self-referencing pronoun for king or queen

In Malay, the pronoun beta for the royal “I” (or “my” or “me”) that is used by royals when speaking to people of lower rank, subordinates or commoners to refer to themselves in these verses. This reflects the “language of the court because the monarchy and sultanate in Malaysia are still alive and well. All oral and printed literature (including newspapers and magazines) preserve and glorify the language of the court. Considering that the language of the court is part of the Malaysian language, court language is used sparingly where appropriate, specifically with texts relating to palace life.” (Source: Daud Soesilo in The Bible Translator 2025, p. 263ff.)

complete verse (Daniel 2:9)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Daniel 2:9:

  • Kupsabiny: “I have already said that if you do not tell me these dreams then you deserve that I punish all of you the same way. So, you think you are telling me lies by changing statements with the hope that my decision would change. Tell me those dreams so I can know that you are able to tell me what they mean.’” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “If you do not tell me [my] dream there will be there will be one kind of punishment for all of you. Hoping that the situation would change you have been plotting to tell me lies. Now tell me that dream. then I will know that you will be able to tell me its meaning."” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “that if you (plur.) in-fact/indeeddo- not -guess and explain my dream I will- surely -punish you (plur.) like what I had-said. You (plur.) have-conspired to lie to me for you (plur.) are-hoping that the situation will- still -change. You (plur.) try-to-guess now what is my dream so I will-believe that you (plur.) really know how-to-explain its meaning.’” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “If you do not tell me what I dreamed, you will be punished. I think that you have all agreed to tell me lies and other wicked things, because you hope that I will change my mind/what I am thinking. But tell me the dream, and then I will know that you can also tell me what it means.’” (Source: Translation for Translators)

2nd person pronoun with low register (Japanese)

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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 second person pronoun (“you” and its various forms) as shown here in the widely-used Japanese Shinkaiyaku (新改訳) Bible of 2017. The most commonly used anata (あなた) is typically used when the speaker is humbly addressing another person.

In these verses, however, omae (おまえ) is used, a cruder second person pronoun, that Jesus for instance chooses when chiding his disciples. (Source: S. E. Doi, see also S. E. Doi in Journal of Translation, 18/2022, p. 37ff. )

See also first person pronoun with low register and third person pronoun with low register.

Translation commentary on Daniel 2:8 - 2:9

Answered: literally “answered saying….” In some languages the context may require a word that gives a stronger expression of emotion. New Jerusalem Bible has “retorted,” Revised English Bible “rejoined”; Good News Translation says “exclaimed,” while Bible en français courant renders the verb “cried out.”

I know with certainty: given the emotive impact of this passage, the Revised Standard Version rendering sounds somewhat stilted and weak. Some other versions have said “It is clear to me” (New Jerusalem Bible and Revised English Bible), “I see quite plainly” (Moffatt), and “Just as I thought!” (Good News Translation).

You are trying to gain time: literally “you are buying time,” that is, “you are looking for a way to have some more time” or “you are trying to delay the punishment.” New American Bible has “you are bargaining for time.”

The word from me is sure: see verse 5.

There is but one sentence for you: these words indicate that the same sentence, or verdict, will be applied to all of those involved. Other ways of saying this are “you will all receive the same punishment,” or “they (indefinite) will punish every one of you in the same way,” or “the same penalty will be given to all of you,” or “the same judgment will be pronounced on all of you,” or “I will have you all punished in the same way.”

You have agreed to speak lying and corrupt words: this gives a part of the reason for the judgment that would be passed and may therefore require a restructuring of the verse in some languages. It is important that the verb form used indicates a continuing process rather than a single event. This is why Good News Translation has “to go on telling me lies….” Some other possible renderings of these words may be “you conspired to continue deceiving me…” or “you plotted to keep on tricking me with lies….”

Till the times change: it is obvious that it is not a change in time that was hoped for as much as a change in the attitude of the king that would come with the passage of time. If necessary it is possible to say “until I change my mind” or something similar. Other versions have rendered this as “in the hope that with time things may alter” (New English Bible/Revised English Bible), “hoping the situation will change” (New International Version), “till the crisis is past” (New American Bible).

Therefore tell me …: or “So I want you to tell me…,” or “I demand that you reveal to me what the dream was, so that I can be assured that you are able to tell me what it means.”

Quoted with permission from Péter-Contesse, René & Ellington, John. A Handbook on Daniel. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1994. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .