happiness / joy

The Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek that is typically translated in English as “joy” or “happiness” is translated in the Hausa Common Language Bible idiomatically as farin ciki or “white stomach.” In some cases, such as in Genesis 29:11, it is also added for emphatic purposes.

Other languages that use the same expression include Southern Birifor (pʋpɛl), Dera (popolok awo), Reshe (ɾipo ɾipuhã). (Source: Andy Warren-Rothlin)

See also Seat of the Mind / Seat of Emotions, rejoiced greatly / celebrated, the Mossi translation of “righteous”, and joy.

drink

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

complete verse (Nehemiah 8:12)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Nehemiah 8:12:

  • Kupsabiny: “There and then, people went to have celebrations of wonder/amazement. They ate good/nice food and they drank, and also gave to other people who did not have food because they had heard the words of God and had known/understood what those words showed.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “So all the people went-away in-order-to eat and drink and give food to others. They celebrated with great joy because they understood the messages of God which were read to them.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “And-so all the people went-home to go be-happy to eat and drink. They also gave-to their companions. Extreme was their happiness, because they had understood what they heard that was read-aloud.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • English: “So the people went away, and they ate and drank, and they sent portions of food to those who did not have any. They celebrated very joyfully, because they had heard and understood what had been read to them.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Nehemiah 8:12

The Hebrew verb rendered went their way (see verse 10 above) simply means “to go away,” and this may be rendered in various ways in English. Good News Translation says “went home,” New International Version translates “went away,” while New Jerusalem Bible says “went off.”

To make great rejoicing: The emphasis in Hebrew here is on the theme of great joy. Revised Standard Version translates very literally, while New International Version renders it in more idiomatic language: “to celebrate with great joy” (similarly Revised English Bible). New Jerusalem Bible renders it “enjoy themselves to the full.” Good News Translation “joyfully” and Jerusalem Bible “began to enjoy themselves” do not fully reflect the strong emphasis of the Hebrew expression.

They had understood the words that were declared to them means that the people discerned the significance of what they had heard and been taught. Were declared is literally “they declared,” which refers to what Ezra and the Levites had spoken.

Quoted with permission from Noss, Philip A. and Thomas, Kenneth J. A Handbook on Nehemiah. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2005. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .