Language-specific Insights

addition to Mark 6:28

In Seri “The woman just wanted to be sure John died” is added to the verse. Without it the head served on a tray implied cannibalism. (Source: B. Moore / G. Turner in Notes on Translation 1967, p. 1ff.)

at home

The Greek in Mark 2:1 that is translated as “at home” or similar in English is translated in Tohono O’odham as “there where he was accustomed to staying” and in Seri as “in a house,” since “in his house” would imply that he was married, as a single man normally lives in his parents’ house. (Source: B. Moore / G. Turner in Notes on Translation 1967, p. 1ff.)

See also in the house.

accuse

The Greek that is translated as “accuse him” in English is translated in Seri as “accuse him of doing that which was not permitted,” since an object to “accuse” was required. (Source: B. Moore / G. Turner in Notes on Translation 1967, p. 1ff.)

could not even eat

The Greek in Mark 3:20 that is translated as “could not even eat” or similar in English had to be translated more specifically in Tsafiki as “they could not eat because there was no time” and likewise in Serias “they did not have time even to eat.” (Source: B. Moore / G. Turner in Notes on Translation 1967, p. 1ff.)

woke up

The Greek in Mark 4:39 that is translated in English as “woke up” or similar is translated in Seri as “got up” to avoid confusion since it was already mentioned in verse 38. (Source: B. Moore / G. Turner in Notes on Translation 1967, p. 1ff.)

fell at this feet

The Greek in Mark 5:22 that is translated in English as “fell at this feet” or similar is translated in Seri as “knelt before him to show respect” since the function of the action had to be made specific. (Source: B. Moore / G. Turner in Notes on Translation 1967, p. 1ff.)

sitting with the guards

The Greek in Mark 14:54 that is translated as “sitting with the guards” or similar in English is translated in Seri “Peter was seated in the corral of the house of the high priest with the soldier-guards.” Seri houses do not have patios nor porches. They often do have a fence around them inside of which is an enclosed area which serves as a yard. No animals are kept in this corral. (Source: B. Moore / G. Turner in Notes on Translation 1967, p. 1ff.)

spices

The Greek that is translated as spices in English is translated in Tabasco Chontal as “medicine/spices which pertained to rubbing on the body” and in Seri as “a substance that smelled like perfume. It was for pouring on the dead, one to keep his body from stinking.” (Source: B. Moore / G. Turner in Notes on Translation 1967, p. 1ff.)