The Hebrew and Greek that is transliterated as “Saul” in English is translated in Spanish Sign Language with the sign that depicts “sword in chest” (referring to 1 Samuel 31:4 and 1 Chronicles 10:4) and also “self-centered.” (Source: Steve Parkhurst)
Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of 1 Samuel 17:31:
Kupsabiny: “When the people heard what David said, they went and told Saul. Then Saul sent people to go and call David.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
Newari: “Countless people heard what David was saying. Then Saul was told, and Saul called him [in].” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
Hiligaynon: “What David was-saying reached Saul, so Saul summoned him/had- him -called.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
English: “Finally, someone told king Saul what David had asked, and Saul sent someone to bring David to him.” (Source: Translation for Translators)
Were heard: there is no definite indication as to who heard David’s words. So in languages where the passive form is not a realistic option, translators may wish to say “Some people heard” or “They [indefinite] heard.” Whoever the implied agent is in this case, it must be the same people referred to as they in the following clause.
He sent for him: that is, Saul sent for David. In some languages the idea of “sending for” a person will have to be translated “sent someone to bring him back.”
Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on the First and Second Books of Samuel, Volume 1. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2001. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .
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