discharge

The Hebrew that is translated as “discharge” or similar in English is translated in Kalanga with tjigwele, a term that refers to sexually transmitted diseases. (Source: project-specific notes in Paratext)

In Kwere, the term ufila is used which implies pus (source: Pioneer Bible Translators, project-specific translation notes in Paratext) and in Newari it is translated as “disease of the semen.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)

complete verse (Leviticus 15:9)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Leviticus 15:9:

  • Kupsabiny: “Anything that person who is dripping has sat on while riding an animal is unclean.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “Everything on which the man sits when riding.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “Anything which this person sits-on, just-like the-place-where-(someone)-sits when riding a horse, will-become dirty/unclean. The one who-touches this thing he must launder his clothes and bathe, but he is- still -to-be-considered dirty/unclean until (it) becomes-twilight/dusk.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “‘Everything that a man who has such a discharge of fluid sits on while he is riding a horse or a donkey should not be touched,” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Leviticus 15:9

Saddle: in some languages there may be no such technical term. In any case, a more general statement such as “Everything on which the man sits when riding” (New English Bible) is probably better. The word may refer to a saddle, or a cloth or the seat of a chariot.

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 .