Language-specific Insights

peace (inner peace)

The Hebrew and Greek that is usually translated into English as “peace,” when referring to one’s inner peace, is (back-) translated with a variety of idioms and phrases:

In American Sign Language it is signed with a compound sign consisting of “become” and “silent.” (Source: Yates 2011, p. 52)


“Peace” in American Sign Language (source )

See also peace (absence of strife) and this devotion on YouVersion and this one on Bible Gateway .

sky shall be bronze

The Hebrew in Deuteronomy 28:23 that is translated as “the sky shall be bronze” or similar in English is translated in Kutu as “the sky will be clean.” “The image is that there will not be a cloud at all in the sky as if it has been cleaned and therefore no rain.” (Source: Pioneer Bible Translators project-specific translation notes in Paratext)

shall not depart out of your mouth

The Hebrew that is translated as “shall not depart out of your mouth” or similar in English is translated in Kutu as “don’t stop to speak.” (Source: Pioneer Bible Translators, project-specific translation notes in Paratext)

weakness

The Kutu translation uses the ideophone debwee to emphasize weakness. (Source: Pioneer Bible Translators, project-specific translation notes in Paratext)

Philip Noss (in The Bible Translator 1976, p. 100ff. ) explains the function of an ideophone: “The ideophone may be identified with onomatopoeia and other sound words frequently seen in French and English comic strips, but in [many] African languages it comprises a class of words with a very wide range of meaning and usage. They may function verbally, substantively, or in a modifying role similar to adverbs and adjectives. They describe anything that may be experienced: action, sound, color, quality, smell, or emotion. In oral literature they are used not only with great frequency but also with great creativity.”

lie down

The Hebrew in Ruth 3:7 that is translated as “lie down” or similar in English is translated in Kutu as kawasa or “sleep” which is used as a euphemism for sex. (Source: Pioneer Bible Translators, project-specific translation notes in Paratext)

house for my name

The Hebrew in 1 Kings 8:19 that is translated as “house for my name” or similar in English is translated in Kutu as “house for the sake of my name.” (Source: Pioneer Bible Translators, project-specific translation notes in Paratext)

let me inherit a double share of your spirit

The Hebrew in 2 Kings 2:9 that is translated as “let me inherit a double share of your spirit” or similar in English is translated in Kutu as “give me a great portion of your spirit.” (Source: Pioneer Bible Translators, project-specific translation notes in Paratext)

but his army fled home

The Hebrew in 2 Kings 8:21 that is translated as “but his army fled home” or similar in English is translated in Kutu as “so that he and his soldiers they could run to their homes.” (Source: Pioneer Bible Translators, project-specific translation notes in Paratext)