The name that is transliterated as “Abraham” in English is translated in virtually all sign languages, including American Sign Language with the sign signifying “hold back arm” (referring to Genesis 22:12).
In Tira it is transliterated as Abaram. The choice of this, rather than the widely-known “Ibrahim,” as used in the Tira translation of the Qu’ran, was to offset it against the Muslim transliteration which originates from Arabic. (Source: J.A. Naudé, C.L. Miller Naudé, J.O. Obono in Acta Theologica 43/2, 2023, p. 129ff. )
Click or tap here to see two short video clips about Abraham (source: Bible Lands 2012)
The name that is transliterated as “Isaac” in English is signed in Spanish Sign Language and French Sign Language with a sign that is linked to his mother’s laughter when she hears that she will be pregnant with him (referring to Genesis 18:12 – 18:15) and also is the meaning of the Hebrew “Isaac” (Yitschaq — “he laughs”):
Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Genesis 35:12:
Newari: “I will give you the land that I gave to Abraham and Isaac, and this will be for your descendants forever.'” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
Hiligaynon: “The land that I gave to Abraham and to Isaac I will- also -give to you (sing.) and to your (sing.) descendants.'” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
English: “The land that I promised to give to your grandfather Abraham and your father Isaac, I will give to you. I will also give it to your descendants.'” (Source: Translation for Translators)
The land which I gave to Abraham and Isaac I will give to you: this refers to the promise made to Abraham in 17.8 and to Isaac in 26.3. A literal rendering of gave may be a problem in some languages, since it may have the sense that Abraham and Isaac actually became the owners of the land. If this is the case, a translation such as “I will give you the land that I promised Abraham and Isaac” may be required.
For those who are able to capture some of the poetic parallelism in verses 11-12, we may suggest a sample in English:
“I am God Almighty.
Have many children;
Your children will become many nations;
And some of your children will be their kings.
The land I gave to Abraham and to Isaac
that land I give now to you,
and to your children after you I give this land.”
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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