Language-specific Insights

complete verse (1 Corinthians 14:35)

Following are a number of back-translations of 1 Corinthians 14:35:

  • Uma: “If they want to know anything, they should ask it of their husbands at home, for it isn’t fitting if women are continually talking like that in the services.” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
  • Yakan: “If they want to ask something, let them ask their husbands when they arrive at home. It is not fitting/right for a woman to speak in a gathering of the ones trusting in Isa Almasi.” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
  • Western Bukidnon Manobo: “If a woman has a question, she should not ask it there in the house where they are gathered, but rather she should ask her husband when they return home; because it’s shameful activity for a woman to speak when the believers are gathered together.” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “If there is that which they want to ask, they should wait until they go-home so that they will then inquire of their husbands, because it is improper if women speak when you meet-as-a-congregation.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Tagbanwa: “If they have a question, they should just ask their husbands when they get home, because if whe speaks in front of everyone who has gathered, it is a disgrace.” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)
  • Tenango Otomi: “If some woman has a question she wants to ask, then she should ask her husband at home. Because it does not appear well if a woman speaks there where the believers are gathered.” (Source: Tenango Otomi Back Translation)
  • Burmese (translation by A. Judson, first publ. in 1823, still the most widely-used translation in Myanmar): “If women want to learn anything. let them ask their own husbands at home. It is a shameful thing for a woman to preach in the church.” (Source: Hluan 2022, p. 82ff. — see there also for a detailed analysis of Judson’s translation.)
  • English translation by Helen Barrett Montgomery (1924) (verses 34-36): “‘In your congregation’ [you write], ‘as in all the churches of the saints, let the women keep silence in the churches, for they are not permitted to speak. On the contrary let them be subordinate, as also says the law. And if they want to learn anything, let them ask their own husbands at home, for it is shameful for a woman to speak in church.’ What, was it from you that the word of God went forth, or to you only did it come?”

Mary (mother of Jesus)

The name that is transliterated as “Mary” in English means “bitterness,” “rebellious,” obstinate.” (Source: Cornwall / Smith 1997 )

It is translated in Spanish Sign Language with arms folded over chest which is the typical pose of Mary in statues and artwork. (Source: John Elwode in The Bible Translator 2008, p. 78ff. )


“Mary” in Spanish Sign Language, source: Sociedad Bíblica de España

In American Sign Language it is translated with a sign for the letter M and the sign for “virgin,” which could also be interpreted as “head covering,” referring to the way that Mary is usually portrayed in art works. (Source: Ruth Anna Spooner, Ron Lawer)


“Mary” in American Sign Language, source: Deaf Harbor

In Hungarian Sign Language the sign is based on historical images, referring to the veil covering her head: the earliest depictions of Mary (dating back to the 2nd century) already portray her wearing a headscarf or a veil. Its sign in sign language refers to the veil because, within Christian culture, this is her most recognizable visual attribute, distinguishing her from other biblical figures. (Source: Jenjelvi Biblia and HSL Bible Translation Group)


“Mary” in Hungarian Sign Language (source )

For more information on translations of proper names with sign language see Sign Language Bible Translations Have Something to Say to Hearing Christians .

In the Burmese Common Language Version (publ. 2005), Mary is described as a king’s mother by using the royal noun suffix taw / တော် with the word “mother” in Matthew 1:16 and Luke 2:33. This is done to highlight the status of Jesus as a king or the divine Son. Othjer passages where taht is used include Matthew 2:11, 13, 14, 20, and 21. (Source: Gam Seng Shae in The Bible Translator 2002, p. 202ff. ) See also Jesus’ human vs. divine nature in modern Burmese translation.

In some Semitic languages, the transliteration for “Mary” is identical to the one for the prophetess “Miriam,” testifying to the fact that these names are identical (Arabic and the many translations that are reliant on Arabic: مَرْيَم, Hebrew: מִרְיָם, Ge’ez / Amharic and related languages: ማርያም).

Learn more on Bible Odyssey: Mary in Latin America and the Caribbean and Mary, the Mother of Jesus .

formal pronoun: Jesus and the Samaritan woman at the well

Like many languages (but unlike Greek or Hebrew or English), Tuvan uses a formal vs. informal 2nd person pronoun (a familiar vs. a respectful “you”). Unlike other languages that have this feature, however, the translators of the Tuvan Bible have attempted to be very consistent in using the different forms of address in every case a 2nd person pronoun has to be used in the translation of the biblical text.

As Voinov shows in Pronominal Theology in Translating the Gospels (in The Bible Translator 2002, p. 210ff. ), the choice to use either of the pronouns many times involved theological judgment. While the formal pronoun can signal personal distance or a social/power distance between the speaker and addressee, the informal pronoun can indicate familiarity or social/power equality between speaker and addressee.

Here, Jesus is addressing the woman with an informal pronoun whereas she addresses him with a formal pronoun, showing respect.

In Gbaya, where God is always addressed with the second person plural pronoun ɛ́nɛ́, the common way to address superiors, the woman addresses him with the less courteous nɛ́ in verse 4:9 but then switches to the courteous plural form ɛ́nɛ́. (Source Philip Noss)

Likewise in Burmese where in the Common Language Version (publ. 2005) the Samaritan woman changes her language level from the Common to the Royal and Religious as she discovers the real nature of Jesus. Jesus appears here as a divine revealer. (Source: Gam Seng Shae in The Bible Translator 2002, p. 202ff. )

In most Dutch translations, both Jesus and the woman use the formal pronoun, whereas in Afrikaans and Western Frisian Jesus addresses the woman informally and she addresses him with the formal pronoun.

complete verse (Matthew 17:4)

Following are a number of back-translations of Matthew 17:4:

  • Uma: “From there Petrus said to Yesus: ‘Lord, it is very good for us to stay here. If you (sing.) want, Lord, I will make three huts here: one-house as-your (sing.)-portion Lord, one-house for Musa and one-house also for Elia.'” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
  • Yakan: “While they were talking Petros said to Isa, ‘Sir, it is very good that we (excl.) are here. If you want to I will make here three huts/shelters. One for you, one for Musa and one for Eliyas.'” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
  • Western Bukidnon Manobo: “And Peter said to Jesus, ‘It is very good that we (excl.) are here. If you like, I will build here three shelters; one is yours, one is Moses’, and one is Elijah’s.'” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “Pedro said to him, ‘Lord, our presence here is good. If that’s what-you (sing.) -will-be-happy-with, I will indeed make here three shelters, so that one will be yours (sing.), one Moses’ and one Elias’.'” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Tagbanwa: “Pedro spoke, saying to Jesus, ‘It’s really good that we (incl.) are here now. If you want, I will make three shelters. One is for you, one for Moises and one for Elias.'” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)
  • Tenango Otomi: “Peter said to Jesus: ‘Listen, Lord, it is good that we are here. Now do you want that we (excl.) build some little houses, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah?’ he said.” (Source: Tenango Otomi Back Translation)
  • Burmese Catholic Scripture extracts translation by Fr. Guiseppe d’Amato (before 1809): “At this time, Peter supplicated [this word is always used when common people address monks] the Lord Jesus, ‘Divine Lord [typical vocative used when addressing monks], if this place is good for the divine dwelling, if it is your golden will [archaic term but understandable in context as referring to the will of a royal or divine person], three monasteries [domesticizing element, Buddhist monasteries are an ancient institution in Burma], one for the Divine Lord to recline in [verb used for the Buddha or a monk to sit or stay somewhere], one for Moses to recline in, one for Elijah to recline in, we will build.’” (Source: John Hans de Jong in The Journal of Ecclesiastical History 75/4, 2024, p. 747ff. )

complete verse (Isaiah 13:3)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Isaiah 13:3:

  • Kupsabiny: “I have called for my soldiers who are fierce and honor/fear/obey me
    for my anger to punish people.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “I have chosen these soldiers to do this work.
    I have called them to pour out my anger.
    They will rejoice because I will win.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “I already commanded my chosen soldiers to punish the people whom I hate. These soldiers are-rejoicing for they really trust/hope/believe that I will-do this punishment.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Burmese (translation by A. Judson): “I have commanded those whom I have sanctified.
    Those who rejoice because I have given them my glorious power, I have called my warriors to execute my anger.” (Source: John Hans de Jong in The Bible Translator 2017, p. 64ff. )
  • English: “Yahweh says, ‘I have commanded those soldiers to do that;
    I have summoned the warriors whom I have chosen to punish the people of Babylon because of my being very angry with them,
    and those soldiers will be very proud when they do that.’” (Source: Translation for Translators)

complete verse (Zephaniah 1:2)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Zephaniah 1:2:

  • Kupsabiny: “God is saying, ‘I will destroy everything that is in the world/land.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “I will sweep everything
    from the earth,
    declares the LORD.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Burmese (translation by A. Judson): “I will completely wipe out everything from the entire land, declares the Eternal God.” (Source: John Hans de Jong in The Bible Translator 2017, p. 64ff. )
  • Hiligaynon: “The LORD said, ‘I will- completely -destroy everything which (is) in the land –” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)

complete verse (Zephaniah 1:3)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Zephaniah 1:3:

  • Kupsabiny: “I will destroy people together with animals. Also the birds will die and the fish in the ocean will die. I will cause/allow sinners to stumble. I will sweep away all people in the world/land.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “‘I will sweep away both people and animals.
    I will sweep away the flying birds in the sky,
    and the fish in the sea,
    and the idols that make the evil stumble.
    Then I will remove all people from the earth,"
    says the LORD.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Burmese (translation by A. Judson): “I will wipe out humans and animals.
    The birds of the sky and the fish of the sea as well, I will wipe out lawless people along with the causes of sin.
    I will wipe out every human being from the face of the ground, declares the Eternal God.” (Source: John Hans de Jong in The Bible Translator 2017, p. 64ff. )
  • Hiligaynon: “the peoples, the animals as-well-as the birds and fish. I will-vanish the ones- (who) -push the people to sin as-well-as the sinners. I will- surely -destroy all the people in the earth. I, the LORD, (am) the(-one) saying this.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)

complete verse (Zephaniah 1:9)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Zephaniah 1:9:

  • Kupsabiny: “I shall punish all the people who pray to idols and who fill their houses of prayer with things of theft and plunder (things).’” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “On that day, I will punish
    everyone who jumps over the bottom of a doorframe
    the temple of their gods
    violence and did fraud works.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Burmese (translation by A. Judson): “Also on that day I will examine all those who fill their master’s house with goods gained through crossing the thresholds of other people’s houses and using force and deceit.” (Source: John Hans de Jong in The Bible Translator 2017, p. 64ff. )
  • Hiligaynon: “I will- also -punish on that day all who follow the ceremonies of those- (who) -do- not -acknowledge me and those-(who) act-cruelly/violently and deceitfully in-order-to fill-up with things/possessions the house of their master.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)