Language-specific Insights

crafty

The Hebrew in Genesis 3:1 that is translated as “crafty” or similar in some English is translated in Mwera as ugulumba: “mean, crafty or hypocritical.” (Source: Pioneer Bible Translators, project-specific translation notes in Paratext)

make love

The Hebrew in Genesis 29:21 that is translated as “make love” or similar in English is translated in Mwera as “talk with,” referring to sleeping with someone. (Source: Pioneer Bible Translators, project-specific translation notes in Paratext)

summer vs. winter

The Hebrew, Ge’ez and Latin that is translated as “summer” and “winter” in English is translated in Chichewa as “dry season” and “wet season.” In Chewa culture, seasons are often defined by the availability of water, which is crucial for agriculture, livestock, and human consumption. (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)

In Mwera (source: Pioneer Bible Translators, project-specific translation notes in Paratext) and in Elhomwe it is translated with a single word — enthawi — that relates to both seasons. (Source: project-specific translation notes in Paratext)

In Newari it is translated as “hot time” (summer) and “cold time” (winter) (source: Newari Back Translation).

children / sons

The Greek in Hebrews 2:10 that is translated as “children” or “sons” in English is translated in Mwera as “sons of God” and in Makonde as “children of God.” (Source: Pioneer Bible Translators, project-specific translation notes in Paratext)

struck with blindness

The Hebrew in Genesis 19:11 that is translated as “struck with blindness” or similar in English is translated in Mwera with the idiom gubhaabhulegenje: “they killed their eyes.” (Source: Pioneer Bible Translators, project-specific translation notes in Paratext)

rained on Sodom and Gomorrah

The Hebrew in Genesis 19:24 that is translated as “rained on Sodom and Gomorrah” in most English translations is translated in Mwera as “burned on Sodom and Gomorrah.” (Source: Pioneer Bible Translators, project-specific translation notes in Paratext)