Language-specific Insights

discharge

The Hebrew that is translated as “discharge” or similar in English is translated in Kalanga with tjigwele, a term that refers to sexually transmitted diseases. (Source: project-specific notes in Paratext)

In Kwere, the term ufila is used which implies pus (source: Pioneer Bible Translators, project-specific translation notes in Paratext) and in Newari it is translated as “disease of the semen.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)

mighty arm

The Hebrew that is translated as “mighty arm” in English is translated in Newari as “the strongest arm of all” (source: Newari Back Translation).

orphan

The Hebrew, Latin, Ge’ez, and Greek that is translated as “orphan” in English is translated in Enlhet as “those who are gone past” (source: Jacob Loewen in The Bible Translator 1969, p. 24ff. ) and in Newari as “ones not having mother-father” (source: Newari Back Translation).

E.L. Greenstein (2019, p. 108) notes that, particularly in reference to Job 24:9 where the child is being nursed, that the Hebrew term “has the narrower meaning of “fatherless.”

See also orphaned.

mystery

The Greek, Ge’ez, and Aramaic that is translated as “mystery” in English is translated as “wisdom which was hidden” in Mezquital Otomi, as “that was not possible to be understood before” in Huehuetla Tepehua, as “which was not known in time past” in Central Tarahumara (source: Waterhouse / Parrott in Notes on Translation October 1967, p. 1ff.), and in Newari as “hidden meaning” or “hidden matter” (source: Newari Back Translation).

with whole heart

The Hebrew and Greek that is translated as “with whole heart” in English is translated in Newari as “from in-most heart” (source: Newari Back Translation).

And God saw it was good

The Hebrew that is typically translated in English as “And God saw it was good” is translated in Newari as “This seemed good to God.”

The first part of Genesis 1:31, which is translated in English as “God saw everything that he had made, and indeed, it was very good” or similar is translated in Newari as “God saw everything that He made. This seemed very good to Him.”

(Source: Newari Back Translation)

basket (Genesis 40)

The Hebrew that is translated in English as “basket” is translated in Newari as “bamboo basket.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)

complete verse (Proverbs 3:6)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Proverbs 3:6:

  • Kupsabiny: “Put God first/ahead in everything you are doing, then it is when your ways/paths will be straight/flow well.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “No matter what you do, remember the Lord!
    He will show you the way.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “Remember the LORD in all you (sing.) do, and he will-guide you (sing.) in the right path.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “He is the one you (sing.) are-to-acknowledge and follow in all you (sing.) do and he will-prepare the path-you-(sing.)-take so-that it-will-be-made-straight.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Hdi: “In all that you do, remember him, he will attend to the edge of your foot.” (Source: Drew Maust)