The Hebrew that is translated as “scoundrel” or “worthless person” or similar in English is translated in Vidunda as “troublemaker” and Kutu as “very evil person.” (Source: Pioneer Bible Translators, project-specific translation notes in Paratext)
send / deploy (Japanese honorifics)
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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 (or a lack) of an honorific prefix as shown here in the widely-used Japanese Shinkaiyaku (新改訳) Bible of 2017.
The Hebrew and Greek that is translated as “send,” “deploy” or similar in English is translated in the Shinkaiyaku Bible as o-tsukawashi (お遣わし), combining “send” (tsukawashi) with the respectful prefix o-. (Source: S. E. Doi, see also S. E. Doi in Journal of Translation, 18/2022, p. 37ff. )
formal 2nd person pronoun (Spanish)
Like many languages (but unlike Greek or Hebrew or English), Spanish uses a formal vs. informal second-person pronoun (a familiar vs. a respectful “you”). Spanish Bibles all use only the informal second-person pronoun (tú), with the exception of Dios Habla Hoy (third edition: 1996) which also uses the formal pronoun (usted). In the referenced verses, the formal form is used.
Sources and for more information: P. Ellingworth in The Bible Translator 2002, p. 143ff. and R. Ross in The Bible Translator 1993, p. 217ff. .
See also the use of the formal vs. the informal pronoun in the Gospels in Tuvan and 2nd person pronoun with high register.
complete verse (1 Samuel 25:25)
Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of 1 Samuel 25:25:
- Kupsabiny: “I am requesting you not to listen any longer to Nabal, that man is rude. His name itself shows that he is a foolish man. But now sir, I didn’t see those people whom you sent.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
- Newari: “Don’t you have any concern for that rogue of a man. Just as his name is Nabal, so he is — just like that. His name means ‘fool’ and his conduct is also just like that. But as for me, your servant, I did not see men my master sent.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
- Hiligaynon: “May-it-be that you (sing.) not pay-attention to the wicked Nabal. His name Nabal is- very -fitting for him, which means ‘a-little-foolish.’ Sir, I on-the-other-hand did- not at-all -see the men you (sing.) sent.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
- English: “Please do not pay attention to what this worthless man Nabal has said. His name means ‘fool’, and he surely is a foolish man. But I, who am willing to be your servant, did not see the messengers whom you sent to him.” (Source: Translation for Translators)
master (Japanese honorifics)
Click or tap here to see the rest of this insight.
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 using the formal title –sama. This is distinct from nominal titles such as “master.” This is evident from the forms such as go-shujin-sama (ご主人様) “master” or “lord” which is the combination of the nominal title shujin “master” with the honorific prefix go- and the suffix title –sama.
In some cases, it can also be used as go-shujin (ご主人), i.e. with the honorific prefix go- but without the suffix title –sama. You can find that in Genesis 23:6, 23:11, 23:15, 24:51, 39:8, 39:9, 44:8, 44:9; 1 Samuel 25:17; and 2 Kings 2:16 and 4:26.
(Source: S. E. Doi, see also S. E. Doi in Journal of Translation, 18/2022, p. 37ff. )
See also lords (Japanese honorifics).
Japanese benefactives (-naide)
Click or tap here to see the rest of this insight.
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 Japanese shows different degree of politeness is through the choice of a benefactive construction as shown here in the widely-used Japanese Shinkaiyaku (新改訳) Bible of 2017. Here, -naide (ないで) or “do not (for their sake)” is used in combination with kudasaru (くださる), a respectful form of the benefactive kureru (くれる). A benefactive reflects the good will of the giver or the gratitude of a recipient of the favor. To convey this connotation, English translation needs to employ a phrase such as “for me (my sake)” or “for you (your sake).”
(Source: S. E. Doi, see also S. E. Doi in Journal of Translation, 18/2022, p. 37ff. )
Translation commentary on 1 Samuel 25:25
Let not my lord regard: literally “Please let not my lord set his heart on.” The “heart” in Hebrew thought is the center of thinking and decision making. The element of politeness contained in the use of the expression my lord is reflected by the use of the word “please” in Good News Translation. “Please, sir” might be even better.
This ill-natured fellow: literally “this man of Belial.” See the comments on 1.16 and verse 17 above.
The Hebrew contains a play on words between the name Nabal and the word translated “folly.” This play on words may need to be explained in a footnote, if the words for as his name is, so is he are to make sense in the receptor language. The Hebrew word n-b-l means fool, but the word also seems to suggest some lack of moral uprightness. For this reason some versions translate with a term other than “fool.” Compare Revised English Bible (“He is just what his name Nabal means: ‘Churl’ is his name, and churlish his behavior”) and New Jerusalem Bible (“for his nature is like his name; ‘Brute’ is his name and brutal he is”). Fox gives the Hebrew name followed by a slash and the translation of the name, that is, “Naval/Vile-One.” In a footnote Fox states “In some other contexts it [Nabal] means ‘fool, foolish-one.’ A more colloquial translation might use contemporary ‘jerk’ or ‘idiot.’ ”
Did not see the young men: Abigail implies that she had not seen the servants at all, but since she eventually spoke to at least one of them later (verse 14), Good News Translation states this differently, saying only that “I wasn’t there when your servants arrived.” But the purpose of her statement is clearly to get David to put the blame on her.
The young men … whom you sent: that is, David’s servants. See verses 5-11.
Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on the First and Second Books of Samuel, Volume 1. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2001. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .
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