8.10 It is essential to PARSE all verbs and nouns, and determine how they function in the sentence, BEFORE you can successfully translate a Greek sentence into English. Often there is more than one legitimate way to translate the sentence. Choose the version that sounds best to you in English, so long as you do not change what is happening in the Greek sentence.
- ὁ Μάρκος δίδωσι τοῖς ἄρχουσι τὸν παῖδα τοῦ Πείσονος.
- Marcus gives the rulers the child of Piso.
- Marcus gives the rulers Piso’s child.
- Marcus gives Piso’s child to the rulers.
- Marcus is giving Piso’s child to the rulers.
Incorrect:
- Piso is giving child of Marcus to the rulers.
- The rulers are giving Piso’s child to Marcus.
- Marcus is giving the rulers to the child of Piso.
- Marcus gives the child of the rulers to Piso.
- (Or any English sentence that makes no sense!)