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 2 Chronicles 26:12

The whole number of the heads of fathers’ houses of mighty men of valor was two thousand six hundred: The army was commanded by 2,600 officers. The whole number is literally “All the number.” Several versions say “The total number” (New International Version, Revised English Bible, Nouvelle Bible Segond). These officers were the heads of fathers’ houses (see the comments on 1 Chr 5.24), which may be rendered “clan leaders” (New Living Translation) or “family leaders” (New International Version, Bible en français courant, Parola Del Signore: La Bibbia in Lingua Corrente). Good News Translation omits this phrase, but it should be kept. For mighty men of valor, see the comments on 1 Chr 12.21. This whole verse may be rendered “There were a total of 2,600 clan leaders who were in charge of the mighty fighting men” or “2,600 chiefs of family groups commanded the valiant warriors” (La Bible du Semeur).

Revised English Bible interprets this verse to mean that the 2,600 family leaders were not actually commanders but rather suppliers of the mighty soldiers. Its translation reads “The total number of heads of families which supplied seasoned warriors was two thousand six hundred.” But the difficulty with the Revised English Bible translation is that verse 13 says the army was under the command of these family leaders.

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on 1-2 Chronicles, Volume 1. (UBS Helps for Translators). Miami: UBS, 2014. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .