Language-specific Insights

Can a fig tree yield olives or a grapevine figs?

The Greek that is translated as “Can a fig tree yield olives or a grapevine figs?” in English is translated as “What about orange trees? Can also guaves hang there? Or what about a blackberry bush? Do oranges hang there?” in Eastern Highland Otomi and “Think also if an apple tree can give peaches, if an avocado tree can give apples” in Tzotzil) (source: Ellis Deibler in Notes on Translation July, 1967, p. 5ff.).

In Low German, the first part is translated as “can a fig tree yield oranges” (translation by Johannes Jessen, publ. 1933, republ. 2006).

anyone who has committed sin will be forgiven

The Greek that is translated as “anyone who has committed sin will be forgiven” or similar in English is translated as “if there is his sin the one who is healed his sin will be lost also” in Tzotzil, “that sick one has been healed, his sins the Father has pardoned” in Mezquital Otomi), and “and if sins are the cause of our sickness, it will be forgiven us” in Eastern Highland Otomi) (source: Ellis Deibler in Notes on Translation July, 1967, p. 5ff.).

rhetorical questions (Matt 6:25)

During the translation of the New Testament into Huixtán Tzotzil, translation consultant Marion Cowan found that questions where the answer is obvious, affirmative rhetorical questions, as well questions raising objections tended to cause confusion among the readers. So these are rendered as simple or emphatic statements.

Accordingly, Matthew 6:25b reads “Your food is not important: your life is important. Your clothes are not important: your body is important.”

Source: Marion Cowan in The Bible Translator 1960, p. 123ff.

rhetorical questions (Matt 6:26)

During the translation of the New Testament into Huixtán Tzotzil, translation consultant Marion Cowan found that questions where the answer is obvious, affirmative rhetorical questions, as well questions raising objections tended to cause confusion among the readers. So these are rendered as simple or emphatic statements.

Accordingly, Matthew 6:26b reads “You are more taken into account than they (the birds).”

Source: Marion Cowan in The Bible Translator 1960, p. 123ff.

rhetorical questions (Matt 6:27)

During the translation of the New Testament into Huixtán Tzotzil, translation consultant Marion Cowan found that questions where the answer is obvious, affirmative rhetorical questions, as well questions raising objections tended to cause confusion among the readers. So these are rendered as simple or emphatic statements.

Accordingly, Matthew 6:27a reads “Even if you worry a lot, you cannot make longer your time of living.”

Source: Marion Cowan in The Bible Translator 1960, p. 123ff.

rhetorical questions (John 4:35)

During the translation of the New Testament into Huixtán Tzotzil, translation consultant Marion Cowan found that questions where the answer is obvious, affirmative rhetorical questions, as well questions raising objections tended to cause confusion among the readers. So these are rendered as simple or emphatic statements.

Accordingly, John 4:35a reads “Thus you say: It still lacks four months to reach the time of harvest, you say.”

Source: Marion Cowan in The Bible Translator 1960, p. 123ff.

rhetorical questions (John 6:70)

During the translation of the New Testament into Huixtán Tzotzil, translation consultant Marion Cowan found that questions where the answer is obvious, affirmative rhetorical questions, as well questions raising objections tended to cause confusion among the readers. So these are rendered as simple or emphatic statements.

Accordingly, John 6:70 reads “You twelve were chosen by me. One a devil has entered his heart.”

Source: Marion Cowan in The Bible Translator 1960, p. 123ff.