years (age)

In Aekyom, years are counted as “turtles” (ambum).

Norm Mundhenk tells this story:

“Recently I was checking some New Testament material in the Aekyom language of western Papua New Guinea. It seemed relatively clear until suddenly we came to a passage that started, ‘When Jesus had 12 turtles, …’ Surely I had misunderstood what they said.
“‘Did you say that Jesus had 12 turtles?’
“‘Let us explain! Around here there is a certain time every year when river turtles come up on the banks and lay their eggs. Because this is so regular, it can be used as a way of counting years. Someone’s age is said to be how many turtles that person has. So when we say that Jesus had 12 turtles, we mean that Jesus was 12 years old.’
“It was of course the familiar story of Jesus’ trip with his parents to Jerusalem. And certainly, as we all know, Jesus did indeed have 12 turtles at that time!”

In Tok Pisin, krismas (derived from “christmas”) is taken as the fixed annual marker, so Jesus had 12 “christmases” (Jisas i gat 12-pela krismas pinis) or Abram (in Gen. 12:4) had 75 (Abram i gat 75 krismas) (source: Norm Mundhenk). In Noongar it is biroka kadak or “summers had” (source: Warda-Kwabba Luke-Ang).

See also advanced in years.

complete verse (Leviticus 27:7)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Leviticus 27:7:

  • Kupsabiny: “If a person has sixty years and up (someone) redeems (him/her) fifteen pieces of silver if it is a man. Or if it is a woman it is ten pieces.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “– The value of a man over 60 years old [would be] 15 shekels of silver
    — and as for a woman the value would be 10 shekels.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “if his value is-paid with silver which is according to its weight on the scale of the priests:
    those-who-are- 1 month to 4 years -of-age
    a male: 5 pieces of silver
    a female: 3 pieces of silver
    those-who-are- 5 years until 19 -of-age
    a male: 20 pieces of silver
    a female: 10 pieces of silver
    those-who-are- 20 years until 59 -of-age
    a male: 50 pieces of silver
    a female: 30 pieces of silver
    those-who-are- 60 years -of-age (and)-above
    a male: 15 pieces of silver
    a female: 10 pieces of silver” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “15 pieces of silver for men who are more than 60 years old,
    ten pieces of silver for women who are more than 60 years old.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Leviticus 27:3 - 27:7

The organization of this whole passage from verse 3 through verse 7 may be radically altered according to the receptor-language habits regarding such lists. In some cases it may even be appropriate to number the eight different categories listed here. And in many languages, the reduction of repetition will be required. In other cases this information may be presented in table form.

According to the shekel of the sanctuary: the term shekel itself refers to a weight or a coin weighing from 8 to 16 grams. Since there was such variety in its weight and value, it was necessary to set up some kind of official standard. Thus this whole expression refers to that standard. New English Bible translates “the sacred standard,” and New Jerusalem Version says “by the sanctuary weight.” In some languages it may be advisable to say something like “according to the measure decided by the priests.” Compare 5.15.

Because the value of various currencies in the world is constantly changing, it is not a good idea to try to fix an amount in the local currency of the receptor language. Rather, it is preferable to use a more general term like “pieces of silver” that will convey the idea of something of considerable worth without setting a specific value. The use of different figures from 3 to 50 will then give some idea of the relative value of the different types of persons involved. If the term shekel is borrowed in the receptor language, it must be clearly explained in a footnote or a glossary entry. However, borrowing is not recommended.

It should be noted here that in contrast with the situation described in 25.49-52, the value of the person is not based on the number of years work he or she might be expected to do in the sanctuary. The lower amount given for the female in each case reflects the cultural attitudes of the ancient Israelites.

Quoted with permission from Péter-Contesse, René and Ellington, John. A Handbook on Leviticus. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1990. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .