The Hebrew that is transliterated as “Samson” in English is translated in Spanish Sign Language with the signs for “headband” referring to his long hair and likely use of a headband. (Source: Steve Parkhurst)
The Hebrew that is typically translated in English as “power” or “might” or “force” is translated in the English translation by Goldingay (2018) as energy or energetic.
Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Judges 16:6:
Kupsabiny: “Delilah said to Samson, ‘Tell me how you get this amazing strength and how you can be tied so that you cannot get loose.’” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
Newari: “So Delilah said to Samson — " Please tell me what makes you so strong, from what you have your strength and how you could be bound up and subdued."” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
Hiligaynon: “So Delila asked Samson. She said, ‘Tell me the secret why you (sing.) are very strong. And for-example, if someone ties or captures you (sing.) how he would-do it?’” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
English: “So Delilah said to Samson, ‘Please tell me what makes you so strong, and tell me how someone can subdue you and tie you up.’” (Source: Translation for Translators)
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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 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, oshiete (教えて) or “inform” 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).”
And Delilah said to Samson: Since the main characters are renamed at this point, many languages will begin a new paragraph here (Good News Translation, Contemporary English Version). Delilah reacts to what the Philistine leaders have offered, so the Hebrew waw conjunction rendered And may be translated “So” (New Revised Standard Version, Good News Translation). The briefness of this account may imply she does not protest, but accepts their bargain immediately.
Please tell me: Please renders the Hebrew politeness particle naʾ. Here it carries a strong pleading or begging tone that translators should try to convey. The Hebrew verb for tell (nagad) is the same one used in the episode of Samson’s riddle (verse 14.10-20).
Wherein your great strength lies, and how you might be bound, that one could subdue you repeats the words in verse 16.5. See the comments there. Delilah repeats the words of the Philistine leaders, only omitting the clause “we may overpower him.” In some languages the passive construction how you might be bound will be expressed as an active one: “what someone has to do to be able to tie you up.”
A translation model for this verse is:
• So Delilah said to Samson, “Please tell me what makes you so strong, so that someone would be able to tie you up and control you.”
Quoted with permission from Zogbo, Lynell and Ogden, Graham S. A Handbook on Judges. (UBS Helps for Translators). Miami: UBS, 2019. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .
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