The term that is transliterated as “Abram” in English is translated in American Sign Language with the sign signifying sojourning with a staff, clearly differentiating it from Abraham. (Source: Ruth Anna Spooner, Ron Lawer)
“Abram” in American Sign Language, source: Deaf Harbor
Similarly, in Vietnamese (Hanoi) Sign Language it is translated with a sign that demonstrates that he has to wander from his home. (Source: The Vietnamese Sign Language translation team, VSLBT)
“Abram” in Vietnamese Sign Language, source: SooSL
The term that is used for monarchs in ancient Egypt and is transliterated as “Pharaoh” in English is translated in Finnish Sign Language with the sign signifying the “fake metal beard (postiche)” that was word by Pharaohs during official functions. (Source: Tarja Sandholm)
Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Genesis 12:18:
Kankanaey: “Therefore the king caused- Abram -to-be-called and he said to him, ‘Why didn’t you (sing.) say that you (pl.) were husband-and-wife (lit. a spouse-unit)?” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
Newari: “Then Pharaoh summoned Abram and rebuked him — ‘What have you done to me? Why didn’t you tell me that she was your wife?” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
Hiligaynon: “When the king came-to-know the reason of all this, he caused-to-be-called Abram and asked, ‘What have you done to me? Why did- you not -tell that she is in-fact your wife?” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
English: “When the king realized why that was happening, he summoned Abram and said to him, ‘Why did you do this to me? Why did you not tell me that she was your wife?” (Source: Translation for Translators)
Revised Standard Version begins verse 18 as a consequence of verse 17. Good News Translation “Then” makes verse 18 a subsequent action. Either is possible. Some languages may require a fuller transition such as “After he had fallen ill” or “While he was diseased.”
So Pharaoh called Abram does not mean that the king shouted to Abram, but that he sent for him, or ordered him to come. In some languages this may need to be expressed as a series of actions; for example, one translation says “Then the king sent word to Abram. He told him to come. When Abram came, the king said….”
The king’s questions assume certain information that the narrator does not include. The terrible sickness that has struck his household would cause him to inquire about its origin. Eventually he learns, perhaps from Sarai, the truth of their relationship.
What is this you have done to me? may refer to the sickness evident perhaps on the king’s body, or to the deceit of Abram that led to the sickness. Translators may find it best to translate in a way that does not exclude either possibility; for example, “Why have you done a wrong to me?” or “Why have you wronged me?” If it is necessary to place the stress on the deceit, we may say “Why have you deceived me?” or “Why did you lie to me?” It must be kept in mind that the narrator is telling a story whose details are only revealed as the story moves forward. Although the king asks three questions in verses 18-19, the style of the translator’s language may require a combination of statements and questions; for example, “You have lied to me. Why didn’t you tell me she was your wife?” Languages that have an angry or accusing “Why…?” may use it very well in this context. For example, one translation has “Why [angry] have you done this? You didn’t tell me Sarai was your wife. You said she was your sister, so that… Why [angry] have you done this bad thing?” Another translation begins, “Why [angry] have you done this? Why [normal] didn’t you tell me this woman was your wife?”
Quoted with permission from Reyburn, William D. and Fry, Euan McG. A Handbook on Genesis. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1997. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .
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