Mary (of Bethany)

The Greek that is transliterated as “Mary (of Bethany)” in English is translated in Spanish Sign Language with a signs for “woman” and “listen,” referring to Luke 10:39. (Source: Steve Parkhurst)


“Mary” in Spanish Sign Language, source: Sociedad Bíblica de España

For more information on translations of proper names with sign language see Sign Language Bible Translations Have Something to Say to Hearing Christians .

See also Martha and more on Bible Odyssey: Mary and Martha .

teacher

The Greek that is translated as “teacher” (also: “master”) in English is translated in the 1941 Yiddish by Einspruch as rebe (רֶבּי) or “Rabbi” in an effort to identify Jesus as a teacher of the Jews. (Source: Naomi Seidmann in Elliott / Boer 2012, p. 151ff.)

Likewise, a number of Hebrew translations, including the 2018 and 2020 editions by the The Bible Society in Israel also use “Rabbi” (רַבִּי).

See also rabbi.

respectful form of "come" (omie ni naru)

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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 of lexical honorific forms, i.e., completely different words, as shown here in the widely-used Japanese Shinkaiyaku (新改訳) Bible of 2017.

In these verses, omie ni naru (お見えになる), a respectful form of kuru (来る) or “come” is used. (Source: S. E. Doi, see also S. E. Doi in Journal of Translation, 18/2022, p. 37ff. )

addressing Jesus in Nepali

The various Greek terms that are translated as “Lord,” “teacher,” or “rabbi” in English are translated in the Simple Nepali Holy Bible (2008) as guru-jyuu (गुरुज्‍यू). Guru simply means “teacher” and the honorific suffix -jyuu is added to it. Instead of guru-jyuu one can also simply use guru, which does not sound impolite. However, guru-jyuu is more respectful and thus preferable. (Source: Chitra Chhetri in The Bible Translator 2009, p. 73ff. )

See also rabbi, teacher, and Lord.

complete verse (John 11:28)

Following are a number of back-translations of John 11:28:

  • Uma: “After Marta said that, she went home, called Maria, and whispered to her, she said to her: ‘There [out of sight] is Teacher, he wants to meet with you (sing.).'” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
  • Yakan: “When Marta had said this, she went to call her sibling, Mariyam and she whispered to her, she said, ‘The teacher is here and is looking for you.'” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
  • Western Bukidnon Manobo: “And after Martha said this, she went to get her sister Mary, and she whispered to her, ‘Jesus has come, and he sends for you.'” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “After that Marta returned to their home and she said to her younger-sibling in-a-whisper, ‘Maria, the Teacher is there and he is having-you (sing.) -called.'” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Tagbanwa: “When Marta had spoken, she returned to the house. She motioned to Maria then spoke quietly to her saying, ‘The Teacher has arrived now. He is causing you to go there.'” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)
  • Tenango Otomi: “After this was said, Martha went to summon her sister Mary. Softly she said to her, ‘The teacher is coming and he sent you word that he summons you.'” (Source: Tenango Otomi Back Translation)

younger sister (Lama)

The Greek that is translated as “sister” in English in the referenced verses is translated in Lama as rɨtɨwilu or “younger sister.” (Source: Neal Brinneman)

Honorary "rare" construct denoting God ("calling")

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 usage of an honorific construction where the morpheme rare (られ) is affixed on the verb as shown here in the widely-used Japanese Shinkaiyaku (新改訳) Bible of 2017. This is particularly done with verbs that have God as the agent to show a deep sense of reverence. Here, yondeo-rare-ru (呼んでおられる) or “calling” is used.

(Source: S. E. Doi, see also S. E. Doi in Journal of Translation, 18/2022, p. 37ff. )