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 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 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 Greek in Colossians 4:11 that is translated into English as “Jesus, whose other name is Justus” is translated into Banaro as “a ground (earthly) man whose name is Jesus, whose other name is Justus.”
William Butler (see here ) tells this story:
“The translation introduced the next person as ‘a ground (earthly) man whose name is Jesus, whose other name is Justus.’ ‘Ground man’ is a term that we have used previously to refer to people of the earth, usually with the connotation of ‘sinful people.’ I could not figure out why Samuel had characterized a companion of Paul in this way so I asked the checkers, ‘Why is the word ‘ground’ in there?’ I got a look that said, ‘Are you really that stupid?’ then the explanation, ‘The man’s name is Jesus. If we don’t tell people that he is a ‘ground man,’ people will be confused and think that Paul is talking about Jesus, God’s son.’ Okay, I never thought about it that way but it does make sense.'”
In Mandarin Chinese, in the Protestant tradition the name “Jesus” in this verse is transliterated with a different character for the second syllable: yé shù (耶数 / 耶數) to prevent confusion. Note that the Catholic tradition uses the same transliteration for both: Yēsū (耶稣) (Source: Zetzsche)
In Libras (Brazilian Sign Language) it is translated with a sign that depicts the number 3 (he was one of three helpers during Paul’s imprisonment in Rome) and “justice” (the meaning of justus). (Source: Missão Kophós )
“Jesus Justus” in Libras (source )
See also Jesus.
For more information on translations of proper names with sign language see this article in Christianity Today .
The name that is transliterated as “Admin” or “(A)ram” in English means “high,” “elevated,” “exalted.” (Source: Cornwall / Smith 1997 )
In Libras (Brazilian Sign Language) it is translated with a sign that combines “to be high or exalted” (the original meaning of the name) and the fact that he is one of the ancestors of Jesus (the chest). (Source: Missão Kophós )
“Admin” 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 name that is transliterated as “Chuza” in English means “modest,” “mound,” “measure.” (Source: Cornwall / Smith 1997 )
In Libras (Brazilian Sign Language) it is translated with a sign that combines that he was the husband of Joanna, one of Jesus’ followers, and his position as Herod Antipas’ procurator. (Source: Missão Kophós )
“Chuza” 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 name that is translated as “Festival of the Dedication” or similar in English is translated in Libras (Brazilian Sign Language) with a sign that signifies the Hanukkah menorah used during this festival. (Source: Missão Kophós )
“Festival of the Dedication” in Libras (source )
Learn more on Bible Odyssey: Hanukkah .
The name that is transliterated as “Aristarchus” in English means “best ruling,” “the best ruler.” (Source: Cornwall / Smith 1997 )
In Libras (Brazilian Sign Language) it is translated with a sign that combines “accompanying” (Aristarchus was mentioned on Paul’s three missionary journey — see for instance Acts 27:2), and “best leader” (the meaning of the name). (Source: Missão Kophós )
“Aristarchus” in Libras (source )
For more information on translations of proper names with sign language see this article in Christianity Today .