The Hebrew in Proverbs 2:3 that is rendered with “cry out” in English translation is translated into Mam (Ostuncalco) as “call out with all your stomach” (for emphasis).
Language-specific Insights
discern, understand
The Hebrew in Proverbs 2:5 that is translated as “you will understand” (or “discern”) in English versions is translated into Mam (Ostuncalco) as “understand in your eye/face” (= understanding, insight.)
his word
The Hebrew in 1 Samuel 1:23 that is rendered in English as “his word” is translated into Mam (Huehuetenango) as “his action.” “Word and action may seem contrasting to us, but actually biblically word and action are closely related, especially in the context of a promise to do something, as here (whether God or Hannah).” (Source: Bob Bascom)
trust with all your heart
The Hebrew in Proverbs 3:5 that is rendered in English versions as “trust in the Lord with all your heart” is translated into Mam (Ostuncalco) as “sit your stomach down with God.”
See also Seat of the Mind for traditional views of “ways of knowing, thinking, and feeling” and trust.
fox
The Greek, Ge’ez, and Hebrew that is translated as “fox” in English is translated in Mam as “weasel.” Ron Ross explains: “Foxes is often a difficult concept to express in this part of the world. The Mayas don’t seem to know them. In the Mam project we finally put ‘weasel’ rather than ‘coyote,’ which were basically our choices.”
In Toraja-Sa’dan it is translated as sindallung or “civet cat.” H. van der Veen (in The Bible Translator 1950, p. 21 ff. ) explains: “This animal is a real chicken thief, and is a type of cat with a head resembling that of a fox.”
In Noongar, it is translated as mokiny or “dingo” (in Luke 9:58) (source: Warda-Kwabba Luke-Ang) and in Newari as “small jackal” (source: Newari Back Translation).
In Sümi Naga, the replacement of “fox” with “dog” was cited in 2026 as one of the reasons for the rejection of a new “Easy-to-Read” Bible in that language (see this article ).
See also fox (Herod) and jackal / fox.
may his name die out in the second generation
The Hebrew in Psalm 109:13 that is translated as “may his name die out in the second generation” in English (i.e. may all of his male children and grandchildren die and leave no heir) in translated in Mam with the existing metaphor “may his bowl be overturned.” (Source: R. Bascom in Omanson 2001, p. 255)
See also let us swallow them alive like Sheol for the same bowl metaphor.
incline your heart
The Hebrew in Proverbs 2:2 that is translated in English versions as “incline your heart” is translated into Mam (Ostuncalco) as “throw your stomach.”
See also Seat of the Mind for traditional views of “ways of knowing, thinking, and feeling.”
Oral translation of 1 Samuel 3:1-18 in Mam (Todos Santos)
Following is the oral translation of 1 Samuel 3:1-18 in Mam (spoken in the municipality of Todos Santos Cuchumatán ) followed by a back translation into English:
When our Father God called Samuel, Samuel was serving our Father God under Eli’s care. In those days, our Father God did not speak much, nor did He appear to speak in dreams. On this day, Eli was asleep in his bed; his eyes were weak, and he was nearly blind. The lamp of our Father God had not been extinguished. The young Samuel was also sleeping in the house of our Father God, near the ark of our Father God. God spoke to the young Samuel. He replied, “Here I am,” and ran to where Eli was sleeping. “Did you call me?” “Here I am,” Eli replied. “I did not call you; go back to sleep.” Samuel returned to sleep. Our Father God spoke again. Samuel stood up and went back to where Eli was. “Here I am. Why did you call me?” Eli replied, “Son, I did not call you; Go back to sleep.” Samuel had not recognized the tone of our Father God’s voice; this was the first time our Father God had called out to him. The third time, our Father God spoke: “Samuel, Samuel!” Samuel stood up and went to where Eli was and said, “Here I am. Why did you call me?” That is how it was. Eli understood; our Father God was calling him. He said to him, “Go back to sleep, but if you hear him calling you, you shall answer, ‘Speak, our Father God, for your servant is listening.’” So Samuel went back to sleep. Our Father God stood beside him and called him as before: “Samuel, Samuel!” But he answered, “Here I am; speak, our Father God, for I am your servant.” “I am listening,” our Father God said to him. “I am going to bring great evil upon Israel. When the people hear it, they will tremble with fear. My word that I spoke concerning the sons of Eli will come to pass. He knows his sons; they have done me wrong, and he did not rebuke them. Therefore, I will bring suffering upon his sons; nothing and no one will save them. Truly I tell you, no offering will be sufficient for me to forgive the sin of the family (Eli’s sin). Samuel went to sleep; when morning came, he got up and opened the door of the house of our Father God. Fear came upon him to tell Eli what Father God had said to him. Eli called out to him and said, “Samuel, my son.” Samuel answered, “Here I am.” Eli asked, “What did our Father God say to you? Tell me everything. God will bring suffering upon you if you do not tell me.” Samuel said everything and hid nothing. Eli said, “Our Father God is the Lord, and He is the one who commands.” We hear this story in the First Book of Samuel, chapter 3, verses 1 through 18.
Original Spanish back-translation (click or tap here):
Cuando nuestro Padre Dios llamó a Samuel este Samuel servía a nuestro Padre Dios dentro de la cuenta de Elí Dentro esos días no mucho hablaba nuestro Padre Dios y no se mostraba para hablar dentro sueños este día así Elí estaba dormido en su cama y sus ojos ya no tenían fuerzas casi quedaba ciego el candil del nuestro padre Dios no había apagado También el joven Samuel dormía en la casa de nuestro Padre Dios cerca de la caja de nuestro Padre Dios nuestro Padre Dios habló al joven Samuel, respondió aquí estoy corrió a dónde estaba Elí durmiendo, ¿me llamaste? aquí estoy Elí respondió no te llamé, vete a dormir otra vez regresó Samuel a dormir, nuestro Padre Dios habló otra vez, Samuel se paró Samuel y fue otra vez donde está Elí, aquí estoy por qué me llamaste respondió Elí, hijo no te llame, vete a dormir otra vez Samuel no había escuchado el tono de la voz del nuestro Padre Dios, esta es la primera vez que suena Padre Dios a él la tercera vez hablo nuestro Padre Dios, Samuel Samuel Se paró Samuel, y se fue donde está Elí y dijo, aquí estoy, porqué me llamaste Así fue, Elí entendió, este nuestro Padre Dios llama a él le dijo, vete a dormir otra vez, pero si escuchas que te llama, le contestaras así habla nuestro Padre Dios, un tu servidor escucha, regresó Samuel dormir otra vez nuestro Padre Dios paró al lado de él y llamó a él como las otras veces, Samuel Samuel Pero respondió él, aquí estoy, habla nuestro Padre Dios, yo soy servidor tuyo, estoy escuchando nuestro Padre Dios le dijo, voy a dar un gran mal dentro Israel Cuando escuchan la gente, subirán temblaran de miedo, subirá mi palabra que les dije de los hijos de Elí El conoce sus hijos, me hicieron un mal a mí y no los regañó así voy a dar un sufrimiento encima de sus hijos nada y nadie los va a salvar de verdad te digo ninguna ofrenda buena servirá para Yo perdonar el pecado de la familia (préstamo) de Elí se puso a dormir Samuel cuando amaneció se levantó abrió la puerta de la casa del nuestro Padre Dios, vino un miedo a él para decir a Elí, por lo que Padre Dios le había dicho a él y llamó Elí y le dijo, Samuel hijo, este Samuel contestó, aquí estoy Preguntó Elí, qué te dijo nuestro Padre Dios a ti, dime todo a mí dar a Dios un sufrimiento a ti si no me dices a mí Samuel dijo todo nada, escondió Samuel dijo Elí, el nuestro Padre Dios dueño y él es el que manda escuchamos esta historia se encuentra dentro primer papel de Samuel capítulo 3 versículo 1 hasta llegar al versículo 18
Source: Sociedad Bíblica de Guatemala , Fausto Liriano