Language-specific Insights

vindicate

The Hebrew that is translated in English as “vindicate (me)” or “judge (me favorably)” is translated in these ways:

  • Kupsabiny: “declare me righteous” (source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “show everyone that I have no guilt” (source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “prove that I do not have sin” (source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Eastern Bru: “request you say for other people to know I don’t have any sin” (source: Bru Back Translation)
  • Laarim: “say that I am blameless” (source: Laarim Back Translation)
  • Hausa: “show that I am lacking fault” (source: Hausa Common Language Bible Back Translation)
  • Mandarin Chinese / German: “give me justice” (Source: Zetzsche)
  • English Translation for Translators: “show that I am innocent/have not done what is wrong” / Easy English Bible: “show that I am not guilty of wrong things”

See also vindicated.

cymbals

The musical instrument that is most often translated as “cymbals” in English is translated in the following ways:

  • Laarim: “jingles” (source: Laarim Back Translation)
  • Uma: “drum” (source: Uma Back Translation)
  • Yakan: “tin” (source: Yakan Back Translation)
  • Western Bukidnon Manobo: “bamboo clapper” (source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
  • Tagbanwa: “percussion-instrument” (source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)
  • Bariai: “rattling decoration” (source: Bariai Back Translation)
  • Kupsabiny: “drum sticks” (source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Paicî: “cooking pot lid” (in 1 Cor. 13:1) (Source: Ian Flaws)
  • Natügu: “smacking things” and “banging things” (in Psalm 150:5) (source: Brenda Boerger in Open Theology 2016, p. 179ff. )

In the UBS Helps for TranslatorsHuman-made Things in the Bible (original title: The Works of Their Hands: Man-made Things in the Bible) it says the following:

Description: Cymbals were a percussion instrument consisting of two metal discs that were struck together in order to make a shrill, clashing sound. There were two types of cymbals: (1) flat metal plates that were struck together, and (2) metal cones, one of which was brought down on top of the other, on the open end.

Translation: The equivalent of “cymbal” in many languages is a phrase such as “loud metal.”

Cymbals (source: Susan Mitford (c) British and Foreign Bible Society 1986)

Quoted with permission.

See also clanging cymbal.

complete verse (Psalm 112:4)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Psalm 112:4:

  • Chichewa Contempary Chichewa translation, 2002/2016:
    “Even in darkness light comes out for the righteous hearted;
    kind hearted, merciful and straight hearted.” (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)
  • Newari:
    “For good people
    and for people who merciful, compassionate and righteous,
    light shines in the darkness.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon:
    “Even in darkness there-is still light for the people who live rightly, (are) merciful, take-an-interest-in-the-welfare-(of others), and (are) fair/righteous.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Laarim:
    “The light shines in the darkness of a good person,
    he is merciful and kind person.” (Source: Laarim Back Translation)
  • Nyakyusa-Ngonde (back-translation into Swahili):
    “Mnyofu, wa huruma, wa neema na safi,
    anamulikiwa na nuru katika giza.” (Source: Nyakyusa Back Translation)
  • English:
    “Godly/Righteous people are like lights that shine in the darkness
    on those who are kind, merciful and righteous.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

complete verse (Psalm 115:9)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Psalm 115:9:

  • Chichewa Contempary Chichewa translation, 2002/2016:
    “You Israelites, rely on Jehovah;
    He is your help and your shield.” (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)
  • Newari:
    “O people of Israel, put your trust in the LORD,
    He will help and protect you.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon:
    “You (plur.) people of Israel, including you (plur.) the descendants of Aaron, [you (plur.)] trust in the LORD.
    He (is) your (plur.) helper and protector.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Laarim:
    “People of Israel, you (plur.) put your hearts on the LORD,
    he helps you, and keeps you (plur.).” (Source: Laarim Back Translation)
  • Nyakyusa-Ngonde (back-translation into Swahili):
    “Enyi Waisraeli, mumtumaini BWANA,
    ni msaada wenu, tena ni ngao yenu.” (Source: Nyakyusa Back Translation)
  • English:
    “You, my fellow Israeli people, trust in Yahweh! He is the one who helps you and protects you like a shield.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

complete verse (Psalm 118:2)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Psalm 118:2:

  • Chichewa Contempary Chichewa translation, 2002/2016:
    “Let Israel say that:
    ‘His love is endless.’” (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)
  • Newari:
    “May Israel say,
    "His faithful love exists forever."” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon:
    “Let- the people of Israel -say, ‘His love (is) without end.’” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Laarim:
    “You (plur.) give the people of Israel to say,
    ‘His love remains forever.’” (Source: Laarim Back Translation)
  • Nyakyusa-Ngonde (back-translation into Swahili):
    “Waisraeli waseme kuwa,
    ‘Neema yake ni ya milele na milele.’” (Source: Nyakyusa Back Translation)
  • English:
    “You Israeli people should repeatedly shout, ‘He faithfully loves us, his people, forever!’” (Source: Translation for Translators)

complete verse (Psalm 119:5)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Psalm 119:5:

  • Chichewa Contempary Chichewa translation, 2002/2016:
    “Ah! I would have loved if my paths were settled
    on obeying your teachings!” (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)
  • Newari:
    “How good it would be if my behavior
    might be firm to obey Your laws.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon:
    “Very/[emphasis marker] great (is) my desire that my way-of-living always be faithful in obeying/following your (sing.) decrees/[lit. what-is-to-be-followed].” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Laarim:
    “You make me to walk well by your power,
    in way that I obey your words!” (Source: Laarim Back Translation)
  • Nyakyusa-Ngonde (back-translation into Swahili):
    “Laiti iwapo mwenendo wangu ungekuwa mzuri,
    katika kuzifuata sheria zako.” (Source: Nyakyusa Back Translation)
  • English:
    “I desire that I will faithfully/ always obey all your statutes/that you have said that we should do.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

complete verse (Psalm 119:37)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Psalm 119:37:

  • Chichewa Contempary Chichewa translation, 2002/2016:
    “Turn my eyes away from vain things;
    keep my life according to your laws.” (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)
  • Newari:
    “Turn my eyes from looking at useless things,
    protect my life according to Your word.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon:
    “Keep- me -away from desiring the things that have-no value.
    Prolong/[lit. continue] my life according-to your (sing.) promise.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Laarim:
    “You (sing.) turn my eyes from matters which be nothing,
    keep my life, as you promised.” (Source: Laarim Back Translation)
  • Nyakyusa-Ngonde (back-translation into Swahili):
    “Uniepushe kwa ya upumbavu,
    unihuishe katika njia yako.” (Source: Nyakyusa Back Translation)
  • English:
    “Do not allow me to look at things that are worthless,
    and allow me to continue to live, like you promised that you would do.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

complete verse (Psalm 119:69)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Psalm 119:69:

  • Chichewa Contempary Chichewa translation, 2002/2016:
    “Though the arrogant have painted me (with) lies,
    I keep your instructions with my whole heart.” (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)
  • Newari:
    “Those who are arrogant have spread lies against me.
    But I have kept Your precepts from my inmost heart.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon:
    “Even-though the proud ones slander me, I still obey/follow your (sing.) decrees with my whole heart.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Laarim:
    “Even though people who are proud smear me with lies,
    I am keeping your teaching with all my heart.” (Source: Laarim Back Translation)
  • Nyakyusa-Ngonde (back-translation into Swahili):
    “Hata kama wenye kiburi wamenisemea ya uongo,
    hata hivyo nitayafuata mausia yako kwa moyo wote.” (Source: Nyakyusa Back Translation)
  • English:
    “Proud people have told many lies about me, but the truth is that with all my inner being
    I obey your principles of behavior/what you have declared that we should do.” (Source: Translation for Translators)