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.

complete verse (Genesis 24:43)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Genesis 24:43:

  • Newari: “I am standing here by the well. A certain girl comes to get water, A certain girl comes to get water,” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “Now, I am standing here beside the well. If indeed a young-unmarried-lady comes to-draw-water, I will-ask for only a little water from her jar.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “Listen to me. I am standing beside a well. A young woman may come to draw water. I will say to her, ‘Please, give me a little water to drink from your jar.'” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Genesis 24:43

See verses 13, 14. The servant uses the regular word for drink, not the modest request for a few sips he used in verse 17.

Quoted with permission from Reyburn, William D. and Fry, Euan McG. A Handbook on Genesis. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1997. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .