“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).
Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Numbers 31:43:
Kupsabiny: “The portion that was given to the people who remained at home was 337,500 sheep/goats, 36,000 cows, 30,500 donkeys and 16,000 girls who were still virgins.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
Newari: “337,500 flock,” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
Hiligaynon: “These are the share of the Israelinhon which are given to them by Moises, which are half of the share of the soldiers who fought: 337,500 sheep, 36,000 cows, 30,500 donkeys, and 16,000 women.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
English: “Moses/I separated what those who had fought in the battle received from what the other people received. The people had taken 337,500 sheep, 36,000 cattle, 30,500 donkeys, and 16,000 virgins,” (Source: Translation for Translators)
From the people of Israel’s half refers to the half-share of war booty that was received by the Israelites who did not take part in the battle with the Midianites.
Which Moses separated from that of the men who had gone to war: The Israelite community at large received the same amount of booty as the soldiers did. The Hebrew verb rendered separated is the same one translated “divide … into two parts” in verse 27 (see the comments there). The Hebrew verb for gone to war (tsavaʾ) is the same one rendered “warred” in verse 7. It comes from the same root as the word for “war” in verses 3-5.
Now the congregation’s half was …: As discussed at 1.2, the Hebrew word for congregation (ʿedah) is better rendered “community” (New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh). The congregation’s half refers to the same half-share of booty as the people of Israel’s half, so Good News Translation combines these two phrases, saying “The share of the community.” Good News Translation begins verses 42-46 with “The share of the community was the same as that for the soldiers,” with other languages may find helpful. This model reminds the reader that the share of the booty for the community was exactly the same as for the men who fought the Midianites (verse 27).
Three hundred and thirty-seven thousand five hundred sheep, thirty-six thousand cattle, and thirty thousand five hundred asses, and sixteen thousand persons: The amount of domestic animals and virgins listed here is same as in verses 36-40 (see the comments there), since the soldiers and the rest of Israelites received the same amount of booty.
Quoted with permission from de Regt, Lénart J. and Wendland, Ernst R. A Handbook on Numbers. (UBS Helps for Translators). Miami: UBS, 2016. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .
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