The Hebrew in Psalm 18:5 that is translated as “the cords of Sheol” in some English versions is rendered in Medumba with the existing expression “the odor of death.” (Source: Jan de Waard in The Bible Translator1974, p. 107ff )
In the Contemporary Chichewa translation (2002/2016) it is translated as In “the ropes from the grave.” In Chewa culture these are used to descend a coffin with a dead body into the grave. These ropes are kept at the grave or in some communities at the house of one of the people who take care of the grave. Being tied by these ropes is considered to be a big misfortune as they are associated with death. (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)
The interconfessional Chichewa translation (publ. 1999) uses the ideophone fumu in Song of Songs 5:6 to describe a sudden drop and a lovesick weakening (“As he spoke, my heart collapsed within me”). (Source: Ernst Wendland)
Ideophones are a class of sound symbolic words expressing human sensation that are used as literary devices in many African languages. (Source: Philip Noss)
The Hebrew in Psalm 23:2 that is often translated as “still waters” in English is translated as “water at the mouth of a well” in Dan since “the imagery of ‘still water’ is seen as something negative, water that is dirty since it isn’t moving.”
In the Contemporary Chichewa translation (2002/2016) it is translated as “clean/good drinking water.” (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)
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).
The interconfessional Chichewa translation (publ. 1999) uses the ideophone tseketseketseke in Song of Songs 2:3 to describe exquisite sweetness (“you can almost feel it crackle/tingle”), pleasant sharpness, juicy delight. (Source: Ernst Wendland)
Ideophones are a class of sound symbolic words expressing human sensation that are used as literary devices in many African languages. (Source: Philip Noss)
The Hebrew in 1 Samuel 14:27 that is translated as “eyes brightened” or “strength returned” in English is translated in Mandinka as “his eyes were opened.” “This turns out to be a remarkable coincidence of idiom between Hebrew and Mandinka, both implying ‘strength returns.'” (Source: Rob Koops)
Likewise, in Chichewa (interconfessional translation) it is translated with a proverb that says “his eyes were brightened” and (also) refers to hunger being satisfied. (Source: Wendland 1987, p. 104)
The Hebrew that is translated as “broad place” or similar in English is translated in the Contemporary Chichewa translation (2002/2016) as (ku)malo otakasuka or “comfortable place.” This is referring to a place that has more space. The comfort is based on the wideness of space available. (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)
The interconfessional Chichewa translation (publ. 1999) uses the ideophone noninoni in Song of Songs 5:13 to emphasize a smooth and slippery substance with a tactile and sensual component (“his lips are like lilies, dripping smooth with liquid myrrh”). (Source: Ernst Wendland)
Ideophones are a class of sound symbolic words expressing human sensation that are used as literary devices in many African languages. (Source: Philip Noss)
