sheep

“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: NCAM, p. 70)

Note that the often-alleged Inuktitut translation of “sheep” with “seal” is an urban myth (source Nida 1947, p. 136).

See also lamb.

Translation commentary on 1 Samuel 15:14

Said: in many languages it will be more natural to say that Samuel “asked” rather than to say that Samuel said. By asking this question Samuel shows that he does not believe Saul’s claim to have obeyed the commandment of the LORD and to have killed all of the people and animals of the Amalekites.

Revised Standard Version preserves the parallelism of the Hebrew.

Good News Translation, on the other hand, changes the form to more natural English by changing in my ears to “I hear.”

While some languages have different words (bleating and lowing) for the sounds of the different animals, others may use a single verb meaning “crying” or something similar. Translators should not feel compelled to search for two different terms if this is not natural in their language. The Hebrew, in fact, has just one noun, “the voice of the sheep” and “the voice of the oxen.”

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on the First and Second Books of Samuel, Volume 1. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2001. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .