Editing Talk:Horizon:Volume 1 Prologue (section)

== Poem ==

Does the "ka" at the end not mean that it is a question? 

Something like
<pre>
Is it because I might become lost,
Or perhaps that I might be seen through,
Why can I not let go of my heart's compass? 
</pre>

The current translation sounds very profound, but makes little sense. "The reason ... is to be lost" is like the opposite, with a compass you shouldn't be lost. "The reason ... is to be explored", what does to be explored even mean. 

As for what it actually means, I'll say what I think based on my interpretation above which is probably pretty inaccurate because of my current Japanese level (like, at the level that I can't even confidently determine whether the poem is a rhetorical question or a statement...)

I'm not too sure what the heart's compass means or what letting go of it means. I currently think it means something like just letting himself free and not bound to a certain direction/path, but since it's "heart's compass" it seems to be deeper than that. Normally "heart's compass" is like what you know deep inside as the right thing to do, something like an instinct, or morality, but on a higher level. So generally you'd want to follow it. But since Toori is thinking of not following it, I think the meaning is probably different. Right now I'm thinking that it might have to do with fate and following the Testament or something like that. Maybe after actually reading this chapter I might get a different idea... so I'll post again after I finish reading this chapter.

The first line is pretty obvious, that if he lets go of the compass his heart might become lost, in the sense that he might waver in his decisions. Thus, this is one of the reasons he's thinking as to why he doesn't want to let go. 

The second line is that by following that compass he is putting up a front for his real self, so if he was to let go of it, other people might see his true self. Everyone is afraid of other people seeing their true self, so again this is a legitimate fear/excuse.

But I think the reason is probably deeper than that. Those two reasons he came up with are but mere excuses. What is the real reason? I don't know, maybe reading the chapter I might find out, or maybe I'll only find out after reading the entire series. Am I reading too deeply into things? Perhaps. lol

--[[User:Jonathanasdf|jonathanasdf]] 15:17, 16 January 2012 (CST)

<pre>
Is it because I might become lost,
Or perhaps that I might be seen through,
Why can I not let go of my heart's compass? 
</pre>

I like your translation a lot, feel free to replace mine with it.

However, some explaining:

<pre>
Whether to be lost.
Or to be explored.
The reason to keep hold of your heart's compass is something. 
</pre>

Is the current translation and sounds horrible.

<pre>
迷おうとも
穿たれようとも
心の羅針盤を手放さない理由は何か
</pre>

か certainly does indicate a question, but when paired with 何 it means something else. Rather, this is based upon my speculation, and I'm not sure, but I think that it's meant to be 何か instead of 何（です）か. Personally, if I were to say the latter, it'd be 心の羅針盤を手放さない理由はなんだ, but then again, the former is definitely valid as well. Actually, the meaning ends up being the same. 'Something' is the reason, (it's unknown what it is,); as opposed to 'what' is the reason, (still unknown as to what it is,) though the latter is a more obvious question, and I've a paradigm with keeping the chapter introductions with nothing but '.' ignoring all grammar rules or inflections. 

In other words, go ahead. For the rest, your wording is far better than mine; I just half-assed it and made it sound vague. -[[User:YoakeNoHikari|YoakeNoHikari]] 03:59, 17 January 2012 (CST)

Oh yes, one more thing, the first and second lines are a point of confusion for me, in terms of verb tense.

They're both in volitional, while 穿つ is in passive-volitional. So, a question as to whether he ''should'' through his own ''intention'' become lost, or be seen through. 

Another implication is that Kawakami-sensei is doing some abbreviation, in which case: 迷おうと「して」も or 穿たれようと「して」も is the meaning here. And then that really brings in a more willful implication, where he's ''trying'' to become lost etc.

Or in other words:

<pre>
Though I try to become lost,
Though I try to be seen through,
Something is the reason for which I do not let go of my heart's compass.
</pre>

The protagonist wants to be lost. He wants to have his inner emotions revealed. However, there ''is'' a reason for him to not let go of what guides him in his heart.

Just put whatever interpretation you want. Chances is, I'm wrong, and yours is most definitely the safest.- [[User:YoakeNoHikari|YoakeNoHikari]] 04:05, 17 January 2012 (CST)

Oh yeah, and by 'explored', I meant having his emotions or whatever explored. Like I said, half-assed vagueness-mongering. - [[User:YoakeNoHikari|YoakeNoHikari]] 04:14, 17 January 2012 (CST)

Thanks for the excellent lesson again :) 

Whoa, he's ''trying'' to be lost? If that's really the case then I think it changes the meaning significantly enough that my translation won't do. I'll come back to it after finishing reading this chapter (going really slowly, only have around an hour a day free from classes and homework, my lunch break...) --[[User:Jonathanasdf|jonathanasdf]] 10:30, 17 January 2012 (CST)

No, that's just a, if I say so myself, liberal take on it. But one can't forget that it's in volitional ^^ - [[User:YoakeNoHikari|YoakeNoHikari]] 11:32, 17 January 2012 (CST)