The name that is transliterated as “John (the Baptist)” in English is translated in Spanish Sign Language and Mexican Sign Language as “baptize” (source: John Elwode in The Bible Translator 2008, p. 78ff.)
“John the Baptist” in Mexican Sign Language (source: BSLM )
In German Sign Language (Catholic) it is translated with the sign for the letter J and the sign signifying a Catholic baptism by sprinkling on the head.
In American Sign Language it is translated with the sign for the letter J and the sign signifying “shout,” referring to John 1:23. (Source: RuthAnna Spooner, Ron Lawer)
“John” in American Sign Language, source: Deaf Harbor
A question of cultural assumptions arose in Tuvan. The instinctive way to translate this name denotatively would be “John the Dipper,” but this would carry the highly misleading connotation that he drowned people. It was therefore decided that his label should focus on the other major aspect of his work, that is, proclaiming that the Messiah would soon succeed him. (Compare his title in Russian Orthodox translation “Иоанн Предтеча” — “John the Forerunner.”) So he became “John the Announcer,” which fortunately did not seem to give rise to any confusion with radio newsreaders! (Source: David Clark in The Bible Translator 2015, p. 117ff.)
In Noongar it is translated as John-Kakaloorniny or “John Washing” (source: Warda-Kwabba Luke-Ang).
Following is a Syriac Orthodox icon of John the Baptist from the 18/19th century (found in the Cathedral of Saints Constantine and Helen, Yabrud, Syria).
The wings are often depicted in icons of John the Baptist because of his status as a messenger. The scroll that John the Baptist holds quotes John 1:29 and reads (translated into English): “I saw and witnessed concerning him, ‘Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.’”
Orthodox Icons are not drawings or creations of imagination. They are in fact writings of things not of this world. Icons can represent our Lord Jesus Christ, the Virgin Mary, and the Saints. They can also represent the Holy Trinity, Angels, the Heavenly hosts, and even events. Orthodox icons, unlike Western pictures, change the perspective and form of the image so that it is not naturalistic. This is done so that we can look beyond appearances of the world, and instead look to the spiritual truth of the holy person or event. (Source )
Following are a number of back-translations of Luke 1:63:
Noongar: “Zechariah requested paper and he wrote, ‘His name is ‘John’.’ ‘Wow!’ they cried out. ” (Source: Warda-Kwabba Luke-Ang)
Uma: “Zakharia asked for something to write on [lit., a writing-place] and he wrote: ‘His name is Yohanes.’ They were all surprised.” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
Yakan: “Jakariya also made signs asking for something to write on and he wrote this: ‘His name is Yahiya.’ They all were very amazed.” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
Western Bukidnon Manobo: “And then Zechariah motioned that they give him something on which to write that which he wanted the name to be. And what he wrote there was, ‘John is the name of the child.’ And then they were very much surprised.” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
Kankanaey: “Zekarias had-someone-get something-to-write-on and what he wrote was, ‘His name, Juan.’ And all that were there were greatly amazed.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
Tagbanwa: “Zacarias asked for something to write on and wrote saying, ‘Juan is his name.’ The crowd was amazed.” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)
aitēsas pinakidion ‘having asked for a writing tablet,’ by signs of course.
aiteō ‘to ask,’ ‘to ask for.’
pinakidion ‘writing-tablet,’ consisting of a small board (yew tree, according to Jewish sources) covered with wax.
egrapsen legōn lit. ‘he wrote saying…,’ but legōn is a literal translation of Hebrew leʾmor which can introduce indirect speech even when the words are not spoken but written, cf. 2 Kings 10.6.
Translation:
Asked for. In some languages the corresponding verb can only be used when speech is implied; hence e.g. ‘he caused to be brought’ (Kannada).
Writing tablet, or somewhat more generically, ‘board/thing-to-write-on’ (Sundanese, Batak Toba), ‘that on which he could write’ (Tboli); or, ‘slate’ (Balinese, Marathi; also Tae,’ Kituba, lit. ‘stone on which-to-write’).
He wrote, usually to be followed by a marker of quotation, e.g. ‘thus’ (Tae’). In some cases a marker which primarily refers to quoted speech can also be used with extended meaning in reference to writing, e.g. ‘its-sound’ (Malay), ‘saying’ (Sranan Tongo, Navajo, Apache).
And they all marvelled, or, specifying the connexion with what precedes, ‘therefore they all were perplexed’ (Batak Toba), ‘they all were astonished at it’ (Bible de Jérusalem), ‘that surprised them’ (cf. Phillips). For to marvel see on “wondered” in v. 21.
Quoted with permission from Reiling, J. and Swellengrebel, J.L. A Handbook on the Gospel of Luke. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1971. For this and other handbooks for translators see here . Make sure to also consult the Handbook on the Gospel of Mark for parallel or similar verses.
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