complete verse (Job 7:19)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Job 7:19:

  • Kupsabiny: “Hey! Will you not leave me alone, just a little bit,
    or/and I breathe/have a rest from these matters?” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “What! will you not stop looking at me, even for a moment?
    Or will you not leave me alone?” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “Just leave me alone even just a moment.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)

Japanese benefactives (sorashite)

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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, sorashite (そらして) or “avert” 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 (hootteoite)

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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, hootteoite (放っておいて) or “leave someone alone” 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 7:19

Although this verse is stated as a question, the force of Job’s words is a plea for God to take his eyes off Job and leave him in peace. How long wilt thou not look away from me: this question is awkwardly constructed in English. New English Bible, which retains the liturgical language when addressing God, says “Wilt thou not look away from me for an instant?” Nor let me alone till I swallow my spittle?: Job complains that God does not take his observant gaze off Job long enough for him to swallow his spittle. In 9.18 Job asks for time to take a breath. If the expression swallow my spittle is unfamiliar or has a different meaning than in Hebrew, it should be avoided or replaced by an equivalent expression. In Arabic the same expression is commonly used with the meaning “to take a break” or “to catch one’s breath.” The two lines of verse 19 need to be more closely related than they are in Revised Standard Version. This is done well in Good News Translation: “look away long enough for me….”

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 .