Draft to a methodology of translation of zoological terms in the biblical texts shown on an example of certain species of mammals (Mammalia)

Abstract

Translation of zoological terms occurring in the biblical texts, from Hebrew or Greek into Polish, may cause difficulties to translators. The aim of this paper is to show what a translator of biblical books should pay attention to, in order to remain faithful to the intentions of the inspired author and to a contemporary knowledge about the fauna of the Holy Land. In case a word in an original text of the Scripture could not be assign clearly to a certain species of animal the inspired author meant, firstly the word should be considered in a wider context of the text that is being translated. This allows, among others, to state whether the text is dealing with a wild or a domesticated animal. Then it should be answered if the natural range of this animal (especially wild species) covered an area of Asia Minor and North Africa in biblical times. Such knowledge brings zoogeography, a field of science which investigate and describe the change of ranges of animal species. As far as domesticated species are concerned, it is important to determine the time and place of domestication and ways of uses of domesticated animals in the area. In this case another branch of zoology, called zooarchaeology, can be helpful. Translation of zoological terms can be facilitated also by referring to structurally related to them words, used in other Semitic languages – Akkadic, Ugaritic, and Arabic, in which similar-sounding names of animals survived. Therefore, a consultation with a biblical linguist is essential to obtain an important completion to an analysis of the word, especially on natural science level. While translating, it is necessary also to take into account literary and historical context of particular biblical pericopes, which contain references to animals, what was presented on the example of translation problems with Hebrew words taḥaš and qippōd.