OET interlinear MAT 11:16

uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: grammar-connect-words-phrases

δὲ

but

Here, the word Now introduces the next topic. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use a word or phrase that introduces the next topic, or you could leave Now untranslated. Alternate translation: “Next,”

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / rquestion

τίνι δὲ ὁμοιώσω τὴν γενεὰν ταύτην?

˱to˲_what but ˱I˲_/will_be/_likening ¬the generation this

Jesus is using the question form to introduce a comparison between this generation and children sitting in the marketplace. If you would not use the question form for this purpose in your language, you could translate this as a statement or an exclamation. Alternate translation: “Here is what I compare this generation to.”

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / metonymy

τὴν γενεὰν ταύτην

¬the generation this

Here, generation represents the people who are part of the generation, which means that they are adults who are currently alive. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression from your language or state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “today’s people” or “the people of this generation”

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / simile

ὁμοία ἐστὶν

similar ˱it˲_is

These words are the beginning of Jesus’ comparison. His opponents complain about John being too austere, and they complain about Jesus not being austere enough, just like children who complain when other children don’t dance with them, and then complain again when they don’t cry with them. Since Jesus explains this comparison in the following verses, you do not need to explain it here in your translation.

Note 5 topic: translate-unknown

ταῖς ἀγοραῖς

the marketplaces

A marketplace is a large, open-air area where people buy and sell goods. If your readers would not be familiar with this type of area, you could use the name of something similar in your area or you could use a more general term. Alternate translation: “the town square” or “the park”