よみうち英語Read the classics by typingNotes Scene 8: The Advertisement
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Notes on this scene
Wilson’s wonder disappears after Holmes reveals the clues, prompting Holmes to complain playfully that honest explanations damage his reputation. Holmes then urges him to find the notice. Wilson locates it in the newspaper and prepares to show the strange advertisement from which all the later events arose.
Japanese in this scene
- てしまう
- The 〜てしまう form can show that an action is completed fully or that the result is regrettable or beyond control. Context determines which nuance is stronger.
- ていた
- The 〜ていた form is the past of 〜ている. It describes an action that was in progress or a state that continued at the time being discussed.
- らしい
- らしい can mean “apparently; it seems” when based on indirect evidence. After a noun, it can also mean “typical of; characteristic of.”
- は
- は marks the topic of a sentence and can also set up a contrast with another item.
Background
- Latin quotation
- Educated Victorian gentlemen studied Latin at school and often quoted classical maxims in speech and writing. Holmes casually cites Tacitus here as part of that learned tradition.
Full text: original English and Japanese translation
"I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?"
「ワトソン、どうやら」とホームズは言った。「種明かしをするのは失敗らしいと思えてきたよ。『知られざるものはすべて立派に見える』と言うだろう。こんなに正直に話していたら、大したものでもない私のささやかな評判など、難破してしまう。ウィルソンさん、広告はまだ見つからないのかね？」
"Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began it all. You just read it for yourself, sir."
「ええ、今見つけました」と彼は答え、太く赤い指を欄の中ほどに押し当てた。「これです。すべてはこれから始まったんでして。まあ、ご自分で読んでみてください」