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Naoto

Jul 03rd 2009 11:57

Do you know famous writer of Japan Literature, Natsume Souseki?
He is great writer.
His the most famous work is "吾輩は猫である".
This work is translated into English, "I'm a cat". But when I see this translation, I thought that perfect translation is unpossible.

The word, "吾輩" surely means I. But "吾輩" feel strict in some way.
But the title in English, "I am a cat". It is cute, isn't it?
Japanese have some ways of indicating "I".
But the each of these have a different nuance.

And my teacher of Aplied English said, "Strictly speaking, If translate "さようなら" into English, translation is "If it should be so" "
Real mean of "さようなら" is "I don't want to leave you, but you must go? If it should be so, there is no help."

I have no confidence of my English of accuracy...

Comment


debberry

Jul 03rd 2009 12:16

Arrow_31_dummyPerfect translation is possible?
Arrow_31Perfect translation is it possible? or Is perfect translation possible?
0 (0)

Arrow_31_dummyDo you know famous writer of Japan Literature, Natsume Souseki?
Arrow_31Do you know the famous writer of Japanese literature, Natsume Souseki?
0 (0)

Arrow_31_dummyHe is great writer.
Arrow_31He is a great writer.
0 (0)

Arrow_31_dummyHis the most famous work is "吾輩は猫である".
Arrow_31His the most famous work is "吾輩は猫である".
0 (0)

Arrow_31_dummyThis work is translated into English, "I'm a cat".
Arrow_31This work was translated into English- "I'm a cat".
0 (0)

Arrow_31_dummyBut when I see this translation, I thought that perfect translation is unpossible.
Arrow_31But when I saw the translation, I thought that perfect translation is not possible. However, when I saw the translation, I felt that it was not possible to translate it perfectly.
0 (0)

Arrow_31_dummyThe word, "吾輩" surely means I.
Arrow_31Yes, the word, "吾輩" surely means " I ".
0 (0)

Arrow_31_dummyBut "吾輩" feel strict in some way.
Arrow_31But "吾輩" connotes the idea of strict in some ways.
0 (0)

Arrow_31_dummyBut the title in English, "I am a cat".
Arrow_31Hence the title in English, "I am a cat", does not give the impression of strict or seriousness.
0 (0)

Arrow_31_dummyIt is cute, isn't it?
Arrow_31Instead it sounds It is cute, does not it?
0 (0)

Arrow_31_dummyJapanese have some ways of indicating "I".
Arrow_31Japanese have some several/different ways of indicating "I".
0 (0)

Arrow_31_dummyBut the each of these have a different nuance.
Arrow_31But the And each of these have a different nuance.
0 (0)

Arrow_31_dummyAnd my teacher of Aplied English said, "Strictly speaking, If translate "さようなら" into English, translation is "If it should be so" "
Arrow_31And My teacher of Applied English said, "Strictly speaking, if we were to translate "さようなら" into English, thetranslation should be "If it should be so" "
0 (0)

Arrow_31_dummyReal mean of "さようなら" is "I don't want to leave you, but you must go?
Arrow_31Real meaning of "さようなら" is "I don't want to leave you, but you must go.
0 (0)

Arrow_31_dummyIf should be so, there is no help."
Arrow_31If should be so, there is no help." A bit confused how this links to the above sentence. Are you saying that " If should be so" doesn't help or?
0 (0)

Arrow_31_dummyI have no confidence of my English of accuracy...
Arrow_31I have no confidence of the accuracy of my English. of accuracy...
0 (0)


con⋅note
  
–verb (used with object)
1.to signify or suggest (certain meanings, ideas, etc.) in addition to the explicit or primary meaning: The word “fireplace” often connotes hospitality, warm comfort, etc.


Hi there,
your English is good, just need to remember not to leave out the articles and to 'check' the tenses.

I have heard of this book but I have yet to read it. What is it about?


Nekesu

Jul 03rd 2009 12:22

Arrow_31_dummyDo you know famous writer of Japan Literature, Natsume Souseki?
Arrow_31Do you know famous writer of Japanese Literature, Natsume Souseki?
0 (0)

Arrow_31_dummyHe is great writer.
Arrow_31He is a great writer.
0 (0)

Arrow_31_dummyHis the most famous work is "吾輩は猫である".
Arrow_31His the most famous work is "吾輩は猫である".
0 (0)

Arrow_31_dummyThis work is translated into English, "I'm a cat".
Arrow_31This work is translated into English, the title is "I'm a cat".
0 (0)

Arrow_31_dummyBut when I see this translation, I thought that perfect translation is unpossible.
Arrow_31But when I saw this translation, I thought that perfect translation was impossible.
0 (0)

Arrow_31_dummyBut "吾輩" feel strict in some way.
Arrow_31But "吾輩" feels strict in some way.
0 (0)

Arrow_31_dummyJapanese have some ways of indicating "I".
Arrow_31The Japanese language has more than one way of expressing the word "I."
0 (0)

Arrow_31_dummyBut the each of these have a different nuance.
Arrow_31But the each of these has a different nuance.
0 (0)

Arrow_31_dummyAnd my teacher of Aplied English said, "Strictly speaking, If translate "さようなら" into English, translation is "If it should be so" "
Arrow_31And my teacher of Applied English said, "Strictly speaking, If you translate "さようなら" into English, the meaning would be "If it should be so"
0 (0)

Arrow_31_dummyReal mean of "さようなら" is "I don't want to leave you, but you must go?
Arrow_31The real mean of "さようなら" is "I don't want to leave you, but you must go?
0 (0)

Arrow_31_dummyI have no confidence of my English of accuracy...
Arrow_31I have no confidence In the accuracy of my English.
0 (0)

There doesn't seem to be any other way of translating 吾輩, since English just uses "I" to refer to oneself usually. But since 吾輩 has a bit of an arrogant tone maybe it can be translated as "I, the most supreme being in the universe, am a cat." 「俺、宇宙で一番最高の存在者は猫である。」Or something like that...Referring to oneself in the third person also shows arrogance.

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