Japanese honorifics (Daniel 9:18)

Like a number of other East Asian languages, Japanese uses a complex system of honorifics, i.e. a system where a number of different levels of politeness are expressed in language via words, word forms or grammatical constructs. These can range from addressing someone or referring to someone with contempt (very informal) to expressing the highest level of reference (as used in addressing or referring to God) or any number of levels in-between.

One way to do this is through the usage (or a lack) of an honorific prefix as shown here in the widely-used Japanese Shinkaiyaku (新改訳) Bible of 2017. When the referent is God, the “divine” honorific prefix mi- (御 or み) can be used, as here in mi-na (御名) or “name (of God)” and mi-mae (御前) or “before (God),”

Other uses of honorifics in this verse include:

  • When the referent is God or a person or persons to be greatly honored, the honorific prefix go- (御 or ご) can be used, as in go-ran (ご覧), a combination of “behold / see” (ran) and the honorific prefix go-.
  • This goran (ご覧) is used in combination with kudasaru (くださる), a respectful form of the benefactive kureru (くれる). A benefactive reflects the good will of the giver or the gratitude of a recipient of the favor. To convey this connotation, English translation needs to employ a phrase such as “for me (my sake)” or “for you (your sake).”
  • Another benefactive construction is kīte (聞いて) or “listen” which is used here in combination with kudasaru (くださる).
  • The honorific form kudasai (ください) reflects that the action is called for as a favor for the sake of the beneficiary. This polite kudasai imperative form is often translated as “please” in English. While English employs pure imperatives in most imperative constructions (“Do this!”), Japanese chooses the polite kudasai (“Do this, please.”).

(Source: S. E. Doi, see also S. E. Doi in Journal of Translation, 18/2022, p. 37ff. )

Translation commentary on Daniel 9:18

Incline thy ear and hear: literally “give your ear and hear.” This double expression is clearly parallel to the following double expression, open thy eyes and behold. The two together are the equivalent of “please listen attentively and please look carefully.” Compare 2 Kgs 19.16. In those languages that require an object for the verbs “listen” and “look,” the meaning to be conveyed is “listen to us” and “look at our troubles.”

Our desolations, and the city which is called by thy name these two expressions, joined by the conjunction “and,” do not refer to two different things that God is asked to look at, but to the city of Jerusalem that is in ruins. The idea which is called by thy name may be conveyed in some languages by “which belongs to you.”

Present our supplications: this expression focuses on the pleading nature of the requests made to God. See also comments on verse 3 above as well as 6.11.

On the ground of: or “on the basis of,” or “because of.” This expression occurs twice. The first time it is negative in form, indicating that Daniel does not presume to make his request in behalf of the people of Israel because of their good deeds. The basis of the request is rather God’s goodness and mercy. Bible en français courant translates “we are not counting on our merits but on your infinite love.” The order of these two elements may have to be reversed (as in Good News Translation) for the sake of naturalness in some languages. Translators may consider “it is because you are merciful that we make this plea, not because we are good,” or “we beg you to do this because we know that you are very compassionate, and not because we think we are just.”

Quoted with permission from Péter-Contesse, René & Ellington, John. A Handbook on Daniel. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1994. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .