55When all the land of Egypt was famished, the people cried to Pharaoh for bread. Pharaoh said to all the Egyptians, “Go to Joseph; what he says to you, do.”
The term that is transliterated as “Joseph” in English is translated in American Sign Language with a sign that relates to a) the coat he wore (see Gen 37:3), b) the holding of his clothes by Potiphar’s wife (see Gen 39:12), and c) the many times Joseph experienced grief. (Source: Ruth Anna Spooner, Ron Lawer)
“Joseph” in American Sign Language, source: Deaf Harbor
In Spanish Sign Language it is translated with a sign that signifies “dream,” referring to Jacob’s dream at Bethel (see Genesis 28:10 and the following verses). (Source: Steve Parkhurst)
The term that is used for monarchs in ancient Egypt and is transliterated as “Pharaoh” in English is translated in Finnish Sign Language with the sign signifying the “fake metal beard (postiche)” that was word by Pharaohs during official functions. (Source: Tarja Sandholm)
Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Genesis 41:55:
Kankanaey: “When the ones-from-Egipto also were-made-hungry, they went and requested what they would eat from the king, and the king said, ‘Go see Jose and obey all that he tells (you).'” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
Newari: “After they had nothing to eat because of the famine, those living in Egypt also went to Pharaoh and requested grain. He said to them — ‘Go to Joseph, Whatever he says, do just like that.'” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
Hiligaynon: “Later-on those-from-Egipto also felt the famine, so they asked for food from the king. The king said to them, ‘[You (pl.)] go to Jose for he (will-be) the-one-who will-tell you (pl.) what you (pl.) are-to-do.'” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
English: “When all the people of Egypt had eaten all of their own food and were still hungry, they begged the king for food. So the king told all the people of Egypt, ‘Go to Joseph, and do what he tells you to do.'” (Source: Translation for Translators)
When all the land of Egypt was famished: that is, “When the people of Egypt became hungry.” Some translations say “… ran out of food” or “… began to be short of food.”
Cried to Pharaoh for bread: that is, “begged the king for food.”
Go to Joseph: that is, “Go and ask Joseph [for food].”
What he says to you, do: that is, “and do whatever he tells you to do.”
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 .
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