eat with them

The Greek in Acts 11:3 that is translated as “eat with them” or similar in English is translated in Matumbi as “eat from one plate,” reflecting the common way to eat together among Matumbi speakers. “When people eat together in the village, it’s common to have one huge serving dish that people either eat from directly, or take a portion of on to their own plate (Source: Pioneer Bible Translators, project-specific notes in Paratext)

put oil on your head / comb your hair

The Greek in Matthew 6:17 that is often translated as “comb your hair” in translations for languages of people with predominantly type 1 – 3 hair (straight, wavy, curly — see Hair Typing System ) if the translators are attempting to communicate the importance of looking one’s best in this verse (see complete verse (Matthew 6:17)). It is more easily translatable directly as “put oil on your head” in many languages for people in regions of sub-Saharan Africa, Melanesia, and Australia with type 4 hair (see kinky hair ) where it is more common to use oil in hair care. This is the case in Matumbi, whose speakers’ “hair becomes brittle when they wash it without oil, because their hair isn’t naturally oily.” (Source: Pioneer Bible Translators, project-specific notes in Paratext)

adoption

The Hebrew that is translated as “adoption” in English is translated in Makonde as “chosen by God to be his children” since there is no formal process of adoption in that part of Tanzania. (Source: Pioneer Bible Translators, project-specific notes in Paratext)

angry

The Hebrew, Greek and Latin that is translated as “(was or became) angry” in English is translated in Kwere as “saw anger.” In Kwere, emotions are always paired with sensory verbs (seeing or smelling or hearing). (Source: Pioneer Bible Translators, project-specific translation notes in Paratext)

In Bariai it is “to have grumbling interiors” (source: Bariai Back Translation).

See also anger and feel (terror, pain, suffering, anxiety).

swear / vow (by God)

The concepts of God swearing or making a vow have to be translated in Kwere as “(making a) promise” because for a vow you have to have a witness. (Source: Pioneer Bible Translators, project-specific translation notes in Paratext)

green tree

The Hebrew in 2 Chronicles 28:4 that is translated as “(under) green tree” in English is translated in Kwere as “under unripe leaves,” i.e. green leaves or leaves that are “alive” (as opposed to dead and withered). (Source: Pioneer Bible Translators, project-specific translation notes in Paratext)

ancestors

The Hebrew and Ge’ez that is translated as “ancestors” in English is translated in Kwere as “deceased ancestors” because the word for “ancestor” can also mean “grandfather.” (Source: Pioneer Bible Translators, project-specific translation notes in Paratext)