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Description

Litotes is a figure of speech in which the speaker expresses a strong positive meaning by using two negative words or a negative word with a word that means the opposite of the meaning he intends. A few examples of negative words are "no," "not," "none," and "never." The opposite of "good" is "bad." Someone could say that something is "not bad" to mean that it is extremely good.

Reasons this is a translation issue

Some languages do not use litotes. People who speak those languages might not understand that a statement using litotes actually strengthens the positive meaning. Instead, they might think that it weakens or even cancels the positive meaning.

Examples from the Bible

Now when it became day, there was no small disturbance among the soldiers, over what had happened to Peter. (Acts 12:18 ULB)

By using litotes, Luke emphasized that there was a great disturbance among the soldiers about what happened to Peter. (Peter had been in prison, and even though there were soldiers guarding him, he escaped when an angel let him out. So the soldiers were very anxious and agitated about this.)

Be sure of this—the wicked person will not go unpunished ... (Proverbs 11:21 ULB)

By using litotes, the writer emphasized that wicked people will be punished.

Not one word has failed out of all Yahweh's good promises that he made with Moses his servant. (1 Kings 8:56)

By using litotes, the writer emphasized that Yahweh did everything that he had promised Moses.

Translation Strategies

If the litotes would be understood correctly in your langauge, consider using it. If not, consider this strategy.

  1. If the meaning with the negative would not be clear, give the positive meaning in a strong way.

Examples of Translation Strategies Applied

  1. If the meaning with the negative would not be clear, give the positive meaning in a strong way.
  • Now when it became day, there was no small disturbance among the soldiers over what had happened to Peter. (Acts 12:18 ULB)
    • Now when it became day, there was a great disturbance among the soldiers over what had happened to Peter.
  • Be sure of this—wicked people will not go unpunished ... (Proverbs 11:21 ULB)
    • Be sure of this—wicked people will certainly be punished ...
  • Not one word has failed out of all Yahweh's good promises that he made with Moses his servant. (2 Kings 8:56)
    • Every word of all Yahweh's good promises that he made with Moses his servant has been fulfilled.