Derbe

The name that is transliterated as “Derbe” in English is translated in Libras (Brazilian Sign Language) with a sign that combines the signs for “small region” and “salvation,” because of the successful reception Paul’s message had in Derbe (see Acts 14:21). (Source: Missão Kophós )


“Derbe” in Libras (source )

More information about Derbe .

For more information on translations of proper names with sign language see Sign Language Bible Translations Have Something to Say to Hearing Christians .

complete verse (Acts 14:6)

Following are a number of back-translations of Acts 14:6:

  • Uma: “But in fact Paulus and Barnabas knew of that intention of theirs. That is why they fled to the land of Likaonia, and they dwelt there near the towns of Listra and Derbe.” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
  • Yakan: “When Paul and company knew this, they both fled to the place Likaona. When they were there, they went to the city of Listara and to the city of Derbe and including the surrounding places,” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
  • Western Bukidnon Manobo: “And when Paul and company heard about this, they ran away to the towns of Derbe and Lystra and the neighboring towns there in the province of Lycaonia.” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “When the apostles found-out, they escaped to Listra and to Derbe and to the neighboring towns in the region of Licaonia.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Tagbanwa: “But Pablo-and-companion happened to hear about what they had agreed together about. Without anything further, they left, and went to Listra and Derbe, cities in the district of Licaonia. Even places round about, they reached them also,” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)

Lystra

The name that is transliterated as “Lystra” in English is translated in Libras (Brazilian Sign Language) with a combinations of rock (the city is close to or on top of a hill) and a depiction or “refuge” (the city and/or the surroundings were used as a place of refuge). (Source: Missão Kophós )


“Lystra” in Libras (source )

More information on Lystra .

Translation commentary on Acts 14:6

Once again the subject “they” must be made explicit for the sake of clarity, the apostles.

Learned about translates a verb which means “to become aware of or to realize (certain obscure information).” Fled translates a verb meaning “to flee for safety.” The verse suggests that the sudden trip to Lystra and Derbe was not within the original plans of the apostles but that they had to hasten there in order to escape with their lives.

Lystra was about 18 miles southwest of Iconium and held the rank of a Roman colony. Derbe was a frontier city of the province of Galatia, though its exact location has not been established. According to some it was about 30 miles southeast of Lystra. Lycaonia was a district in the Roman province of Galatia.

In some languages there is a problem involved in translating fled to Lystra and Derbe … and to the surrounding territory. It is all right for people to flee to a particular town, but to flee to towns possibly 30 miles apart, and also to the surrounding territory, may seem strange indeed. In some languages the appropriate equivalent is “fled to a territory which included Lystra and Derbe which were cities in Lycaonia.” This would suggest, therefore, that the apostles were relatively free to move about within this territory rather than fleeing first to Lystra, then to Derbe, and on to the surrounding territory. The difficulty with this type of rendering is that in verse 8 the narrative continues in Lystra.

Quoted with permission from Newman, Barclay M. and Nida, Eugene A. A Handbook on The Acts of the Apostles. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1972. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .