perplexed

The Greek that is translated as “perplexed” or similar in English is translated in Noongar is translated as dwangka-birgi or “ear-sore” (source: Warda-Kwabba Luke-Ang).

In Elhomwe it is idiomatically translated as “to be silent.” (Source: project-specific translation notes in Paratext)

See also perplexed / puzzled, troubled / perplexed, or perplexed.

complete verse (Galatians 4:20)

Following are a number of back-translations of Galatians 4:20:

  • Uma: “I really want to be there with you, relatives, so that I can change my harsh words. Because I am at a loss as to what to do [lit., my heart is dead-ended] at this time, relatives.” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
  • Yakan: “If only I were there with you now! I would talk with you face-to-face because I am really troubled/worried about you.” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
  • Western Bukidnon Manobo: “I wish that I were there with you so that I could talk to you. I don’t know what’s good to write to you because I am very much worried about you.” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “I wish I were there koma so we could converse-together, because I admittedly don’t know what the right-thing is for me to do with/to you.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Tagbanwa: “I desire very much to be in your presence, so that I can assure you of the truth, that I would no longer need to speak severely/heavily. Because my head is really troubled because of you.” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)
  • Tenango Otomi: “I very much want to be there where you are in order that we could talk together so that I could see how to apply the word I tell you. Because now I really don’t know what to do about you.” (Source: Tenango Otomi Back Translation)

formal 2nd person plural pronoun (Japanese)

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Like a number of other East Asian languages, Japanese uses a complex system of honorifics, i.e. a system where a number of different levels of politeness are expressed in language via words, word forms or grammatical constructs. These can range from addressing someone or referring to someone with contempt (very informal) to expressing the highest level of reference (as used in addressing or referring to God) or any number of levels in-between.

One way Japanese shows different degree of politeness is through the choice of a formal plural suffix to the second person pronoun (“you” and its various forms) as shown here in the widely-used Japanese Shinkaiyaku (新改訳) Bible of 2017. In these verses, anata-gata (あなたがた) is used, combining the second person pronoun anata and the plural suffix -gata to create a formal plural pronoun (“you” [plural] in English).

(Source: S. E. Doi, see also S. E. Doi in Journal of Translation, 18/2022, p. 37ff. )

Translation commentary on Galatians 4:20

Paul ends this section with an expression of a desire to be with the Galatians at their moment of distress. How I wish I were with you now expresses Paul’s strong desire, at the same time indicating that at the moment the impossibility of its fulfillment. He does not say, however, why he cannot be with them. Such a strong desire or wish may be expressed in some languages as “I want very much to be with you now,” or “I desire with all my heart to be where you are now.”

If he were present, Paul could take a different attitude toward them (literally, “to change my tone,” Revised Standard Version). Several things should be noted. First, it is not that Paul regrets what he has just said, but the way he had to say it. Secondly, the wished-for change of attitude should be understood as from a severe to a gentle attitude, and not vice versa. Finally, the change has reference to the manner of speech which dominates his letter or which he had when he told them the truth (verse 16), and not to that in the immediately preceding verses, in which he has spoken with affection and tenderness. It is often rather difficult to speak of “taking a different attitude toward someone.” What is evidently uppermost in Paul’s mind is the possibility of showing by his speech his true feelings about the Galatians. The purpose of Paul’s desiring to be with them may in some cases be expressed as “so that I could show you by my speech how I really feel toward you.” “… by a change in my language how I feel toward you,” or “… by talking face to face with you….”

Finally, we can picture Paul, with a deep sigh, crying out I am so worried about you. The verb means “to be at a loss” or “to be disturbed,” meanings reflected in some translations (Phillips “I honestly don’t know how to deal with you”; Jerusalem Bible “I have no idea what to do for the best”; New American Bible “you have me at a complete loss!”; New English Bible “I am at my wits’ end about you”; Knox “I am bewildered at you”). It is not the same verb which Good News Translation translates “to be worried” in verse 11, where Paul’s worry is characterized by fear. Here it is perhaps characterized by his feeling of doubt or helplessness.

Quoted with permission from Arichea, Daniel C. and Nida, Eugene A. A Handbook on Paul’s Letter to the Galatians. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1976. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .

SIL Translator’s Notes on Galatians 4:20

4:20a

how I wish I could be with you now: In this clause Paul stated that he wished that he could talk to the Galatians face to face. He wanted personal interaction with them.

Some other ways to translate this clause are:

I would like to be with you now
-or-
I desire to be there with you now ?so that we could talk together?

and change my tone: The Greek clause that the Berean Standard Bible translates as change my tone means that Paul wished that he could change the way in which he was writing/talking to them. He wanted to change from being harsh to being more gentle.

Some other ways to translate this clause are:

and could change the way I am talking to you (New Century Version)
-or-
so that I could be more gentle with you (New Living Translation (1996))

4:20b

because: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as because indicates that 4:20b is the reason for 4:20a. Paul wanted to be with the Galatians, for/because he was perplexed about them.

In some languages, it will be more natural to state the reason first. For example:

b I am perplexed about you, a ?so? I wish I could be present with you now…

I am perplexed about you: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as am perplexed means that Paul was “very puzzled” or “uncertain.” He was puzzled because the Galatians had accepted obedience to the law.

Some other ways to translate this clause are:

because I do not know what to think about you (New Century Version)
-or-
I’m completely puzzled by what you’ve done! (God’s Word)
-or-
I am so worried about you! (Good News Translation)

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