The Greek in Acts 14:5 that is translated into English as “mistreat them and stone them” or something similar is is translated in Quetzaltepec Mixe with the existing idiomatic expression “whip and stone.”
Language-specific Insights
on a cushion
The Greek in Mark 4:38 that is translated as “on a cushion” in English had to be more specific in Quetzaltepec Mixe and is translated as “with his head on the cushion.”
“Cushion” is translated in Acoli as laten-wic and in Lango as aten wic, both meaning “head support” or “pillow.” (Source: Mildred Brown in The Bible Translator 1960, p. 31ff. )
bind (him)
The Greek that is translated as “bind” or “bound” in English cannot be translated in some languages without specifying what is bound. In Quetzaltepec Mixe it says “bound him by the hands.”
serve
The Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek that is typically translated in English as “serve,” “minister,” “walk with,” or “service” is translated in Igede as myị ẹrụ or “agree with message (of the one you’re serving).” (source: Andy Warren-Rothlin)
In Quetzaltepec Mixe, “serve” is translated as “obey.” (Source: Robert Bascom)
old (commandment)
The Greek in 1 John 2:7 that is translated as “old (commandment)” in English is translated in Quetzaltepec Mixe as “this is not the first time this commandment has been told to you…” because “old” has the connotation of “obsolete.”
established, instituted, put in place
The Greek in Romans 13:1 that is translated as “instituted (or: put in place, established) by God” is translated in Quetzaltepec Mixe as “permitted by God” (since to say that God placed them there would mean he is in favor of whatever they do, no matter how unjust.)
fast (Luke 5:33)
The Greek word that is translated as “fast” in English is translated in Quetzaltepec Mixe as “fast and do not drink” in Luke 5:33 to correspond to the second part of the verse which says (in English) “but your disciples eat and drink.”
See fast (verb).
stand over
The Greek that is translated as “stood over her” is translated in Quetzaltepec Mixe as “approached her” since leaning over her would be culturally inappropriate.