bear child / give birth

The Hebrew and Greek that is translated as “bear (a child)” or “give birth to” is translated in Mairasi as “go to the forest,” reflecting the traditional place of childbirth for Mairasi women. (Source: Enggavoter 2004)

In Spanish it is translated as dar a luz, literally “to give to light.” Likewise, in Portuguese (dar à luz) and Italian (dare alla luce). (Source: Mark Terwilliger)

See also in childbirth / travail and birth.

complete verse (Leviticus 12:5)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Leviticus 12:5:

  • Kupsabiny: “But if the child she got is a girl, the woman must stay unclean for fourteen days like during her days of the period. She must stay for sixty-six days until she can get out from her time of uncleanness.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “If that woman gives birth to a daughter, [she] will be unclean for 14 days, like when she is menstruating [lit.: when [she] is untouchable]. After that, 66 days later, only after she is purified will she become clean.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “If her child is a female/(girl), she is-to-be-considered dirty/unclean for/[lit. inside of] 14 days, just-like if she has her monthly- period. Because of continuous coming-out of her blood, she must-wait yet 66 days before she will-be-considered clean.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “If a woman gives birth to a daughter, she must be avoided for two weeks, like she must be avoided when she is menstruating each month. Then she must wait 66 days to be purified from the bleeding that occurred when her baby was born.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Leviticus 12:5

This verse corresponds to verses 2b and 4, where the birth of a male child is considered.

But: since there is a contrast between what happens after the birth of a son and the birth of a daughter, it is a good idea to include a transition word in the receptor language at this point. Several versions begin a new paragraph at this point to indicate that a different subject is being considered (Good News Translation, Bible en français courant, and New Jerusalem Bible).

A female child: literally “a female.” In many languages it will be more natural to use a term meaning “daughter,” as in Good News Translation.

Two weeks: this is the plural form of the same word translated in verse 2 as “seven days” or “a week.” The birth of a daughter required the doubling of the time period.

As in her menstruation: see verse 2. Here the comparison cannot be with the length of time, but only on the consequences of her uncleanness. For this reason it may be better to restructure as follows: “she is unclean as during her monthly period, but for twice as long (or, for two weeks, or, for fourteen days).”

For sixty-six days: this period is also twice as long as required after the birth of a son. Since it is in addition to the fourteen days already mentioned, it may be better to say “sixty-six more days,” as in Good News Translation.

Quoted with permission from Péter-Contesse, René and Ellington, John. A Handbook on Leviticus. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1990. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .