The Hebrew and Greek that is translated as “remember” in English is translated in Mairasi as “it is (or: place it) in your liver’s crack” (source: Enggavoter 2004) and in Noongar as barrang-dwangka, literally “ear-hold” (source: Portions of the Holy Bible in the Nyunga language of Australia, 2018).
The Hebrew in Genesis 41:9 that is translated in English as “I remember my faults today” or “I would make mention today of my own offenses” is translated into Chamula Tzotzil as “now I remember something I should have told you before.”
The Hebrew and Greek that is translated in English as “cupbearer” is translated in Newari as “new wine vessel holder.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
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 used 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 41:9:
Kankanaey: “When that was so, the drink-server said, ‘Sir King, I am-able-to-remember my fault previously.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
Newari: “At that time the cup bearer said — ‘Today I remember my fault.'” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
Hiligaynon: “Then the head of servers of wine came-near to the king and said, ‘I remembered now my sins.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
English: “Then the chief drink-server said to the king, ‘Now I remember something that I should have told you! I made a mistake by forgetting to tell it to you.” (Source: Translation for Translators)
Click or tap here to see the rest of this insight.
Like a number of other East Asian languages, Japanese uses a complex system of honorifics, i.e. a system where a number of different levels of politeness are expressed in language via words, word forms or grammatical constructs. These can range from addressing someone or referring to someone with contempt (very informal) to expressing the highest level of reference (as used in addressing or referring to God) or any number of levels in-between.
One way to do this is through the usage of lexical honorific forms, i.e., completely different words, as shown here in the widely-used Japanese Shinkaiyaku (新改訳) Bible of 2017. In these verses, mōshiageru (申し上げる), the respectful form of iu (言う) or “say / speak” is used.
Then the chief butler said to Pharaoh: Then translates the Hebrew connective. The chief butler takes the initiative now because he was probably present when the king described his dreams to his magicians and wise men, and because he now remembers that Joseph had correctly interpreted his dream.
I remember my faults today: the butler addresses the king directly without an address form. In some languages this context will require something like “Sir,” “Your majesty,” “My chief.” Remember in this context is more than recalling something that has been forgotten: the butler wishes to tell the king something he should have told him much earlier. Accordingly the translation should reflect this omission or carelessness committed by the butler. Note Good News Translation “I must confess today … wrong.” New International Version says “Today I am reminded of my shortcomings,” Revised English Bible “Now I must mention my offenses.”
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 .
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.