小説を読みながら、語彙を増やしましょう。
夏目漱石の小説『坊っちゃん』の原文と毛利八十太郎が英訳した “Botchan (Master Darling)” を併せて見ていきます。
【あらすじ】
とりあえず寄宿生たちを放免した校長に、学校は休んでかまわないと言われた主人公ですが、一晩寝ないで顔がはれていても授業くらいはできると言い張ります。
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The principal listened to my explanation, and also to brief remarks from the students. "Attend school as usual till further notice. Hurry up with washing your face and breakfast; there isn't much time left." So the principal let go all the students. Decidedly slow way of handling, this. If I were the principal, I would expel them right away. It is because the school accords them such luke-warm treatment that they get "fresh" and start "guying" the night watch.
He said to me that it must have been trying on my nerves, and that I might be tired, and also that I need not teach that day. To this I replied:
"No, Sir, no worrying at all. Such things may happen every night, but it would not disturb me in the least as long as I breathe. I will do the teaching. If I were not able to teach on account of lack of sleep for only one single night, I would make a rebate of my salary to the school."
I do not know how this impressed him, but he gazed at me for a while, and called my attention to the fact that my face was rather swollen. Indeed, I felt it heavy. Besides, it itched all over. I was sure the mosquitoes must have stung me there to their hearts' content. I further added:
"My face may be swollen, but I can talk all right; so I will teach;" thus scratching my face with some warmth. The principal smiled and remarked, "Well, you have the strength." To tell the truth, he did not intend remark to be a compliment, but, I think, a sneer.
expel 追い出す
luke-warm なまぬるい
fresh 生意気な
guy からかう
rebate 払い戻し
to one's hearts' content 存分に
with warmth 興奮して、躍起になって
sneer 冷笑、軽蔑
夏目漱石による原文はこちら。
＊＊＊ 慣用句を覚えよう ＊＊＊
Shoulder（肩）
cry on someone's shoulder
人に同情を求める、悩みを打ち明ける、愚痴をこぼす
get the cold shoulder
冷たくされる
give [show, turn] the cold shoulder to
…によそよそしい態度を見せる、無視する、避ける
lay the blame on the right shoulders
責めるべき人を責める
put [set] one's shoulder to the wheel
懸命に努力する、一肌脱ぐ
rub shoulders with
人と接触する、（有名人と）親しく交際する
shift the responsibility on to other shoulders
人に責任を転嫁する
(straight) from the shoulder
率直に、正直に、単刀直入に
take ... on one's own shoulders
自分で…の責任を負う
frozen shoulder
凍結肩、肩関節周囲炎（五十肩）
【参考】
▽青空文庫
