large numbers in Angguruk Yali

Many languages use a “body part tally system” where body parts function as numerals (see body part tally systems with a description). One such language is Angguruk Yali which uses a system that ends at the number 27. To circumvent this limitation, the Angguruk Yali translators adopted a strategy where a large number is first indicated with an approximation via the traditional system, followed by the exact number according to Arabic numerals. For example, where in 2 Samuel 6:1 it says “thirty thousand” in the English translation, the Angguruk Yali says teng-teng angge 30.000 or “so many rounds [following the body part tally system] 30,000,” likewise, in Acts 27:37 where the number “two hundred seventy-six” is used, the Angguruk Yali translation says teng-teng angge 276 or “so many rounds 276,” or in John 6:10 teng-teng angge 5.000 for “five thousand.”

This strategy is used in all the verses referenced here.

Source: Lourens de Vries in The Bible Translator 1998, p. 409ff.

See also numbers in Ngalum and numbers in Kombai.

Translation commentary on 1 Kings 4:32

The verb uttered translates the common Hebrew verb often rendered “spoke” or “said.” It is, in fact, the same verb that Revised Standard Version translates “spoke” at the beginning of verse 33. Good News Translation and New Jerusalem Bible translate this verb according to the context as “composed.” Some other possible renderings are “pronounced” (Bible en français courant) and “wrote” (Contemporary English Version). But translators will have to decide whether to focus on the oral or written nature of Solomon’s proverbs. Since many of his proverbs are written down, perhaps it would be better to translate “wrote.”

The Hebrew noun rendered proverbs covers a wide range of forms, including “mocking taunts,” “speeches,” “short sayings,” “maxims,” and “proverbs.” Here it refers to wise sayings or “aphorisms” (Moffatt).

Songs is literally “song.” The Hebrew noun is singular in form but must be understood collectively in the context. The Septuagint and other ancient versions in fact translate with the plural here. The Hebrew noun rendered songs often refers to religious songs, but in this context such a limited meaning is probably not intended.

A thousand and five: If this is a round figure and was not intended to be a precise figure, then the more vivid translation “more than a thousand” (Good News Translation, Bible en français courant, Parole de Vie) is acceptable. An American Translation follows a couple of Septuagint manuscripts and says “five thousand,” but this is not recommended.

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on 1-2 Kings, Volume 1. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2008. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .