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 45:21:
Kankanaey: “When Jose told his siblings who were the children of Jacob what the king had said, they obeyed/believed. Jose gave them the horse-drawn-carriages that the king instructed, along with what they would use-as-carry-food on the trail.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
Newari: “The sons of Israel did just as Pharaoh said. Joseph sent them off with large carts and food and drink to eat along the way.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
Hiligaynon: “The children of Jacob obeyed this. And according-to the command of the king of Egipto, Jose gave his siblings/(brothers) some carts and sent-along-provisions of food for their journey.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
English: “Jacob’s sons did what the king suggested. Joseph gave them carts and food to eat along the way, as the king had ordered.” (Source: Translation for Translators)
The instructions to the brothers spoken to Joseph by the king are finished.
The sons of Israel did so: that is, “Jacob’s sons did as the king ordered them.”
Joseph gave them wagons, according to the command of Pharaoh, and gave them provisions for the journey: in some languages the phrase according to … Pharaoh may need to be rendered as a concluding sentence; for example, “Joseph gave them wagons and food for their trip home. He did just as the king had told him to do.” We may likewise say “Joseph did as the king had told him; he gave his brothers wagons and food for their trip.”
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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