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 24:46)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Genesis 24:46:

  • Newari: “She quickly put the pitcher down [and] said, ‘Have a drink, [and] I will also give water to your camels to drink.’ So I drank the water. She also put [out] water for the camels.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “She then lowered the jar from her shoulder, and said, ‘Okay, [you (sing.)] drink, and I will- also -cause- your camels -to-drink.’ Therefore I drank, and then she had- the camels -drink too.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “She quickly lowered her jar and said, ‘Drink some! And I will draw water from the well for your camels, too.’ So I drank some water, and she also got water for the camels.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Genesis 24:46

See verse 18. The servant does not report Rebekah’s addressing him as “My lord,” because it would be unsuitable for him to speak about himself in this way while relating these events to his master’s relatives.

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 .