Download the PDF slideshow in English or refer to the translatable text below.

Translatable text of this document

Slide 1

Translation Basics Workshop

Slide 2

Some Questions Before Starting

10 minutes on the clock for quick shares.

  • Have you ever read OA-approved literature in English?
  • If yes, which book have you enjoyed the most?
  • Which book do you think has influenced or is influencing your recovery the most?
  • What book do you read every day? (It doesn’t have to be a daily reader.)

Slide 3

The Importance of Translating OA Literature

  • Carry the OA message
  • Attract newcomers
  • Work all Twelve Steps
  • Retain existing members

Abstinence, Recovery, Identification

Slide 4

Why Translate OA Literature and Materials?

  • Within OA worldwide, relatively “small” countries can have more meetings per capita in comparison with some “larger” countries.
  • There seems to be a direct correlation between a country’s number of meetings (and thus recovery!) and the amount of translated literature available in its specific language.
  • Countries having a good supply of OA literature in their local languages is a direct result of members having a vision that ALL OA literature be translated and made available locally.

Slide 5

The Bottom Line?

Translating Literature Saves Lives!

Slide 6

Useful Tools and Resources!

Slide 7

What to Translate?

  • Any downloadable document, file, or text on oa.org without seeking permission from the World Service Office. This does NOT include permission to reprint photos.
    • “This is a translation of OA-approved literature. © [date of translation] Copyright Overeaters Anonymous, Inc. All rights reserved.”
  • Any OA-approved literature available for purchase in the OA bookstore by asking for permission from the World Service Office.
    • License 1 = permission to translate
    • License 2 = permission to publish and distribute

Licenses are agreements that protect copyright: OA owns all its materials and text.

Slide 8

It’s a Process.

  • Before you start, check if the literature:
    • Is already translated/in the process of being translated
    • Due for a major revision soon
    • Translation committee (group of members)
  • Translation committee (group of members)
  • Fill in the License 1 (translation and validation)
  • Accurate translation of original text:
    • Trust (Concept Three)
    • Nothing left out
    • Nothing added
    • Same meaning and implication, as closely as a different language allows
  • Choice of Translators
  • Validation
  • Fill in the License 2 (printing and distributing)
    • Every copy must have the correct copyright notice.
    • Every copy must have a specific, customized OA trademark.
    • One electronic copy will be sent to WSO.
    • Royalties will be sent to the WSO (10% of net sales).
    • All surplus funds (after royalties) will be used for OA.

Slide 9

Let’s Share:

10 minutes on the clock for quick shares.

  • Have you ever served on a translation committee?
    • If yes, what books have you given priority to, or are you currently giving priority to?
    • What challenges have you faced?
  • If not, would you like to join and give your support?
  • Why is it important to translate literature?

Slide 10

Translation Assistance Fund

Members may contribute to this dedicated fun to help translation worldwide.

[Graphic showing where to find the Translation Fund option at oa.org/contribute]

Slide 11

Why do we translate OA literature? Because of our OA Responsibility Pledge:

Always to extend the hand and heart of OA to all who share my compulsion; for this am responsible.

Slide 12

Questions?

Note:

Various text has been extracted from the Guidelines for Translation of OA Literature and Materials, ©2014, 2018 Overeaters Anonymous, Inc. (Rev. 2020)

All rights reserved.

Pictures are from copyright-free sources unless otherwise noted.

OA Board-Approved. © 2024 Overeaters Anonymous, Inc. All rights reserved.