Language-specific Insights

capture you with her eyelashes

The Hebrew in Proverbs 6:25 that is translated as “capture you with her eyelashes” or similar in English is translated in Vidunda as “trap you with her eyes” (source: Pioneer Bible Translators, project-specific translation notes in Paratext).

The Hebrew that is translated as “be at peace” in English is translated in Newari as “don’t go out of your mind when they look at you” (source: Newari Back Translation).

your bone and your flesh

The Hebrew that is translated in English as “I am your bone and your flesh” (or: “my bone and my flesh”) is translated into Afar as anu sin qabalaay sin nabsi kinniyo: “I am your blood and body.” (Source: Loren Bliese)

It is translated likewise in Kutu and in Kwere. In Vidunda, it is translated as “family.” (Source: Pioneer Bible Translators, project-specific translation notes in Paratext)

In Elhomwe it is translated with the idiomatic mbalaaka, literally “of my knee.” (Source: project-specific translation notes in Paratext)

See also become one flesh and our body.

ruddy

The Hebrew in 1 Samuel 16:12 that is translated with “ruddy” in English is translated in Mandinka as “light-skinned.” “‘Light-skinned’ could be considered a cultural equivalent. Although there are a few people with reddish skin in Mandinka, this is not an attractive trait. The UBS Handbook (A Handbook on the First and Second Books of Samuel by R.L. Omanson and J. Ellington) suggests that ‘ruddy’ may have referred to the hair, but medical people know that reddish hair is a sign of malnutrition.” (Source: Rob Koops)

In Vidunda it is translated as “healthy/strong” and in Kwere as “powerful” (source: Pioneer Bible Translators, project-specific translation notes in Paratext).

See also ruddy (Song of Songs 5:10).

fast (verb)

The Aramaic, Hebrew, Latin and Greek that is translated as “fast” in English is translated in Isthmus Mixe as “going without food to worship God,” in Lacandon as “leaving eating in order to talk to God” (source: B. Moore / G. Turner in Notes on Translation 1967, p. 1ff.), in Vidunda as “resting to eat” (source: Pioneer Bible Translators, project-specific translation notes in Paratext), and in Kankanaey as “endure hunger” (source: Kankanaey Back Translation).

In Hungarian Sign Language it is translated with a sign referring to abstinence from food and drink. (Source: Jenjelvi Biblia and HSL Bible Translation Group)


“Fast” in Hungarian Sign Language (source )

See also fast (Luke 5:33).

abomination

The Hebrew that is translated as “abomination” or similar in English is translated in Vidunda as “hated thing” and in Kwere as zitibusa which means “evil” but also something that causes horror or disgust and revolts people. (Source for both: Pioneer Bible Translators, project-specific translation notes in Paratext)

in Ngambay it is nékɔb or “taboo.” (Source: Andy Warren-Rothlin)

See also detestable in the sight of God and holy.

feet of his faithful ones

The Hebrew in 1 Samuel 2:9 that is translated as “feet of his faithful ones” or similar in English is translated in Vidunda, Kwere and Kutu as “faithful people” because a translation involving “feet” did not communicate the correct meaning. (Source: Pioneer Bible Translators, project-specific translation notes in Paratext)

brightness

The Hebrew in Psalm 18:12 that is translated as “brightness” in English is translated in Vidunda as “lightning.” (Source: Pioneer Bible Translators, project-specific translation notes in Paratext)

regret

The Hebrew in 1 Samuel 15:11 that is translated as “regret” or similar in English is translated in Vidunda as “have sadness.” (Source: Pioneer Bible Translators, project-specific translation notes in Paratext)