よみうち英語Read the classics by typingNotes Scene 6: The Clues Explained
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Notes on this scene
Holmes explains several of his deductions. Wilson’s right hand is larger because he once did heavy work. His breastpin bears a Masonic symbol, while the polished right cuff and worn patch near the left elbow reveal frequent writing at a desk. Each mystery becomes an ordinary physical clue.
Japanese in this scene
- ている
- The 〜ている form can show an action in progress, a continuing condition, or the present result of a completed action. The surrounding context selects the meaning.
- という
- という connects quoted words, a name, or an idea to the noun that follows. Depending on context, it can mean “called,” “that,” or “the idea that.”
- のだ
- のだ adds explanation or emphasis, similar to “the fact is…” or “it is that….” In polite speech it becomes のです or んです.
- は
- は marks the topic of a sentence and can also set up a contrast with another item.
Background
- Inch
- One inch is about 2.54 centimeters, so five inches is roughly thirteen centimeters. The broad polished area on Wilson’s cuff shows how repeatedly his arm moved across a writing desk.
Full text: original English and Japanese translation
"Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more developed."
「あなたの手を見れば分かるよ。右手が左手より優にひと回り大きいだろう。右手を使って働いてきたから、筋肉がよく発達しているのだ」
"Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?"
「では、嗅ぎたばこと、フリーメイソンのほうは？」
"I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you use an arc-and-compass breastpin."
「どう読み取ったかなどと説明して、あなたの知性を侮るつもりはない。なにしろ結社の厳しい決まりにいささか背いて、弧とコンパスをかたどった胸ピンをつけているのだからね」
"Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?"
「ああ、そうか、それを忘れていました。でも、書き物のほうは？」
"What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the elbow where you rest it upon the desk?"
「右の袖口が五インチにわたってあんなにてかてかに光り、左の袖には、机につくひじのあたりにすべすべした擦れがある。それが書き物のほかに何を示すというのかね？」