As soon as we had reached our tent, the letter was sent to us to be translated; but as we had with us no European who understood the language of the country, it had to be rendered first by Mr. Rassam into Arabic to Samuel, and by him from that language into amharic.
"A Narrative of Captivity in Abyssinia With Some Account of the Late Emperor Theodore, His Country and People"
Henry Blanc
There is much reason to regret that none of the Europeans in the country who were conversant with the amharic language were sent for before that important document was made over to his Majesty; for I believe that not only the translation was-in many respects-a bad one, but, moreover, incorrect.
"A Narrative of Captivity in Abyssinia With Some Account of the Late Emperor Theodore, His Country and People"
Henry Blanc
A simple phrase was rendered into one of deep importance to the success of the mission-one of such serious meaning, considering Theodore's position, that I am still inclined to believe that it was introduced in the amharic translation by Theodore's instructions.
"A Narrative of Captivity in Abyssinia With Some Account of the Late Emperor Theodore, His Country and People"
Henry Blanc