take (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 Hebrew that is translated as “take” or similar in English (note: only the first instance, i.e., in “take whatever you wish”) is translated in the Shinkaiyaku Bible as o-tori (お取り), combining “accompany” (tori) with the respectful prefix o-. In this case, kudasaru (くださる) is also attached, a respectful form of a benefactive, emphasizing the respectful notion. (Source: S. E. Doi, see also S. E. Doi in Journal of Translation, 18/2022, p. 37ff. )

complete verse (1 Samuel 2:16)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of 1 Samuel 2:16:

  • Kupsabiny: “And/,but if/when that man would say, ‘Let us wait first for the fat part to be burnt, then you can take the meat you want,’ then that servant would say to the other one, ‘Give it right now or else I will snatch it from you.’” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “That man said, "First burn the fat, then take as much as you want." The priest’s helper, however, spoke like this, "Not like that! Give it to me first, otherwise, snatching it I will take it away."” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “If the one who is-offering says to-wait a-while for the fat of the meat to-be-offered before he takes what he wants, this is what he says, ‘Not permissible/possible! You (sing.) must give (it) right now, for if not, I will-take- that -by-force/will-seize that from you (plur.).’” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “If the man said to the servant, ‘Let the priests cut off and burn the fat first; then you can take what you want,’ the servant would reply, ‘No, give it to me now; if you do not give it to me, I will take it forcefully!’” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on 1 Samuel 2:16

The man: that is, the person who was sacrificing (verse 15).

Let them burn the fat first: it is not clear to whom the pronoun them refers. Good News Translation assumes that the two parties are both responsible to see that the requirement of the law is followed, and therefore translates “Let us….” In languages where a passive verb would be naturally used in this context, the problem may be solved by saying something like “Let the fat be burned up first” (New International Version and New Century Version). But where the passive is not an option, it may be necessary to use a vague reference like “Let someone burn the fat first.” According to Lev 7.31, the priest is the person who is supposed to burn the fat on the altar. Therefore it is acceptable to say “Let the priests burn the fat first.”

It may also be important to supply the implied information that what the person is suggesting is only normal and according to the standard rules. Good News Translation does this by adding “do what is right,” and New Century Version accomplishes the same purpose by including the words “as usual.”

First is the usual translation of the Hebrew idiom “as the day,” which in this context seems to have this meaning. King James Version, however, translates “presently.” And both Klein and Anchor Bible take the same expression to mean “as usual.” This translation is also adopted by New Century Version.

No: the Masoretic Text says “to him.” The marginal note in the Masoretic Text, however, says that the text should read No. This is just the reverse of the text and the marginal reading in verse 3 above. Almost all modern versions accept the marginal reading and translate “No.” Other translators would be wise to do the same.

I will take it by force: or, “I will make you give it to me by force.”

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on the First and Second Books of Samuel, Volume 1. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2001. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .