wisdom ("heart wisdom")

In the Tzeltal translation for the dialectal variant of Highland Tzeltal (Biblia Tzeltal yu’un Oxchuc soc Tenejapa, 2001) the translation team used three different words to translate the Hebrew term that is translated as “wisdom” or “wise” in English. For the verses referenced here, it uses p’ijil-o’tanil or “heart wisdom.”

For the complete story and more background, please see wisdom (Proverbs).

Translation commentary on Proverbs 16:21

“The wise of heart” “is called a man of discernment”: “The wise of heart” refers to someone who is wise in their mind, that is, a mature person capable of good judgment. In some languages such a person is referred to as “a person with a ripe liver” or “a person whose heart is right.” “Wise of heart” and “man of discernment” have about the same meaning, and so some interpreters find this line to be awkward. “Man of discernment” is rendered “man of understanding” in 1.5. See there for comments. It is probably best to take “is called” to be equivalent to “is” and so understand that “The wise of heart” is a person of understanding; or we may say, for example, “A person of mature judgment has understanding.” See Good News Translation.

“And pleasant speech increases persuasiveness”: “Pleasant speech” is literally “sweetness of the lips” and refers to the kind of speech that influences other persons’ behavior. Translators must be careful in the literal use of this image, since in other languages it often means “deceitful talk” or “seductive speech.” “Increases persuasiveness” renders a phrase used in 1.5 to mean “adds to knowledge” (Good News Translation). See also 9.9. In this verse the “pleasant speech”, that is, the artfulness of his talk, its beauty, makes a person’s arguments more convincing. In some languages this line must be adjusted to say, for example, “and if his speech is pleasant to hear, people will agree with what he says,” or “. . . people will say ‘yes’ to what he says.”

Quoted with permission from Reyburn, William D. and Fry, Euan McG. A Handbook on Proverbs. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2000. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .

complete verse (Proverbs 16:21)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Proverbs 16:21:

  • Kupsabiny: “People who have understanding are known to be wise/have wisdom
    and their words corrects/brings people back.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “A wise man can be recognized by his thoughts.
    Gently spoken words can draw the heart.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “A wise man is-acknowledged who has a right understanding, and if he is good in speaking others can-learn from him.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “If the way you (sing.) decide-(something) is right/correct, that is the evidence of your (sing.) wiseness. If the way you (sing.) speak is good/nice, many will-be-taught.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • English: “People say that those who are wise learn what is right/good behavior,
    and those who talk pleasantly are able to influence others to do what is right.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Proverbs 16:21

16:21

There are no parallel pairs. The connection between the two lines is not explicit.

21a The wise in heart are called discerning,

21b and pleasant speech promotes instruction.

It may be implied that the second line causes the result in the first line. A wise person effectively uses words to instruct others. As a result, he will gain a reputation for being discerning.

16:21a

The wise in heart are called discerning: This line means that people who are wise will gain a reputation for being intelligent. Another way to express the same meaning is that their fellowmen will recognize or acknowledge them as sensible individuals. For example:

The wise are known for their understanding (New Century Version)

wise in heart: The term wise in heart means the same as “wise.”

discerning: The discerning are people who are intelligent, perceptive and sensible.

16:21b

and pleasant speech: The Berean Standard Bible translation pleasant speech accurately expresses the meaning of the literal expression “sweetness of lips.” Be careful not to translate this expression in a way that might imply insincerity or flattery.

promotes instruction: The phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as promotes instruction is literally “increase learning/teaching” or “increase persuasiveness.”

The whole line indicates that a wise person who speaks in a pleasing way increases his effectiveness and persuasiveness as a teacher. At the same time he increases the learning ability of his listeners. When you translate this line, you may focus on any of these aspects of meaning. For example:

Their pleasant words make them better teachers. (New Century Version)
-or-
and speaking sweetly helps others learn (God’s Word)
-or-
The more pleasant his words, the more persuasive he is. (Good News Translation)

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