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.

lost

The Greek that is often translated as “lost” in English is translated in Mairasi as “their faces lengthened.” (Source: Enggavoter 2004)

complete verse (Matthew 10:6)

Following are a number of back-translations of Matthew 10:6:

  • Uma: “Go first/for-now to our (incl.) fellow Yahudi people descendants of Israel. They are like lost sheep.” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
  • Yakan: “But go only to the tribe of Isra’il. For they are like lost sheep.” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
  • Western Bukidnon Manobo: “You just preach to our companions, the descendants of Israel, They are like sheep that are lost.” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “but rather go to our companions the descendants of Israel who are as-if lost sheep.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Tagbanwa: “On the contrary, where you are to go is to our fellow Judio, who are like lost sheep.” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)
  • Tenango Otomi: “Rather go to where the Jews live. Because the Jews are like sheep who are lost.” (Source: Tenango Otomi Back Translation)

Translation commentary on Matthew 10:6

But … rather is translated “Instead” by Good News Translation. As both translations clearly indicate, a contrast is intended between where the disciples are not to go and where they are to go.

Go may need to be expressed as “You should go.”

The lost sheep of the house of Israel is deceptive, since it sounds as though the lost sheep are a group within the larger group of the house of Israel. Actually, this is a Semitic way of referring to those same people (see also the comments on 15.24). Good News Translation avoids the figure of a house: “the lost sheep of the people of Israel.” Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch clearly identifies the two: “go to the lost flock, the people Israel.” Many translators will want to retain the images of the metaphor, the lost sheep of the house of Israel. The house of Israel is a reference to the people of Israel, and they are being compared to lost sheep. Thus the phrase can be rendered “the people of Israel who are like lost sheep” or “… who are lost like sheep (with no shepherd).” It probably is not necessary to specify here in what way they are lost.

Quoted with permission from Newman, Barclay M. and Stine, Philip C. A Handbook on the Gospel of Matthew. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1988. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .