Translating the Language of Social Relationships in Amos
In some languages it makes a great deal of difference what the social relationship is between people who are talking to each other. Titles, pronouns, and even words for many things may be different according to such relationships. In such languages, for example, Amaziah (the head priest) is likely to speak to Amos as an inferior (7.12–13). But he might or might not speak to King Jeroboam as a superior, depending on the rules in the particular language (7.10–11). But would Amos speak to Amaziah as a superior, particularly when he was denouncing him in the name of the Lord (7.14–17)? In languages where it makes a difference, every translator will have to think about that very carefully and try to imagine Amos actually talking in a real situation. The fact that the words of Amos and those of the Lord are so closely identified in much of the book might mean that Amos should speak, at least at times, to the leaders of Israel as though the Lord were speaking.
In some languages every name of a person must have a title with it. In such cases the translator should think carefully about what title to give each person mentioned in the book, and should consider what this means for the pronouns and other words which should be used for people with those titles. Amos himself may present a problem because of his sheep-owning background which may not be considered an important status in some languages. However, it is his position as a person speaking for God which is important in this book, and the title and language should be based on that.
There are also many changes in the tone of what is said. Amos sometimes speaks disrespectfully to people of higher status (like Amaziah, and like the wealthy leaders in 5.11–12). The language should be in keeping with the tone of the message. In some languages, it is possible to sound disrespectful even when the speaker uses all of the pronouns and titles for talking to a superior.
In translating such social relationships, the translator should think carefully about just what is implied, and imagine the situation as vividly as possible. Then the language of the translation should be made appropriate to the situation and the people in it.
