joy

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The Greek, Latin and Hebrew that is translated with “joy” or “gladness” in English is translated with various associations of “sweetness” or taste: Bambara has “the spirit is made sweet,” Kpelle translates as “sweet heart,” and Tzeltal as “the good taste of one’s heart,” Uduk uses the phrase “good to the stomach,” Baoulé “a song in the stomach,” Mískito “the liver is wide open” (“happily letting the pleasures flooding in upon it”) (source: Nida 1952), Mairasi says “good liver” (source: Enggavoter 2004), Noongar has koort-kwabba-djil or “heart very good” (source: Warda-Kwabba Luke-Ang), and Chicahuaxtla Triqui “refreshed heart” (source: Waterhouse / Parrott in Notes on Translation October 1967, p. 1ff.).

See also Seat of the Mind for traditional views of “ways of knowing, thinking, and feeling,” happiness / joy, and exceeding joy.

Translation commentary on Esther 8:16   

The author describes the result of the proclamation with four words, all of which have very positive connotations. Revised Standard Version follows a literal approach to their translation, while Good News Translation is more interpretive. The translator will need to determine the meaning of each word and how the receptor will understand them.

Light is symbolic of prosperity and life (see Job 22.28; 30.26; Psa 27.1; 36.9). In many receptor language contexts, light will be understood in opposition to darkness. The fear of impending doom is gone, and the Jews find themselves in “lightness.” The words gladness and joy, which often occur together in the Old Testament, describe the emotions of the Jews (see verse 17). For gladness and joy many languages have words or idioms to express happiness that is revealed outwardly, and inner joy that is a deeper emotion. Though honor may also be an emotion experienced by the Jews as in Good News Translation, it possibly refers to the attitude of the non-Jewish population toward the Jews. Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch reads “and they [the Jews in the city] enjoyed respect that people showed to them.” Good News Translation and Bible en français courant translate the Hebrew term rather freely as “a sense of victory” and “triumph,” assuming that the honor is the respect earned through victory. For honor the translator may have to choose between “praise” or “respect.” The latter is preferable.

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Noss, Philip A. A Handbook on Esther (The Hebrew Text). (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1997. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .