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.

complete verse (Philippians 2:18)

Following are a number of back-translations of Philippians 2:18:

  • Uma: “So also, I hope that [you] relatives give thanks and are glad together with me.” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
  • Yakan: “Likewise also if for example I die you should/ought-to be glad as I am.” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
  • Western Bukidnon Manobo: “And the same way also, you must be happy also about my death if that’s what happens to me.” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “And you also, you should be happy-with me.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Tagbanwa: “Well as for you, like that too, you be happy. Join in this happiness of mine.” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)
  • Tenango Otomi: “But you must rejoice just like I am rejoicing, do not be sad if I am killed.” (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. )

Japanese benefactives (yorokonde)

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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, yorokonde (喜んで) or “rejoice” 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 Philippians 2:18

In this verse the Philippian Christians are called upon to be happy about their sacrifice and to share their joy with the apostle. As there is a correspondence in sacrifice, so also there must be a correspondence in joy. Thus you too must be glad and share your joy with me. A perfect Christian comradeship!

In some languages one may be compelled to indicate the basis for gladness. And so it may be necessary to translate you too must be glad as “you, too, must be glad because of what is likely to happen,” or “… because of what will happen.” Similarly, share your joy with me must parallel the expression in verse 17, share my joy with you all. Accordingly, one may translate share your joy with me as “cause me to have joy as you do,” or “cause me to join with you in being happy.”

It may be difficult to speak of “sharing one’s joy” with others. The only way in which joy may be “shared” in some languages is to “cause others to be joyful.” Therefore, share my joy with you all must be rendered as “cause you all to have the same kind of joy that I have,” or “cause all of you to rejoice in some measure as I rejoice.”

Quoted with permission from Luo, I-Jin. and Nida, Eugene A. A Handbook on Paul’s Letter to the Philippians. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1977. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .