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. )

3rd person pronoun with high register (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 third person singular and plural pronoun (“he,” “she,” “it” and their various forms) as shown here in the widely-used Japanese Shinkaiyaku (新改訳) Bible of 2017. While it’s not uncommon to avoid pronouns altogether in Japanese, there are is a range of third person pronouns that can be used. In these verses a number of them are used that pay particularly much respect to the referred person (or, in fact, God, as in Exodus 15:2), including kono kata (この方), sono kata (その方), and ano kata (あの方), meaning “this person,” “that person,” and “that person over there.”

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

See also third person pronoun with exalted register.

Translation commentary on Matthew 13:11

And he answered them: in Greek Jesus’ answer is introduced by a conjunction which may be used either as the equivalent of marking direct discourse or with the meaning “because.” Revised Standard Version, Good News Translation, New English Bible, New International Version, and Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch follow the first alternative, while Jerusalem Bible, Moffatt, Phillips, and Traduction œcuménique de la Bible follow the other choice. The context supports either interpretation, and no final argument may be offered for one as opposed to the other. Some translators who follow this second interpretation will be working in languages that introduce a causative reply like this: “I use parables because the knowledge about the secrets….”

Note that them in this verse refers in the first occurrence to the disciples and in the second to the crowds.

To you it has been given to know translates a passive construction in which God is the assumed actor; that is, “God has given you the knowledge….” Bibel im heutigen Deutsch, 1st edition makes this explicit, “God has allowed you to understand his purpose for the world.”

Both Matthew and Luke 8.10 have the plural secrets, while Mark 4.11 has the singular. Elsewhere Matthew reflects a preference for the plural (see 8.26), though his use of the plural here may be determined by the numerous themes which he sees in the parables. The noun “secret” (or “mystery”) is frequently used in Jewish apocalyptic literature, where it refers to “secrets” made known to God’s elect people but hidden from others. Most often these “secrets” relate to events connected with the end of time (for example, resurrection, final judgment, Messianic Kingdom, and the immortality of the soul). The noun is used similarly in the Greek translation of the book of Daniel (2.18, 19, 27, 28, 29, 30, 47 [twice]). Daniel is the only non-apocryphal book of the Septuagint where this word is used, though it is also found in Tobit 12.7, 11; Judith 2.2; Wisdom of Solomon 2.22; 6.22; 14.15, 23; Sirach 22.22; 27.16, 17, 21; and 2 Maccabees 13.21. In Wisdom of Solomon 2.22 the reference is to “God’s wisdom.” Secrets may be rendered as “secret (or, hidden) truths,” “knowledge hidden from people,” “knowledge (or truths, or things) that other people do not know,” or “knowledge people can’t find out (or, learn).” It can be either singular or plural, depending on the receptor language.

Kingdom of heaven: see comments on 3.2. Malay common language version translates “the manner in which God establishes his rule on this earth,” and INCL has “the secret concerning God and his rule.”

But to them it has not been given: the implied agent is God, “but God has not given this understanding to others.” None of the translations consulted mentions God explicitly, but Bibel im heutigen Deutsch, 1st edition comes close by the manner in which it connects this clause with the previous: “God has allowed you to understand his purpose for the world, but to others it remains hidden.” Jerusalem Bible, through the use of “revealed,” implies an act of God: “but they are not revealed to them.” There will be many languages, however, where translators will find it helpful to mention God, as in our example above.

Them may be “these people” or “other people.”

Quoted with permission from Newman, Barclay M. and Stine, Philip C. A Handbook on the Gospel of Matthew. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1988. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 13:11

13:11a

He replied: In Greek, there is a word that occurs after this phrase. The Berean Standard Bible does not translate this word. There are two ways to interpret this Greek word:

(1) It is a speech introducer and means that. It introduces Jesus’ answer. So most English versions do not translate this word. For example:

He replied, “The knowledge….” (New International Version)

(Berean Standard Bible, New International Version, Good News Translation, Revised Standard Version, NET Bible, English Standard Version, New Living Translation (2004), New American Standard Bible, God’s Word, Contemporary English Version, Revised English Bible, New Century Version)

(2) It is a conjunction and means because. It introduces the reason that Jesus spoke in parables. For example:

He replied, “Because the knowledge…” (NIV2011)

(NIV2011, New Jerusalem Bible, Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English, King James Version)

Here are some issues to consider when deciding which interpretation to follow:

• The majority of English versions follow interpretation (1). And the quote in the parallel passage in Mark 4:11 begins without the conjunction “because.”

• The meaning of the verse does not change if you choose interpretation (2). It may even be more natural in some languages to start the quote with “⌊I use parables⌋ because….” Many commentators also follow this interpretation.

13:11b

The knowledge of the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you: Another way to translate this clause is: “The secrets of the kingdom of heaven have been given to you to know.”

In some languages, secrets are not something that can be given. They are “revealed” or “told.” You should use the verb that is most natural in your language for telling a secret. In this context, it is God through Jesus who has revealed certain secrets to the disciples.

This clause is passive. Here are some ways to translate it:

• Use a passive verb. For example:

You have been given the opportunity to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven (NET Bible)
-or-
You are permitted/allowed to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven

• Use an active verb. For example:

⌊God⌋ has revealed/shown to you the secrets of the kingdom of heaven
-or-

⌊God⌋ has told you the secrets about the kingdom of heaven
-or-
I have explained the secrets about the kingdom of heaven to you (Contemporary English Version)

Notice that in the active examples above, the phrase The knowledge of is not translated. When secrets are revealed, it is implied that the person now knows them. So it may not be necessary to translate the phrase The knowledge of.

the mysteries: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as mysteries refers to truths that were previously hidden or unknown. They were previously a mystery to everyone. Now, God reveals these truths only to certain people.

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

secret/hidden truths
-or-
mysteries (New Jerusalem Bible)

the kingdom of heaven: In the phrase the kingdom of heaven, the word heaven is a figure of speech called metonymy. In this figure of speech, heaven refers to God, but it refers to him indirectly by naming the place where he lives and rules. So the phrase the kingdom of heaven means the same thing as “the kingdom of God.”

Here are some ways to translate heaven in this context:

• Make some information explicit. For example:

⌊the one/Lord who lives in⌋ heaven

• Translate the meaning without using a figure of speech. For example:

God

This phrase also occurs in 3:2b, 5:3b, 10:7b, and 11:11c. Also see kingdom of heaven in the Glossary.

13:11c

but: There is a contrast here. The contrast is between two types of people: the ones who know the secrets, and the ones who do not know them. The Berean Standard Bible indicates this contrast with the conjunction but.

In Greek, this contrast is also emphasized by putting the two groups first in each clause. For example:

11b
to you it has been given

11c
to them it has not been given

If there is a way in your language to emphasize and contrast the two groups of people, you should consider doing it here.

not to them: Some words are implied from 13:11b but not repeated here. It may be more natural in your language to repeat some or all of the implied words. For example:

⌊these secrets have⌋ not ⌊been revealed⌋ to them

-or-

⌊he has⌋ not ⌊told/explained the secrets about the kingdom of heaven⌋ to them

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