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】
主人公は、小声で自分についての内緒話を続ける赤シャツ（教頭）と野だいこ（画学の教師、吉川）に腹をたてます。
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The words were thus choppy, but judging by their saying "grasshoppers," "tempura" or "dango," I was sure they were secretly talking something about me. If they wanted to talk, they should do it louder. If they wanted to discuss something secret, why in thunder did they invite me? What damnable blokes! Grasshoppers or glass-stoppers, I was not in the wrong; I have kept quiet to save the face of Badger because the principle asked me to leave the matter to him. Clown has been making unnecessary criticisms; out with your old paint-brushes there! Whatever concerns me, I will settle it myself sooner or later, and they had just to keep off my toes. But remarks such as "the same old Hotta" or "...... incited ......" worried me a bit. I could not make out whether they meant that Hotta incited me to extend the circle of the trouble, or that he incited the students to get at me. As I gazed at the blue sky, the sunlight gradually waned and chilly winds commenced stirring. The clouds that resembled the streaky smokes of joss sticks were slowly extending over a clear sky, and by degrees they were absorbed, melted and changed to a faint fog.
"Well, let's be going," said Red Shirt suddenly. "Yes, this is the time we were going. See your Madonna to-night?" responded Clown. "Cut out nonsense ...... might mean a serious trouble," said Red Shirt who was reclining against the edge of the boat, now raising himself. "O, that's all right if he hears.......," and when Clown, so saying, turned himself my way, I glared squarely in his face. Clown turned back as if to keep away from a dazzling light, and with "Ha, this is going some," shrugged his shoulders and scratched his head.
The boat was now being rowed shore-ward over the calm sea. "You don't seem much fond of fishing," asked Red Shirt. "No, I'd rather prefer lying and looking at the sky," I answered, and threw the stub of cigarette I had been smoking into the water; it sizzled and floated on the waves parted by the oar.
choppy 途切れ途切れの
why in thunder いったいどうして
damnable bloke いまいましいやつ
wane 徐々に弱まる
joss stick 線香
夏目漱石による原文はこちら。
＊＊＊ 慣用句を覚えよう ＊＊＊
Hand（手）‐６
stand someone's hand
人の勘定（つけ）を払う、おごる
strengthen someone's hand
人の立場を有利にする（固める）、人を積極的行動に駆りたてる
strike hands
契約を取り決める
take a high hand
高圧的（高飛車）に出る
take matters into one's own hands
（責任者が対応してくれないので）自分で事を運ぶ
take one's life in one's (own) hands
命を賭ける（危険にさらす）
take the law into one's own hands
（法律の力をかりずに）勝手に制裁を加える、リンチを加える
throw in one's hand
throw one's hand in
（企て・ゲームを）だめだとあきらめる、投げる
tip one's hand
手の内を明らかにする、うっかり計画を漏らす
Your letter [Yours] to hand.
お手紙拝受
【参考】
▽青空文庫
