The Greek that is typically translated in English as “sign” is translated in Huehuetla Tepehua as “thing to be marveled at” (source: Larson 1889, p. 279) and in Mairasi as “big work” (source: Enggavoter 2004).
speaking with tongues
The Greek that is often translated as “speaking with tongues” in English is translated these ways:
- Uma: “speak with languages from the Holy Spirit” (source: Uma Back Translation)
- Yakan: “speak languages that are not understood by the people” (source: Yakan Back Translation)
- Western Bukidnon Manobo: “speak in languages which [the speakers] do not know” (source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
- Tagbanwa: “speak different languages that [the speakers] haven’t studied” (source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)
- Teutila Cuicatec: “speaking other different languages”
- Lalana Chinantec: “speaking in other people’s Chinantec”
- Eastern Highland Otomi: “speaking strange languages” (source for his and two above: Viola Waterhouse in Notes on Translation August 1966, p. 86ff.)
- Indonesian Alkitab Terjemahan Lama version (publ. 1958): “speak the language of the spirit” (bahasa roh) — “which leaves a strong impression that this is a mystical experience.” (Source: Ekaputra Tupamahu in: Journal for the Study of the New Testament 2018, 41/2, p. 223ff.)
In most Protestant Mandarin Chinese translations, the term fāngyán (方言) or “dialect / regional language” is used. The widely-used Catholic Sigao translation uses yǔyán 语言 (語言) or “language” instead. (See also W. Chong in Religions 2024, 15, p. 288ff. )
In the German New Testament translation by Berger / Nord (publ. 1999) it is translated as in den Sprachen der Engel reden or “speaking in the language of angels.” The translators explain (p. 104): “According to Jewish understanding, angels primarily spoke Hebrew. The ‘languages’ of angels are specific texts (such as songs). This is not related to a formal knowledge of language.” Note that in the latter part of 1 Corinthians 14 (from verse 26 on) and in Acts 2:4, Berger / Nord use “foreign language” instead.
In the German translation by Fridolin Stier (1989) it is translated as “speaking with ecstatic tongues” (mit verzückten Zungen reden).
complete verse (1 Corinthians 14:22)
Following are a number of back-translations of 1 Corinthians 14:22:
- Uma: “So, if some of us speak with languages from the Holy Spirit, our words are a sign of the Lord’s power to people who do not believe in the Lord, not to people who already believe in the Lord. But if we speak God’s words, our words are a sign of the Lord’s power to people who already believe, not to people who do not believe.” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
- Yakan: “So-then, the expertise of speaking different languages is a sign to show the power of God to those who don’t believe in Isa Almasi, it is not a sign for those who believe already. But the expertise to speak the word of God is a sign to show God’s power to the ones believing, it is not a sign to those who don’t believe.” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
- Western Bukidnon Manobo: “Because of this, we understand that this skill to speak in languages which are not known, God gives this so that the unbelievers might realize that it comes from God. But as for that skill to interpret what God causes to understand, He gave this so that the faith of those who’ve already believed, might be strengthened.” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
- Kankanaey: “This which God caused-to-be-written, that’s how-we -know that the ability to speak different languages, God intended it to serve as a sign for those who don’t believe, not for believers. But the ability of God’s spokesman serves as a sign for believers. Its use is not for those who don’t believe.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
- Tagbanwa: “From that we can comprehend that, language that can’t be understood is what God will use which is fitting for those who pay no attention to what he has said, as a sign that they are not believing/obeying. But those people who believe/obey well, language that they can understand is what God will use to make known to them what he wants to say, this being a sign that their believing/obeying is good.” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)
- Tenango Otomi: “Therefore when God calls the people with words which they do not understand, then this is a sign that the people who are called are not believers, rather they are rebellious. But when God calls the people with the words he puts in the mind of his prophets to speak, then this is a sign that the people whom he calls are believers.” (Source: Tenango Otomi Back Translation)
Translation commentary on 1 Corinthians 14:22
Thus introduces a conclusion from the scripture quotation in verse 21.
A sign is probably the better translation here. Good News Bible‘s rendering “proof” seems to conflict with verse 24, where it is Christian prophecy, in contrast with speaking with tongues, which is said to “convict” the unbeliever who comes in from outside. Phillips translates “a sign of God’s power,” suggesting that tongues are designed to impress unbelievers rather than to “convict” them.
Another possibility is that speaking with tongues is a sign by which unbelievers may be distinguished from believers, but the wording of the present verse, not for believers, but for unbelievers, does not make this clear. Paul seems to have been turned aside from his main argument by the word translated “strange tongues” (Good News Bible‘s “strange languages”) in the quotation in verse 21.
Prophecy means “the gift of proclaiming God’s message” (Good News Bible). It is inspired speaking in normal human language, as in 12.10.
Quoted with permission from Ellingworth, Paul and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians, 2nd edition. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1985/1994. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .
SIL Translator’s Notes on 1 Corinthians 14:22
14:22a Tongues, then, are a sign, not for believers, but for unbelievers.
So unknown tongues are a sign for unbelievers. They are not a sign for believers.
-or-
So when someone speaks in unknown/miraculous languages, it serves as a sign to unbelievers rather than to believers.
14:22b Prophecy, however, is for believers, not for unbelievers.
But prophecy is ⌊a sign⌋ for believers rather than unbelievers.
-or-
But when someone declares God’s word, believers receive ⌊a sign⌋. Unbelievers do not.
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