よみうち英語Read the classics by typingNotes Scene 46: A Paper on the Table
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Notes on this scene
Holmes spreads out a map of Victoria that he obtained after sending a telegram. Covering part of a place name, he lets Watson read the remaining letters, then reveals Ballarat. He explains that the dying father was trying to name his killer by association with that place, while James heard only the ending of the word.
Japanese in this scene
- 何と読めるかね
- 何と asks ‘as what’ in this reading task. 読める is the potential form of 読む. The familiar ending かね makes Holmes's prompt conversational rather than a formal examination.
- 二音節しか聞き取れなかった
- しか requires a negative and restricts the amount to ‘only.’ 聞き取れる means to make out spoken words; its negative past explains the limited part James could understand.
- 言おうとしていた
- The volitional form 言おう followed by としていた describes an attempt in progress. Holmes interprets the words as an effort to say something, rather than a completed, clearly heard identification.
Full text: original English and Japanese translation
Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand over part of the map. "What do you read?"
シャーロック・ホームズは、ポケットから折り畳んだ紙を取り出し、テーブルの上に平らに広げた。「これはヴィクトリア植民地の地図だ」と彼は言った。「昨夜、ブリストルへ電報を打って取り寄せたのだよ」彼は地図の一部を手で覆った。「何と読めるかね」
"ARAT," I read.
「アラット」と私は読んだ。
"And now?" He raised his hand.
「では、今度は」彼は手を上げた。
"BALLARAT."
「バララット」
"Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat."
「そのとおり。あの男が口にしたのはその言葉で、息子には最後の二音節しか聞き取れなかったのだ。父親は、自分を殺した男の名を言おうとしていたのだよ。バララットの、誰それというようにね」
"It is wonderful!" I exclaimed.
「すばらしい」と私は声を上げた。