Pharaoh

The term that is used for monarchs in ancient Egypt and is transliterated as “Pharaoh” in English is translated in Finnish Sign Language with the sign signifying the “fake metal beard (postiche)” that was word by Pharaohs during official functions. (Source: Tarja Sandholm)


“Pharaoh” in Finnish Sign Language (source )

complete verse (Genesis 41:10)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Genesis 41:10:

  • Kankanaey: “You (sing.) became-angry-at me and the leader of those who cook bread. And you (sing.) had- us (excl.) -imprisoned in the location of the house of the captain of the guards.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Newari: “He said to Pharaoh — ‘Once the great king was angry with the chief baker and me and imprisoned us.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “Is-it not that you were-angry in-time-past with me and the head of the ones-who-bakes bread, and you (sing.) in-fact had- us (excl.) -put in prison in the house of the captain of the guards at the palace?” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “One time you were angry with two of us. So you put me and the chief baker in the prison in the house of the captain of the palace guards.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Genesis 41:10ß

When Pharaoh was angry with his servants: Revised Standard Version begins this verse with a “when” clause. However, translators may find it more natural to make two sentences in verses 10 and 11. We may open verse 10, for example, “One day…” or “It happened that the king was angry….” In some languages it will be necessary to address the king in the second person; for example, “One time when you were angry…” or “Once when you, sir, were angry with us servants and you put the head baker and me in the guard house.” See the wording in 40.3 for the kind of arrest and the description of the part of the jail where they were kept.

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 .