Language-specific Insights

complete verse (3 John 1:6)

Following are a number of back-translations of 3 John 1:6:

  • Uma: “They are the ones who talk-about your love here to all our one-faith relatives. Thus/So, I hope/trust you give them a good send-off, so that they can continue their journey. Send-them-off like is fitting to God’s messengers, so that God is happy.” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
  • Yakan: “They told here to the gathering of the trusters in Isa Almasi about your love to them. When they come by again help them please so that they can continue in their walking/journey. That is what pleases God.” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
  • Western Bukidnon Manobo: “They told the believers here when we (excl.) gathered together that your kindness to them was very great. If they stop by there again, help them again in a way which pleases God so that they might proceed on their journey.” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “When they were here, they also related to the congregation of believers your (sing.) good way-of-loving them. If there are ones like these who again stop-over there, be-so-kind-as to continue please to help them and give to them what they need for the trail. If it is possible also, see to it that your (sing.) help to them is appropriate to their valuable service to God.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Tagbanwa: “They testified here to the gathering of believers concerning this valuing by you. It would also be good if you can give them help with their planned-journey when they go from you, that help which is worthy of people whom God has set up in their work.” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)
  • Tenango Otomi: “There have returned some of our brothers from where you live. When we had gathered, they told us that you very much love them. And now, when they go back to you again, please help them in what they need so that they continue on the road. Do just like God wants you to do.” (Source: Tenango Otomi Back Translation)
  • Yatzachi Zapotec: “They reported to us who are gathered together worshipping God how you love them. And we ought to do good to our brethren, giving to them what they may need while they are journeying, That is what we must do with all the people who speak God’s Word.”
  • Eastern Highland Otomi: “Some of the siblings who have returned from you (where you are) spoke in regard to you. When we (ex) were gathered together, they told us you have love. Please look after them when they arrive there again, giving them what they need. And when we help them, we help God’s work like he tells us.”
  • Isthmus Zapotec: “They were telling the brethren here how very much you love them. You do well if you help them when they leave your house so they can go on to another town. This is the way it is necessary for us to help those who are doing God’s work.”
  • Garifuna: “In the believers’ gathering together, those strangers spoke good words (messages) about your love. You do good when you help them concerning their travel/trip. Help you them well because they are working with God.” (Source for this and three above: John Beekman in Notes on Translation 12, November 1964, p. 1ff.)

John as a first-person evangelist (John 4:43)

In the Yatzachi Zapotec translation of the Gospel of John, any reference to the evangelist and presumed narrator is done in the first person.

The translator Inez Butler explains (in: Notes on Translation, September 1967, pp. 10ff.):

“In revising the Gospel of John in Yatzachi Zapotec we realized from the start that the third person references of Jesus to himself as Son of Man had to be converted into first person references, but only more recently have we decided that similar change is necessary in John’s references to himself as ‘the disciple whom Jesus loved.’ As I worked on those changes and questioned the informant about his understanding of other passages in the Gospel, I discovered that the reader misses the whole focus of the book as an eyewitness account unless every reference to the disciples indicates the writer’s membership in the group. In view of that we went back through the entire book looking for ways to cue in the reader to the fact that John was an eyewitness and a participant in a many of the events, as well as the historian.

“When the disciples were participants in events along with Jesus, it was necessary to make explicit the fact that they accompanied him, although in the source language that is left implicit, since otherwise our rendering would imply that they were not present.”

In this verse, the Yatzachi Zapotec says: “After we had been there two days we left and returned.”

John as a first-person evangelist (John 11:17)

In the Yatzachi Zapotec translation of the Gospel of John, any reference to the evangelist and presumed narrator is done in the first person.

The translator Inez Butler explains (in: Notes on Translation, September 1967, pp. 10ff.):

“In revising the Gospel of John in Yatzachi Zapotec we realized from the start that the third person references of Jesus to himself as Son of Man had to be converted into first person references, but only more recently have we decided that similar change is necessary in John’s references to himself as ‘the disciple whom Jesus loved.’ As I worked on those changes and questioned the informant about his understanding of other passages in the Gospel, I discovered that the reader misses the whole focus of the book as an eyewitness account unless every reference to the disciples indicates the writer’s membership in the group. In view of that we went back through the entire book looking for ways to cue in the reader to the fact that John was an eyewitness and a participant in a many of the events, as well as the historian.

“When the disciples were participants in events along with Jesus, it was necessary to make explicit the fact that they accompanied him, although in the source language that is left implicit, since otherwise our rendering would imply that they were not present.”

In this verse, the Yatzachi Zapotec says: “Then we went with Jesus to Bethany, and when we arrived people told him . . .”

John as a first-person evangelist (John 18:16)

In the Yatzachi Zapotec translation of the Gospel of John, any reference to the evangelist and presumed narrator is done in the first person.

The translator Inez Butler explains (in: Notes on Translation, September 1967, pp. 10ff.):

“In revising the Gospel of John in Yatzachi Zapotec we realized from the start that the third person references of Jesus to himself as Son of Man had to be converted into first person references, but only more recently have we decided that similar change is necessary in John’s references to himself as ‘the disciple whom Jesus loved.’ As I worked on those changes and questioned the informant about his understanding of other passages in the Gospel, I discovered that the reader misses the whole focus of the book as an eyewitness account unless every reference to the disciples indicates the writer’s membership in the group. In view of that we went back through the entire book looking for ways to cue in the reader to the fact that John was an eyewitness and a participant in a many of the events, as well as the historian.

“When the disciples were participants in events along with Jesus, it was necessary to make explicit the fact that they accompanied him, although in the source language that is left implicit, since otherwise our rendering would imply that they were not present.”

In this verse, the Yatzachi Zapotec says: “Peter remained outside the door. And I went out and talked to the woman who guarded the door, and she let Peter in because the high priest knew me.”

John as a first-person evangelist (John 21:13)

In the Yatzachi Zapotec translation of the Gospel of John, any reference to the evangelist and presumed narrator is done in the first person.

The translator Inez Butler explains (in: Notes on Translation, September 1967, pp. 10ff.):

“In revising the Gospel of John in Yatzachi Zapotec we realized from the start that the third person references of Jesus to himself as Son of Man had to be converted into first person references, but only more recently have we decided that similar change is necessary in John’s references to himself as ‘the disciple whom Jesus loved.’ As I worked on those changes and questioned the informant about his understanding of other passages in the Gospel, I discovered that the reader misses the whole focus of the book as an eyewitness account unless every reference to the disciples indicates the writer’s membership in the group. In view of that we went back through the entire book looking for ways to cue in the reader to the fact that John was an eyewitness and a participant in a many of the events, as well as the historian.

“When the disciples were participants in events along with Jesus, it was necessary to make explicit the fact that they accompanied him, although in the source language that is left implicit, since otherwise our rendering would imply that they were not present.”

In this verse, the Yatzachi Zapotec says: “Jesus came near, he took bread and gave to each of us . . .”

complete verse (John 7:20)

Following are a number of back-translations of John 7:20:

  • Yatzachi Zapotec: “Then the people said to him, ‘You are out of your mind. Who is looking for a way to kill you?'” (Source: M. Larson / B. Moore in Notes on Translation February 1970, p. 1-125.)
  • Uma: “The people said: ‘You (sing.) are crazy! Who wants to kill you (sing.)?'” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
  • Yakan: “The crowds of people answered, they said, ‘You are crazy. Who wants to kill you?'” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
  • Western Bukidnon Manobo: “And the people answered, ‘You are crazy because who wants to kill you?'” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “‘You (sing.) are demon-possessed! Who perhaps is intending to kill you (sing.)?’ they said in reply.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Tagbanwa: “Those people said, ‘You’re really indwelt by an evil spirit! If it’s not that you’re indwelt, who is it who wants to kill you?'” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)
  • Tenango Otomi: “The people said, ‘You are demon possessed. Who do you think wants to kill you?'” (Source: Tenango Otomi Back Translation)

complete verse (1 John 1:6)

Following are a number of back-translations of 1 John 1:6:

  • Uma: “If we say we are in harmony with God, and we walk in the darkness, we are lying and we do not follow the true teaching.” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
  • Yakan: “Therefore if we (dual) say that we (dual) are one with God but we (dual) still live/stay in darkness, that means we (dual) still do bad, we (dual) lie. By our (dual) words and our (dual) deeds it can be seen that we (dual) lie.” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
  • Western Bukidnon Manobo: “If we (incl.) say that we have a close relationship with God, but we (incl.) are still in the darkness, which is to say, our behavior is still bad, we are lying. We are lying by means of what we say and by means of what we do.” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “So if we say that we are companioning-with him but however we remain in the darkness, we are lying, because what we are doing does not harmonize with what is true and correct which God wants.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Tagbanwa: “If we say, we are now having fellowship with him, but we are still living in darkness, for we are continuing to do sin, we are only lying. We are not living in harmony with the truth.” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)
  • Tenango Otomi: “If we say that we are friends with God and we do not do what is right, then it is apparent that it is not true what we say and it is not true that we know how to do the good.” (Source: Tenango Otomi Back Translation)
  • Yatzachi Zapotec: “If we say that our head-hearts are just one with the head-heart of God but if we walk in darkness doing evil, we are just lying, we do not walk with (practice, speak) the truth.”
  • Eastern Highland Otomi: “If we try to say that we think the same-way (with) Jesus, but if we continue walking in darkness, we’re lying and we don’t really have the same mind, because we don’t do what the true word says.”
  • Tzotzil: “If we say, “God and I have become one (of one mind), if we are walking along in darkness, we are lying. We are just saying that we obey the truth.”(Source for this and two above: John Beekman in Notes on Translation 12, November 1964, p. 1ff.)
  • Candoshi-Shapra: “If we say, ‘we fellowship with Him,’ yet in darkness we are walking, then we are surely lying saying that. Our manner of life is surely not completely according to what we know to be true.”
  • Yanesha’: “Even though we should say, we, we are one with our Father, however if still we walk in the darkness, we are just deceiving. We have not learned (in sense of a practiced custom) thus it is put in truth.”
  • Aguaruna: “If we say, ‘we live (stay) (reciprocally) content (happy) with God,’ but nevertheless (rather) if we walk in the darkness-place, lying we say it. If we do like that we are those who do not complete (obey) the true Word.” (Source for this and two above: Mildred Larson in Notes on Translation, July 1965, p. 1-15)

complete verse (1 John 2:28)

Following are a number of back-translations of 1 John 2:28:

  • Uma: “Continuing on, my children, remain in harmony with Kristus, so that when he comes back, we will be-brave/dare to face him, we won’t be afraid when he comes to us.” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
  • Yakan: “Yes, my children-grandchildren, you ought to be one with Almasi so that at the day of his return here, we (incl.) will not be afraid and we (incl.) will not be ashamed to stand before him/in his presence.” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
  • Western Bukidnon Manobo: “And because of all this, my children, hold fast to your oneness with Christ so that you won’t be afraid and you won’t be ashamed in the future when He returns.” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “So indeed my children, faithfully-persevere in believing in him so that you will thus have nothing-of-which-to-be-afraid and ashamed when he comes again.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Tagbanwa: “Therefore, my like children, hold fast to Jesu-Cristo, so that, at his returning here, we won’t hold back or be ashamed before him in his presence.” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)
  • Tenango Otomi: “Now, my children, only let Christ fill your hearts now in order that you will be brave when you see him, then you will not be ashamed when he comes.” (Source: Tenango Otomi Back Translation)
  • Yatzachi Zapotec: “And now my little children, we must be constantly present with Jesus Christ in order that when he comes we will not be afraid and will not hide from him in shame when he comes again.”
  • Eastern Highland Otomi: “And now, my children, habitually live with Christ so that we will be bold and not fear, and we won’t be ashamed at his face when he comes.”
  • Tzotzil: “My children, once and for all stay in the presence of Jesus Christ because thus there will be the strength of our hear hearts when he comes, because thus we will not be ashamed in his presence when he comes.” (Source for this and two above: John Beekman in Notes on Translation 12, November 1964, p. 1ff.)
  • Candoshi-Shapra: “Therefore, children whom I love, listen! Live (abide) with Christ. If you do that when Jesus arrives we will be at ease. When He arrives, we won’t, being ashamed, be agitated.”
  • Yanesha’: “Now then, my little ones, be one with him. When he (Christ) comes back, he you will count on, you will not be ashamed in his presence when he comes.”
  • Aguaruna: “My little children, live in Him, in order that, when he appears, you without being ashamed, may confidently stay (in reference to him).”
  • Murui Huitoto: “Children, when He appears, in order for us not to be scared, now friend him. When He comes in order that we not be ashamed before Him, now friend Him.” (Source for this and two above: Mildred Larson in Notes on Translation, July 1965, p. 1-15)