formal 2nd person plural pronoun (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 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 6:53

This verse states negatively the same truths that were stated positively in verse 51. Here, however, the Son of Man is mentioned, and the necessity of drinking his blood. Commentators generally agree that blood is introduced to call to mind the eucharist, and at the same time to indicate that it is the total being of the Son of Man that gives life—in Hebrew thought “flesh and blood” were equivalent to the total person. Whatever the source of meaning of eat the flesh … drink his blood, these terms cannot be demetaphorized. The picture of eating flesh and of drinking blood may be offensive in some cultures (the Jews themselves were forbidden to drink blood). However, meaning and symbol are so closely related here that one cannot demetaphorize without destroying the meaning of the passage.

You will not have life in yourselves (Jerusalem Bible “you will not have life in you”) is actually in the present tense (Revised Standard Version “you have no life in you”), but in the context it denotes a future possibility (New English Bible “you can have no life in you”). You will not have life in yourselves cannot be said in languages in which life cannot be possessed. Rather, it is necessary to speak of “living.” The most appropriate equivalent may be “you will not really live.” The explanation of this quality of life is contained in verse 54, which amplifies the meaning of verse 53 by introducing the theme of eternal life.

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 6:53

6:53a

So: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as So here introduces what Jesus said in response to the criticisms.

Truly, truly, I tell you: This phrase emphasizes what Jesus was about to say. See the notes on 1:51a, where the same phrase is used. See also 6:26a and 6:32a.

6:53b

unless you eat the flesh and drink the blood of the Son of Man: This clause states two conditions. The two conditions use two figures of speech to say those conditions.

Here are other ways to translate this clause:

If you do not eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood (Good News Translation)
-or-
you must eat the Son of Man’s flesh and drink his blood. If you do not….

eat the flesh and drink the blood: Church groups understand this expression in different ways. See the explanation above at Paragraph 6:52–59. It is necessary to translate this expression literally. That is because of the different understandings and because those who heard Jesus thought that what he said was difficult.

the Son of Man: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as the Son of Man is more literally “the Son of the human/person.” Jesus was referring to himself. He used this title to imply two things:

(a) He was a true human being, and he represented all people.

(b) He came from God and had authority from God.

Try to use an expression that implies both meanings. Here are some possible translations:

the Human-born
-or-
the True Man from God/Heaven
-or-
the Representative of Humanity/Humans

Translate this title as you did in other verses, for example, 1:51; 3:13, 14. See also Key Biblical Terms, Son of Man.

6:53c

you have no life in you: This clause indicates that apart from Christ people do not really live. They do not live in a true or spiritual way. You may need to make this more explicit. For example:

Otherwise, you won’t have real life in you. (New Century Version)
-or-
you won’t live unless you eat the flesh and drink the blood of the Son of Man (Contemporary English Version)

General Comment on 6:53b–c

In some languages it may be natural to put 6:53c at the beginning of 6:53b. For example:

53c You will not have ⌊true⌋ life 53b if you do not eat the flesh and drink the blood of the Son of Man.

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