The name that is transliterated as “Isaac” in English is signed in Spanish Sign Language and French Sign Language with a sign that is linked to his mother’s laughter when she hears that she will be pregnant with him (referring to Genesis 18:12 – 18:15) and also is the meaning of the Hebrew “Isaac” (Yitschaq — “he laughs”):
The Hebrew, Latin, and Greek that is transliterated as “Jacob” in English is translated in Spanish Sign Language with a sign that signifies “lentil,” referring to the soup he gave his brother in exchange for his birthright (see Genesis 25:34). Note that another Spanish Sign Language sign for Jacob also users the sign for Jewish. (Source: Steve Parkhurst)
In Finnish Sign Language it is translated with the signs signifying “smooth arm” (referring to the story starting at Genesis 27:11). (Source: Tarja Sandholm)
The name that is transliterated as “Jacob” in English is translated in Finnish Sign Language and American Sign Language with the signs signifying “hairy forearm” (referring to the story starting at Genesis 27:11). (Source: Tarja Sandholm, Ruth Anna Spooner, Ron Lawer)
“Esau” in American Sign Language, source: Deaf Harbor
Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Genesis 35:29:
Newari: “Becoming a very old man he died and went to be with his ancestors. His sons, Esau and Jacob, buried him.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
Hiligaynon: “He died in very old-age, and he was-gathered/mixed/joined with his relatives who had now died. He was-buried by his children Esau and Jacob.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
English: “He was very old when he died, joining his ancestors who had died previously. His sons Esau and Jacob buried his body.” (Source: Translation for Translators)
And Isaac breathed his last; and he died … full of days: for the wording of Isaac’s death and burial, see that of Abraham in 25.8.
And his sons Esau and Jacob buried him they could do this peacefully having become reconciled in chapter 33. According to 49.31 Isaac and Rebekah were buried in the cave of Machpelah.
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 .
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.