In Greek the question in verse 7 is strictly rhetorical (no need for a reply is suggested), but in verse 8 there is a legitimate question, for the men do not understand how they can possibly hear, each in his own language. However, they are directing the question to themselves and to each other.

There is the problem of number in this sentence. Therefore one must often be somewhat more specific, for example, “each one of us hears in his own native language” or “all of us hear in our own native languages.” This solution may not, however, be admissible in some languages, for example, “How is it that each one of us must say, I hear them speaking in my own language?”

For native language one can use an identification-associated place, age, or kinship, for example, “language of my hometown,” “language which I spoke when I was a child,” or “language my parents taught me.”

Quoted with permission from Newman, Barclay M. and Nida, Eugene A. A Handbook on The Acts of the Apostles. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1972. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .