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About UBS Paratext Software
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Paratext and related tools are a collection of Bible translation software programs for Windows developed by the United Bible Societies which allow you to input, edit and check a translation of the Scriptures, based on the original texts (Greek, Hebrew), and modeled on versions in major languages. The Translation Notes Editor is a resource tool that provides access to information for exegesis and checking. It works best when used with Paratext. Additional information about TNE is available here. Paratext 6 allows you to:
Review the Paratext minimum system configuration requirements. |
 New in Paratext 6.1:
Released: August 15, 2007
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Parallel Scrolling
Paratext allows Bible translators, translation consultants and other Bible scholars to open multiple scripture text windows, or supported scripture software applications, and scroll synchronously to the same Biblical reference within each context, regardless of differences in versification.
Input, Edit, and Checking
With Paratext it is possible to input, analyze, and edit a new translation or an existing scripture text. The Paratext WYSIWYG editor allows the user to toggle between formatted or coded text views with a simple keyboard shortcut.
The Paratext Checklists tool can be used to perform common Scripture checking functions needed during translation such as checking on keyterms, names, and parallel passages.
Paratext 6 includes a collection of additional text checking tools for validating areas such as:
- chapter/verse structure,
- order and use of standard format markers (see USFM); marker comparison (with a model text)
- character and diacritic usage inventories
- capitalization
- repeated words
- punctuation (basic, matched pairs, quotations, unusual punctuation, comparison with model)
The Paratext editor also provides an option which allows you to compare the current text to an earlier version (a saved version/draft) or to another project you have created with a version of the same text.
Unformatted View
Formatted View
Show Changes View
Base and Model Text (Resources)
With Paratext you can use the source texts or a form-based major language version as the basis for a new translation, and a variety of meaning-based versions as models for the translation. A large variety of versions in various languages are distributed on the Paratext CD-ROM, including English, Spanish, French, Portuguese, German, Danish, Dutch, Swedish, Norwegian, Russian, Swahili, Bahasa and Baru (Indonesia).
You can install these Scriptures from the Paratext CD, and also periodically check on the Paratext users site to see if resources have been updated or added.
Translation Handbooks (Resources)
The Handbooks in the United Bible Societies (UBS) Handbook Series are detailed commentaries providing exegetical, historical, cultural, and linguistic information on the books of the Bible. They are prepared primarily to assist Bible translators.
In these Handbooks, the scriptural text is discussed verse by verse. Translation Handbooks complement and enhance the resources of the major Bible versions included with Paratext.
Wordlist Tool
The Wordlist tool automatically builds a complete wordlist for the currently active project. Once the Wordlist window is open you can mark words as "correct", "incorrect", or "undecided". The wordlist can then be exported for distributing to other translation team members, or saved in RTF format for printing. Printed word lists can be distributed to other language speakers for checking and correcting.
The Wordlist tool provides direct access the standard Paratext Find and Replace dialogue for allowing you to easily correct misspelled words.
Source Language Tools
Source Language Tools is a collection of tools and resources that give access to the source languages of the Bible and related materials. It integrates two programs that used to be separate applications: Analusis and Vocabula. In addition to the functionality of these two programs, several other tools and resources have been added. This new application works in combination with Paratext 6 but can be used independently as well.
Source Languages Tools 2.0 can be configured in different ways depending on the task that the user wants to carry out. Different window layouts can be stored and called up again later.
Source Language Tools 2.0 distinguishes between two groups of windows, and treats these two groups as different "layers":
- Textual Tools (Interlinear Source Text, Scripture Collections, Source Text Search Tool, Verse List, Textual Commentary)
- Lexical Tools (Source Language Dictionaries, Dictionary Browse Tool)
SLT Tools and Resources
SLT Textual Layer
SLT Lexical Layer
Interlinear Source Text
This tool, formerly called Analusis, gives access to three biblical source texts in an interlinear format:
- The Hebrew Old Testament,
- The Greek New Testament (UBS 4th edition)
- The Septuagint (Edition Rahlfs).
SLT Interlinear Source Text
There are four levels of information available:
- The Hebrew text, including vowels and cantillation marks.
- The Hebrew lemma(s) for each word; a plus sign is used as a separator if one word represents more than one lemma.
- A morphological tag for each lemma; please note that there is usually not enough room for all relevant morphological information directly under the lemma. For this reason only partial information is given in the window itself. The full morphological information for the lemma that is currently in focus is given in the status bar.
- English glosses for each word; please note that these are not available for every book of the Old Testament yet.
A Source Text Search Tool can be used to perform sophisticated searches throughout the Hebrew and Greek source texts.
Textual Commentary
This tool gives the user access to textual commentaries and other textual helps. At this moment the only available resource is the English or French versions of the Preliminary and Interim Report of the Hebrew Old Testament Text Project (TATATH). This tool is synchronized with the Interlinear Source Text Tool, but you can also look up a verse manually.
SLT Textual Commentaries
Source Language Dictionaries and Dictionary Browse Tool
Importing and Exporting Text
Paratext allows you to import text produced with other programs.
- Paratext will permanently convert Paratext 5 project texts to Paratext 6 or alternatively allow you to work on your translation using both Paratext 5 and Paratext 6.
- Existing text files already coded with Standard Format Markers can be imported into a Paratext 6 project, even if these files were created using another text editing application such as MS Word.
Paratext also provides function for exporting text to RTF and XML formats.
Unicode Compliant
Paratext 6 is a Unicode compliant application. All of internal functions of the program are based on Unicode. Smart font and non-roman text rendering support if provided via Microsoft Uniscribe.
Paratext Multilingual Support
Training Materials
Paratext comes with various embedded helps, guides, tutorials, overviews, and exercises to teach and remind you how to perform translation tasks using this software. Paratext Training Exercises and Help files are available in English, Spanish, and French. You can also find existing and new materials for training, by visiting the the registered users area (you will be prompted to enter your website user ID and password).
Interface Localization
The Paratext user interface can be displayed in English, Spanish, French, Portuguese, Bahasa-Indonesian, Russian, and Chinese (Simplified and Traditional).
Who May Use Paratext
The Paratext program and its associated text files have been developed by the United Bible Societies for use by its translations project teams. Paratext is also made available for use by other Bible agencies for whom a formal licensing arrangement with UBS has been established. Persons qualified to use Paratext will include translation consultants, translators, reviewers, and those directly engaged in the translation's production. Copyright restrictions, especially those determined by third party copyright holders, require that use and distribution of Paratext be strictly limited to those engaged in Bible translation (as outlined above).
Registration for Paratext does not authorize the license holder to publish any of the texts and resources supplied with the software, because they are protected by copyright.
Registration helps the UBS to ensure that these restrictions are observed and enforced so that we may continue to benefit from the generosity of these copyright holders.
Registration also enables you to access:
- program updates & service releases
- scripture text updates and additions
- Paratext support resources
CDs & Downloads
To request Paratext 6 software and associated Scripture text resources on CD, or to access support resources and software updates, please complete the UBS Paratext Registration process.
If you are a registered Paratext user and wish to order a Paratext update on CD, please use the CD order form available from the registered users area (you will be prompted to enter your website user ID and password).
