よみうち英語Read the classics by typingNotes Scene 37: What Do You Make of It?
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Notes on this scene
After Wilson leaves, Watson confesses that the case is completely obscure to him. Holmes argues that strange features often make a mystery simpler, while commonplace crimes are harder to distinguish from one another. Despite that confidence, he says that this particular affair requires prompt action.
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.
- 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.
- ほど
- ほど expresses degree or an approximate extent: “to the point that; as much as; about.” The comparison in the sentence determines its natural English rendering.
- は
- は marks the topic of a sentence and can also set up a contrast with another item.
Full text: original English and Japanese translation
"Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what do you make of it all?"
「さて、ワトソン」客が帰ってしまうと、ホームズが言った。「きみはこの一件をどう思うね？」
"I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most mysterious business."
「さっぱり分からないね」と私は正直に答えた。「なんとも不可解な話だよ」
"As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this matter."
「たいていの場合」とホームズは言った。「奇妙なことほど、かえって謎は浅いものなのだ。本当に頭を悩ませるのは、ありふれた、何の特徴もない犯罪のほうで、平凡な顔がいちばん見分けにくいのと同じことさ。だが、この件は急いで手を打たねばならない」
"What are you going to do, then?" I asked.
「それで、どうするつもりなんだい？」と私は尋ねた。