Tuesday, May 22, 2018

Google Translate for the Win!


I read this on a Dutch blog with Google Translate. 

In English it is: 

Teach me to do your will, 
for you are my God!
Let your good Spirit 
lead me on level ground! 
-Psalm 143:10

In Dutch it is: Maak mij de weg bekend die ik te gaan heb, want tot U 
hef ik mijn ziel op. Laat Uw goede Geest mij leiden in een geëffend land. 

Google translates the Dutch into this:

Make me know the way I have to go, for to you I lift up my soul. 
Let your good Spirit lead me on a paved country. 
-Psalm 143:10

I like the wording "paved country" because it 
emphasizes intention. Level could just be that way, 
but paved means someone did it. 

It's a funny day when even Google blesses you!

36 comments:

  1. Beautiful. Google is helping us to see new things in our Bibleverses. I love it. Thanks. (Aritha)

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  2. Hello,I love the google translation too. Enjoy your day and new week ahead.

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  3. The idea is the same (both are translations from Hebrew I presume) yet the wording is so important :)
    I was curious what the g.t. would make of the Polish version. The result is surprisingly grammatical and close to the English version you posted:
    Teach me to do Your will,
    because you are my God.
    Let your good spirit guide me
    on an even ground.

    Best greetings.

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    Replies
    1. Thanks, Agaja!

      I love languages. I wish I could speak them all.

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  4. That's a beautiful verse. I love google translate. Doesn't always get it right but it gets it close!

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  5. Hebrew, Greek, Latin, Aramaic...now Google. Yes, it is a funny day when Google blesses you :}

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  6. Google Translate did a good job! I also like 'paved' better as translation from 'geëffend'. Are you Dutch in origin?

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    1. No, but my brother married a Dutch girl and they live there. Maybe that counts? ;-)

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    2. A little. :) I like your Dutch comments on my blog(s), you are doing great (or Google is... ).

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  7. You are blessed to find God everywhere my dear, Sandi!

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  8. Country paved?
    It means the 19th century country, with wooden pavements on sidewalks and streets :)

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicolson_pavement

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    Replies
    1. Thanks, Catalin! I did not know that.

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    2. You are welcome!

      PS
      They are not volunteers - they are working to clean up public space in Warsaw.
      The written ad is at a TV post :)

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  9. Hello dear Sandi!
    I like Google Translate! Very useful!
    Thank you for sharing! Have a nice day!
    Dimi...

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  10. Yes, that is a nice translation.

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  11. YeS!! google translate for the win. i use it all the time and find it to be helpful and pretty accurate!!!

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  12. My family background is Dutch. I can understand a lot of the spoken language, but if I tried to read that out loud, I'd end up sounding German.

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  13. Very interesting! I've never given those translation apps much thought before! Very interesting!

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  14. Paved country... Sandi, it's so different but I like how it sounds.

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  15. I love when you see something like this that adds a whole new aspect to a verse you've read many times before. Thanks for sharing this!

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  16. Google Translate is a great widget, and I'm loving it. It has its flaws but it's improving.
    As for the 143.10 verse - the 'paved country' is a bit far fetched from the original hebrew meaning.

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    1. How would you translate it from Hebrew to English, Duta?

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    2. Well, in the hebrew verse, the word used is 'mishor'(מישור) which means level ground, plateau, tableland, plain surface.
      I've checked the dutch verse in your post with google; 'geefend land' is translated: smoothed land.
      So, the english version is to be preferred.

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    3. Interesting! I wonder why they chose that word.

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  17. Small gifts truly are a joy to behold. Bravo Google. :)

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  18. Good with Google. I'm of Dutch heritage on mom's side so I enjoyed seeing it in Dutch. Yes, level could be that way. Interesting!

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  19. Google helps to understand.
    Yes, it has disadvantages but it is helpful.
    God's blessing for you: )
    Lucja

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  20. I think it's good we have google translate!

    All the best Jan

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  21. Psalm 143:10 is one of my favorites Sandi. Thank you for that word today. Have a day of blessings.

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  22. I prefer the "paved country" version, sounds more real, down-to-earth.

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  23. i love that phrase "paved country" too--and indeed google translate is wonderful isn't it--not perfect but still wonderful

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  24. I really like the Google phrase "For to you I lift up my soul."

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