“Sheep are known throughout most of the world, even though, as in Central Africa, they are a far cry from the fleecy wool-producing animals of colder climates. Where such animals are known, even by seemingly strange names, e.g. ‘cotton deer’ (Yucateco) or ‘woolly goat’ (Inupiaq), such names should be used. In some instances, one may wish to borrow a name and use a classifier, e.g. ‘an animal called sheep’. In still other instances translators have used ‘animal which produces wool’, for though people are not acquainted with the animals they are familiar with wool.” (Source: Bratcher / Nida)
In Dëne Súline, it is usually translated as “an evil little caribou.” To avoid the negative connotation, a loan word from the neighboring South Slavey was used. (Source: NCEM, p. 70)
Note that the often-alleged Inuktitut translation of “sheep” with “seal” is an urban myth (source Nida 1947, p. 136).
The Hebrew and Greek that is transliterated as “Sarai” and “Sarah” in English is translated in Spanish Sign Language with the sign depicting coins on a headband, referring to women from the Middle East and North Africa who wear a headband decorated with small coins. (Source: Steve Parkhurst)
The name that is transliterated as “Abraham” in English is translated in the vast majority of sign languages, including American Sign Language with the sign signifying “hold back arm” (referring to Genesis 22:12).
In Vietnamese (Hanoi) Sign Language it is translated with a sign for that demonstrates his new destiny. Previously, he had been called to wander from his home, and the name “Abram” reflected this movement (see here). The new sign name is in one location and stays there, showing Abraham will be given a land to call his own. At this time, Abraham was in the southern part of Canaan, which is shown on the base arm by the location near the elbow. (Source: The Vietnamese Sign Language translation team, VSLBT)
“Abraham” in Vietnamese Sign Language, source: SooSL
In Tira it is transliterated as Abaram. The choice of this, rather than the widely-known “Ibrahim,” as used in the Tira translation of the Qu’ran, was to offset it against the Muslim transliteration which originates from Arabic. (Source: J.A. Naudé, C.L. Miller Naudé, J.O. Obono in Acta Theologica 43/2, 2023, p. 129ff. )
Click or tap here to see two short video clips about Abraham (source: Bible Lands 2012)
Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Genesis 20:14:
Newari: “Then Abimelech gave Abraham sheep, oxen, servants and maid servants. [He] also gave back his wife, Sarah.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
Hiligaynon: “Abimelec returned Sara to Abraham, and he even gave Abraham sheep, cattle, and female and male slaves.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
English: “So Abimelech brought some sheep and cattle and male and female slaves and gave them to Abraham. And he returned his wife Sarah to him.” (Source: Translation for Translators)
With verse 13 Abraham has completed his defense. Abimelech appears to be anxious to close the affair and to receive the benefits of Abraham’s prayers for him as promised by God in Gen 20.7.
Then Abimelech took sheep and oxen, and male and female slaves, and gave them to Abraham: Then may not be an adequate transition in the discourse structure for some languages. In some cases it may be necessary to say, for example, “After Abraham had finished speaking,” “After Abraham had told Abimelech all these things,” or “When Abimelech had heard all that Abraham told him.”
Sheep includes both sheep and goats. Oxen translates a word referring to cattle generally and not just to work animals. Male and female slaves translates the same words rendered “menservants and maidservants” in 12.16. For a discussion of slaves see the comments on 9.25-27.
And restored Sarah his wife to him: restored is as in Gen 20.7. We may translate “He also gave Abraham back his wife” or “He also returned Sarah to Abraham.” Note that Good News Translation has placed the return of Sarah before the gift of animals and slaves. This provides for better continuity between verses 13 and 14.
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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