The name that is transliterated as “Phoebe” in English is translated in Libras (Brazilian Sign Language) with a sign that signifies “radiant” or “light” (the meaning of the name) and represents that she was a deaconess in the church. (Source: Missão Kophós )
“Phoebe” in Libras (source )
For more information on translations of proper names with sign language see Sign Language Bible Translations Have Something to Say to Hearing Christians .
The Greek that is translated as “Pentecost” in English is translated in Huichol as “festival of the 7th week” It was rendered thus because the name of Pentecost would be equated with a sect only, and a harvest festival in late May would strain credibility. (Source: Viola Waterhouse in Notes on Translation August 1966, p. 86ff.)
In Libras (Brazilian Sign Language) it is translated that with a sign that combines 5, 0, and “feast” (because it is celebrated 50 days after Easter Sunday). (Source: Missão Kophós )
“Pentecost” in Libras (source )
In Hungarian Sign Language it is translated with a sign that refers to the fire of the Holy Spirit. (Source: Jenjelvi Biblia and HSL Bible Translation Group)
“Pentecost” in Hungarian Sign Language (source )
In the German New Testament translation by Berger / Nord (publ. 1999) it is translated as “the fiftieth day after Passover, on the Jewish Pentecost” (in Acts 2:1).
In Huichol, it is translated as “festival of the 7th week,” “because the name of ‘Pentecost’ would be equated only with [Pentecostal Christians], and a harvest festival in late May would strain credibility.” (Source: Viola Waterhouse in Notes on Translation August 1966, p. 86ff.)
Learn more on Bible Odyssey: Pentecost .
The Greek that is transliterated in English as “Theophilus” is translated in the Bavarian translation by Sturmibund (publ. 1998) as “Gottlieb.” “Gottlieb” is a popular name in Bavarian-speaking Germany and Austria and has the same meaning than “Theophilus”: “friend (or ‘lover’) of God.” (Source: Jost Zetzsche)
In Libras (Brazilian Sign Language) with a sign that signifies “friend of God.” (Source: Missão Kophós )
“Theophilus” in Libras (source )
Like a number of other East Asian languages, Japanese uses a complex system of honorifics, i.e. a system where a number of different levels of politeness are expressed in language via words, word forms or grammatical constructs. These can range from addressing someone or referring to someone with contempt (very informal) to expressing the highest level of reference (as used in addressing or referring to God) or any number of levels in-between. One way to do this is through the usage of appropriate suffix title referred to as keishō (敬称) as shown here in the widely-used Japanese Shinkaiyaku (新改訳) Bible of 2017 by either using -san or –sama with the latter being the more formal title.
For more information on translations of proper names with sign language see this article in Christianity Today .
In these verses, Theophilus is addressed in the Shinkaiyaku Bible as Teofilo-sama (テオフィロ様), combining the transliteration for “Theophilus” and the suffix title –sama. (Source: S. E. Doi, see also S. E. Doi in Journal of Translation, 18/2022, p. 37ff. )
The German translation by Walter Jens (publ. 1991, 1998) uses “Theophilus” throughout the Gospel of Luke to remind the reader of the nature of the Gospel as a report to Theophilus. See for instance in Luke 2:21 were he translates: “And then, my dear Theophilus, eight days passsed…” or in Luke 2:25: “I’m telling the truth, Theophilus: It was the time when a man named Simon…” and many others.
More information under Theophilus (biblical) .
The name that by some English 20th century translations was transliterated as “Junias” but is now widely recognized as a female name and typically transliterated as “Junia” is translated in Libras (Brazilian Sign Language) as a male name with a combinations of the signs for “young man” (which is assumed to be the meaning of the name) and “3” (because Junias was one of three prisoners along with Paul and Andronicus). (Source: Missão Kophós )
“Junias” in Libras (source )
This is likely a reflection of the majority of Portuguese Bible translations that with some exceptions (Versão Fácil de Ler 1999, Nova Tradução na Linguagem de Hoje 2000, Almeida Revista e Corrigida 2009, Nova Versão Internacional 2023) use the male form Júnias rather than the female Júnia.
Learn more on Bible Odyssey: Junia .
For more information on translations of proper names with sign language see this article in Christianity Today .
The name that is transliterated as “Areopagus” in English means “Martial peak.” (Source: Cornwall / Smith 1997 )
In Libras (Brazilian Sign Language) it is translated with a sign that depicts the Acropolis and the Council (left hand), while the right hand refers to the public. The Areopagus was part of the Acropolis of Athens where important issues such as politics and culture were discussed. (Source: Missão Kophós )
“Areopagus” in Libras (source )
For more information on translations of proper names with sign language see this article in Christianity Today .
See also Dionysius.
The name that is transliterated as “Cauda” or “Clauda” in English is translated in Libras (Brazilian Sign Language) with a sign that combines the sign for “lame” (a meaning of the name), “island,” and the island’s rock formation. (Source: Missão Kophós )
“Cauda” in Libras (source )
Today the island is called Gavdos .
For more information on translations of proper names with sign language see Sign Language Bible Translations Have Something to Say to Hearing Christians .
The name that is transliterated as “Eliakim” in English means “hidden time,” “eternity,” “youth,” “high.” (Source: Cornwall / Smith 1997 )
In Libras (Brazilian Sign Language) it is translated with a sign that signifies “God raises” or “God lifts up” (referring to the meaning of the name). (Source: Missão Kophós )
“Eliakim” in Libras (source )
See also Eliakim (Matthew 1:13).
For more information on translations of proper names with sign language see Sign Language Bible Translations Have Something to Say to Hearing Christians .
The name that is transliterated as “Ahaz” in English means “possessor,” “helper,” “Jehovah has seized or sustains.” (Source: Cornwall / Smith 1997 )
In Libras (Brazilian Sign Language) it is translated with a sign that depicts the suffering that one of the worst kings caused (see 2 Chronicles 28:19 and 2 Chronicles 28:22). (Source: Missão Kophós )
“Ahaz” in Libras (source )
For more information on translations of proper names with sign language see Sign Language Bible Translations Have Something to Say to Hearing Christians .
Learn more on Bible Odyssey: Ahaz .