son vs. grandson

“Son of x, son of y” must be rendered as “son of x and grandson of y” in Tibetan or else it will sound like two different people.

Note: The same translation solution is chosen in many contemporary English Bibles that emphasize easy readability, such as the Contemporary English Version, Common English Bible, Good News Translation, God’s Word, or New Living Translation.

See also father / grandfather.

Translation commentary on 1 Maccabees 8:17

So Judas chose Eupolemus the son of John, son of Accos, and Jason the son of Eleazar: The Greek connector rendered So is literally “And.” Good News Bible omits it, which is acceptable at the beginning of this new section. Good News Bible describes Eupolemus as grandson of Accos in conformance with English tradition.

And sent them to Rome to establish friendship and alliance: Nothing is mentioned in the Greek text about “a treaty” (Good News Bible) but this is an acceptable translation, since treaties are the means used to formalize friendships among nations. “Treaty” is a legal term for a document setting out terms under which two nations agree to conduct their relations with each other. Good News Bible‘s addition “with the Romans” simply makes explicit what is otherwise understood: that the treaty was to be between Rome and the Jews. In some languages the equivalent of “agreement” will be used; for example, the whole clause may be rendered “and sent them to Rome to make an agreement that the Jews and Romans would be allies [or, friends].”

Quoted with permission from Bullard, Roger A. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on 1-2 Maccabees. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2011. For this and other handbooks for translators see here.