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During the translation of the New Testament into Huixtán Tzotzil, translation consultant Marion Cowan found that questions where the answer is obvious, affirmative rhetorical questions, as well questions raising objections tended to cause confusion among the readers. So these are rendered as simple or emphatic statements.
Accordingly, John 6:70 reads “You twelve were chosen by me. One a devil has entered his heart.”
Source: Marion Cowan in The Bible Translator 1960, p. 123ff.
The Greek in James 2:19 that is translated as “You believe that God is one; you do well” or similar in English is translated in Huixtán Tzotzil as “I’ve believed that there is only one God, you say. You mistakenly think that is enough.” Huixtán Tzotzil frequently uses the verb -cuy to express “to mistakenly think something” from the point of view of the speaker. (Source: Marion M. Cowan in Notes on Translation 20/1966, pp. 6ff.)
During the translation of the New Testament into Huixtán Tzotzil, translation consultant Marion Cowan found that questions where the answer is obvious, affirmative rhetorical questions, as well questions raising objections tended to cause confusion among the readers. So these are rendered as simple or emphatic statements.
Accordingly, John 7:51 reads “Thus says our law that first we ask the one who is to be judged, first we find out what sin he has committed.”
Source: Marion Cowan in The Bible Translator 1960, p. 123ff.
The Greek in James 1:26 that is translated as “their religion is worthless” or similar in English is translated in Huixtán Tzotzil as “it’s in vain that we mistakenly think we are believers.” Huixtán Tzotzil frequently uses the verb -cuy to express “to mistakenly think something” from the point of view of the speaker. (Source: Marion M. Cowan in Notes on Translation 20/1966, pp. 6ff.)
The Greek in John 8:53 that is translated as “Who do you claim to be?” or similar in English is translated in Huixtán Tzotzil as “Who do you mistakenly think you are?” Huixtán Tzotzil frequently uses the verb -cuy to express “to mistakenly think something” from the point of view of the speaker. (Source: Marion M. Cowan in Notes on Translation 20/1966, pp. 6ff.)
The Greek in 1 Corinthians 2:1 that is translated as “in lofty words or wisdom” or similar in English is translated in Huixtán Tzotzil as “I did not mistakenly think that my words were good. I did not mistakenly think that there was the wisdom of my heart.” Huixtán Tzotzil frequently uses the verb -cuy to express “to mistakenly think something” from the point of view of the speaker. (Source: Marion M. Cowan in Notes on Translation 20/1966, pp. 6ff.)
During the translation of the New Testament into Huixtán Tzotzil, translation consultant Marion Cowan found that questions where the answer is obvious, affirmative rhetorical questions, as well questions raising objections tended to cause confusion among the readers. So these are rendered as simple or emphatic statements.
Accordingly, Matthew 7:9-11 reads “If your son asks you for a tortilla to eat, not a stone you would give him. If he asks you for fish to eat, not a snake you would give him. You whose hearts are not good, know what good gifts you will give your children. Your father in heaven surpassingly knows what good gifts he will give to those who ask him.”
Source: Marion Cowan in The Bible Translator 1960, p. 123ff.
The Greek in Acts 2:15 that is translated as “these are not drunk” or similar in English had to be translated in Tzotzil as “We (excluding you) are not drunk.” A literal translation would be inferring that Peter had not received the Holy Spirit along with the rest who were present in the upper room. (Source: Marion Cowan in The Bible Translator 1962, p. 90 )