The Greek that is translated as “raise up children for his brother” or similar in English is translated in Copainalá Zoque as “have children with her who will carry on the older brother’s name,” in Central Tarahumara as “those children are to be as though they were the dead brother’s children,” in Teutila Cuicatec as “he is to have children with her so that in this way his brother’s race will not end,” in Tzotzil as “so that she will have a child who will bear the name of his late brother,” and in Southern Puebla Mixtec as “be like the children of the dead.” (Source: B. Moore / G. Turner in Notes on Translation 1967, p. 1ff.)
Language-specific Insights
foot’s length
The Greek in Acts 7:5 that is translated as “(not even a) foot’s length” or “(not even enough to) set a foot on” is translated in Paicî with an existing local idiom: “(not even) the dirt from under one of our fingernails.” (Source: Ian Flaws)
In Teutila Cuicatec it is translated as “not even so much as enough to place one of his feet on.” (Source: Viola Waterhouse in Notes on Translation August 1966, p. 86ff.)
wrap your cloak around you
The Greek in Acts 12:8 that is translated as “wrap your cloak around you” or similar in English is translated in Lalana Chinantec a “put on your warm cloth,” in Morelos Nahuatl as “put on your other clothing,” in Teutila Cuicatec as “put on your outer shirt,” and in Chichimeca-Jonaz as “put on your blanket well.” (Source: Viola Waterhouse in Notes on Translation August 1966, p. 86ff.)
For other translation see also complete verse (Acts 12:8).
speaking with tongues
The Greek that is often translated as “speaking with tongues” in English is translated these ways:
- Uma: “speak with languages from the Holy Spirit” (source: Uma Back Translation)
- Yakan: “speak languages that are not understood by the people” (source: Yakan Back Translation)
- Western Bukidnon Manobo: “speak in languages which [the speakers] do not know” (source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
- Tagbanwa: “speak different languages that [the speakers] haven’t studied” (source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)
- Teutila Cuicatec: “speaking other different languages”
- Lalana Chinantec: “speaking in other people’s Chinantec”
- Eastern Highland Otomi: “speaking strange languages” (source for his and two above: Viola Waterhouse in Notes on Translation August 1966, p. 86ff.)
- Indonesian Alkitab Terjemahan Lama version (publ. 1958): “speak the language of the spirit” (bahasa roh) — “which leaves a strong impression that this is a mystical experience.” (Source: Ekaputra Tupamahu in: Journal for the Study of the New Testament 2018, 41/2, p. 223ff.)
In most Protestant Mandarin Chinese translations, the term fāngyán (方言) or “dialect / regional language” is used. The widely-used Catholic Sigao translation uses yǔyán 语言 (語言) or “language” instead. (See also W. Chong in Religions 2024, 15, p. 288ff. )
In the German New Testament translation by Berger / Nord (publ. 1999) it is translated as in den Sprachen der Engel reden or “speaking in the language of angels.” The translators explain (p. 104): “According to Jewish understanding, angels primarily spoke Hebrew. The ‘languages’ of angels are specific texts (such as songs). This is not related to a formal knowledge of language.” Note that in the latter part of 1 Corinthians 14 (from verse 26 on) and in Acts 2:4, Berger / Nord use “foreign language” instead.
In the German translation by Fridolin Stier (1989) it is translated as “speaking with ecstatic tongues” (mit verzückten Zungen reden).
footstool
The Hebrew, Latin and Greek that is typically translated as “footstool” in English is translated as “(put your enemies) underneath your feet like grass” in Enxet. (Source: Reiling / Swellengrebel)
In Upper Guinea Crioulo it is “(put your enemies) under your feet so you can rest your feet on them.” (Source: David Frank in this blog post )
In Whitesands is is “door-cloth.” “This would be that rag at the door that you use to wipe your feet after walking in the dirt or mud. Similar to a doormat. The point of comparison would be that a door rag is so low in value/position compared to the one using it.” (Source: Greg Carlson)
Non-metaphorical ways to translate this include:
- Chuj: “become ruler above”
- Teutila Cuicatec: “humble (your enemies)”
- Isthmus Mixe: “give authority to gain the victory over (your enemies)”
- Morelos Nahuatl: “deliver (your enemies) into your hands”
- Rincón Zapotec: “make (your enemies) subject to you” (source for this and above: Viola Waterhouse in Notes on Translation August 1966, p. 86ff.)
everything they owned was held in common
The Greek in Acts 4:32 that is translated as “everything they owned was held in common” or similar in English is translated as “no one said, ‘This is mine.’ They owned everything together” in Isthmus Mixe, as “not one of them considered their things apart, because they considered their things as if they belonged to all of them” in Teutila Cuicatec, as “there was no person who said that one thing was his alone. But everything of theirs one only its thusness by them all” in Chuj. (Source: Viola Waterhouse in Notes on Translation August 1966, p. 86ff.)
no small commotion
The Greek in Acts 12:18 that is translated as “no small commotion” or similar in English is translated in Teutila Cuicatec as “(the soldiers) were going crazy,” in Chichimeca-Jonaz as “talked fast about,” in Lalana Chinantec as “spoke very many words,” and in Tepeuxila Cuicatec as “were well disturbed.” (Source: Viola Waterhouse in Notes on Translation August 1966, p. 86ff.)
exorcist
The Greek in Acts 19:13 that is translated as “exorcist” in English is translated as “people who said that they had the power to take out the demons from the people” in San Mateo del Mar Huave, as “people who understand magic words” in Lalana Chinantec, as “witch doctors” in Isthmus Mixe, and as “men casting out evil spirits” in Teutila Cuicatec. (Source: Viola Waterhouse in Notes on Translation August 1966, p. 86ff.)