The term that is transliterated as “Joseph” in English is translated in American Sign Language with a sign that relates to a) the coat he wore (see Gen 37:3), b) the holding of his clothes by Potiphar’s wife (see Gen 39:12), and c) the many times Joseph experienced grief. (Source: Ruth Anna Spooner, Ron Lawer)
“Joseph” in American Sign Language, source: Deaf Harbor
In Spanish Sign Language it is translated with a sign that signifies “dream,” referring to Jacob’s dream at Bethel (see Genesis 28:10 and the following verses). (Source: Steve Parkhurst)
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 41:41:
Kankanaey: “And-so here-now I appoint you (sing.) to be-governor in the entire country Egipto.'” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
Newari: “Again Pharaoh said — ‘You are now in charge of the land of Egypt.'” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
Hiligaynon: “I am-making you (sing.) today ruler over my palace and governor of the entire Egipto, and all of my men will-obey you (sing.). But my authority is greater than yours (sing.).'” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
English: “Then the king said to Joseph, ‘I am now putting you in charge of the whole country of Egypt.'” (Source: Translation for Translators)
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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 Japanese shows different degree of politeness is through the choice of a second person pronoun (“you” and its various forms) as shown here in the widely-used Japanese Shinkaiyaku (新改訳) Bible of 2017. The most commonly used anata (あなた) is typically used when the speaker is humbly addressing another person.
In these verses, however, omae (おまえ) is used, a cruder second person pronoun, that Jesus for instance chooses when chiding his disciples. (Source: S. E. Doi, see also S. E. Doi in Journal of Translation, 18/2022, p. 37ff. )
Behold, I have set you over all the land of Egypt: Behold translates the Hebrew “see” (not hinneh). This introductory term solemnizes the act of installation of Joseph in high office. See Good News Translation “I now appoint you”; Revised English Bible “I hereby give you authority”; New Jerusalem Bible “I hereby make you….” Set you over means “I put you in charge” or “I give you authority over….” Good News Translation supplies “governor.” The Hebrew text does not attach a name to Joseph’s position.
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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