drink

In Telugu different verbs for humans drinking (tāgu / తాగు) and animals drinking (cēḍu / చేడు) are required.

complete verse (Deuteronomy 2:6)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Deuteronomy 2:6:

  • Kupsabiny: “If/when you want/need food or water from those people, you must buy it.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “By giving silver, you are to buy food to eat and water to drink.’ "” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “[You (plur.)] pay them with money for what you (plur.) eat and drink.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “When you travel near their land, buy food and water from them.’” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Deuteronomy 2:6

The Israelites are neither to antagonize the Edomites nor ask for their help.

Purchase food … for money … buy water … for money: the equivalent of this statement in natural English is given by Good News Translation, where the common verb “buy” is used of the food and the water; most translations use two verbs, “to purchase” and “to buy,” but this is not necessary if a single verb will be good style. The use in English of for money is unnecessarily repetitive, but in some languages this repetition may be quite natural and should be retained.

It will be helpful for many translators to express this verse as follows:

• As you walk through their land, you may buy food and water.

Quoted with permission from Bratcher, Robert G. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on Deuteronomy. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2000. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .