proverbs

The Hebrew that is rendered in English as “proverbs” (or “Proverbs” as the title of the book) is translated into Pökoot as ngötïnyö (or Ngötïnyö), which refers to use of figurative language that is used in such a way that things are being said in an indirect way. At the same time they communicate general wisdom. (Source: Gerrit van Steenbergen)

In the Tzeltal translation for the dialectal variant of Highland Tzeltal (Biblia Tzeltal yu’un Oxchuc soc Tenejapa, 2001), a term based on “head wisdom” is used. (See wisdom (Proverbs)).

In Literary Chinese and Mandarin Chinese use 箴言 / zhēnyán which means “motto” or “proverb,” but originally means “word of warning.” A number of other East Asian languages, including Japanese (箴言 / shingen), Korean (잠언), or Vietnamese (châm ngôn) use the same term. (Source: Zetzsche)

Translation commentary on Proverbs 26:7

This saying continues the theme of things that are not fitting or not appropriate. It is linked in thought to verse 9. A proverb in the mouth of a fool is inappropriate.

“Like a lame man’s legs, which hang useless”: The text of “a lame man” is rated as “A” by Hebrew Old Testament Text Project. The word that Revised Standard Version renders “hang useless” (New Revised Standard Version, New International Version “hang limp”) is rated as “C” and may mean “to be weak” or “to dangle.” Hebrew Old Testament Text Project’s recommended translations for this line are “as the legs of a cripple are too weak to use” or “as the legs dangle from a cripple.”

“Is a proverb in the mouth of fools”: The sense here is that a proverb or saying spoken by a fool is as useless as the crippled person’s legs. In other words a proverb spoken by a fool has no effect; it can accomplish nothing. Good News Translation makes the comparison effective with “. . . can use . . . about as well. . ..” Revised English Bible says “A proverb in the mouth of fools dangles helpless as the legs of the lame.” Another way of expressing the saying is “If a fool tries to speak a good-sounding talk, he can’t, just as a man with a crippled leg can’t walk.”

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 26:7)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Proverbs 26:7:

  • Kupsabiny: “If/When a foolish person has used a proverb,
    it is like a lame person has stood up to walk.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “For a fool to tell a proverb
    is like a cripple trying to run.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “A proverb which the fool-ones are-saying has no value like a foot of a lame man.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “The advice of a foolish-person is like a leg that is lame that hangs-limply.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • English: “A lame man cannot use his legs,
    and similarly it is useless for a foolish person to speak proverbs/wise sayings.” (Source: Translation for Translators)