Editing Talk:Suzumiya Haruhi:Volume9 Prologue (section)

== Unknown moving object ==

When Kyon is talking about coming to north high last year in the beginning of the prologue, he says:
"I ended up in North High due to my results, and met Suzumiya Haruhi, the unknown moving object."

First of all, are results referring to his grades or something? I don't think that it is very clear in the english as it stands. Second, I'm not sure what "unknown moving object" refers to. Is that like a Japanese trans-literal equivalent of a UFO (unknown flying object)? I could understand it as a pun, but it seems sort of awkward.

--[[User:Pxstg|Pxstg]] 1:40, 25 May 2007 (EST)

;The corresponding japanese: 俺がこの高校に入学したのは学区割りという制度の仕業だが、そこから涼宮ハルヒという未確認移動物体と出会っちまった

Halfway yes. He entered North High, because of "学区割り(gakku wari:school district assignment)" and his grade. Japanese middle school students may enter a high school near which they live. They can choose which school to enter from schools in the school district they live in. And they usually cannot enter a school in other school district. This way, Japanese education system prevents centralization of students to urban schools and thus commercialization of schools. So, he chose a school from his school district which suits himself in terms of his grade. Of course, it was North High school.

"Unknown moving object" is literally translated from "未確認移動物体". And it refers to Haruhi. This way, Kyon indicates '''Haruhi is Haruhi, not anyone else''', who behaves as she like. You know, the behavior is outrageous, ridiculous and mysterious. So it doesn't make sense for most of people, not forgetting Kyon, as it is much like ''unknown'' moving objects. The Japanese expression has humorous and a bit sarcastic feeling, but isn't a pun.

While considering this, please rephrase the translation!

--[[User:Akiha|Akiha]] 13:58, 30 May 2007 (PDT)

Okay, so how does this sound for a possible rephrasal:
;Suggested Change: Due to the school district assignments I ended up in North High and met Suzumiya Haruhi, the walking enigma.
Since the Japanese doesn't mention anything about his grades I didn't think it was necessary to include it. I think "walking enigma" is a bit more understandable English than "unknown moving object". The meaning is slightly different, as this translation indicates that Haruhi is a "moving unknown" rather than saying anything about her being an "object". However, I think the intention of the phrase is made more clear and less awkward this way. If some one fluent in Japanese could give their approval I'd appreciate it.

[[User:Pxstg|Pxstg]] 08:18, 1 June 2007 (PDT)