complete verse (Job 13:22)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Job 13:22:

  • Kupsabiny: “If you will be the first to speak to me, I shall answer you.
    Or if not, let me speak so that you can answer.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “Then call me,
    I will answer.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “Now, speak to me and I will-answer you, or I will-be the one to speak to you and you will-answer me.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “You speak first, and then I will reply;
    or allow me to speak first, and then you reply.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Japanese benefactives (yonde)

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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 benefactive construction as shown here in the widely-used Japanese Shinkaiyaku (新改訳) Bible of 2017.

Here, yonde (呼んで) or “call” 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. )

Japanese benefactives (hentōshite)

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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 benefactive construction as shown here in the widely-used Japanese Shinkaiyaku (新改訳) Bible of 2017.

Here, hentōshite (返答して) or “reply” 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 Job 13:22

Then call, and I will answer: in line a Job shifts the responsibility for the initiative to God. Job is ready to accuse or defend. The choice he leaves to God. Call means “tell me, speak to me, let me know.” I will answer means “I will respond, reply, be ready.” If God does not want to start the argument, then Job is willing to do so, as he says in line b, or let me speak, and do thou reply to me. Under this alternative Job is willing to speak, “state his case,” first, and God is then expected to reply. Good News Translation provides a good model for translation: “Speak first, O God, and I will answer. Or let me speak, and you answer me.” Alternatively, “God, you speak first and I will reply, or I will speak first then it is your turn.”

Quoted with permission from Reyburn, Wiliam. A Handbook on Job. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1992. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .