large numbers in Angguruk Yali

Many languages use a “body part tally system” where body parts function as numerals (see body part tally systems with a description). One such language is Angguruk Yali which uses a system that ends at the number 27. To circumvent this limitation, the Angguruk Yali translators adopted a strategy where a large number is first indicated with an approximation via the traditional system, followed by the exact number according to Arabic numerals. For example, where in 2 Samuel 6:1 it says “thirty thousand” in the English translation, the Angguruk Yali says teng-teng angge 30.000 or “so many rounds [following the body part tally system] 30,000,” likewise, in Acts 27:37 where the number “two hundred seventy-six” is used, the Angguruk Yali translation says teng-teng angge 276 or “so many rounds 276,” or in John 6:10 teng-teng angge 5.000 for “five thousand.”

This strategy is used in all the verses referenced here.

Source: Lourens de Vries in The Bible Translator 1998, p. 409ff.

See also numbers in Ngalum and numbers in Kombai.

Translation commentary on 2 Chronicles 28:8

The men of Israel took captive two hundred thousand of their kinsfolk, women, sons, and daughters: The men of Israel (literally “the children/sons of Israel”) refers to the army of the northern kingdom, Israel. Some translate simply “The Israelites” (New American Bible, New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh), but it is probably better to specify “The Israelite troops” (Contemporary English Version) or “the soldiers of the northern kingdom” (Bible en français courant). All twelve tribes of Israel were descended from Jacob, so the people of the northern kingdom were kinsfolk (that is, relatives) to the people in the southern kingdom. Good News Translation makes explicit the identity of their kinsfolk (literally “their brothers”) by saying “the Judeans were their own relatives,” and Parole de Vie is similar with “their brothers and sisters of Judah.” The 200,000 relatives they took as prisoners were women, sons, and daughters. In some languages sons, and daughters is more naturally expressed as “children” (Good News Translation). A possible model for this whole clause is “The Israelites soldiers took captive 200,000 women and children from their relatives the Judeans.”

They also took much spoil from them and brought the spoil to Samaria: For the word spoil, see the comments on 1 Chr 20.2 and 2 Chr 15.11. In this context Samaria refers to the capital city of Israel, which Contemporary English Version makes explicit by saying “their capital city of Samaria.”

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on 1-2 Chronicles, Volume 1. (UBS Helps for Translators). Miami: UBS, 2014. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .