inclusive vs. exclusive pronoun (Gen 41:12)

Many languages distinguish between inclusive and exclusive first-person plural pronouns (“we”). (Click or tap here to see more details)

The inclusive “we” specifically includes the addressee (“you and I and possibly others”), while the exclusive “we” specifically excludes the addressee (“he/she/they and I, but not you”). This grammatical distinction is called “clusivity.” While Semitic languages such as Hebrew or most Indo-European languages such as Greek or English do not make that distinction, translators of languages with that distinction have to make a choice every time they encounter “we” or a form thereof (in English: “we,” “our,” or “us”).

For this verse, the Jarai and the Adamawa Fulfulde translation both use the exclusive pronoun, excluding Pharaoh.

complete verse (Genesis 41:12)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Genesis 41:12:

  • Kankanaey: “There-was also a Hebreo young-man who was a slave of the captain of the guards with-whom- we (excl.) -were-joined/added in the prison. When we (excl.) related to him what we (excl.) had dreamed, he told what they meant to say.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Newari: “The young Hebrew servant of the officer in charge of the prison was also there in prison with us. We told him the dreams that we had had. He interpreted both of our dreams.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “We (excl.) had a companion there who was a young Hebrew, a servant of the captain of the guards at the palace. We (excl.) told him our dreams and he explained to us (excl.) the meaning.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “There was a young Hebrew man there with us. He was a servant of the captain of the palace guards. We told him what we had dreamed, and he told us what our dreams meant. He told each of us the meaning of our dreams.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Genesis 41:12

A young Hebrew … us: in some languages a man is referred to as “a child” or “a youth” until he is married. Joseph is not yet married, although he is thirty years old according to verse 46. For captain of the guard see 40.3-4.

Each man: the wine steward refers in the third person to himself and the baker. In most languages it is better to retain the first person plural, as in Good News Translation.

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 .