This quotation that originated in Menander’s play Thais and is translated into some English versions as “bad company ruins good morals” is translated into Kilivila with a local proverb with the same meaning: “Don’t stand in the ways of a thief, or you will steal.”
Language-specific Insights
Apollos watered
In the Kilivila culture nobody waters plants, so in the Kilivila translation the Greek that is translated into English as “Apollos watered” is rendered as “Apollos erected the yam-stake.” (Source: David Clark)
The translators into Angal Heneng solved that same problem by translating this as “pulled the weeds.” (Source: Consultant Notes)
boxing
In Kilivila culture, “boxing” is not associated with sport, so to translate the Greek term that is rendered with “boxing” in English in the Kilivila translation, a more generic statement was made: “If I play sport, I should prepare and practice my body so it will be matched for that sport . . ..”
face to face
The Greek phrase that is translated as “face to face” in English would imply confrontation in the Kilivila culture, so the Kilivila translation expresses the phrase as “see the reality of things.”
See also face to face (Deuteronomy).