Note that this year, we will not be revisiting the preamble changes, changes to the Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions book, the production of the plain language translation of the Big Book, or the production of the Fourth Edition (in Spanish) and the Fifth Edition (in English) of the Big Book. Of course, members and groups can share their thoughts with our Delegate Erice – but these are not items for discussion at this year’s Conference.
Plain Language Translation Update
At the Conference this year, members will review a copy of the first six chapters of the plain language translation of the Big Book (it is only being translated into plain English, not into other languages) and then discuss whether we feel like we are moving in the right direction and whether the translation contains the spiritual ideas of the book. The target date for completion is in the summer, and at next year’s Conference, we could vote on whether to publish this book. Eric L. will report back on what he reads and hears at the Post-Conference Assembly.
Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions / Preamble
While there are no agenda topics about changes to Bill’s writing in the Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, there is an item about having a broader discussion about Bill’s writing in general, and what, if anything, to do with it. This is a broad discussion – no motion has been made. But let’s have this conversation, and we will definitely discuss it at the Pre-Conference Assembly.
Timelines Regarding Fifth Edition (English) and Fourth Edition (Spanish) Big Books
Progress is being made on both the updated fourth edition of the Big Book in Spanish and the updated fifth edition of the Big Book in English. There are NO editorial changes being made to the Doctor’s Opinion, Preface, and the first 164 pages of the book; these updated editions will add new stories and remove some of the old stories in the back of the book.
A committee has already reviewed all of the Spanish-language stories, and that committee is now selecting which stories to include in the book (and which to remove). A committee has started reviewing the more than 2600 stories that were submitted for the English-language fifth edition. They are reading about 100 stories a month and still discussing what stories in the current text will remain, which will be removed, and which stories could be added.
The target date for completion of these new editions is the 2025 International Convention.
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