brother (older brother)

The Greek and Hebrew that is translated as “brother” in English is translated in Kwere as sekulu, in Elhomwe as mbalaawo´, and in Mandarin Chinese as gēgē (哥哥), all “older brother.”

Note that Kwere also uses lumbu — “older sibling” in some cases. (Source for Kwere and Elhomwe: Pioneer Bible Translators, project-specific translation notes in Paratext; Chinese: Jost Zetzsche)

In Lama it is translated as “older or younger brother.” (Source: Neal Brinneman)

See also older brother (Japanese honorifics).

complete verse (2 Samuel 13:12)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of 2 Samuel 13:12:

  • Kupsabiny: “Then Tamar said that, ‘Oh! My sibling! No! A thing like that should not be done in Israel. Do not do a wicked/shameful thing like that.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “But Tamar replied, "It’s not OK, my brother, don’t disgrace me. It is not OK to do that kind of thing in Israel. Don’t do a bad thing like that to me.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “Tamar said to him, ‘Do- not -force/rape me! We (incl.) are siblings! Do not do this shameful thing to me. This should- not -happen in Israel.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “She replied, ‘No, do not force me to do such a disgraceful thing! We never do things like that in Israel! That would be awful/terrible!” (Source: Translation for Translators)

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 2 Samuel 13:12

My brother: again Good News Translation drops the reference to kinship, but this is not recommended to translators in most situations. The whole point of Tamar’s response is that their kinship makes sexual relations between them unthinkable. In some languages it may even be wise to say “No, you are my brother!”

Do not force me: the verb used here is repeated three more times in this story (verses 14, 22, and 32). In the form in which it occurs here, it means “to oppress,” “to humble,” and “to abuse” or “to rape.” In the later verses it is often translated “raped” where it occurs in the past tense. In some languages “do not rape me” may be a fitting translation here. Other versions, however, focus on the shame that results from such an action: “do not shame me” (New American Bible); “do not dishonour me” (Revised English Bible); and “do not humiliate me” (Anderson). Either interpretation is an acceptable choice.

For such a thing is not done in Israel: the connecting word for indicates that Tamar is giving the reason for her refusal. The people of Israel distinguished themselves from their Canaanite neighbors, who took incestuous relationships less seriously. Good News Translation cannot be recommended as a model here, because it does not make clear that the people of Israel have standards different from other people. These words may be restated as “That is a serious crime (or, offense) in Israel” (Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch). Compare Gen 34.7 and Deut 17.4.

Wanton folly: the Hebrew navalah translated by these two words normally carries the idea of foolishness, but recent studies have shown that such a translation may be too weak. The word refers to a violation of basic principles of society and is often used of wrong behavior related to sex. Prostitution (Deut 22.14), homosexuality (Judges 19.23), rape (Judges 20.5-10), and adultery (Jer 29.23) are all considered folly in this sense. Compare also the comments on 1 Sam 25.25, where there is a play on words between the name Nabal and the word here translated wanton folly. The term may be better rendered “anything so disgraceful” (New Jerusalem Bible), “wicked thing” (New International Version), or “outrage.”

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on the First and Second Books of Samuel, Volume 2. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2001. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .