sea / lake

The various Greek, Aramaic, 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 Wisdom 10:18

She brought them over the Red Sea, and led them through deep waters: Good News Translation shows how these two lines can be efficiently and effectively combined. The Hebrew Bible regularly uses the term “Sea of Reeds” for Red Sea. Good News Translation renders this as “Gulf of Suez” in the Old Testament (for example, Exo 10.19), which is the modern term for the western extension of the Red Sea separating Egypt from the Sinai Peninsula. We suggest that the translator use “Gulf of Suez” or “Sea of Reeds,” unless there is a strong tradition in the translator’s language for “Red Sea.”

Quoted with permission from Bullard, Roger A. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on The Wisdom of Solomon. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2004. For this and other handbooks for translators see here.