Japanese benefactives (-naide)

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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, -naide (ないで) or “do not (for their sake)” 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. )

Honorary "are" construct denoting God (“lead out”)

Click or tap here to see the rest of this insight.

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 usage of an honorific construction where the morpheme are (され) is affixed on the verb as shown here in the widely-used Japanese Shinkaiyaku (新改訳) Bible of 2017. This is particularly done with verbs that have God as the agent to show a deep sense of reverence. Here, michibikidas-are-ru (導き出される) or “lead out” is used.

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

Translation commentary on Deuteronomy 9:26

O Lord GOD: this translates the Hebrew “Lord Yahweh” (the title and the name). The Septuagint has “O Lord, Lord, King of the gods.” For a comment on the translation of O Lord GOD, see 3.24.

Thy heritage: this translates a noun related to a verb that means “to take possession of” (1.38; 3.28; 4.21; see the noun at 4.20, “the people of the LORD,” and 4.38, “the land of the Israelites”). So thy people and thy heritage means “your very own people” (Good News Translation).

Whom thou hast redeemed through thy greatness: here greatness refers to God’s might, his power; redeemed means “set free” (see 7.8). There is no idea here of paying a price to someone to obtain that freedom.

A mighty hand: see 4.34. The Septuagint adds “and an outstretched arm” (as in the Hebrew text of 4.34). The two sentences may be combined as follows: “These are the people you rescued and brought out of Egypt by your great strength and power” (Good News Translation), or “You used your great strength and power to set them free and bring them out of Egypt.”

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 .