The Hebrew and Greek that is transliterated as “Saul” in English is translated in Spanish Sign Language with the sign that depicts “sword in chest” (referring to 1 Samuel 31:4 and 1 Chronicles 10:4) and also “self-centered.” (Source: Steve Parkhurst)
“Sheep are known throughout most of the world, even though, as in Central Africa, they are a far cry from the fleecy wool-producing animals of colder climates. Where such animals are known, even by seemingly strange names, e.g. ‘cotton deer’ (Yucateco) or ‘woolly goat’ (Inupiaq), such names should be used. In some instances, one may wish to borrow a name and use a classifier, e.g. ‘an animal called sheep.’ In still other instances translators have used ‘animal which produces wool’, for though people are not acquainted with the animals they are familiar with wool.” (Source: Bratcher / Nida)
In Dëne Súline, it is usually translated as “an evil little caribou.” To avoid the negative connotation, a loan word from the neighboring South Slavey was used. (Source: NCEM, p. 70)
Note that the often-alleged Inuktitut translation of “sheep” with “seal” is an urban myth (source Nida 1947, p. 136).
The town name that is transliterated as “Bethlehem” in English is translated in Finnish Sign Language with the signs signifying “manger + town” (referring to Luke 2:7). (Source: Tarja Sandholm)
In American Sign Language it is translated with the signs for “bread” and “house,” referring to the original meaning of “Bethlehem” as “house of bread.” (Source: Ruth Anna Spooner, Ron Lawer)
“Bethlehem” in American Sign Language, source: Deaf Harbor
Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of 1 Samuel 17:15:
Kupsabiny: “Though David was working in Saul’s home, he used to go back home to Bethlehem several times to look after his father’s sheep.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
Newari: “But at that time David had been coming and going between Saul’s camp and Bethlehem to care for his father’s sheep.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
Hiligaynon: “David on-the-other-hand was-going-to-and-from-home to Betlehem from the camp of Saul to take-care of the sheep of his father.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
English: “David went back and forth: Sometimes he went to Saul’s camp, and sometimes he stayed in Bethlehem to take care of his father’s sheep.” (Source: Translation for Translators)
But David went back and forth: Good News Translation (and similarly Revised English Bible) has changed the structure of this sentence that began in verse 14 and therefore does not translate the Hebrew conjunction at the beginning of verse 15. But translates the common Hebrew conjunction. In this context it expresses a contrast between what the three oldest sons did and what David did. The Hebrew does not say how frequently David returned to Bethlehem.
The text is not clear regarding the other place from which David went back and forth. The reference may be to the royal palace (see 16.21-23) or to the battlefield (see verses 1-2 above). But the more likely meaning seems to be the general area of the battle—which Contemporary English Version refers to as “Saul’s camp.” New Jerusalem Bible expresses the meaning in terms that may be helpful as a model: “David alternated between serving Saul and looking after his father’s sheep at Bethlehem.”
Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on the First and Second Books of Samuel, Volume 1. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2001. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.