USFM
You can Export a USFM File, even without
●
a WACS account
●
Being logged in to your WACS account in BTT-Writer
USFM preserves everything that is important in the translation,
i.e. verse and chapter breaks, as well as the text.
USFM does not preserve other metadata, like the names of
the translators, the source used for translation, and so on.
There are only a few times when USFM export is needed.
BTT-Writer
Export to PDF
You can Export a PDF File, even without
●
a WACS account
●
Being logged in to your WACS account in BTT-Writer
A PDF, or Portable Document Format, is intended to preserve
the look of a page or document. As such, it is not intended to
be changed or edited.
This is the same as the Print option in BTT-Writer.
BTT-Writer
Backups
A backup is a second (or third, fourth) copy of
data. It is essential to be sure we don’t lose
information.
BTT-Writer
Backups, Part 2
You may remember from the settings that BTT-
Writer has a Backup Location.
BTT-Writer will automatically
back up your active project to
this location every 5 minutes.
BTT-Writer
VPN
A VPN is a Virtual Private Network. That means,
while you’re still using a “public” network, you
have a private connection to a place “outside” of
your network.
VPNs (or some VPNs) are illegal in some
countries.
BTT-Writer
TA
BTT-Writer
Written Translation
Computer Support Training
BTT-Writer
BTT-Writer
In order to complete this section, you will need an
email address that you can check while doing this
work. (Of course, you will need some kind of
Internet connection, too.)
BTT-Writer
If BTT-Writer will only be used off-line, i.e. there will not
be any uploads or downloads, you don’t need an
account on WACS, and you won’t need an email for
this section. However, the full power of BTT-Writer is
only realized when you upload your work to WACS
for safe-keeping.
BTT-Writer
BTT-Writer can be downloaded by visiting https://bibletranslationtools.org/writer.
The latest version can also be downloaded from
https://github.com/Bible-Translation-Tools/BTT-Writer-Desktop/releases/latest or
https://github.com/Bible-Translation-Tools/BTT-Writer-Android/releases/latest.
BTT-Writer
BTT-Writer Desktop and BTT-Writer Android work very
similarly, but they are completely different programs.
Most of this training is oriented towards use of BTT-
Writer Desktop (which can be used on any computer
that runs a recent version of Windows, macOS, or
Linux). Where there are differences for BTT-Writer
Android, we will try to make note of them.
These programs can also generally be downloaded
from https://basictranslationtools.org.
Basic Translation Tools
BTT-Writer
Every current version of BTT-Writer (including for Android) is
available for download from Basic Translation Tools
https://basictranslationtools.org.
Installing BTT-Writer
Installing on Linux
https://youtu.be/8cj7Iwwc20c
Version
Number
https://youtu.be/Z2mv1uIAE6o
Installing on macOS
https://youtu.be/UbX-MIRks6c
Installing on Windows
BTT-Writer
The Windows installer installs git along with BTT-Writer. For Linux and macOS,
you will need to install it separately. For macOS we recommend the open-
source git-scm available from
https://sourceforge.net/projects/git-osx-installer/. You can use Apple’s version
of git, but the download is over 2GB, so unless you have that kind of data, it’s
better to use git-scm if you can.
Currently, macOS and Linux also need a custom .ssh/config file.
What does BTT-Writer cost? $0
●
All of the software we make or recommend is free software. Most of it is
Open Source software, which means it will always continue to be free.
●
Do not steal software. Do not pirate software. Do not buy software from the
guy down in the market who sells it cheap.
●
Not only will you be breaking God’s law, you will make your computer more
vulnerable to viruses.
●
There is software that does what you need that is available for free, without
stealing from the programmer(s).
Installing BTT-Writer for Android
https://github.com/Bible-Translation-Tools/BTT-Writer-Android/releases/latest
BTT-Writer for Android is
downloaded separately.
You have to open
the .apk file to install.
BTT-Writer
Because of limitations placed by Google on the Play
Store, we are unable to have the current version of
BTT-Writer available there. Do not use the version
that is on the Play Store. It is out of date.
Download the .apk from Github and install that.
There is no version of BTT-Writer for iOS (iPhone or
iPad).
Updates
If you want to be notified when there is a new
version of one of our programs, the easiest way is
to “watch” the download site.
This way, you will receive an
email when there is a new
release.
BTT-Writer
You do need to have an account on Github in order for
them to know where to send the notification, but this
account is free.
Please note that if you live in a place where your work
is dangerous or illegal it is possible for others to
discover which projects you are watching. Be mindful
of what is needed for your safety.
How Do I Use BTT-Writer?
Full documentation for using BTT-Writer can
be found at https://btt-writer.readthedocs.io/
In addition, we have many videos to help on the
MAST Tech Talk channel on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/@masttechtalk1916
Finally, we have many helps at
https://techadvancement.com BTT-Writer
We also have an active help community on Telegram.
“Logging in” to BTT-Writer
Use existing WACS account
Create a new WACS account
Use BTT-Writer without WACS
BTT-Writer
If you have already created an account on WACS, use the first option.
If you have not yet created an account on WACS, use the second option.
Creating an account on WACS is explained in Section 2, PORT, BIEL,
and WACS.
Both of these options require an Internet connection, and will connect you to
bibletranslationtools.org. If you need to hide this connection, be sure to
connect a VPN before using one of these options.
The third option can be used if there is no Internet available, but should
always be temporary. For example, you can use it for a typist that you will
collect the typing from manually, or if you are away from Internet
temporarily.
You should always log out before letting someone else use your
computer. This allows them to enter their name into the
“Contributors” of the project they work on, and keeps it straight
where a project will be uploaded.
Important Agreements: CC BY-SA
CC BY-SA License
Video #2 Getting
Started in BTT
Writer for Desktop
BTT-Writer
https://youtu.be/SXsBXMa8nvw
All of the content of BTT-Writer is either in the Public
Domain or licensed with the Creative Commons
license:
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/
This means that the translation does belong to the
people who did the work, but they are making this
translation available for free. There are two
restrictions on this license.
1) BY: Someone who uses the translation must say
who he got it from. We call this “attribution”.
2) SA: Someone who uses the translation must make
the end result available under the same license.
3) The licensor cannot take away these freedoms as
long as you follow the license terms.
Important Agreements:
Translation Guidelines
The Translation Guidelines state
that a translation needs to be
Accurate, Clear, and Natural.
Video #2 Getting
Started in BTT
Writer for Desktop
BTT-Writer
https://youtu.be/SXsBXMa8nvw
This is not normally something the technician needs to worry about, but it is part of the agreement to use the software.
Accurate
Accurate translations effectively communicate the intended meaning of the original, divinely inspired text. An accurate translation
expresses the meaning the author intended for the original audience in the original context.
1) To the extent that is possible, nothing is added, misconstrued, or deleted from the original message.
2) It does not recast the meaning of the original text to make it more relevant to the contemporary audience.
3) An accurate translation does not distort the meaning in order to favor a specific interpretive perspective. It should be free from
theological, cultural, or personal biases.
4) An accurate translation communicates historical events and facts accurately.
Clear
Clear translations will use whatever language structures are needed to help readers easily read and understand it.
5) A clear translation may use as many or as few terms as necessary to communicate the original meaning as clearly as possible.
6) Making a clear translation does not mean that the translator clarifies something that is ambiguous in the source text.
7) Making a clear translation does not mean that the translator gives the reader a specific interpretation for every passage where
meaning is genuinely debated.
Natural
Natural translations use language forms that are reflect the way the target language is used in corresponding contexts.
8) Natural Bible translations sound like they were produced by an adult native speaker who speaks and/or writes well.
9) A natural Bible translation does not use expressions that are particular to their own culture in order to make the translation appear
natural.
10) It is more important for a portion of Scripture to be translated accurately than for it to sound perfectly natural to everyone who reads it.
We believe that a translation has the highest likelihood of being good quality when after applying the guidelines above, the following are
completed:
It is tested and approved by believers of the language community and their church leaders.
11) Ongoing revisions and improvements are made.
Important Agreements:
Statement of Faith
The Statement of Faith makes
sure that we are all working
together towards the same goal.
While we have seen fruitful work
in translation from non-
believers, we don’t believe it’s
best.
Video #2 Getting
Started in BTT
Writer for Desktop
BTT-Writer
https://youtu.be/SXsBXMa8nvw
We insist that certain things are true, and not
negotiable.
1)The Bible is divinely inspired by God and has final
authority. This means that we cannot impose our
opinions or our culture on the content of the Bible.
2)God is one and exists in three persons: God the
Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.
3)Because of the fall of man, all humans are sinful and
in need of salvation.
4)The death of Christ is a substitute for sinners and
provides for the cleansing of those who believe.
5)By God’s grace, through faith, people receive
salvation as a free gift because of Jesus’ death and
resurrection.
6)The resurrection of all at the end of time — the
saved to eternal life and the lost to eternal
punishment.
BTT-Writer Home Screen
Logout is only used when a different translator is going to use
the program, or to switch between on-line and off-line use.
Create a new
The “3 dot”, or
project by clicking
“Hamburger”,
either the green
menu
button at the top
right, or the Start
a New Project
button.
BTT-Writer
Once a project has been created, the project list fills in
the space where the Start a New Project button is,
so you can only use it for the first project.
We will normally refer to the Hamburger menu as the 3
dot menu.
Occasionally, BTT-Writer will get confused about
whether you’re logged in to WACS or not. If this
happens (and you can’t upload) you can often fix the
problem by clicking Logout and logging back in
again. You will need to click I Agree to the three
agreements each time you log in.
Hamburger Menu (3 Dots)
Check to see if there is a
new GL in the catalog, or an
update to a GL.
Download a complete copy
of the database.
If there is an updated or new
Source, this will let you
choose what to download.
Check to see if there are any
new language codes.
BTT-Writer
BTT-Writer keeps a database of available Source Texts, or Gateway Language (GL) texts. The database
also keeps a list of available Target Language codes, for translation projects. In addition, BTT-Writer
stores Source Texts on your hard disk drive, ready to be used for a translation project.
Every time BTT-Writer is updated, the new release will include all of the sources available at that time. It
will also include all of the target language codes currently available. However, over time, new codes
will be added, and sometimes language names will be spelled differently, although they keep the same
codes.
The process to update the codes and Source Text versions can take a long time, and because it uses an
Internet connection, it can time out while you are trying to update. This can be very frustrating, so we
have another choice for you.
Each week, a database file with all of the most up-to-date language codes and Source Text versions is
posted online. Download New index.sqlite will download this database and simply replace your
existing database. It could be out of date for as much as a week, but never more than that.
Every language in the world has a code to identify it as being separate from other languages. For
example, we are currently aware of four languages called “Kamba”. One of them, in Kenya, has the
code kam. The related language in neighboring Tanzania has the code kam-TZ-kamba. The
languages in PNG and Brazil have the codes fad-x-kamba and xba, respectively.
If a minority language does not yet have a code in our system, the translation project managers need to
communicate with their supervisors to get the code added in PORT. Then, in a week or so, or after
running the Update List of Available Target Languages, the new code will be available.
It is very important to use the correct code for the language. If you are unsure of what the code is,
ask the project manager.
Updating Sources
The circular green arrow indicates that
there’s an update for this source. Click on
the arrow to update.
However, don’t update unless either the
Project Manager asks you to do so, or you
haven’t yet begun translating that
particular book. Otherwise there may be
changes that will make checking difficult.
No update is available or needed.
BTT-Writer
Updating Source Texts (GL) is a two-step process. It is
not usually a good idea to change the content of the
source text while translation is happening. (It makes
it difficult to check.) Therefore, the first part of the
update is to see what updates are available.
Once you have been notified that an update is
available, you can see if it’s available for your current
project when you select sources for that project.
A circular green arrow appears by sources that have
updates available.
Download Available Source Texts, Part 1
BTT-Writer
You can also update source texts more than one at a
time by going to the Update menu and choosing
Download Available Source Texts.
You will need to choose the language you want to
update, and then the Testament you want. (Other
allows updating translationWords, which are not
specific to a book or Testament.)
Download Available Source Texts, Part 2
Here, you can select multiple
books, and even multiple
formats. For English, I can
update both the ULB and the
UDB. In Arabic, I can update
both the Ketab El Hayat and
the Van Dyke translation.
You can select individual
books, versions, or the whole
Testament (Select All) to
download.
BTT-Writer
Please note that this screen doesn’t tell you which
books have updates available, and any book
selected will be downloaded, even if it’s the same as
what you already have.
All updates (whether using the green circular arrow or
using the Update Sources menu) require an Internet
connection, will use Internet data, and will make a
connection to bibletranslationtools.org.
If it’s dangerous for you to visit that site, please use a
VPN before updating the sources in BTT-Writer.
Update List of Available Target Languages
OR
BTT-Writer
When you update the list of Available Target
Languages, BTT-Writer communicates with the
server and compares the list of known languages
with what is stored in the database in BTT-Writer.
You will be notified whether language codes have been
added or not.
Download New index.sqlite
BTT-Writer
We’ve mentioned that BTT-Writer keeps a database of
information about Source Texts and Target Language
codes. Sometimes, because of poor Internet performance,
it can be painfully slow to update the list of available source
texts, or the list of available target languages. If you could
just update the database, the download of the actual
source files wouldn’t be too bad.
Downloading a new index.sqlite replaces your existing
database with a fresh copy from our servers. It is a much
faster than the other updates, however there are a couple
of reasons to use the other methods.
Specifically, the index.sqlite that is downloaded is only
updated once per week, or so. Because of this, it may not
have the most recent changes.
Also, if you have made updates, the downloaded database
may remove them, if the downloaded file is behind your
local copy.
BTT-Writer Settings
Select this option when translating a
gateway language. This will enable
more resources for each source text.
Leave this unchecked unless you
need it.
Blind edit mode should be enabled
BTT-Writer supports light and dark modes,   and is part of the MAST translation
including matching the OS theme.                      process.
You can change the font that displays
the target translation and have a
different font and size for the source.
BTT-Writer
Some languages use a writing style that isn’t a
different alphabet (or writing system) but is best
illustrated with a different font.
You can download fonts to your computer and use
them in BTT-Writer, but Android requires a special
build of the program to be able to use a user-
supplied font.
For the translation to show using that font on Bible in
Every Language, a special change needs to be
made to the repository for that book.
That’s an advanced topic that we’ll discuss later.
BTT-Writer Settings: Version
and Data Path
BTT-Writer automatically
makes a backup every 5
minutes and saves it to this
location. The backup contains
Occasionally new releases of BTT-Writer       all data associated with a
are released. If you have problems, please    project.
include the version number you are using
when you ask your question.
BTT-Writer stores its working
files in the Data Path. This is
If you want to read the License          sometimes called the “happy
Agreement, Translation Guidelines,       path”.
and Statement of Faith again without
logging out, they are available here.
BTT-Writer
There are additional items in the Settings screen.
Some of these, like Git Version, are only important
for advanced issues.
Interface Language
Soon, you will be able to change
the language that the program
uses to communicate with the
users.
BTT-Writer
Unfortunately, BTT-Writer (or its ancestor,
translationStudio) was not designed to be multi-
lingual. This was very difficult to correct, and we
have only recently finished changing the program to
allow for different languages.
We are not yet done. Now that the program has been
changed, we will need people to create the
translations of the interface. For this, we use a site
called CrowdIn (https://crowdin.com).
Where do Language Codes
Come From?
Language Codes are either set by an International
Standards Organization (codes like zh, en, or pt-
br) or by language researchers. It is not the Tech’s
responsibility to create or request a language
code.
BTT-Writer
All codes should be entered in PORT before translation
begins. Codes in PORT will be available in BTT-Writer
(through Update List of Available Target Languages) in
a day or two.
If the Project Manager does not know the process for
requesting a language code, he or she should contact
the Regional Manager or Regional Director for
assistance. There are protocols to help prevent
creating duplicate language codes, or multiple codes
for a single language.
Creating a Project
Language Language
Name     Code
Video #3: Setting Up Your Work in BTT Writer for the Desktop
https://youtu.be/Jlra2ltbWhY
BTT-Writer
You can either scroll down and select a language from
the list, or you can start typing the name or the code
of the language.
Best practice is to type the code. You should always
have a code from the Project Manager before typing
begins. There are many languages in the world with
the same name, but each language has its own
code.
If, for some reason, you are forced to begin a project
for a language whose code you don’t know, try to
pick a code that will be easy to spot and change
later. Icelandic Sign Language is one suggestion,
although any of the sign languages would be
acceptable, since they will never have a written
translation.
Selecting a Source
BTT-Writer
Before you can begin to type or translate a book of the Bible,
you must specify which source text you are going to use.
The icon looks like a Battery symbol to some of us, but it
represents adding or removing a folder.
You can add up to three texts here, but it is important to
remember that only one is the source. Very few languages
have a one-to-one relationship between their words and
expressions, and so it is necessary to check a translation
against one source. The other texts are references, to
help with understanding the source, if needed.
You are able to search by language code, to find the correct
translation. Some languages have more than one text
available. Make sure to select the correct one.
Imports
Imports are done from the Import menu on the Home screen.
This menu is not available while editing a project.
Import from Server allows importing from any account on
WACS. You do not need to be logged in to WACS to import a
project.
Import Project File will allow you to import
a .tstudio project file.
Import USFM File allows you to import a USFM
file from BTT-Writer or another program.
Import Source Text allows importing a Source
Text Resource Container.
BTT-Writer
Import from Server
Import from Server will allow you to search the server for
a project by User Name and/or by project name (here
called “Book or Language”).
If you are logged in to WACS, your user name will be
filled in on the left side, and projects from your WACS
account will fill in below.
If you have many projects in your account, it will take
some time before changes made to user name or book
or language will be reflected. This is especially true if you
have slow Internet.
BTT-Writer
Importing from the server and importing a project file
are very similar. In both cases, git is used to
preserve the change history of the project, and the
manifest file that indicates which chunks have been
closed and who the translators are is included.
We will discuss this more when we look at merging
and overwriting projects.
Import Project File
Import Project File will open a standard file picker window that defaults to the Backups
folder in your Backup Location (from the Settings).
The only files that can be selected are .tstudio project files.
BTT-Writer
.tstudio files contain the standard project folder (from the
data path) and a second manifest file with information about
the project. All of this is zipped (compressed with the zip
format) into another folder and given the file
extension .tstudio.
While project files can be manually changed, it is an
advanced technique and should not be attempted casually.
A project can only be imported and exported from or to a
project file if the project has a valid git history. The
import/export process uses git to validate the data.
Project Already Exists
Sometimes you will try to
import a project and find
that it already exists on the
computer.
BTT-Writer
There are three elements of a project that define it. If
only one or two of these elements are the same, the
projects are considered different projects. However, if
all three are the same, they are considered the same
project, and you must either Cancel, Merge
Projects, or Overwrite Project.
The three elements are the Project Name (or Book of
the Bible), the Type (which should almost always be
text), and the Language Code.
With Bible translation, there are 66 different Projects
(for the 66 books), 3 Types (Regular Text, ULB, &
UDB), and many different language codes.
Does the Project Exist?
Sometimes a typist or technician will make a
mistake – he will turn on Gateway Language
Mode and create a ULB project instead of a
Regular project.
BTT-Writer
The ULB, or Unlocked Literal Bible, is a source text
used by WA. It is Unlocked with the CC By-SA
license for further use. It is Literal, trying to keep the
language as close to the original as possible. In WA
projects, ULB means source text. (We have some
other public domain or open license sources for
some languages.)
Translation for regular use, by regular people (instead
of translators) is considered a Regular Text project,
or simply text in this picture. Most of your work
should be listed as Text.
If you are importing a project and you already have a
version of that project, pay attention! If you don’t get
the Project Already Exists error, you probably have
a wrong language or Type code.
Correcting Meta-Data
If you need to change the project type or language
code, you can do that from the Home screen in
BTT-Writer.
BTT-Writer
Click on the details button for the project to show a
screen where you can Change the resource type
(circled here), or the language code (just above).
Click on the word Change to change the code.
If this would cause a conflict (Project Already Exists),
you will be prompted just as though you were
importing a project file.
Merge or Overwrite?
If you are                                              If you are
adding to a                                             importing a new
project                                                 version, and
don’t need to
(bringing typing                                        save to old
from two                                                version,
If you aren’t sure, ask your project Overwrite the
typists, for       manager, or tech lead. If that’s not
example), you                                           Project. Be very
helpful or available, make a backup  certain, as this is
should merge       of the existing project before       very hard to
the projects.      merging or overwriting.              undo!
BTT-Writer
Normally, we merge projects. Chapter one from here,
chapter two from there, and we put them together.
Sometimes, we just want to start over. The copy we
have is bad, the translator has left the project and we
can’t use his work, that sort of thing. Overwriting the
project will bring in the new copy, but nothing will be
left of the old one.
If you want to make a backup of the project, click
Cancel here. Then, make the backup and try the
import again.
Merge Conflicts
Usually, a merge goes well, and you don’t need to
do anything more. Sometimes, however, the
merge has a conflict.
BTT-Writer
A merge conflict happens when both copies of the project contain
text for the same chunk. In this example, the project title has two
different versions.
When there is a conflict, a new icon will appear on the left side – a
warning triangle. Clicking on this button will show only the chunks
that have conflicts.
You must resolve all conflicts before importing any more
versions of the book! This is very important. When BTT-Writer
has more than two conflicting versions of the same chunk it does
not behave well.
Resolving a chunk conflict is simple, but not easy. Click on the chunk
that is correct (or preferred). Then, click Confirm.
Why do we say this is not easy? If you don’t know the language, you
may have a difficult time choosing which chunk to click. The
sooner you can deal with this with the translators, the easier it will
be.
Import USFM File
Importing from USFM is slightly
simpler than importing from a
Project File or the server. There is
no merging. But some information
is lost.
BTT-Writer
If a project already exists, BTT-Writer will ask for
permission to overwrite the existing project. Although
USFM import has improved over the years, some
data, like the language code, is not preserved. This
data must be re-entered. Some data, like the
translator names, can be tedious to re-enter.
Project files, because they save the manifest file, save
the level of completion of the project. USFM doesn’t
know which chunks have been checked all the way.
USFM Import and Export should be done rarely. Most
of the time, Project File export (or upload to the
server!) is better.
Import Source Text
The most rare kind of import is the Source Text.
Almost any time you need a new Source Text, you
will get it from Updating the List of Source Texts,
and then downloading the new text.
BTT-Writer
So, when do we use the Source Text Import?
You may go to an event where there is very poor
Internet, and where you know the computers have an
outdated version of the source. Then, you can side-
load the source text to the computers using this.
Or, you may work on a projet for a language that uses
a source that is not a Gateway Language.
Sometimes, we get permission to use a text, but only
for a specific country, or for specific work. In that
case, you will get the Source Text in a resource
container from Tech Advance, and you will import it
using this option.
8 MAST Steps
Step 1: Consume
Step 2: Verbalize
BTT-Writer
Many translation projects are now done on paper, and the completed work is entered
into the computer. If that is the case, you don’t need to worry about this feature of
BTT-Writer. However, it’s important for us to understand the translation process.
BTT Writer can help you in many of the MAST translation steps.
Steps One and Two are done on the screen selected by the icon showing four horizontal
lines.
Step 1 – Consume Read the source text in a larger context to get the full discourse. BTT-
Writer allows you to read the text in up to three source languages.
Step 2 – Verbalize is done without using the computer. The translator explains the passage
to someone else.
Chunking and Blind Draft
Step 3: Chunk
Step 4: Blind Draft
BTT-Writer
Steps Three and Four are done on the screen selected by the icon showing two overlapping pages.
Step 3 – Chunk BTT-Writer Is not well suited to creating your own chunks. There are default
chunks, but translators are encouraged to make their own. The translator should still think about
how to divide the passage into easily translated sections. This is an important part of the translation
process. The translator may select two or more of the BTT-Writer chunks as one chunk
If your starting screen looks different, or if you have only two icons in the upper left, you
need to go to the settings and enable Blind Edit Mode.
Step 4 – Blind Draft The MAST process works because the Blind Draft step causes the translator
to translate the passage into an easily understood, natural sounding translation.
To get to the blind draft, the translator clicks on the card behind the Source chunk. The card
comes forward and covers the Source chunk.
Here, the translator is translating Mark 1:1-3. He has read the passage in the Source Text and is
now typing his translation into the box. He cannot see the source text while he is typing. This means
that he will have to rely upon his memory, and what he says will sound more natural.
Checking Steps          BTT-Writer Video #4 Navigating in BTT Writer for the Desktop
https://youtu.be/GM3Z48eVOsw
Placing a marker                       Click the tick √
when you have
finished typing
BTT-Writer     the chunk.
Steps 5-8 of the MAST process are editing steps. They can
all be performed on this screen. It is selected by the icon
showing three vertical rectangles, representing the three
panes of the checking screen.
1) The source text is visible to check the translation against. You can not edit
this pane.
2) This is the target translation. To edit it (for corrections or additions) click on
the pencil icon.
3) The verse markers can be placed at the beginning of each verse by left-
clicking on the marker and dragging it to the first word of the verse. You will
know that the marker is placed correctly when the word turns green. Placing
the markers creates USFM code to show where the verse divisions are.
4) Notes on the meaning of the passage, explanations of words, and
questions to help understand the verse are available on the right side.
Some sources also have the UDB, a dynamic translation that might be
easier to understand, but shouldn't be used as a source because it uses
interpretation (it may not be completely faithful to the original).
5) Click on this tab to close the chunk when the checks are complete.
The chunk shown on the right displays the USFM codes for verse 12 and
verse 13.
Steps on BTT-Writer for a
Translator
Print this
page out and
give it to
translators as
a reference.
You can
download this
page from
TechAdvance
ment.com,
and a copy is
on the USB
drive you
were given.            BTT-Writer
Finishing a Project
When the typing and checking have been done, it
can be hard to think of what needs to be done
next. While we encourage uploading as often as
possible, when a chapter is finished, there are
some additional steps you need to take.
BTT-Writer
Project Review
Whenever you finish a section
(usually a chapter), you should run
the Project Review. This will show you
many of the problems that might exist in the
project.
BTT-Writer
Project Review, continued
The Project Review shows a
green √ for each chunk that is
“closed”, and a pair of them for
a chapter or group of chapters
that is “closed”.
BTT-Writer
In this example, we can see that Exodus 8 is not
complete. While the Exodus 8 Title is fine, the chunk
for verses 1-4 is not.
If you are reviewing this project and you know that
Chapter 8 has not yet been completed, there is no
cause for alarm. However, if the typist or translator
has said Chapter 8 is finished, it’s time to find out
why the review lists it as incomplete.
Project Review, continued
Incomplete translation of a chunk.
BTT-Writer
Sometimes, the problem will be obvious. Here, the
verse markers have not been placed. Also, if we
compare with the source text, this seems like not
enough text.
In a situation like this, there is nothing for the
technician to do.
First, the typist should be sure that there is not
translated text that was not entered.
If the hand-written translation is also incomplete, the
translation team needs to look at this chunk and go
through all 8 steps again to make sure it is translated
well.
Project Review, continued
Chunk not closed
BTT-Writer
You might also see a chunk like this. All the text seems
to be present, and the verse markers are present. In
this case it is probably just that the typist forgot to
“close” the chunk.
When the toggle is clicked to close a chunk, the
technician is asked three questions:
1) Are the verse markers placed correctly?
2) Have the words and meanings been reviewed?
3) Have the Questions been reviewed?
Of course, if you are not part of the translation process,
you can not answer these questions. However, if the
verse markers are in place, and there doesn’t seem
to be any text missing, you can close the chunk.
Project Contributors
Once the text has been
reviewed, spend a moment
reviewing the Contributors.
BTT-Writer
The contributors are people who have contributed to
the translation. The translator’s name should be
here, and also the names of those who have helped
to check their work. Your name will be here if you
have done any work to change the translation (like
closing a chunk).
If someone’s name is not present, take the time to add
it, by typing the name where it says Name or
Pseudonym, clicking the check box to say that they
have agreed to the Statement of Faith, Translation
Guidelines, and license. Then, click Add
Contributor.
Be careful, as there is no easy way to remove a
contributor.
Project Report
Use the MAST Tracking Template to create a
report for the project. Make sure to include the
Upload Path that was returned after you
uploaded to WACS.
BTT-Writer
We have more complete training for this template elsewhere.
It is very important that this report be communicated to the
correct people. Send a copy to the person you report to
(like the project manager). Send a copy to Todd Brain. If
you want, send a copy to Tech Advance. This will help us to
verify that you have done the work.
Notice that in this example, Matthew is only 68% complete.
That is valuable information. Don’t feel that you can’t report
if the book isn’t finished.
The sooner a report is made, the sooner we can move ahead
towards completing the Bible for this language.
Footnotes
Some Source Texts have footnotes, and BTT-
Writer can help you to translate the footnotes.
Also, sometimes a Translator will want to add a
footnote to explain something that is difficult to
translate.
BTT-Writer
Footnotes, Part 3
1 Corinthians
It is possible to print footnotes when the translation is published. We have developed and
use a tool called USFM Converter to create a Word document from a translation project.
Video #5 – Performing Translation in BTT Writer for the Desktop
https://youtu.be/2lR_ZyWyD5c                         BTT-Writer                                USFM Converter can be downloaded from
https://github.com/Bible-Translation-Tools/USFM-Converter/releases/latest
Once a footnote has been added to the text, it will look strange in
BTT-Writer, unless it is re-imported as a source text. (This almost
never happens.) However, you can display the footnote when the
translation is printed.
We have a tool called USFM Converter that can create MS Word-
compatible files for printing. Other tools that do this kind of work
are PTXprint and Paratext, both from SIL.
LibreOffice is a free office software suite that is compatible with files
for MS Word.
If making footnotes is too complicated, but the translators want to
have them, we suggest using [[ ]] to set the footnote off from the
rest of the text.
In this case, that would be \v 28 But if someone says to you, "This has
been offered in sacrifice," then do not eat it, both for the sake of the
one who informed you, and for the sake of conscience— [[Some
ancient copies of the Greek text add, For the earth and everything in it
belong to the Lord. But the best ancient copies of the Greek text do not
have this. Many scholars see this addition as a duplication of verse
26.]]
Footnotes, Part 2
Click the footnote to
show the text.
In USFM
\v 28 But if someone says to you, "This has been offered in
sacrifice," then do not eat it, both for the sake of the one
who informed you, and for the sake of conscience— \f + \ft
Some ancient copies of the Greek text add, \fqa For the
earth and everything in it belong to the Lord \fqa* . But the
best ancient copies of the Greek text do not have this.
Many scholars see this addition as a duplication of verse
26. \f*
BTT-Writer
We have mentioned before that BTT-Writer (and
several other programs) use USFM to format the text.
USFM is not concerned with Bold, Italic, Underline,
and other formats like that. Instead, it deals with what
the content of the text is.
\v 1 means that the content following is the first verse
of a chapter.
\f means that the following text is a footnote. The
footnote continues until it reaches \f*.
\ft begins the text of the footnote. \fqa and \fqa*
bracket a quotation in the footnote.
Exports
BTT-Writer
You can export directly from the project, or from the
home screen.
To export from the project, click the 3-Dot menu, then
Upload/Export, and then choose the type of export
you want.
To export from the home screen, click the Info Dot,
then on the upward pointing export arrow, and then
choose the type of export you want.
Video #7 – Uploading and Exporting in BTT Writer
Upload to Server
https://youtu.be/GnZEPp9uIUg
In order to Upload to Server, you must
●
Have a WACS account
●
Be logged in to your WACS account in BTT-Writer
If the project (same target language, same book, same project
type) already exists on WACS in your account, it will be
updated with the changes from your project.
If the project in your account has been updated by a different
computer since your last upload, BTT-Writer will offer to merge
the changes from WACS to the project on your computer, and
then try again to upload.
BTT-Writer
You should never give your username and password to
another person, and you should not log in your
account to BTT-Writer on a computer that someone
else is using.
Uploading to the same account from several different
computers can cause lots of problems. Each BTT-
Writer user who uploads to WACS should have his or
her own account on WACS.
Export to Project File
You can Export a Project File, even without
●
a WACS account
●
Being logged in to your WACS account in BTT-Writer
If the project file (same target language, same book, same
project type) already exists in the location you choose to save
the file, you will be prompted whether you want to overwrite the
old file. BTT-Writer will not merge during this export process.
The default location for the export is the backups folder
located inside the Backup Location listed in the Settings.
BTT-Writer
A Project file has the extension .tstudio, and contains the entire project folder from the
data path. It also contains another manifest file, and unlike the project folder, it can
be renamed without harming the ability of BTT-Writer to import.
The file takes some time to write, especially for a big project. Everything is compressed
using the Zip protocol, and that takes time. You should always write to internal
storage (your internal drive) and copy from there to a USB or Pen Drive.
When working with multiple translators and machines, a good practice is to name the
file with meaning. For example, instead of
en-x-demo_1co_text_reg.tstudio, use
en-x-demo_1co_text_reg-adam-ch4.tstudio.
This way, you will know whose computer the file came from (adam), and which chapter
they had just worked on (ch4).
You will lose less work if you harvest work after each assigned section, or at least at the
end of each day.
You should Upload to Server as often as possible.
The more copies you have, and the more often you back up, the more options you’ll
have if data becomes corrupt.
Some errors will prevent a Project file from being exported.
Export to USFM
You can Export a USFM File, even without
●
a WACS account
●
Being logged in to your WACS account in BTT-Writer
USFM preserves everything that is important in the translation,
i.e. verse and chapter breaks, as well as the text.
USFM does not preserve other metadata, like the names of
the translators, the source used for translation, and so on.
There are only a few times when USFM export is needed.
BTT-Writer
Export to PDF
You can Export a PDF File, even without
●
a WACS account
●
Being logged in to your WACS account in BTT-Writer
A PDF, or Portable Document Format, is intended to preserve
the look of a page or document. As such, it is not intended to
be changed or edited.
This is the same as the Print option in BTT-Writer.
BTT-Writer
Some people are satisfied to print the output of BTT-
Writer without any modification, and new features
have been added to BTT-Writer to give more options
while printing.
However, many people prefer to have more options
when printing. For these people, we recommend
using BTT-USFM Converter to export in Word
document format, or PTXprint, which has many,
many print options related to printing Scripture.
Backups
A backup is a second (or third, fourth) copy of
data. It is essential to be sure we don’t lose
information.
BTT-Writer
Computers crash, are stolen, are damaged by water,
insects, and dust. Sometimes they are infected by
viruses. Android tablets will sometimes start to delete
information in order to make more room.
When any of these things happen, translation data can
be lost. This represents a lot of work for the
translators, and delays presentation of Scripture to
the people.
The best way to back up is to upload to WACS.
Backups, Part 2
You may remember from the settings that BTT-
Writer has a Backup Location.
BTT-Writer will automatically
back up your active project to
this location every 5 minutes.
BTT-Writer
BTT-Writer also scans the targetTranslations folder
(the data path or “happy” path) for translations when
it first starts. A project folder that is copied into
targetTranslations will be added to the list of
available projects the next time BTT-Writer starts.
BTT-Writer also makes a backup of each project
present at startup.
These backups are put in the automatic_backups
folder in the Backup Location from Settings
If a project is damaged, and can’t be backed up
normally, BTT-Writer will instead make a zip of the
project, put that in the automatic_backups folder,
and the end of the file name will show the date that
the file was saved. This file can be sent to
technicians elsewhere to try to save the data.
VPN
A VPN is a Virtual Private Network. That means,
while you’re still using a “public” network, you
have a private connection to a place “outside” of
your network.
VPNs (or some VPNs) are illegal in some
countries.
BTT-Writer
Sometimes you will access the Internet using a
connection that doesn’t want to allow the kind of
activity we use (uploading using port 22, for
example).
Other times, you may need to disguise what you are
doing (connecting to bibletranslationtools.org) in
order to protect your safety.
There are many good VPN programs. Some of them
cost money, but Atlas VPN and Proton VPN are both
free. Some of our Techs pay for ExpressVPN or
NordVPN. Some other VPN services are dangerous
and should not be used.
