bread, loaf

The Greek term that is translated in English as “bread” or “loaf” is translated in Samo, it is translated as “Sago,” which serves “like ‘bread’ for the Hebrews, as a generic for food in the Samo language. It is a near-perfect metonymy that has all the semantic elements necessary for effective communication.” (Source: Daniel Shaw in Scriptura 96/2007, p. 501ff.)

In Chol it is translated as waj, the equivalent of a tortilla. (Click or tap here to see the rest of this insight)

John Beekman (in The Bible Translator 1962, p. 180f. ) explains: “The word ‘bread’ in Scripture primarily occurs as either a specific term for bread (including the Lord’s Supper), or as a generic term for food. It is not surprising, however, the some aboriginal groups use something other than bread as the staff of life. The Chols, with their cultural focus in the cultivation of corn, use waj, a type of thin corn flake. Since a meal is not complete without this main item of food, the term has been extended to include any other foods which may be served along with waj. While bread is known to them, its use is limited to a few occasions during the year when it functions as a dessert. In translating this term in the Chol New Testament, consistent use has been made of the word waj whenever the function of bread as a basic food was in focus. John 6:35, “I am the bread of life,” was thus translated with this word. If the word for bread had been used, it was feared that the Chol would compare Christ to the desirable, but not absolutely necessary, dessert.”

Robert Bascom adds his thoughts to this in relation to other Mayan languages (in Omanson 2001, p. 260): “In many Mayan languages, ‘bread’ can be translated waj or kaxlan waj. The first term literally means anything made from corn meal, while the second term literally means ‘foreigner’s waj,’ and refers to the local wheat-based sweet breads which are so popular within the broader European-influenced culture of the region. On the one hand, waj would be a better dynamic equivalent in cases where ‘bread’ meant ‘food,’ but in cases where the focus is literal or the reference well-known, kaxlan waj would preserve a flour-based meaning (though in biblical times barley was more in use than wheat) and not insert corn into a time and place where it does not belong. On the other hand kaxlan waj is not the staff of life, but refers to a local delicacy. In cases such as these, it is even tempting to suggest borrowing pan, the Spanish word for ‘bread,’ but native speakers might respond that borrowing a foreign word is not necessary since both waj and kaxlan waj are native terms that cover the meaning (though in this case, perhaps not all that well).”

In Mairasi it is translated bread tubers. Tubers are the main food staple and are therefore synonymous with food. (Source: Enggavoter 2004). In Yagaria, Kâteand Yabem it is translated as “taro cake.” (Source: Renck, p. 101)

cup

The Hebrew, Greek, and Latin that is translated as “cup” in English is translated in Sar with “calabash” (see here ) (source: Ngarbolnan Riminan in Le Sycomore 2000, p. 20ff. ) and in Bariai with “coconut shell” (source: Bariai Back Translation)

drink

In Telugu different verbs for humans drinking (tāgu / తాగు) and animals drinking (cēḍu / చేడు) are required.

complete verse (1 Corinthians 11:28)

Following are a number of back-translations of 1 Corinthians 11:28:

  • Uma: “So, every person must examine his own behavior first, and only then should he eat that bread and drink that wine.” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
  • Yakan: “Therefore when you gather to eat and drink for remembering Isa Almasi you should first each one think about what you have done then you can eat and drink.” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
  • Western Bukidnon Manobo: “That’s why each one must check up on his own breath, to see whether his faith in the death of Jesus is true or not; and then it is possible that he eat and drink.” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “Therefore what each one ought to do-first is to (mentally)-examine himself as to whether his thoughts are correct so that after that he will join in eating-together and drinking-together.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Tagbanwa: “Therefore be careful how you eat the bread and drink the drink which is the remembrance of the Lord’s death.” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)
  • Tenango Otomi: “Therefore now, each one of you consider your thoughts before you eat the Holy Supper.” (Source: Tenango Otomi Back Translation)

Translation commentary on 1 Corinthians 11:28

This verse is closely connected with verse 27, about which see the comments.

The word translated examine is related to the adjective in verse 19 translated “genuine” and has a similar meaning: “check whether all is right.” To “test oneself,” as in Revised English Bible, Moffatt, and Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch, is perhaps too narrow, as it suggests just one particular test. Some languages may have to say something like “look carefully into the heart,” in order to avoid the idea of a physical examination.

And so: the so is emphatic, implying “and only when he has examined himself.” This meaning is made explicit by Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch, “… before he eats the bread”; Parola Del Signore: La Bibbia in Lingua Corrente says “Each one therefore should first examine himself, and then eat…”; and Revised English Bible, “everyone must test himself before eating from the bread….”

Quoted with permission from Ellingworth, Paul and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians, 2nd edition. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1985/1994. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .