The Hebrew that is translated as “I threw it into the fire, and out came this calf” or similar in English is translated in Chitonga as “Then I put it in the fire and — lo and behold this calf here!”
Wendland (1987, p. 137) explains: “When Moses confronts Aaron concerning the golden calf incident, the latter attempts to excuse himself by pleading ignorance, while he attributes the calf to some sort of magical trick. The Tonga emphasizes the climax of Aaron’s account, which would seem to absolve him from any direct blame in the affair, by translating in [the above-mentioned way]. This brings out the assumed wonder in Aaron’s words.”
The Greek that is translated as “told them plainly” or similar in English is translated in Chitonga with the existing idiom “[then Jesus] smashed the matter [like a gourd].” (Source: Wendland 1987, p. 131)
The Hebrew that is translated as “their lives loathe bread” or similar in English is translated in Chitonga with the existing metaphor “food makes his heart black.” (Source: Wendland 1987, p. 131)
The Hebrew that is translated as “no one can speak to him” or similar in English is translated in Chitonga with the existing metaphor “he is like talking to a stone.” (Source: Wendland 1987, p. 131)
The Hebrew that is translated as “lay your hand upon your mouth” or similar in English is translated in Chitonga with the proverb “grab yourself on the lip” (i.e., in amazement). (Source: Wendland 1987, p. 104)
The Hebrew that is translated as “One who puts on armour should not brag like one who takes it off” or similar in English is translated in Chitonga with the existing idiom “A man is a buffalo” (i.e., one cannot brag that he is as strong as a water buffalo until after he has defeated his opponent) and in Chichewa (interconfessional translation) as “You’re as good as your fellow upon the anthill only after you’ve climbed up there yourself.” (Source: Wendland 1987, p. 107)
The Hebrew that is translated as “Come, let us look one another in the face” or similar in English is translated in Chitonga with the existing idiom Uboole, tubone mwaalumi or “Come, let us see the man (i.e., who is the stronger between us).” (Source: Wendland 1987, p. 104)
The Hebrew that is translated as “It is enough” or similar in English is translated in Chitonga with the existing idiom mbubo ono cabonwa or “alright, now, the end has been seen” and in Chichewa (interconfessional translation) as Zandikola or “They (i.e., problems) have choked me (to death).” (Source: Wendland 1987, p. 104)
