The name that is transliterated as “Phoebe” in English is translated in Libras (Brazilian Sign Language) with a sign that signifies “radiant” or “light” (the meaning of the name) and represents that she was a deaconess in the church. (Source: Missão Kophós )
“Phoebe” in Libras (source )
For more information on translations of proper names with sign language see Sign Language Bible Translations Have Something to Say to Hearing Christians .
The name that by some English 20th century translations was transliterated as “Junias” but is now widely recognized as a female name and typically transliterated as “Junia” is translated in Libras (Brazilian Sign Language) as a male name with a combinations of the signs for “young man” (which is assumed to be the meaning of the name) and “3” (because Junias was one of three prisoners along with Paul and Andronicus). (Source: Missão Kophós )
“Junias” in Libras (source )
This is likely a reflection of the majority of Portuguese Bible translations that with some exceptions (Versão Fácil de Ler 1999, Nova Tradução na Linguagem de Hoje 2000, Almeida Revista e Corrigida 2009, Nova Versão Internacional 2023) use the male form Júnias rather than the female Júnia.
Learn more on Bible Odyssey: Junia .
For more information on translations of proper names with sign language see this article in Christianity Today .
The Greek that is transliterated in English as “Theophilus” is translated in the Bavarian translation by Sturmibund (publ. 1998) as “Gottlieb.” “Gottlieb” is a popular name in Bavarian-speaking Germany and Austria and has the same meaning than “Theophilus”: “friend (or ‘lover’) of God.” (Source: Jost Zetzsche)
In Libras (Brazilian Sign Language) with a sign that signifies “friend of God.” (Source: Missão Kophós )
“Theophilus” in Libras (source )
Like a number of other East Asian languages, Japanese uses a complex system of honorifics, i.e. a system where a number of different levels of politeness are expressed in language via words, word forms or grammatical constructs. These can range from addressing someone or referring to someone with contempt (very informal) to expressing the highest level of reference (as used in addressing or referring to God) or any number of levels in-between. One way to do this is through the usage of appropriate suffix title referred to as keishō (敬称) as shown here in the widely-used Japanese Shinkaiyaku (新改訳) Bible of 2017 by either using -san or –sama with the latter being the more formal title.
For more information on translations of proper names with sign language see this article in Christianity Today .
In these verses, Theophilus is addressed in the Shinkaiyaku Bible as Teofilo-sama (テオフィロ様), combining the transliteration for “Theophilus” and the suffix title –sama. (Source: S. E. Doi, see also S. E. Doi in Journal of Translation, 18/2022, p. 37ff. )
The German translation by Walter Jens (publ. 1991, 1998) uses “Theophilus” throughout the Gospel of Luke to remind the reader of the nature of the Gospel as a report to Theophilus. See for instance in Luke 2:21 were he translates: “And then, my dear Theophilus, eight days passsed…” or in Luke 2:25: “I’m telling the truth, Theophilus: It was the time when a man named Simon…” and many others.
More information under Theophilus (biblical) .
The name that is transliterated as “Archippus” in English means “master of the horse.” (Source: Cornwall / Smith 1997 )
In Libras (Brazilian Sign Language) it is translated with a sign that combines “soldier” and two people (Paul and Archippus). This refers to Philemon 1:2 where Paul calls Archippus a “fellow soldier.” (Source: Missão Kophós )
“Archippus” in Libras (source )
For more information on translations of proper names with sign language see Sign Language Bible Translations Have Something to Say to Hearing Christians .
The name that is transliterated as “Colossae” in English is translated in Libras (Brazilian Sign Language) with a sign that combines the signs for “monstrous” (the meaning of the name) and the concept of wool, which was a widely traded material in this region. (Source: Missão Kophós )
“Colossae” in Libras (source )
Learn more on Bible Odyssey: Colossae .
For more information on translations of proper names with sign language see Sign Language Bible Translations Have Something to Say to Hearing Christians .
The name that is transliterated as “Erastus” in English means “beloved.” (Source: Cornwall / Smith 1997 )
In Libras (Brazilian Sign Language) it is translated with a sign that is reminiscent of signs such as “treasurer” or “city administrator of the city” (in reference to Romans 16:23). (Source: Missão Kophós )
“Erastus” in Libras (source )
For more information on translations of proper names with sign language see Sign Language Bible Translations Have Something to Say to Hearing Christians .
The name that is transliterated as “Azotus” in English is translated in Libras (Brazilian Sign Language) with a sign that depicts “protection” (a possible meaning of the name and the fact that as a port city it gave protection to many sailors). With the right hand the geographical shape of the coast is shown. (Source: Missão Kophós )
“Azotus” in Libras (source )
The name that is transliterated as “Cainan” in English is translated in Libras (Brazilian Sign Language) with a sign that combines “possession” (the name means “possessor”) and “descend from the father.” (Source: Missão Kophós )
“Cainan” in Libras (source )
Note: The reading Cainan goes back to the Ancient Greek Septuagint translation which inserted a generation between Arphaxad and Cainan (see Genesis 10:24 et al.)
See also Arphaxad / Arpachshad and Cainan / Kenan (son of Enos).
For more information on translations of proper names with sign language see Sign Language Bible Translations Have Something to Say to Hearing Christians .