David Frank (SIL)

abuse, contempt, ridicule, scorn

The Greek that is translated as “treat with contempt,” “treat with scorn,” “ridicule,” or “abuse” is translated in Gullah as suck dey teet or “suck their teeth.” (Source: David Frank)

In Elhomwe “mock” is translated as “belittle.” (Source: project-specific translation notes in Paratext)

in holiness and righteousness

The Greek in Luke 1:75 that is translated as “in holiness and righteousness” or similar in English is translated in Bijago with the idiomatic expression “clean heart.” (Source: David Frank, quoted in Nicoleti 2012, p. 78)

I am the way

The Greek in John 14:6 that is translated as “I am the way” is translated as:

“I am the road to heaven” in Xicotepec De Juárez Totonac
“I am the path by which you go” in Shipibo-Conibo
“I am the one who will guide you” in Asháninka
“Because of me you will arrive to where God is” in Tenango Otomi. (Source: John Beekman in Notes on Translation 12, November 1964, p. 1ff.)
“I am the way, in me you will meet God” in the German New Testament translation by Berger / Nord (publ. 1999)

Upper Guinea Crioulo does not use definite articles. So in that language it says: “I (emph.) am way/road” and likewise: “I am truth, I am life.” (Source: David Frank)

linen

The Greek in Revelation 19:14 that is translated in English as “fine linen, white and pure” is translated in Huba as “good, clean, white clothes,” the closest corresponding term in Huba. (Source: David Frank in this blog post ).

figs are not gathered from thorns𖺗 nor are grapes picked from a bramble bush

The Greek in Luke 6:44 that is translated in English as “figs are not gathered from thorns, nor are grapes picked from a bramble bush” or similar is translated in Upper Guinea Crioulo as “You wouldn’t pick guavas [very similar to figs] from a thorn bush, or cashews from a thorn tree.” (Source: David Frank in this blog post )

In Chechen it becomes “thorns do not yield mulberries or dog roses grapes” and in Khakas the grapes become “cherries.” (Source: David Clark in The Bible Translator 2015, p. 117ff. )

on the third day

The Greek in Luke 2:46 that is often translated in English as “on the third day” is translated in Saint Lucian Creole French as apwé dé jou or “after two days,” taking into account the traditional way of including the day when counting starts as a full day. (Source: David Frank)

knowledge puffs up

The Greek in 1 Corinthians 8:1 that is translated in English as “knowledge puffs up” or “knowledge makes arrogant” is translated in Huba as “knowledge comes with bringing head.” (Source: David Frank in this blog post )

blaspheme, blasphemy

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The Hebrew, Aramaic, Greek, Ge’ez, and Latin that is translated as “blasphemy” or “blaspheme” is translated in various forms:

Panao Huánuco Quechua: “speak evil of God”
Southern Bobo Madaré: “break God’s name”
Loma: “spoil the name of God”
Luvale: “insult God”
Pamona and Malay: “slander God”
Javanese and German: “defame God”
Tae’: “bring curses (or “calamitous words”) against God”
Uab Meto: “talk to pieces” (source for this and above: Bratcher / Nida)
Xicotepec De Juárez Totonac: “treat God with contempt”
Ojitlán Chinantec: “say bad words”
Yatzachi Zapotec: “slander God”
Tenango Otomi: “don’t respect God with what one says”
Navajo (Dinė): “say evil about God” (source for this and four above: M. Larson / B. Moore in Notes on Translation February 1970, p. 1-125)
Sochiapam Chinantec: “ugly words about God” (source: B. Moore / G. Turner in Notes on Translation 1967, p. 1ff.)
Q’anjob’al: “that which hurts the high” (source: Newberry and Kittie Cox in The Bible Translator 1950, p. 91ff. )
Mam: xmayin ti’j Dios or “mockery against him-God” (source: Edward Sywulka in The Bible Translator 1952, p. 54ff. )
Bacama: “spoil the name of God” (source: David Frank in this blog post )
Chichewa chipongwe Mulungu. Chipwonge is used to refer to acts or derogatory remarks that dishonor another person. (Mulungu is the Chichewa word for “God.”) (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)

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Source: David Frank (SIL)