diff --git a/translate/figs-metaphor/01.md b/translate/figs-metaphor/01.md index 581fe9ce..08eb35a3 100644 --- a/translate/figs-metaphor/01.md +++ b/translate/figs-metaphor/01.md @@ -126,46 +126,37 @@ If people do not or would not understand it, here are some other strategies. ### Examples of Translation Strategies Applied 1. If the metaphor is a common expression in the source language or expresses a patterned pair of concepts in a biblical language (a "dead" metaphor), then express the main idea in the simplest way preferred by your language. - * **Then one of the leaders of the synagogue, named Jairus, came, and when he saw him, fell at his feet.** (Mark 5:22 ULB) - * Then one of the leaders of the synagogue, named Jairus, came, and when he saw him, immediately bowed down in front of him. - + * Then one of the leaders of the synagogue, named Jairus, came, and when he saw him, immediately bowed down in front of him. + 1. If the metaphor seems to be a "live" metaphor, you can translate it literally if you think that the target language also uses this metaphor in the same way to mean the same thing as in the Bible. If you do this, be sure to test it to make sure that the language community understands it correctly. In the example below, there is no change. - * **It was because of your hard hearts that he wrote you this law,** (Mark 10:5 ULB) - * It was because of your hard hearts that he wrote you this law, - + * It was because of your hard hearts that he wrote you this law, + 1. If the target audience does not realize that it is a metaphor, then change the metaphor to a simile. Some languages do this by adding words such as "like" or "as." - * **And yet, Yahweh, you are our father; we are the clay. You are our potter; and we all are the work of your hand.** (Isaiah 64:8 ULB) - * And yet, Yahweh, you are our father; we are like clay. You are like a potter; and we all are the work of your hand. - + * And yet, Yahweh, you are our father; we are like clay. You are like a potter; and we all are the work of your hand. + 1. If the target audience would not know the **image**, see [Translate Unknowns](../translate-unknown/01.md) for ideas on how to translate that image. - * **Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? It is hard for you to kick a goad.** (Acts 26:14 ULB) - * Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? It is hard for you to kick against a pointed stick. - + * Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? It is hard for you to kick against a pointed stick. + 1. If the target audience would not use that **image** for that meaning, use an image from your own culture instead. Be sure that it is an image that could have been possible in Bible times. - * **And yet, Yahweh, you are our father; we are the clay. You are our potter; and we all are the work of your hand.** (Isaiah 64:8 ULB) * "And yet, Yahweh, you are our father; we are the wood. You are our carver; and we all are the work of your hand." - * "And yet, Yahweh, you are our father; we are the string. You are the weaver; and we all are the work of your hand." - + * "And yet, Yahweh, you are our father; we are the string. You are the weaver; and we all are the work of your hand." + 1. If the target audience would not know what the **topic** is, then state the topic clearly. (However, do not do this if the original audience did not know what the topic was.) - * **Yahweh lives; may my rock be praised. May the God of my salvation be exalted.** (Psalm 18:46 ULB) - * Yahweh lives; He is my rock. May he be praised. May the God of my salvation be exalted. - + * Yahweh lives; He is my rock. May he be praised. May the God of my salvation be exalted. + 1. If the target audience would not know the intended **point of comparison** between the topic and the image, then state it clearly. - * **Yahweh lives; may my rock be praised. May the God of my salvation be exalted.** (Psalm 18:46 ULB) * Yahweh lives; may he be praised because he is the rock under which I can hide from my enemies. May the God of my salvation be exalted. - * **Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? It is hard for you to kick a goad.** (Acts 26:14 ULB) - * Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? You fight against me and hurt yourself like an ox that kicks against its owner's pointed stick. - + * Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? You fight against me and hurt yourself like an ox that kicks against its owner's pointed stick. + 1. If none of these strategies are satisfactory, then simply state the idea plainly without using a metaphor. - * **I will make you become fishers of men.** (Mark 1:17 ULB) * I will make you become people who gather men. * Now you gather fish. I will make you gather people.