Language-specific Insights

shows no partiality

The Greek in Acts 10:34 that is translated as “shows no partiality” in English is translated in the following ways:

See also God shows no partiality.

vocative (Gen. 12:11)

The phrase that is translated as “he said to Sarai his wife” into English presented a problem in Falam Chin. Hebrew contains no vocative (a case used in addressing or invoking a person or thing), but Falam requires one for politeness, and its absence is rude. The normal way for a husband to address his wife is “mother of X” but Sarai is childless. The Falam Chin translation ended with a sort of vocative substitute: “Let me tell you what is in my heart.”

mother's sons

In Falam Chin “your mother’s sons” of Genesis 27:29 sounds odd to a patrilineal society. As Rebekah had only one son, it is possible to say here “your brother’s descendants,” avoiding the word for “older brother” since Isaac thinks he is speaking to Esau.