speaking with tongues

The Greek that is often translated as “speaking with tongues” in English is translated as “speaking other different languages” in Teutila Cuicatec, “speaking in other people’s Chinantec” in Lalana Chinantec, as “talking in other languages” in Morelos Nahuatl, “speaking strange languages” in Eastern Highland Otomi. (Source: Viola Waterhouse in Notes on Translation August 1966, p. 86ff.)

In the Indonesian Alkitab Terjemahan Lama version (publ. 1958) it is translated as bahasa roh or “the language of the spirit,” “which leaves a strong impression that this is a mystical experience.” (Source: Ekaputra Tupamahu in: Journal for the Study of the New Testament 2018, 41/2, p. 223ff.)

In most Protestant Mandarin Chinese translations, the term fāngyán (方言) or “dialect / regional language” is used. The widely-used Catholic Sigao translation uses yǔyán 语言 (語言) or “language” instead. (See also W. Chong in Religions 2024, 15, p. 288ff. )

complete verse (1 Corinthians 12:30)

Following are a number of back-translations of 1 Corinthians 12:30:

  • Uma: “or heal people. Not all get the ability to speak in languages from the Holy Spirit or to translate [lit., move] those languages so that others can understand.” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
  • Yakan: “or to heal the sick or to speak in languages not understood by the people or to explain what was spoken in those languages.” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
  • Western Bukidnon Manobo: “And in the same way also, it is not possible that all are given the power to heal the sick people; and also all are not given the skill to speak in languages that they do not know. And it’s also not possible who know how to talk in languages that they don’t understand.” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “or remove sickness or speak various languages or interpret what those languages mean to say.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Tagbanwa: “And of course it’s not all who can heal the sick, speak in other languages they haven’t studied, or explain the meaning of what is being said in these languages.” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)
  • Tenango Otomi: “Not all were given the work of being able to heal the sick people. Not all were given the work to speak different words they do not know. And not all were given the work of being able to tell the meaning of the different words which are spoken.” (Source: Tenango Otomi Back Translation)

Translation commentary on 1 Corinthians 12:30

Paul returns for the last time to the subject of diversity of gifts in the church. There are differences between these verses and the list given in verse 28, but it is not the translator’s task to smooth away these irregularities.

These are seven rhetorical questions that expect the answer “No.” Good News Bible translates them by negative statements. Many languages will need to use similar statements.

Are all…? may be expressed as “Is every person…?” or “Not every person is….”

Tongues: some languages may have to express this word as “strange sounds” or something similar. See also the discussion on verse 10.

In verse 30 the verb translated interpret is related to the word translated “interpretation” in verse 10 (see the comments on that verse). This appears to be interpretation of “strange sounds” or “ecstatic speech” rather than foreign languages. It will be helpful in many languages to expand interpret to “interpret what is said with these strange sounds” or “explain what is said….”

Quoted with permission from Ellingworth, Paul and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians, 2nd edition. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1985/1994. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .