Japanese benefactives (atte)

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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, atte (会って) or “meet” 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 (“strike”)

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, ut-are-ru (打たれる) or “strike” is used.

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

Translation commentary on Exod 5:3

Then they said means, as Good News Translation puts it, that “Moses and Aaron replied.” The God of the Hebrews has met with us is almost identical with the phrase in 3.18 and should probably be rendered in the same way. In both places the word for met suggests an unexpected meeting that had not been prearranged. The God of the Hebrews contrasts with “the God of Israel” in verse 1and reflects a different tradition. Although the terms Hebrews and “Israelites” are sometimes used interchangeably, they are not identical. (See the comment at 1.15.)

Let us go, we pray, or “Allow us to travel” (Good News Translation), is now a polite request in contrast with the demand in verse 1. One may also say “Please let us walk.” A three days’ journey into the wilderness means “a distance of three days” (New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh) in one direction, before returning. (See the discussion at 3.18b.) And sacrifice to the LORD our God is identical with 3.18b.

Lest introduces an alternative to be avoided. As a conjunction it means “or else” (New English Bible) or “otherwise” (New American Bible), but it may introduce a separate sentence: “If we don’t do so” (Good News Translation). Lest he fall upon us can mean several things: “attack us” (New English Bible), “strike us” (New Jerusalem Bible), “punish us” (New American Bible), or even “kill us” (Good News Translation). Since the sword is a metaphor in the Hebrew for killing people in warfare, Good News Translation‘s translation is probably the more correct one. As with our God, the pronoun us is exclusive, referring only to the Israelites. With pestilence refers to a contagious and usually fatal “disease” (Good News Translation), and the word is always used in Exodus to refer to an act of divine punishment. Some translations use “plague,” referring possibly to the bubonic plague, but here it must be distinguished from the various plagues later brought upon the Egyptians. Or with the sword is literal from the Hebrew and may be understood as a reference to being killed in “war” (Good News Translation).

Quoted with permission from Osborn, Noel D. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on Exodus. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1999. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .