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 Joshua 6:21

The first sentence of this verse may be broken into two sentences as follows: “They took their swords and killed everyone in the city. They killed all the men, women, and children.” All living things, human and animal, are put to death; logically this would seem to include Rahab and her family, but verses 22-25 narrate how they were spared.

“Utterly destroyed” (Revised Standard Version; Good News Translation killed everyone) translates a verb which comes from the same stem as the noun that Revised Standard Version translates “destruction” in verse 17 and “things devoted to destruction,” “devoted things,” and “a thing for destruction” in verse 18; see comments there.

Quoted with permission from Bratcher, Robert G. and Newman, Barclay M. A Handbook on Joshua. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1983. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .