The Greek in 1 Corinthians 9:2 that is translated in English as “seal of my apostleship” or similar is translated in the interconfessional Chichewa translation (publ. 1999) as “a testimony that I indeed am an apostle.” (Source: Wendland 1998, p. 96)
Language-specific Insights
Translation commentary on Ruth 2:8: A Cultural Commentary for Central Africa
In a Chewa/Tonga setting Boaz could not address Ruth as “My daughter” (which turns out to be “my child” in Chichewa/Chitonga) unless he happened to be very much older than she was. He would rather say “mother” (mai, i.e., moderate respect, versus the ultimate honorific, “mothers”). Neither could he refer to his laborers as “my maidens,” for in Chitonga this could be interpreted as meaning his girlfriends. Instead he would use “female workers” and omit the “my.”
Source: Wendland 1987, p. 174.
iron rod
The Hebrew in Psalm 2:9 that is translated as “iron rod” or similar in English is translated in the Contemporary Chichewa translation (2002/2016) as ndodo yaufumu or “yokes.” In Chewa culture, this is a rod that is carried by a chief or king. It is a symbol of power and authority. It can either be wooden or metal. Sometimes it is decorated with some ornaments. (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)
oppress
The Hebrew that is translated as “oppress” in various forms in English is translated in the Contemporary Chichewa translation (2002/2016) with kupondereza, In a literal sense, this word means stepping on someone. (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)
granary
The Greek that is translated as “granary” or “barn” in English is translated in Chichewa as nkhokwe or “storage bin,” “the difference is that the biblical variety was usually found underground, while the Chewa nkhokwe is normally built above ground.” (Source: Wendland 1987, p. 72)
Translation commentary on Ruth 3:13: A Cultural Commentary for Central Africa
The Chichewa equivalent for the strong Hebrew oath, “as the Lord lives,” is pali Chauta ‘it is on God’, the implication being that if the speaker proves to be lying, he will be punished by some extraordinary punishment sent by God, e.g., lightning.
Source: Wendland 1987, p. 180.
soul was departing
The Hebrew in Genesis 35:18 that is translated “her soul was departing” or similar in English is emphasized in the interconfessional Chichewa translation (publ. 1999) with the ideophone ŵefuŵefu (“she was panting her last ŵefuŵefu“). An ideophone is a word that expresses what is perceived by the five senses. (Source: Ernst Wendland in The Bible Translator 1981, p. 107)