face (Japanese honorifics)

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 by using different types of honorific prefixes.

The Hebrew that is translated as “face” in English is translated in the Shinkaiyaku Bible as o-kao (お顔), combining “face” (kao) with the respectful prefix o-. Note that in Genesis 33:10 it is Esau’s rather than God’s face that o-kao is used for.

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

See also face and face.

Moses

The name that is transliterated as “Moses” in English is signed in Spanish Sign Language and Polish Sign Language in accordance with the depiction of Moses in the famous statue by Michelangelo (see here ). (Source: John Elwode in The Bible Translator 2008, p. 78ff.)


“Moses” in Spanish Sign Language, source: Sociedad Bíblica de España

American Sign Language also uses the sign depicting the horns but also has a number of alternative signs (see here).

In French Sign Language, a similar sign is used, but it is interpreted as “radiance” (see below) and it culminates in a sign for “10,” signifying the 10 commandments:


“Moses” in French Sign Language (source )

The horns that are visible in Michelangelo’s statue are based on a passage in the Latin Vulgate translation (and many Catholic Bible translations that were translated through the 1950ies with that version as the source text). Jerome, the translator, had worked from a Hebrew text without the niqquds, the diacritical marks that signify the vowels in Hebrew and had interpreted the term קרו (k-r-n) in Exodus 34:29 as קֶ֫רֶן — keren “horned,” rather than קָרַו — karan “radiance” (describing the radiance of Moses’ head as he descends from Mount Sinai).

Even at the time of his translation, Jerome likely was not the only one making that decision as this recent article alludes to.

In Swiss-German Sign Language it is translated with a sign depicting holding a staff. This refers to a number of times where Moses’s staff is used in the context of miracles, including the parting of the sea (see Exodus 14:16), striking of the rock for water (see Exodus 17:5 and following), or the battle with Amalek (see Exodus 17:9 and following).


“Moses” in Swiss-German Sign Language, source: DSGS-Lexikon biblischer Begriffe , © CGG Schweiz

In Estonian Sign Language Moses is depicted with a big beard. (Source: Liina Paales in Folklore 47, 2011, p. 43ff.)

See also Moses and Elijah during the Transfiguration.

Translation commentary on Exod 10:29

Moses said introduces a direct response to the Pharaoh’s warning, so “Moses answered” (Good News Translation) or “Moses replied” is better. As you say! has been changed to “Just as you say!” in New Revised Standard Version. Literally it is “Thus you say,” or “Thus you have spoken.” It is still not easy to determine the exact meaning.

Various interpretations have been given to this expression. Earlier editions of Good News Translation had “Anything you say,” which suggests that Moses is meekly submitting to the king’s command. On the other hand, Durham translates “Whatever you say,” explaining in a comment that the response is “tinged with the irony that Pharaoh himself may very well yet ask for him to come back.”

“You are right” is more likely the meaning intended, suggesting that there will no longer be the need for an appearance, since the Israelites will be gone. Hence I will not see your face again; or, following the adjustment in Good News Translation, “You will never see me again.” New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh has “You have spoken rightly. I shall not see your face again!” But see also New International Version, “Just as you say … I will never appear before you again.” Contemporary English Version has “Have it your way,” Moses answered, “You won’t see me again!”

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 .