The Greek that is translated as “barren” in English is translated with two different terms in Sranan Tongo: “unable to get a child” (used in Luke 1:7) and “closed womb/belly” (because of old age) (used in Luke 1:36). (Source: Reiling / Swellengrebel)
For the translation into Upper Guinea Crioulo, it was not possible to translate with a purely descriptive term. David Frank (in this blog post ) explains:
“The [translation] team is doing a great job, but there were some challenges. Luke 1:7 is supposed to say that Elizabeth was barren, but they said that while their word for barren might be used for animals, it would not be polite to use for people. They translated it as Deus ka da Isabel bambaran, which means ‘God hadn’t given Elizabeth a bambaran,’ which refers to the cloth a woman uses to carry an infant on her back.”
In Southern Zazaki it is translated as “blind chimney.” (Source: Werner 2012, p. 128)
Following are a number of back-translations of Luke 1:12:
Noongar: “When Zechariah saw the angel, he was afraid.” (Source: Warda-Kwabba Luke-Ang)
Uma: “When Zakharia saw that angel, he was startled and very afraid.” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
Yakan: “When Jakariya saw the angel, he was startled and fear entered him.” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
Western Bukidnon Manobo: “And when Zechariah saw this he was dumbfounded because he was very much afraid.” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
Kankanaey: “Zekarias was startled upon seeing (him) and became-very-frightened.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
Tagbanwa: “Zacarias had-a-sudden-sinking-feeling in his liver and he trembled with fear when he saw that angel.” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)
Southern Zazaki: “Zekeray saw him and he was so afraid that his stomach fell and he feared him much.” (Source: Werner 2012, p. 128)
Following are a number of back-translations of Luke 1:25:
Noongar: “‘Now after a long time, God helps me,’ she said. ‘He publicly took away my shame.’ The angel tells Mary, ‘Jesus will be born.'” (Source: Warda-Kwabba Luke-Ang)
Uma: “‘This is the love of the Lord to me. He helped me have children, so that I am no longer ashamed/embarrassed because of my barrenness.'” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
Yakan: “She said, ‘God is really good to me. He has removed what caused shame to me before the people because soon I will give birth.'” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
Western Bukidnon Manobo: “And she said, ‘At last now God has pitied me because I am able to give birth after all, and I am no longer ashamed of my not being able to give birth.'” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
Kankanaey: “She said to herself (lit. with her mind), ‘Why-sure-enough the Lord God has now shown-me -mercy, because he has removed my cause-for-shame to people.'” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
Tagbanwa: “Elisabet’s words were, ‘This treatment of me by God is really good. For he has shown me grace/favor in that he has removed what I was ashamed of before people, which was that all this time I haven’t had children.'” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)
Southern Zazaki: “… God saw me and took away the shame of a blind chimney.” (Source: Werner 2012, p. 128)
Following are a number of back-translations of Luke 7:16:
Noongar: “They all were frightened and praised God. ‘A great Prophet has come among us!’ they said. ‘God has come to save us!'” (Source: Warda-Kwabba Luke-Ang)
Uma: “The people who saw that happening, they were all afraid, and they praised God, they said: ‘A powerful prophet has appeared in our midst! God has really come down to help his people!'” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
Yakan: “All the people there were entered by fear and they praised God. They said, ‘There is a powerful prophet here with us (incl.). God has remembered us (incl.) his people.'” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
Western Bukidnon Manobo: “And all who saw that were very much afraid and they praised God. They said, ‘A very great prophet of God is now here with us!’ And they said also, ‘God has come down to us, so that we, his chosen people, might be set free!'” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
Kankanaey: “All who were there, extreme was their fear and at-the-same-time they also praised God. Some said, ‘Wey, this prophet who has come to our place is truly powerful!’ Others also said, ‘God has come (particle of surprised realization) to save his people!'” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
Tagbanwa: “When those people observed, they were reached by fear and they praised God. ‘A praiseworthy prophet has come here to us. Really as for us (incl.) who are the people of God, we have been very much shown grace/mercy by him!'” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)
Southern Zazaki: “They became stiff with fear… .” (Source: Werner 2012, p. 128)
