The Greek, Hebrew, Aramaic and Latin that is translated as “justice” in English is translated in American Sign Language with a sign that describes the quality or principle of fairness, righteousness, and impartiality in treating other people. A literal back-translation of the signs are “FOLLOW(God is implied) ACTIONS, DECISIONS JUST-RIGHT”. A more idiomatic back-translation would be: “actions and decisions are right/fitting/just in accordance to God’s will.” The movement in the signs itself helps to indicate that this is a noun, not a verb. (Source: Ruth Anna Spooner, Ron Lawer)
“Justice” in American Sign Language, source: Deaf Harbor
Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Psalm 140:12:
Chichewa Contempary Chichewa translation, 2002/2016:
“I know that Jehovah gives righteous judgment to poor people,
and he protects the goals of needy people.” (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)
Newari:
“O LORD, I know that You take sides
with those caught by trouble
and who do not have enough,
and You give them justice.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
Hiligaynon:
“LORD, I know that you (sing.) protect the rights of the lowly-ones;
you (sing.) give the poor/needy justice.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
Laarim:
“I know that the LORD judges the poor in a good way,
and he cares for people who are suffering.” (Source: Laarim Back Translation)
Nyakyusa-Ngonde (back-translation into Swahili):
“Ninajua kuwa BWANA Mungu,
anawatetea wadhaifu mahakamani,
maskini anawatetea kwa haki.” (Source: Nyakyusa Back Translation)
English:
“Yahweh, I know that you defend those who are oppressed,
and that you do what is just/ fair for those who are needy/poor.” (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 usage of an honorific construction where the morpheme are (され) 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, okonaw-are-ru (行われる) or “do/perform” is used.
The psalm closes with a statement of trust and confidence: Yahweh protects the poor and needy, and those who obey him will enjoy fullness of life.
The language of verse 12 is familiar: for maintains the cause see 9.4. Line b has no separate verb; the verb in line a carries over into line b (see Good News Translation “and the rights of the needy”). “The rights” translates the word usually represented by justice (see “judgment” and comments, 7.6). For the two synonymous words the afflicted and the needy, see 9.12; 35.10. Good News Translation uses the second person of direct address in verse 12, to make it consistent with verse 13.
In verse 13a Good News Translation “you” represents “your name” (see 5.11); the two terms the righteous and the upright are synonymous, describing those who are faithful to Yahweh and always obey his commands.
For dwell in thy presence, see similar language in 11.7; 16.11; 31.20. The thought may be of the care and protection of God in this life, or else of life after death (so Dahood).
Quoted with permission from Bratcher, Robert G. and Reyburn, William D. A Handbook on the Book of Psalms. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1991. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .
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