“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).
The term that is transliterated as “Abram” in English is translated in American Sign Language with the sign signifying sojourning with a staff, clearly differentiating it from Abraham. (Source: RuthAnna Spooner, Ron Lawer)
“Abram” in American Sign Language, source: Deaf Harbor
Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Genesis 12:16:
Kankanaey: “On-account-of her, good was what the king did to Abram and he gave-him many sheep, goats, cattle, donkeys, camels (loan kamel), and slaves.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
Newari: “Pharaoh treated Abram nicely on account of her. Abram was given cows, sheep, donkeys, camels and male and female servants.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
Hiligaynon: “Because of Sarai, the treatment of the king to Abram [was] very good and he was even given sheep, goats, cattle, donkeys, camels, and male and female servants.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
English: “The king treated Abram kindly because of Sarai, and he gave Abram many sheep and cattle and donkeys and male and female slaves and camels.” (Source: Translation for Translators)
And for her sake he dealt well with Abram: for her sake means because of Sarai, because of who she was, or because the king thought she was Abram’s sister. He dealt well with Abram is literally “he did good to Abram.” The thought is well expressed by Good News Translation: “The king treated Abram well.” In some languages for her sake must be placed after the main clause.
And he had … is literally “and he had to him,” which means that the king gave things to Abram, or Abram received them from the king. The list of gifts Abram received are those things that made up the wealth of the patriarchs or ancestors of the Israelites. See for example the description of the wealth of Abraham in 24.35, and that of Jacob in 32.14-15; see also Job 1.3; 42.12. The term sheep includes both sheep and goats. Oxen translates a word referring to cattle generally and not only work oxen. He-asses, or male donkeys, is separated from she-asses, or female donkeys. Some translations place these two together as “donkeys” (Good News Translation). New English Bible and Revised English Bible keep them separate as Revised Standard Version does. New English Bible translates “asses … she-asses” and Revised English Bible “donkeys … she-donkeys.” The females had greater value for their milk and productivity. Although camels were probably not yet introduced into Egypt at this time, they were doubtlessly known and could be obtained from traders, according to Driver. Westermann views this list as being meant to portray the traditional wealth of the patriarch to listeners at a later age when the camel was commonly associated with wealth in livestock. For ass, cattle, and camel translators should consult Fauna and Flora of the Bible, pages 5-7|fig:ffb_Ass.htm, 62-63|fig:ffb_Cattle.htm, and 13-14|fig:ffb_Camel.htm.
Menservants, maidservants translates two words referring to male and female slaves. For discussion of “slave” see comments on 9.25-27.
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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