The various Greek, Aramaic, Ge’ez, and Latin and Hebrew terms that are translated as “sea,” “ocean,” or “lake” in English are all translated in Chichewa with one term: nyanja. Malawi, where Chichewa is spoken, has a lot of lakes but does not share a border with the ocean. (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)
Translation commentary on Sirach 43:25
For in it are strange and marvelous works: Good News Translation “creatures” is better than works.
All kinds of living things, and huge creatures of the sea: An American Translation is more literal with “All kinds of living things, the whale creation.” By huge creatures, our author probably was referring to any kind of large sea animal.
An alternative model for this verse is:
• Strange and marvelous creatures live in the sea;
it is the world of gigantic sea animals, and all kinds of living things.
Quoted with permission from Bullard, Roger A. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on Sirach. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2008. For this and other handbooks for translators see here.
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