sheep

“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).

See also lamb.

Translation commentary on Jeremiah 23:1

Woe: See 4.13, 31; the expression was last used in 22.13, where Good News Translation rendered it as “Doomed.” Here Good News Translation translates “How terrible will be the LORD’s judgment on….”

Shepherds (see 2.18; 3.15; 22.22) is translated “rulers” by Good News Translation. Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch has “the leading men among my people.” Whereas Good News Translation does away completely with the figure of shepherd and sheep, Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch follows with the figure: “Like shepherds who don’t care, they allow my flock to be scattered and destroyed.” The sheep and shepherd image is so common in the Bible that most translators do try to retain it. One way is to use a simile, as in “How terrible for those rulers who destroy my people and let them be scattered. They are like shepherds scattering and destroying my sheep.”

For says the LORD, see 1.8.

Quoted with permission from Newman, Barclay M. and Stine, Philip C. A Handbook on Jeremiah. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2003. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .