Visiting Friends

Progressive publication is the practice of distributing portions of Scripture in a language as soon as it is translated, rather than waiting until there is a complete New Testament before publication. A brief introduction to progressive publication is provided. Information and Communication Technology (ICT) such as mobile phones and village radios, which affect progressive publication are examined.Macro-trends are documented, and then how the trends play out at the local level are explored. The capabilities of the average phone are explained in detail. Some challenges to progressive publication are identified. An appendix for American readers explains how mobile phones work in the developing world.

[This paper was originally scheduled for presentation at Bible Translation 2013, but delayed by the birth of my son.  It was presented at the Society for Biblical Literature in November, 2014.]