1st person pronoun referring to God (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 first person singular and plural pronoun (“I” and “we” and its various forms) as shown here in the widely-used Japanese Shinkaiyaku (新改訳) Bible of 2017. The most commonly used watashi/watakushi (私) is typically used when the speaker is humble and asking for help. In these verses, where God / Jesus is referring to himself, watashi is also used but instead of the kanji writing system (私) the syllabary hiragana (わたし) is used to distinguish God from others.

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

See also pronoun for “God”.

formal 2nd person plural pronoun (Japanese)

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 Japanese shows different degree of politeness is through the choice of a formal plural suffix to the second person pronoun (“you” and its various forms) as shown here in the widely-used Japanese Shinkaiyaku (新改訳) Bible of 2017. In these verses, anata-gata (あなたがた) is used, combining the second person pronoun anata and the plural suffix -gata to create a formal plural pronoun (“you” [plural] in English).

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

Translation commentary on John 14:26

The Helper, here identified as the Holy Spirit, was first mentioned in verse 16 (see there). Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch avoids the difficult phrase Holy Spirit, and so renders “the Father shall send you his Spirit in my name.” For in my name see comments at 14.13.

Everything stands in contrast to this (literally “these things”) of verse 25, and is best understood in light of 16.13. That is, the Helper will enable the disciples to understand the full implications of Jesus’ words. Everything (in the context of will teach you everything) may seem too inclusive. The Implication is simply “teach you everything you need to know about what I have said.”

Make … remember is also used in Luke 22.61 where Peter recalls Jesus’ words. It is best to take these two phrases (teach you everything and make you remember all that I have told you) as synonymous, the one reinforcing the other. The method by which the Spirit teaches the disciples everything is by “making them remember” all that Jesus has taught them, and by bringing out the implications of his teaching.

Quoted with permission from Newman, Barclay M. and Nida, Eugene A. A Handbook on the Gospel of John. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1980. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .

SIL Translator’s Notes on John 14:26

14:26a

But: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as But here introduces a different subject. There is perhaps a slight contrast between Jesus himself and the Holy Spirit, and what they will do. The Good News Translation does not translate this word explicitly. Translate this introduction to a new subject in a way that is natural in your language.

the Advocate, the Holy Spirit: The word Advocate means “one who is called to help” and is another name for the Holy Spirit. See the notes on 14:16b. Translate it in the same or a similar way here. For example:

the Helper, the Holy Spirit (English Standard Version)
-or-
the Encourager, the Holy Spirit
-or-
the Holy Spirit will come and help you (Contemporary English Version)

the Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity, one with the Father and Son. See Key Biblical Terms Holy A.2. He is called “the Spirit of truth” in 14:17. See how you translated the Holy Spirit in 1:33.

whom the Father will send in My name: God the Father will send the Holy Spirit to the disciples in the name of Jesus.

in My name: This phrase here probably indicates that the Holy Spirit comes with Jesus’ authority. He will be with the disciples instead of Jesus, guiding and teaching them. For example:

as my representative (New Living Translation (2004))

14:26b

will teach you all things: The Holy Spirit will teach Jesus’ disciples everything that they need to know about God and about Jesus’ message. The verb teach here refers to giving understanding and wisdom. The Spirit will help Jesus’ followers understand Jesus’ teaching and how it applies to their lives.

14:26c

will remind you of everything I have told you: This expression indicates that the Holy Spirit will cause the believers to remember everything Jesus taught them. Here are other ways to translate this expression:

will cause you to remember all that I told you (New Century Version)
-or-
make you remember all that I have told you (Good News Translation)

General Comment on 14:26

In some languages it is more natural to translate this verse using two or more sentences. For example:

But the Holy Spirit will come and help you, because the Father will send the Spirit to take my place. The Spirit will teach you everything and will remind you of what I said while I was with you. (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
My Father will send the Holy Spirit to you (plur.) as my representative to help you (plur.). He will teach you (plur.) everything that you (plur.) need to know, and remind you (plur.) of all that I have said to you (plur.).

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