examine / test (Japanese honorifics)

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 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.

The concept of “examining” or “testing” is translated in the Shinkaiyaku Bible as o-shirabe (お示し), combining “examine” (shirabe) with the respectful prefix o-. (Source: S. E. Doi, see also S. E. Doi in Journal of Translation, 18/2022, p. 37ff. )

inclusive vs. exclusive pronoun (Gen 37:32)

Many languages distinguish between inclusive and exclusive first-person plural pronouns (“we”). (Click or tap here to see more details)

The inclusive “we” specifically includes the addressee (“you and I and possibly others”), while the exclusive “we” specifically excludes the addressee (“he/she/they and I, but not you”). This grammatical distinction is called “clusivity.” While Semitic languages such as Hebrew or most Indo-European languages such as Greek or English do not make that distinction, translators of languages with that distinction have to make a choice every time they encounter “we” or a form thereof (in English: “we,” “our,” or “us”).

For this verse, the Jarai and the Adamawa Fulfulde translation both use the exclusive pronoun, excluding Jacob.

complete verse (Genesis 37:32)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Genesis 37:32:

  • Kankanaey: “Then they had-it-taken to their father and they caused-it-to-be-told (to him) saying, ‘We (excl.) found this long garment. Examine-it please (to see) whether this is the garment of your (sing.) child.'” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Newari: “Then they took that wide upper garment to their father and said — ‘We found this. Is this of your son or not?'” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “Then they brought the garment of Jose to their father and said, ‘We (excl.) found this. See if (it) belongs to Jose or not.'” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “They took that pretty robe back to their father and said, ‘We found this robe! Look at it. Is it your son’s robe?'” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Japanese benefactives (oshirabe)

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 choice of a benefactive construction as shown here in the widely-used Japanese Shinkaiyaku (新改訳) Bible of 2017. Here, oshirabe (お調べ) or “search” 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 Genesis 37:32

Sent the long robe with sleeves: it is not clear whether the brothers sent the bloodied robe with a messenger or if they all took it to Jacob. It is best in many languages to continue the direct style of narrative and follow the model of Good News Translation: “They took the robe to their father.” In this verse the robe is given its full expression as in Gen 37.3. This is doubtlessly used by the narrator to call attention to the particular robe that had begun as a gift, created jealousy, and ended in revenge.

This we have found: that is, “We have found this robe.”

See now … or not: the question is asked politely in addressing their father: “Please see if this is your son’s robe or not.”

Quoted with permission from Reyburn, William D. and Fry, Euan McG. A Handbook on Genesis. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1997. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .