Purpose statement
IBT's main aim is to translate, publish and distribute the Bible
in the languages of the non-Slavic peoples living in Russia
and the other countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States
(CIS). These 85 million non-Slavic peoples represent a tremendous
diversity of language (at least 130 different languages) and
religion (Christianity, Islam, Buddhism and Shamanism). Some
of these peoples number many millions; other languages have
only a few thousand speakers. Some of the languages have a long
written tradition; in others a written form is only now being
created.
IBT Russia/CIS
The office of IBT Russia/CIS
is located in St. Andrew's Monastery in Moscow (also the location of the
reading room of the Russian Orthodox Church’s Synodal Library),
on the banks of the Moscow River next to the new building of
the Russian Academy of Sciences Presidium. IBT is a non-profit
scholarly organization with staff from different Christian
traditions and denominations.
Bible
translation projects
IBT strives to make accurate and faithful translations which
reveal the message of the Bible to modern readers in their own
languages. IBT’s office in Moscow coordinates the work of 65
translation teams. Translation team members live in different
cities and countries, but at certain stages of their work it
is necessary for them to meet and work together. In addition
to coordinating and administering the work of Bible translation,
the office also holds seminars for translators and exegetical
checkers. There are usually three such seminars each year. In
addition to its Bible publications, IBT also produces Scripture
books for children, Bible reference works and scientific materials
related to the receptor languages.
Text
preparation, technical support and publishing
IBT publishes quality editions appropriate for a book’s content
and readers’ expectations. The Moscow office prepares the translated
Bible texts for publishing. The staff is involved in typesetting,
illustrations, maps and cover design. In addition, technical
assistance, such as computer hardware and software support,
font problems, etc., is provided by Moscow office staff to translators
in the field. IBT maintains contacts with printing houses in
Russia and abroad.
Cooperation
IBT is a member of the International Forum of Bible Agencies
(IFOBA). In some translation projects IBT cooperates
with other international Bible translation agencies, such as
UBS, SIL and the Pioneer Bible Translators (PBT).
In the countries of its activity IBT works in cooperation with churches
and religious organizations of all Christian denominations,
national Bible Societies, scientific institutions
and with the state authorities.
Distribution,
information and public relations
IBT
coordinates the transportation, warehousing and distribution,
organizes presentations of
its publications,
issues an information bulletin "News of Bible Translation"
in Russian.
Funding
IBT Russia/CIS is a non-profit organization
financed through contributions
from individuals, sponsoring organizations,
foundations and to some extent by publishing activities.
Director
 The Director of the Institute for Bible Translation Russia/CIS is Marianne
Beerle-Moor. She is a specialist in the field of linguistics and ethno-linguistics
(Caucasian studies and Lezgi grammar), PHD, Doctor (honoris
causa) of the Russian Academy of Sciences, and consultant
for translation projects.
In
February 2002 Dr. Marianne Beerle-Moor was awarded the Order,
Third Class, “For Serving the Native Land” of St. Dmitriy Donskoy
and St. Sergius of Radonezh for the work of enlightenment and
merits in the spiritual and moral formation of Russian society.
In
May 2005 on the Decree of the Yakut President Dr. Beerle-Moor
was awarded the “Civil Valour” Order for the revival of spirituality
and the translation of the New Testament into the Yakut language
In
November 2009 on the decree of the Kalmyk President, Marianne
Beerle-Moor was awarded a medal “Forever together” of the Kalmyk
republic for IBT's work on Bible translation into the Kalmyk
language.
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