drink

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

formal 2nd person pronoun (Spanish)

Like many languages (but unlike Greek or Hebrew or English), Spanish uses a formal vs. informal second-person pronoun (a familiar vs. a respectful “you”). Spanish Bibles all use only the informal second-person pronoun (tú), with the exception of Dios Habla Hoy (third edition: 1996) which also uses the formal pronoun (usted). In the referenced verses, the formal form is used.

Sources and for more information: P. Ellingworth in The Bible Translator 2002, p. 143ff. and R. Ross in The Bible Translator 1993, p. 217ff. .

See also the use of the formal vs. the informal pronoun in the Gospels in Tuvan and 2nd person pronoun with high register.

complete verse (Genesis 24:18)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Genesis 24:18:

  • Kankanaey: “‘Yes indeed sir,’ she said. She quickly-lowered the jar from her shoulder so-that he had a way to drink.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Newari: “Then saying ‘Yes, Lord, have a drink.’ she gave him water to drink from the pitcher.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “Rebeka answered, ‘Okay/Sure sir, [you (sing.)] drink.’ She then lowered the jar and held (it) while the servant drank.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “She replied, ‘Drink some, sir!’ She lowered her jar from her shoulder to her hands and gave him a drink.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

master (Japanese honorifics)

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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 to do this is through the usage of appropriate suffix title referred to as keishō (敬称) as shown here in the widely-used Japanese Shinkaiyaku (新改訳) Bible of 2017 by using the formal title –sama. This is distinct from nominal titles such as “master.” This is evident from the forms such as go-shujin-sama (ご主人様) “master” or “lord” which is the combination of the nominal title shujin “master” with the honorific prefix go- and the suffix title –sama.

In some cases, it can also be used as go-shujin (ご主人), i.e. with the honorific prefix go- but without the suffix title –sama. You can find that in Genesis 23:6, 23:11, 23:15, 24:51, 39:8, 39:9, 44:8, 44:9; 1 Samuel 25:17; and 2 Kings 2:16 and 4:26.

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

See also lords (Japanese honorifics).

Japanese benefactives (onomi)

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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 benefactive construction as shown here in the widely-used Japanese Shinkaiyaku (新改訳) Bible of 2017.

Here, onomi (お飲み) or “drink” is used in combination with kudasaru (くださる), a respectful form of the benefactive kureru (くれる). A benefactive reflects the good will of the giver or the gratitude of a recipient of the favor. To convey this connotation, English translation needs to employ a phrase such as “for me (my sake)” or “for you (your sake).” (Source: S. E. Doi, see also S. E. Doi in Journal of Translation, 18/2022, p. 37ff. )

Translation commentary on Genesis 24:18

She said may need to be rendered “she answered.” The verb Rebekah uses is again Drink as in verse 14. Her response offers more than the servant’s polite request. My lord expresses in this context an address form of a young girl to an older man, in which respect is shown. See also 18.3; 19.2; 23.6, 11, 15. In some languages honorific address forms are accompanied by honorific particles and verb forms.

And she quickly let down her jar upon her hand: that is, she lowered the water jar from her shoulder and held it so that the servant could drink from it. See Good News Translation. The manner in which the servant drinks should be acceptable in the local language and culture. For example, it may be necessary to say “and poured some water into his cupped hands.”

Quoted with permission from Reyburn, William D. and Fry, Euan McG. A Handbook on Genesis. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1997. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .