a pole fifty cubits high

The Hebrew and Greek that is translated as “a pole fifty cubits high” in English is translated in Newari as “a pillar 25 meters high to facilitate hanging” (source: Newari Back Translation).

cubit

The Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek that is translated as “cubit” or into a metric or imperial measurement in English is translated in Kutu, Kwere, and Nyamwezi as makono or “armlength.” Since a cubit is the measurement from the elbow to the tip of the middle finger, one armlength (measured from the center of the chest to the fingertips) equals two cubits or roughly 1 meter. (Source: Pioneer Bible Translators, project-specific translation notes in Paratext)

Similarly, in Akoose, the translation is “arm distance.” (Source: Joseph Nkwelle Ngome and Marlie van Rooyen & Jacobus A. Naudé in Communicatio 2009, p. 251ff.)

In Klao it is converted into “hand spans” (app. 6 inches or 12 cm) and “finger spans” (app. 1 inch or 2 cm) (source: Don Slager) and in Bariai into leoa or “fathom,” which comprises the distance from a person’s fingertip to fingertip with arms outstretched, app. 6 feet (source: Bariai Back Translation).

rejoice / celebrate

The Hebrew and Greek that is translated as some form of “rejoice” or “celebrate” in these verses in English is translated in the widely-used Mandarin Chinese Union Version with a historical 4-character Chinese idiom: huānhuān xǐxǐ (歡歡喜喜 / 欢欢喜喜) or “happy.”

Mordecai

The name that is transliterated as “Mordecai” in English means “little man,” “bitter bruising,” “bitterly reduced,” “bitterness of my oppression.” (Source: Cornwall / Smith 1997 )

It is translated in Spanish Sign Language with a sign depicting the tearing of clothes, referring to Esther 4:1. (Source: Steve Parkhurst)


“Mordecai” in Spanish Sign Language, source: Sociedad Bíblica de España

For more information on translations of proper names with sign language see Sign Language Bible Translations Have Something to Say to Hearing Christians .

More information on Mordecai .

Haman

The name that is transliterated as “Haman” in English means “alone,” “solitary,” “well disposed,” “a rioter,” “rager.” (Source: Cornwall / Smith 1997 )

It is translated in Spanish Sign Language with a sign for “stuck up,” exemplified in Esther 5:11. (Source: Steve Parkhurst)


“Haman” in Spanish Sign Language, source: Sociedad Bíblica de España

For more information on translations of proper names with sign language see Sign Language Bible Translations Have Something to Say to Hearing Christians .

More information on Haman .

distance (long / wide / high)

The concepts of distance that are translated in English with “long,” “wide,” and “high/tall” are translated in Kwere with one word: utali. (Source: Pioneer Bible Translators, project-specific translation notes in Paratext)

complete verse (Esther 5:14)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Esther 5:14:

  • Kupsabiny: “Then his wife and his friends told Haman, ‘A pole/tree which is used for strangling/hanging people which has a height of seventy five feet should be arranged/set. And tomorrow morning, go and tell the king that Mordecai is to be hanged on that pole. When Mordecai has been killed, you will go and eat the feast with the king when the stomach is happy.’ When Haman heard those words, he agreed and he ordered the pole to be prepared for hanging people.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “Then his wife and all his friends said to him, "Erect a pillar 22 meters high to facilitate hanging. Then in the morning, ask the king to hang Mordecai. Then, being happy, go to the feast with the king." This suggestion pleased Haman very much and he had a pole for hanging erected.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “His wife and friends said to him, ‘Why don’t you (sing.) cause-to-make a place-of-hanging that the height is 75 feet. And tomorrow morning ask the king to cause- Mordecai -to-be-hanged, so-that you (sing.) are happy to accompany the king to dinner/supper.’ Haman liked it, so he caused-to-make a place-of-hanging.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Eastern Bru: “So his wife and all his friends, they advised him: "Why don’t you have them make a place to hang people fifty forearm-lengths high? Then in the morning, you go ask the king to give you Mordecai’s neck, and hang him at that place. After than you go eat with a happy and peaceful heart with the king." The advice they gave him seemed right to Haman. So he told people to do as they had said.” (Source: Bru Back Translation)
  • English: “So Haman’s wife Zeresh and all his friends who were there suggested, ‘Why don’t you quickly set up a gallows/posts on which to hang someone. Make it 75 feet tall. Then tomorrow morning ask the king to hang Mordecai on it. After that, you can go to the banquet with the king and be cheerful.’ That idea pleased Haman very much, so he gave men orders to set up the gallows/posts.” (Source: Translation for Translators)