Japanese benefactives (shukufukushite)

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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 Japanese shows different degree of politeness is through the choice of a benefactive construction as shown here in the widely-used Japanese Shinkaiyaku (新改訳) Bible of 2017. Here, shukufukushite (祝福して) or “bless” 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).”

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

Translation commentary on Deuteronomy 24:19

When you reap: this would be done with a scythe or sickle. We may say simply “cut down your grain.”

Your harvest: in verses 19-21 the main agricultural products are cited. These are grain (wheat or barley), olive trees (for the production of olive oil), and vineyard (for the production of wine). For comments on these crops see 7.13.

A sheaf consists of stalks of ripe grain that have been cut and tied into a bundle, with the heads of grain at one end.

For the sojourner, …: the Septuagint adds “the poor” at the beginning of the list here. For sojourner see 1.16.

The LORD your God may bless you in all the work of your hands: see 14.29.

Quoted with permission from Bratcher, Robert G. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on Deuteronomy. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2000. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .