Japanese benefactives (omoidashite)

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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, omoidashite (思い出して) or “recall” 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. )

Honorary "rare" construct denoting God ("enter")

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 usage of an honorific construction where the morpheme rare (られ) is affixed on the verb as shown here in the widely-used Japanese Shinkaiyaku (新改訳) Bible of 2017. This is particularly done with verbs that have God as the agent to show a deep sense of reverence. Here, hai-rare-ru (入られる) or “enter” is used.

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

Translation commentary on Luke 23:42

Exegesis:

mnēsthēti mou ‘remember me,’ i.e. ‘remember me graciously,’ ‘show me your grace.’

hotan elthēs en tē basileia sou ‘when you come in your kingship/reign,’ i.e. either, ‘when you come into your kingdom,’ ‘when you become king,’ or ‘when you come with your kingship,’ ‘when you come as king,’ cf. Mt. 16.28 and Plummer and Klostermann. The latter is preferable.

Translation:

The words express a reverent request; hence, where honorific forms exist they will have to be used, and an honorific name qualifier may have to be added.

Remember me, cf. also on 1.54.

When you come in your kingly power, or, ‘when you come as king’ (see Exegesis), ‘when you come with the authority of the Kingdom’ (Coll. Japanese), ‘when you come (with the power) to rule.’

Quoted with permission from Reiling, J. and Swellengrebel, J.L. A Handbook on the Gospel of Luke. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1971. For this and other handbooks for translators see here . Make sure to also consult the Handbook on the Gospel of Mark for parallel or similar verses.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Luke 23:42

23:42

Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when You come into Your kingdom!”: The same criminal continued to speak, but here he spoke to Jesus, instead of to the other criminal. He addressed Jesus by name. In this context the man was being very respectful to Jesus. He implied that he believed that Jesus was the Messiah and that he would rule as king.

In some languages it may be disrespectful or unnatural for the man to address Jesus by name. If this is true in your language, you may be able to use another respectful form of address that is appropriate for a great leader. You should express the request in a respectful way. For example:

Then he said to Jesus, “Please remember me…”
-or-
Then he said to Jesus, “Lord/Sir, please remember me…”

remember me: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as remember can be used in several ways. Here remember me means “keep thinking about me,” “care for me.” The man on the cross was asking Jesus to show him favor and kindness in his future kingdom. Some other ways to translate remember me are:

think about me
-or-
think of me and be gracious to me (Translator’s Reference Translation)
-or-
remember me ⌊and treat me with kindness/mercy⌋

when You come into Your kingdom!: The phrase when You come into Your kingdom refers to the time when Jesus will rule as the Messiah King. Some other ways to translate this are:

when you come into power (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
when you rule as king

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