Translation Insights and Perspectives
The Greek that is translated as “every species of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature” in English is translated in Rincón Zapotec as “every animal of the field which walks on the earth, and every winged animal and the snakes dragging their stomachs on the earth and also every animal in the sea.” (Source: Ellis Deibler in Notes on Translation July, 1967, p. 5ff.)
See also birds or four-footed animals or reptiles.
Below are some back-translations of James 3:13:
(Source: Ellis Deibler in Notes on Translation July, 1967, p. 5ff.).
The Greek that is typically translated as “peaceable” in English is translated in a variety of ways:
(Source: Ellis Deibler in Notes on Translation July, 1967, p. 5ff.).
See also peace (absence of conflict).
The Greek that is translated as “impartial” in English is translated as “not changeable” in Mezquital Otomi), “never go back on one’s word” in Eastern Highland Otomi, “in just one way one judges” in Rincón Zapotec), “to treat all companions the same” in Yatzachi Zapotec and “love people equally” in Central Mazahua.
(Source: Ellis Deibler in Notes on Translation July, 1967, p. 5ff.).
See also judge impartially.
Following are some back-translations of James 3:18:
(Source: Ellis Deibler in Notes on Translation July, 1967, p. 5ff.).
The Greek that is translated as “justify” in English is translated into Tzotzil in two different ways. One of those is with Lec xij’ilatotic yu’un Dios ta sventa ti ta xc’ot ta o’ntonal ta xch’unel ti Jesucristoe (“we are seen well by God because of our faith in Jesus Christ”) (source: Aeilts, p. 118) and the other is “God sees as righteous” (source: Ellis Deibler in Notes on Translation July, 1967, p. 5ff.).
Other (back-) translations include:
The Greek that is translated as “vapor” or “mist” in English is translated as “cloud” in Eastern Highland Otomi, “smoke” in Alekano and “steam” in Rincón Zapotec (source: Ellis Deibler in Notes on Translation July, 1967, p. 5ff.).
The Greek that is translated as “you were entirely born in sins” or similar in English is translated as “you were born completely evil” in Ojitlán Chinantec, “not even being born yet you were a sinner” in Aguaruna, “you have done sin from the time you were born” in Xicotepec De Juárez Totonac, “you cursed one, you were born blind because of your evilness” in Yatzachi Zapotec, and “the way you were born shows that you are loaded with sin” in Rincón Zapotec.
(Source: M. Larson / B. Moore in Notes on Translation February 1970, p. 1-125.)
The Greek that is typically translated as “the elders of the church” in English is translated as “the old men who believe” in Sayula Popoluca, “those who care for the assembly of Christ” in Rincón Zapotec, “those in authority among the brothers” in Central Mazahua, and “the supervisors of the creed” in Guhu-Samane (source: Ellis Deibler in Notes on Translation July, 1967, p. 5ff.).
See also elder.
The Greek that is translated as “that you may be mature and complete” or similar in English is translated in Alekano as “your life will become whole,” in Rincón Zapotec as “finish becoming perfect,” and in Eastern Highland Otomi as “that is what will cause our hearts to be mature.”
(Source: Ellis Deibler in Notes on Translation July, 1967, p. 5ff.)
The Greek that is translated as “first fruits of his creatures” or similar in English is translates in Central Mazahua as “first of his people,” in Yatzachi Zapotec as “the first harvest which they gather to give to God,” or in Rincón Zapotec as “a first harvest of all that which God himself made.”
(Source: Ellis Deibler in Notes on Translation July, 1967, p. 5ff.)
The Greek that is translated as “the perfect law, the law of liberty” or similar in English is translated in Central Mazahua as “God has set us free so that we are able to obey his word,” in Rincón Zapotec as “the law of God which is perfect and is able to cause us to be saved,” in Mezquital Otomi as “God’s new word frees us in order that our life will be good,” and in Eastern Highland Otomi as “the new word which is like a law strengthens our hearts so that with pleasure we will obey it.”
(Source: Ellis Deibler in Notes on Translation July, 1967, p. 5ff.)