The Hebrew and Greek that is transliterated as “Job” in English is translated in Spanish Sign Language with a sign for “patience,” referring to James 5:11 and many other passages within the book of Job. (Source: Steve Parkhurst)
The Hebrew, Ge’ez, and Greek that is translated as “listen” or “pay attention” or something similar in English is translated in the Contemporary Chichewa translation (2002/2016) with the idiom tcherani khutu, literally “you set ear.” (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)
Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Job 33:31:
Kupsabiny: “So now, Job, listen to the words that I am saying and be silent for me to speak.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
Newari: “Please listen, Job, listen [and] pay attention to my words. Keep quiet [and] I will speak. ” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
Hiligaynon: “Job, listen to me carefully. You (sing.) just keep-silent, and just let me speak.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
English: “‘Job, have you or anyone else ever said to God, ‘I have been punished for my sins, and I will not sin any more;” (Source: Translation for Translators)
Give heed, O Job, listen to me: Elihu likes to demand Job’s attention, which is no doubt lagging considerably by now!
Be silent, and I will speak shows how self-important Elihu considers himself, since Job has not uttered a sound since Elihu began in chapter 32.
Quoted with permission from Reyburn, Wiliam. A Handbook on Job. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1992. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .
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