The Hebrew and Greek that is translated as “witness” in English is translated as “truly have seen” in Highland Popoluca, as “telling the truth regarding something” (Eastern Highland Otomi), as “know something” in Lalana Chinantec, as “verily know something to be the truth” in San Mateo del Mar Huave, as “we ourselves saw this,” in Desano, as “tell the truth about something” in Eastern Highland Otomi, as “know something is true because of seeing it” in Teutila Cuicatec. (Source: Viola Waterhouse in Notes on Translation August 1966, p. 86ff.)
Translation commentary on Deuteronomy 19:18
The judges shall inquire diligently: the judges are to investigate the matter thoroughly; they are to interrogate the two people closely.
Accused his brother falsely: again, brother here is simply the other Israelite, without any indication of family relationship. New Revised Standard Version “testified falsely against another,” or Good News Translation “and if the man has made a false accusation against his fellow Israelite.”
Quoted with permission from Bratcher, Robert G. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on Deuteronomy. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2000. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.