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. In these verses, the Hebrew and Greek that is translated as “come” or similar in English is translated in the Shinkaiyaku Bible as o-koshi (お越し), combining “come” (koshi) with the respectful prefix o-, and “together,” referring to the “king and Haman” is translated as go-issho (ご一緒), using a combination of “together” (issho) and the honorific prefix go-.

Also, an appropriate suffix title referred to as keishō (敬称) is employed by using –sama. Here, ō-sama (王様) “king” is a combination of the nominal title ō “king” and the suffix title –sama.

Furthermore, 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. )

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 #of an honorific prefix as shown here in the widely-used Japanese Shinkaiyaku (新改訳) Bible of 2017. The Greek and Hebrew that is translated as “judge,” “suppose,” “wish,” or “care” in English is translated in the Shinkaiyaku Bible as o-omoi (お思い), combining the verb “think” (okuri) with the respectful prefix o-.

Other uses of honorifics in this verse include:

• The usage of appropriate suffix title referred to as keishō (敬称) by using –sama. This title is distinct from nominal titles such as “teacher” or “king.” Here, ō-sama (王様) “king” is a combination of the nominal title ō “king” and the suffix title –sama.
• The choice of an honorific prefix. Here, o-kini mesu (お気に召す) is used, combining “please” or “do me a favor” (kini mesu) with the respectful prefix o-. Also, the honorific prefix go- (御 or ご) is used, as in go-kōi (ご好意), a combination of “favor” (kōi) and go-.
• The choice of an imperative construction. Here, 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.”).
• The choice of a benefactive construction. Here, dashite (出して) or “send” 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. )<