The Hebrew and Greek that is translated as “concubine” in English is translated in Kutu as “slave made to be his woman” or “female slave he married” and similarly in Makonde, “a slave who is/was a wife.”
In Kwere it is translated as “small wife.” This is the term for subsequent wives when polygamy is practiced among the Kwere. While they enjoy most of the same rights and privileges as the first wife, their status is not necessarily the same. In Kalanga it is likewise translated with balongwana or “small wife.” (Source for all: project-specific notes in Paratext)
In Newari it is translated as “illegitimate wife” (source: Newari Back Translation).
Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Judges 8:31:
Kupsabiny: “There was also a co-wife in Shechem who had born a son to/for him. Gideon gave that son the name Abimelech.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
Newari: “He also had a son from his concubine who lived in Shechem. He named him Abimelech.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
Hiligaynon: “He also had a wife who was a slave/servant there at Shekem and they had a son whom he named Abimelec.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
English: “He also had a slave wife in Shechem town, who bore him a son whom he named Abimelech.” (Source: Translation for Translators)
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.