The Greek, Latin and Hebrew that are translated as “(become) pregnant” in English is rendered as “got belly” (Sranan Tongo and Kituba) as “having two bodies” (Indonesian), as “be-of-womb” (Sinhala), as “heavy” (Balinese), and as “in-a-fortunate-state” (Batak Toba). (Source: Reiling / Swellengrebel)
In Kafa it is translated as “having two lives” (source: Loren Bliese), in Southern Birifor as tara pʊɔ or “having stomach,” in Kamba as “be-heavy” (source for this and above: Andy Warren-Rothlin), in the Swabian 2007 translation by Rudolf Paul as kommt en andere Omständ, lit. “be in different circumstances,” and in Newari as “have in the womb” (source: Newari Back Translation).
In Mairasi it is translated as “have a soul [ghost].” (Source: Enggavoter, 2004)
The Hebrew and Greek that is transliterated as “Lot” in English is translated in Spanish Sign Language with a sign that signifies “cousin,” referring to the fact that Lot is Abraham’s cousin (see Genesis 11:27). (Source: Steve Parkhurst)
Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Genesis 19:36:
Kankanaey: “And-so the two children of Lot became-pregnant (passive of existential) by-means-of their own father.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
Newari: “In this way the two daughters of Lot got pregnant from their father.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
Hiligaynon: “In that way, the two children of Lot became-pregnant by him himself.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
English: “So Lot caused his two daughters to become pregnant.” (Source: Translation for Translators)
Thus both the daughters of Lot were with child by their father: Thus introduces a consequence. We may also say, for example, “As a result,” “In this way,” “Now then.” In some languages it is difficult to express means with this kind of construction. Therefore it is sometimes necessary to say “In this way Lot made both his daughters pregnant” or “And so both Lot’s daughters were going to have babies because their father had made them pregnant.”
In some languages that express being pregnant as “going to have a baby,” this verse may be linked to verses 37 and 38 as a general statement that is followed by a statement about each daughter in turn; for example, “In this way they-two had babies from their own father. The firstborn had a boy and….”
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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