formal 2nd person pronoun (Spanish)

Like many languages (but unlike Greek or Hebrew or English), Spanish uses a formal vs. informal second-person pronoun (a familiar vs. a respectful “you”). Spanish Bibles all use only the informal second-person pronoun (tú), with the exception of Dios Habla Hoy (third edition: 1996) which also uses the formal pronoun (usted). In the referenced verses, the formal form is used.

Sources and for more information: P. Ellingworth in The Bible Translator 2002, p. 143ff. and R. Ross in The Bible Translator 1993, p. 217ff.

See also the use of the formal vs. the informal pronoun in the Gospels in Tuvan.

Translation commentary on 1 Samuel 25:27

Present: literally “blessing” (see also 30.26). The sense is probably that the gift is offered with a wish of blessing. In view of the nature and variety of things that Abigail had brought to David (verse 18), this may be more naturally translated as a plural, “these gifts.”

Which your servant has brought to my lord: that is, which Abigail has brought to David. Abigail continues to speak to David in the third person while referring to herself also in the third person as his servant. In many languages both of these indirect references will be translated by pronouns: your servant will become “I” and my lord will be “you.” But it will be good to include appropriate forms of politeness such as “Please, sir” (Good News Translation) to convey the attitude of respect found in the original.

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on the First and Second Books of Samuel, Volume 1. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2001. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .