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)
their lives loathe bread
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)
in the months of old
The Hebrew that is translated as “in the months of old” or similar in English is translated in Chichewa (interconfessional translation) with the existing proverb “in the time of yesterday’s mother.” (Source: Wendland 1987, p. 131)
we have borne the burden of the day and the scorching heat
The Greek that is translated as “we have borne the burden of the day and the scorching heat” or similar in English is translated in Chichewa (interconfessional translation) with the existing idiom “we have been broken off [like a twig] with respect to work, and the sun has spent its strength upon us.” (Source: Wendland 1987, p. 131)
told them plainly
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)
no dealings
The phrase that is translated in English translations as “for Jews do not share things in common with Samaritans” or similar is translated into Mono is translated as “It is taboo for you people to drink from our buckets.” (Source: Carl Gross)
In Telugu the more unspecific “have no dealings” rendering was used since even members of the same family do not use each other’s dishes. (Source: David Clark)
In Chitonga it is translated with the existing idiom “(Jews and Samaritans) do not step on each other’s toes” and in Chichewa (interconfessional translation) as “(do not) look one another in the eyes.” (Source: Wendland 1987, p. 130)
I threw it into the fire and out came this calf
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.”
Go up and bury your father as he made you swear to do.
The Hebrew that is translated as “Go up, and bury your father, as he made you swear to do” or similar in English is translated in Chitonga as “No, so be it (Pe mbubo, i.e., you needn’t have said anything), go and bury your father.” “For the Tonga, a funeral needs no excuse.” (Source: Wendland 1987, p. 131)