Talk:Spice & Wolf:Volume1 Chapter 01

The pages posted here are a draft. I'm still learning Japanese and don't have much experience translating, would greatly appreciate it if more skilled people could review my work. In particular, there are many questions I have, both about the text as well as about Japanese in general, I'm hoping they could be answered here as well. Please feel free to discuss any part of the translation by inserting comments immediately below the relevant line, or at the bottom of each section. All comments, from broad stylistic suggestions down to nitpicks are welcome. I don't know whether such a discussion is manageable within the space of one wiki page, let's try this for a few days and see how it goes. Pages will be moved to the main article once they get sufficient review. Let's focus discussion on the first few pages so that they can be moved in sequence.

Regarding notation used below:

{ } Curly braces indicate furigana for the kanji (possibly more than one) just before it. The start and end are not explicitly indicated so as not to disrupt the text, but generally this should be clear.

(?) Indicates that I'm unsure about the previous sentence. (Okay, I'm unsure about _all_ sentences, given my level of skill, but the ones marked as such I have greater uncertainty about.)

(!) Indicates I'm completely lost.

[ ] Indicates comments/questions I have about the text.

(1) Bracketed numbers indicate comments moved to footnotes due to their length

-/-/- Indicates piecemeal translation. Should be regarded as a placeholder and used as reference for a proper translation.

lit literal

alt alternatively

Each paragraph of the Japanese text is alternated with a paragraph of the corresponding English translation. If a page break cuts a paragraph in two, the entire paragraph will be posted under the section corresponding to the next page.

There's also a forum thread.

Thanks. AlephNull 09:21, 9 February 2008 (PST)

Prologue, Page 13

　この村では、見事に実った麦穂｛むぎほ｝が風に揺られることを狼｛オオカミ｝が走るという。

In this village, when the ripe and resplendent wheat sways in the wind, it is said that a wolf is running,

　風に揺られる様子が、麦畑の中を狼が走っているように見えるからだ。

because from its appearance, swaying in the wind, you can make out what appears to be a wolf running through the wheat fields.

　また、風が強すぎて麦穂が倒れることを狼に踏まれたといい、不作の時は狼に食われたという。

Also, when the wind is so strong that the wheat stalks fall over, it is said that a wolf has trampled them. At times, when the crops are poor, it is said that a wolf has eaten them.

　上手｛うま｝い表現だが、迷惑なものもあるのが玉に瑕｛きず｝だな、と思った。

All appears well on the outside, but it seems that, like a flaw in a gem, trouble, too, is present. (?)

　しかし、今となってはちょっとした洒落｛しゃれ｝た言い方になっているだけで、昔のように親しみと恐れをこめてその言葉を使う者はほとんどいない。

Sadly, those things are now said as petty witticism, while almost nobody speaks them with the affection and fear of old.

　ゆらゆらと揺れる麦穂の間から見える秋の空は何百年も変わらないのに、その下の様子はじつに様変わりをしていた。

Seen from amidst the gently swaying ears of wheat, even though the autumn sky hasn't changed in hundreds of years, the world below has in fact changed completely.

　来る年も来る年も麦を育ててきたこの村の者達も、せいぜい長生きして七十年なのだ。

The people of this village, who tend to the wheat year after year, live for no longer than seventy years.

　むしろ何百年も変わらないほうが悪いのかもしれない。

Perhaps so many centuries without change would have been worse off.

　ただ、だからもう昔の約束を律儀｛りちぎ｝に守る必要はないのかもしれないとも思った。

Or maybe they think it's no longer essential to faithfully keep the agreement of old.

　何よりも、自分はもうここでは必要とされていないと思った。[ meaning of とされていない? ](!) Don't take them as a whole.

Ultimately, I think there is no longer a point in me remaining here. (Or: Ultimately, it feels like I'm not needed here anymore.)

　東にそびえる山のせいで、村の空を流れる雲はたいてい北へと向かっていく。

Because of the mountains rising up in the east, the clouds in the village sky usually drift towards the north.

　その雲の流れる先、北の故郷のことを思い出してため息をつく。

From the direction they are headed, memories of my birthplace in the north come to mind, carrying a sigh with them.

　視線を空から麦畑に戻せば、鼻先で揺れる自慢｛じまん｝の尻尾｛しっぽ｝が目に入った。

Returning from the sky to the wheat, my gaze falls upon my proud tail wagging before my nose. (?)(5)

　することもないので尻尾の毛づくろいに取り掛かる。

With nothing else to do, I set about grooming it.

Discussion

(1) Literally, I think it should be "In this village, the beautifully ripened ears of wheat swaying in the wind _are_ said to be the wolves running.", not merely that there is some correlation between the wheat swaying and the wolves running. But this sounds odd. Same deal with the first half of the third sentence. Best I could come up with was to insert "when", but the text here makes no reference to time, unlike the second half of the third sentence (時). Also, should I go with "it is said", instead of "they say"?

"In this village, when the resplendently ripened ears of wheat are swaying in the wind, it is said that "a wolf is running". From their appearance, swaying in the wind, you can make out what seems like a wolf running in the wheat fields. When the wind is too strong and the wheat stalks fall over, it is said that "a wolf trampled them". When the harvest is poor, it is said that "a wolf ate it". Don't you think it's better like this? --ShApEsHiFt3r 01:49, 15 February 2008 (PST)

I don't want to put quotes in, because I think such quotes would correspond to 「」 (e.g. see what Lawrence says in the last para of page 22), which aren't present here. Reading it again, I think it refers to one wolf, in fact, the wolf, not many wolves, going by the katakana furigana next to 狼. I'm going with "it is said" as well. Rewritten it to reflect this, what do you think? -- AlephNull 11:34, 18 February 2008 (PST)

Though I cant read japanese, I think you should try to rephrase the sentence a little bit so that it will sound a bit better. "To this village, the walk of a wolf is symbolyzed by the swaying of the rippened ears of wheat in the wind. Their swaying in appearance somewhat orchestras a wolf roaming inside the field. It is also said the trail of a wolf can be illustrated by the fallen wheat stalks ripped by the strong wind, while a wolf taking its share on the crops are shown by the poor harvest seasons." Anonymous xx:xx, xx February 2008

"In this village, when the ripe and resplendent wheat sways in the wind, it is said say that a wolf is running, because from its appearance, swaying in the wind, you can make out what appears/seems to be a wolf running through the wheat fields. Also, when the wind is so strong that the wheat stalks fall over, it is said that a wolf has trampled them. At times, when the crops are poor, it is said that a wolf has eaten them." I'll edit it. If you think something isn't quite right, change it. --ShApEsHiFt3r 11:51, 25 February 2008 (PST)

(2) Oooh, I get it. the flaw in a gem part simply describes the next sentence. What Horo is saying is that the trouble that is like a flaw in a gem is the fact that nobody speaks the phrases from the first three lines with the affection from the past. I'll translate しかし as "sadly" instead of "however". I think it's better that way here. But I guess that brings us back to the previous line which doesn't really sound as good.

(3) What exactly does むしろ mean? How about "Perchance so many centuries of stasis is bad."?

To start things off, someone from the forum felt that stasis was too modern a word, and has sci-fi connotations. I don't feel it is so, what do other people think? The only alternative word I can think of is 'changelessness', but this is clumsy. AlephNull 09:53, 9 February 2008 (PST)

How about "stagnation"? "Perhaps so many centuries of stagnation are rather bad."... that's what I got after 10 minutes of trying to translate the sentence. むしろ= 寧ろ= rather, better, instead. --ShApEsHiFt3r 01:49, 15 February 2008 (PST)

Stagnation isn't quite the same as stasis. The former means not progressing, the latter means no change at all, which is what the text here says. I'm going with 'without change' for now. I'm still not quite sure about the meaning of むしろ here. The sentences that use むしろ that I've seen so far use it to compare one thing with another. I'm not sure what's being compared here though. I've rewritten the sentence and put in an alternative, thoughts? - AlephNull

With the things said in (2) now it makes more sense. She's saying that perhaps it would have been worse if things hadn't changed over all the years that have passed and people still said and acted as back in the old days. --ShApEsHiFt3r 11:51, 25 February 2008 (PST)

(4) What exactly does 何よりも and とされていない mean here?

より= from, out of, since, than. So I translate the sentence like this:

"Since when/For how long have I felt that I am no longer necessary here." or maybe

"For a long time now I've felt that I am no longer needed here. --ShApEsHiFt3r 01:49, 15 February 2008 (PST)

Momogan mentioned to me in a PM (amongst lots of other things) that 何よりも means above all things. I'm going to go with 'Ultimately' here. - AlephNull 11:34, 18 February 2008 (PST)

とされていない is the passive of としていない. Horo is not needed -by- them, hence the passive is used. Momogan 00:41, 20 February 2008 (PST)

(5) Should this be "Returning my gaze from the sky to the wheat, I see my proud tail wagging before my nose." instead? Does a ーば suffix always mean a conditional statement? There are also furigana next to 自慢 and 尻尾, even though they are both fairly common compounds. Could this be emphasis, representing how Horo regards her tail with special pride? Would italics work here, i.e. proud tail?

I think the sentence should be "If/Should I return my gaze from the sky to the wheat, I would see my proud tail wagging before my nose." at the very least. I don't know about the other version because I'm bad at reading kanji right now... I won't change it for now, gonna leave it up to you to decide. --ShApEsHiFt3r 01:49, 15 February 2008 (PST)

Apparently, since the second half of the sentence is in the past tense, the ーば here really means something like the second half follows from the first half. (Not sure if it has to be a direct consequence, or could be something weaker). - AlephNull 11:34, 18 February 2008 (PST)

(6) "All seems well on the outside, but it is thought that there is trouble/are annoyances here and there, just like flaws in a gem/crystal." I added the here and there on my own, because I think it sounds better with it. Gonna leave it up to someone more skillful to decide whether this is good or there is something better. BTW, is this line showing Horo's thoughts on the subject or her explaining what somebody else believes? Considering the next line I guess it's the latter... --ShApEsHiFt3r 02:14, 15 February 2008 (PST)

I'm not sure about this line as well. I think though, that we can interpret the ある here to mean not just simply 'present', but also 'present and hidden', like a 'flaw in a gem' since 'all seems well on the outside'. I've gone with 'latent trouble' and rewrote the rest of the sentence as well, what do you think? - AlephNull 11:48, 18 February 2008 (PST)

Does such a tone work for Horo? AlephNull 09:06, 10 February 2008 (PST)

I think it does :) --ShApEsHiFt3r 01:49, 15 February 2008 (PST)

と思った and かもしれない appear very frequently in this page, and in the text I've gone through so far. I know that expressing uncertainty like this is a common part of speaking Japanese, but should I make some of them sound more certain? - AlephNull 11:34, 18 February 2008 (PST)

Prologue, Page 14

　秋の空は高く、とても澄んでいた。

The high autumn sky, so clear.

　今年もまた収穫の時期がくる。

Harvest time has come again this year.

　麦畑を、たくさんの狼｛オオカミ｝が走っていた。

Many wolves are running through the wheat fields.

Discussion

Does rhymy work here? These three lines in the Japanese text seem verse-like. AlephNull 09:06, 10 February 2008 (PST)

"The autumn sky, so high, so clear". It sounds cooler, don't you think? :D It's a good choice to use rhymes here, but... we need a rhyme for the last line >< --ShApEsHiFt3r 01:48, 15 February 2008 (PST)

The text literally says that the sky is high (not necessarily very high) and very clear, so I'd like to make 'clear' stronger than 'high'. As for making the last line rhyme as well, I don't think it's necessary, since I think it's sufficiently verse-like as it is. Also, the last line in the Japanese text sounds conclusive, if we make the last line in the translation not rhymy, it may sound more conclusive as well. I dunno though (not like I read Japanese, or even English poetry :g), if you have any ideas on how to make the last line rhyme, we can see if it fits. - AlephNull 11:42, 18 February 2008 (PST)

ok what the writer is trying to say when he says the sky is high is that there are no clouds so it appears "high". - Tsuyuri 02:02, 25 feb 2008 (GMT +8)

Chapter 1, Page 17

「これで最後、かな？」

"That's the last one, isn't it?"

「ん、きっちり七十枚……ありますね。毎度どうも」

"Mmm, exactly seventy pelts... we have here. Thanks for your patronage, as always." (1)

「なーにこちらこそ。ロレンスさんくらいしかこんな山奥まで来てくれないからな。助かるよ」

"Hey, don't mention it, I should thank you as well. Mr Lawrence, pretty much no one else comes all the way here in the mountains. It's a great help."

「代わりに上等の毛皮もらってますからね。また来ます」

"In return, I've received such fine furs. I'll be back again." (2)

　そんないつものやり取りをかわし、山奥の村を出発したのはかれこれ五時間も前だ。日が昇ってすぐに出発して、山から下りて野に出た頃にはもう昼を回っていた。

The trade proceeded as usual, and roughly five hours had passed since he departed from the mountain village. Having left soon after sunrise, descending the mountain, noon had already arrived by the time he reached the prairie. [ or simply plains? ]

　天気は良く、風もない。荷馬車に乗ってのんびりと野を行くには絶好の日和｛ひより｝だ。ここのところ寒かったので、もう冬もちかいと思っていたのが嘘｛うそ｝のようだ。

The weather was fine and no wind stirred. Perfect for a leisurely horse cart ride across the plains. It seemed ridiculous that earlier he had thought winter was drawing near, because it was cold. (3)

　行商人として独り立ちして七年目、歳｛とし｝にして二十五になるロレンスは、御者台｛ぎょしゃだい｝の上で平和な大あくびをしたのだった。

Lawrence, a merchant who had been traveling alone for seven years now and was about to turn twenty-five this year, gave a large and peaceful yawn[or maybe "big/large and relaxed yawn"?] from atop the cart driver's seat.

　背の高い草も木もはほとんど生えていないために視界はとても良い。そのためにかなり遠くまで見通すことができて、視界ぎりぎりの彼方｛かなた｝には何年かまえに建てられた修道院が見えている。

Because the trees and tall-grass grew sparser, the view was very good and you could see quite far away. Just barely within view, a long-established monastery could be seen in the distance.

　どこの貴族の子弟を取り込んだのかわからないが、こんな辺鄙｛へんぴ｝な土地にありながらも建物は立派な石造りで、門扉｛もんぴ｝は信じられないことに鉄製だ。確か二十人からの修道士が生活していて、それと同数くらいの下男が彼らの生活を支えているはずだ。

Some young aristocrat [ or "aristocrat son"? or "rich young punk"? =P ] from somewhere got the idea of building a fine structure like that in such a remote place. The stonework was magnificent and the gates were incredibly well-wrought in iron. Around twenty or so monks lived there, ministered to by a similar number of male servants.

Discussion

(1) What about "A pleasure doing business with you _again_." instead, i.e. does 毎度 imply any previous patronage?

How about "as always"? まいど=each time. For example - As always, it's a pleasure doing business with you. --ShApEsHiFt3r 01:47, 15 February 2008 (PST)

Yeah, "as always" is better. I originally took some liberties with the translation, given the villager's response and 'the pleasure is mine as well' being an English expression. Thinking about it some more though, I think I'll stick with a more literal translation. - AlephNull 12:00, 18 February 2008 (PST)

(2) Is やり取り barter trade? Is おかわし end?

かわし= to exchange, yaritori is indeed barter trade. so やり取りおかわし should be barter trade exchange. --ShApEsHiFt3r 02:35, 15 February 2008 (PST)

(3) The second sentence doesn't make sense. If it was cold then it wouldn't be ridiculous that winter is coming, but it isn't cold, but rather it's pleasant/good/nice as stated in the first sentence... I have no idea how that should be translated though.

It can be fair and windless and still cold. Note that fair means sunny and not cloudy, but not necessarily warm. - AlephNull 12:00, 18 February 2008 (PST)

Momogan pointed out that the second sentence is in the past tense, i.e. it was cold previously, but the good weather now makes Lawrence's previous thought that winter was near seem like a lie. I don't think it's a very far back past tense, since later on Lawrence tells the knight that he went to the mountain village and is now returning, i.e. it was at most a few days ago when he previously was at this place and thought that winter was near. In fact, it could also be that it was cold when he first descended to the plains, but is now good weather. Also, I'm gonna go with the more literal 'fine weather', rather than the more interpreted 'fair weather'. - AlephNull 17:08, 19 February 2008 (PST)

Rearranged the second and third sentences a bit. What do you think? --ShApEsHiFt3r 12:27, 25 February 2008 (PST)

"Don't mention it, the pleasure is mine as well." Don't merchants usually say "The pleasure is all mine"? I think that should be the case here as well. --ShApEsHiFt3r 02:28, 15 February 2008 (PST)

Chapter 1, Page 18

　修道院が建てられ始めた頃、ロレンスはその新しい顧客｛こきゃく｝の匂｛にお｝いに期待していたのだが、どうやら修道院は在野｛ざいや｝の商人を介さず独自に物資を調達しているようで、ロレンスの期待は儚｛はかな｝くも散ったのだった。

When it's construction first started, Lawrence had been eagerly (?) anticipating a new patron. But somehow or other, the monastery seemed able to obtain goods and materials on their own without having to trade with independent merchants and Lawrence's short-lived hopes vanished. (?)(1)

　とはいっても彼らは贅沢｛ぜいたく｝もせず畑も耕すので、商売ができたとしても実際の実入｛みい｝りはかなり少なかったりする。その上、無理やり寄付｛きふ｝をさせられたりツケを踏み倒されたりもするので考え物だ。

Even so, the monks do not live in luxury and still till the fields, thus the profits from trading with them were fairly meagre. On top of that, you had to consider that they would solicit involuntary donations and shirk payment of their bills. (?) [ should I put "involuntary donations" in quotes? ]

　単純な売買の相手としては盗人｛ぬすっと｝よりも性質｛たち｝の悪い相手ではあったが、それでも彼らと商売をすれば商人にとって都合の良いことがある。

For simple buying and selling, they were worse than even thieves, but there were still times where trading with them was convenient.

　そんなわけでロレンスは未練｛みれん｝がましく修道院のほうを見ていたのだが、不意に目を細めた。修道院のほうで、誰かがこちらに向かって手を振っているのだ。

So it was that Lawrence looked towards the monastery, feeling reluctance and lingering regret. (?) His eyes narrowed. From the direction of the monastery, someone was gesturing at him.

「なんだ？」

"What's this?"

　下男には見えない。彼らはこげ茶色の汚｛きたな｝い作業服を身にまとっているからだ。手を振っている者はねずみ色っぽい衣服に身を包んでいる。わざわざそちらに行くのは面倒くさかったが、無視をすると後々問題になりかねない。ロレンスは仕方なく馬の進む方向をそちらに向けた。

There were no servants to be seen. The monks present were clad in dirty tawny-brown [ alt: saffron? ] fatigues, (2) and the one gesturing was wrapped in grayish clothes. His deliberate approach suggested trouble, but ignoring him could bring problems down the road. (3) Without better options, Lawrence turned his horse towards him.

　すると、手を振っていた者はロレンスが自分のほうに向かって歩き始めたことに気がついたのか、手を振ることをやめたようだが自分から歩こうとはしない。じっと、ロレンスが到着するのを待つつもりのようだ。教会関係者が傲慢｛ごうまん｝なのは今日に始まったことではない。こんなことでいちいち怒る気にもなれなかった。

Thereupon, the gesturer realised that Lawrence had started coming towards him. He stopped gesturing, but continued to walk without breaking into a run. As if patiently awaiting Lawrence's arrival. It wasn't as though the church authorities had only started being arrogant today. Lawrence was too accustomed to such treatment to get angry over each and every such incident. (?)

Discussion

(1) Meaning of 在野の商人? Is 介さず the negative of 介させる?

在野 means someone not working in a public office. 介さず is the negative of the verb 介す. I think the translation you have there is good. Momogan 00:41, 20 February 2008 (PST)

(2) I'm guessing via elimination that 彼ら refers to the monks. What does こけ mean here? Moss?

Sorry, typo, should be こげ茶色, i.e. the colour of black tea. - AlephNull 09:51, 21 February 2008 (PST)

(3) Does 後々 mean distant future? Could it also possibly refer to a nearer future?

I think 後々 can be quite vague, could either be near or distant. "Down the road" sounds nice there. Momogan 00:41, 20 February 2008 (PST)

Chapter 1, Page 19

　ただ、のんびりと修道院に近づくにつれてはっきりと見えてきたその姿に、ロレンスは思わず声を上げていた。

As he leisurely (?) [ or "slowly"? "casually"? ] approached the monastery, the person's form could be seen more clearly, and Lawrence unconsciously raised his voice.

「……騎士｛きし｝？」

"......a knight?"

　最初はそんな馬鹿な、と思ったものの、近づけばそれは紛｛まぎ｝れもない騎士だった。ねずみ色に見えた服は、銀色の甲冑｛かつちゅう｝だったのだ。

That couldn't possibly be, he initially thought, but as he drew closer it was unmistakably a knight. The grey clothes he saw were actually silver armour covering from head to toe. (?)

「貴様、何者であるか」

"You, state your business here." (1)

　会話をするにはまだちょっと遠い距離、というあたりで騎士がそう叫んだ。自分は名乗らなくてもどこの誰かわかるだろう、と言いたげだ。

There was still some distance between the two of them before they could talk, which was why the knight shouted. (?) [ meaning of というあたりで?] It was as if anyone anywhere ought to know who he was, even without first introducing himself. (2)

「行商人のロレンスという者ですが、何かご入用｛にゅうよう｝ですかね？」

"I'm Lawrence, a traveling merchant. May I be of service? "

　もう修道院は目と鼻の先だ。南に向かって広がっている畑で働く下男達の数も数えられるくらいだ。

The monastery was now right in front of his eyes. In the fields that spread out to the south of Lawrence there were servants working, and he could now count their numbers.

　そして、どうやら騎士がそれ一人だけではないということもわかった。修道院の向こうにももう一人立っているのが見える。もしかしたら、見張りなのかもしれなかった。

Also, Lawrence realized that the knight was not alone. Another solitary figure, possibly a guard, could be seen in the direction of the monastery.

「行商人？貴様が来た方向には町などないはずだが」

"A traveling merchant? There are no towns and settlements in the direction you came from."

　銀の胸｛むね｝当てに刻まれた真｛ま｝っ赤｛か｝な十字架｛か｝を誇らしげに見せるように胸を張って、騎士が横柄にそう言った。

The knight spoke arrogantly and puffed his chest, as if to show off the crimson cross engraved on his silver chestplate.

Discussion

(1) Took some liberties. "Who are you?" or even "Who goes there?" doesn't seem quite right in this context. Is this actually a statement, rather than a question? There's a か at the end, but no ？. It also sounds firm. ]

(2) というあたりで and 自分は名乗らなくてもどこの誰かわかるだろう、と言いたげだ

というあたりで would mean "around that point/distance." I think the translation is good. 自分は名乗らなくてもどこの誰かわかるだろう、と言いたげだ would mean "It was as if he was trying to say that even if he didn't state who he was, anybody would know who he was regardless of who they were or where they came from." Momogan 00:41, 20 February 2008 (PST)

Chapter 1, Page 20

　しかし、肩｛かた｝に直接取り付けられている外套｛がいとう｝もうねずみ色で、これは下級騎士を示すものだ。金色の髪｛かみ｝の毛を短く刈｛か｝り込んでまだ間もなさそうだし、体も野戦を潜｛くぐ｝り抜けているようには見えないから、騎士｛きし｝に成り立てで気負っているのだろう。こういう輩｛やから｝は余裕｛よゆう｝を持って対処するに限る。あっという間に図に乗るからだ。

However the cloak draped over his shoulders was similarly gray, denoting his status as a low-rank knight. His blonde hair appeared to be yet uncut and his body showed no signs of being in the field before, however he poised himself like a knight, full of fighting spirit. The best way to deal with such people was to stay calm and composed. Because they get carried away in no time.

　だから、ロレンスはすぐに返事をせずに懐｛ふところ｝から皮袋を取り出して、ゆっくりと口を縛｛しば｝る紐｛ひも｝を解｛ほど｝いた。中には蜂蜜｛はちみつ｝を固めた菓子｛かし｝が入っている。一粒つまむと口に放り込んで、袋ごと騎士のほうに向けたのだった。

And so without reply, Lawrence produced from his breast pocket a leather bag and slowly unfastened the cord tying it shut. Held inside were candy made from dried honey [ lit: hardened honey ]. He picked a honey drop (?)(1), popped it into his mouth, and held the rest of the bag out towards the knight. (?) [ meaning of ごと here? ]

　「一つどうです？」

"How about one?"

　「む」

"Mmm."

　と、騎士は一瞬迷う素振りを見せたものの、甘｛あま｝い菓子の誘惑には勝てなかったようだ。

　ただ、騎士としての意地か、うなずいてから手を伸ばすまでにはだいぶ時間がかかったのだが。

So the knight said (?), but his obstinacy held (?) and a considerable amount of time lapsed between the nod and his hand reaching out.

　「ここから半日ほどかけて東に行くと、山の中に小さな村があるんですよ。そこに塩を売りに行った帰りです」

"A half day's travel eastwards from here lies a small village in the mountains. I went there to sell salt, and am returning through here."

　「そうか。しかし、積荷があるようだが、それも塩か？」

"I see. But, while you appear to be carrying cargo, is that salt as well?"

　「いえ、これは毛皮です。ほら」

"Nay, these are furs. Take a look."

　ロレンスは言いながら荷台を振り向いて、覆｛おお｝いを剥（＊）｛は｝いだ。立派なテンの毛皮だ。目の前の騎士の給料にしたら一年分はくだらないだろう。

While talking, Lawrence turned to face the cart and peeled off the shroud. Revealing beautiful marten (?) furs. A year's wages of the knight standing in front of him would be trivial compared to their worth. (?)

　「ふん。これは？」

"Hmm. What's this?"

Discussion

(1) does 一粒 necessarily mean something grain-like, or can it mean a more generic 'piece' of candy?

It can mean anything that is very small. Momogan 00:41, 20 February 2008 (PST)

(*) The kanji in the text is written slightly differently, in a way that's not available in my text editor. I think this character has the same meaning and reading here.

(2) こういう輩｛やから｝は余裕｛よゆう｝を持って対処するに限る。あっという間に図に乗るからだ。

The only way to deal with these type of people was to stay calm and composed. Because they get carried away (図に乗る) in no time. Momogan 00:41, 20 February 2008 (PST)

Chapter 1, Page 21

　「ああ、これは、その村からもらってきた麦です」

"Ahh, this is wheat I received from the village."

　毛皮の山の隅に置いてある麦の束は、ロレンスが塩を売りに行った村で育てられているものだ。寒さに強く虫にも食われにくい。去年北西のほうで冷害が猛威｛もうい｝を振るったので売り込むに行くつもりだった。

The sheaf of wheat was grown in the village where Lawrence had gone to sell salt. It had been left in a corner of the mountain where the furs came from. (?) [ meaning of 置いてある here? ] As the weather grows colder, it would be more resistant to insects. (?) In light of the intense winter (?) [ lit: intense cold-weather damage ] in the northwest last year, Lawrence planned to travel there to market it. (?)

　「ふん。まあ、いいだろう。行っていいぞ」

"Hmm. Well, it looks okay. You're free to go."

　呼びつけておいてずいぶんな言い草だが、ここでおとなしく「はい」と言ったら商人失格だ。ロレンスはわざと先ほどの皮袋をちらつかせながら、騎士のほうに向き直った。

It was quite rude, being called over like this, (!) [ lit: "Being called to come over was quite the remark"? ] but obediently saying 'All right' here would have meant failure as a merchant. Lawrence faced the knight, deliberately jiggling (?) [ meaning of ちらつ(く) here? ] the leather bag from earlier.

　「何があったんですかね？普段はここ、騎士様なんかいないでしょう」

"Something happened, didn't it? Normally there wouldn't be knights here."

　若い騎士は質問されたのが不快だったのか、少し眉根｛まゆね｝にしわを寄せたがロレンスの手の中にある皮袋を見るとさらにしわを寄せた。

The young knight felt discomfited being questioned and slight wrinkles formed around his eyebrows. (?) Seeing the leather bag held in Lawrence's hand, further wrinkles appeared. (?)

　うまく釣れたようだ。ロレンスは紐を解いて一粒つまむと、騎士にくれてやった。

He seemed to be quite drawn to them. Lawrence unfastened the cord and picked another drop, handing it to the knight.

　「うむ……うまいな。これは礼をしなければなるまい」

"Mmmmm... these are really good. My thanks to you for them. (?) [ meaning of ーなるまい? Similar to ーならない？ ]

　騎士は理屈好きだ。ロレンスは商売用の笑顔で特にありがたそうに頭を下げた。

The knight was reasonable. (?) Lawrence wore his business smile and pretended to nod his head gratefully.

　「この辺りで異教徒の祭りが近々開かれると聞き及んでいる。そのためここの警備を任されているのだが、貴様、何か知らんか」

"There's news that (?) around these parts, a pagan festival is about to start. That's why I've been entrusted [ or charged? ] with the task of policing here."

Chapter 1, Page 22

　なんだ、という落胆｛らくたん｝の色を浮かべてしまうようでは三流もいいところだ。ロレンスはしばし悩む振りをしてから、「存じませんねぇ」と答える。実際は大嘘｛うそ｝だが、騎士の言うことも間達っているのだから仕方ない。

[ Very lost on this page. ]

Well, with such a dejected colour appearing on his face/even third-rate was good. (?) [ ぜんぜんわっかんね ] Lawrence acted troubled for a while and replied "Dunno about that." Actually that was a big lie, but he didn't really have a choice, seeing how the knight said it. (?) [ lost as well ] (1)

　「やはり秘密裏に行われるものなのか。異教徒は総じて卑怯｛ひきょう｝な連中だからな」

"I see that's still something going on in secret. (?) Those pagans are largely a bunch of cowards." (1)

　騎士｛きし｝の的外｛まとはず｝れな物言いが面白かったが、ロレンスはもちろん指摘せずにそれに同意すると、おいとまを告げた。

It was amusing how widely the knight had missed the mark, but Lawrence of course concurred without correcting him, and informed him that he had to leave.　(2)

　騎士はうなずくともう一度蜂蜜｛はちみつ｝菓子｛がし｝の礼を言ってきた。

The knight nodded assent and thanked him again for the honey drop. (?)

　よほどおいしかったのだろう。下級騎士は装備や旅費に金がかかるばかりで実際の暮らしは子弟入りしたての靴職人のほうが良い。甘｛あま｝いものを食べたのも久しぶりに違いなかった。

It must have been a real treat. For the low-ranked knight, equipment, travel expenses and the like cost so much money that it was in fact better to have become a cobbler instead when he was young. (?) It was ages since he last had anything sweet.

　もっとも、かといってこれ以上あげるつもりもロレンスにはない。蜂蜜菓子も安いものではないのだ。

That may be well and all, but Lawrence didn't plan on giving him any more. (!) [ Meaning of もっとも, かといって and つまり? ] The candy didn't come cheap. (3)

　「しかし、異教徒の祭り、ねえ」

"But still, a pagan festival eh."

　修道院を後にしてだいぶ経｛た｝ってから、ロレンスは騎士の言葉を呟｛つぶや｝いて、苦笑した。

A long while after he left the monastery behind, Lawrence murmured the knight's words and smiled uncomfortably.

　騎士の言うそれには心当たりがある。というよりも、この近辺にいる者ならば皆は知っていることだろう。

He had some idea about what the knight was saying. Besides the knight (?), it was something that all the locals should know about.

　ただ、それは別に異教徒のものでもなんでもない。第一、異教徒などというものはもっともっと北か、もっともっと東のほうにしかいないものだ。

However, it had nothing to do with pagans. First of all, pagans were only present much farther north and farther east.

　この近辺で行われる祭りというのは、騎士がわざわざ配置されるような類｛たぐい｝のものではない。どこでも行われる、麦の収穫を祝い豊作を祈願｛きがん｝するお祭りだ。

The festival here wasn't the kind that required knights to be dispatched. No matter where it was practiced, it was always a festival that celebrated the harvest and prayed for a rich yield. (4)

Discussion

(1) やはり秘密裏に行われるものなのか

Maybe "So there is something going on in secret [just as i thought]" Momogan 00:41, 20 February 2008 (PST)

Wouldn't that be やはり秘密裏に行われるものがあるなのか instead? I think the knight is saying specifically that the pagan festival is [ as he expected ] practiced in secret. - AlephNull 12:19, 21 February 2008 (PST)

(2) 騎士｛きし｝の的外｛まとはず｝れな物言いが面白かったが、ロレンスはもちろん指摘せずにそれに同意すると、おいとまを告げた。

How wide the knight had missed the mark was amusing (as in the information he had gathered was incorrect) but Lawrence of course naturally expressed his agreement without correcting him, and informed him that he had to leave. Momogan 00:41, 20 February 2008 (PST)

(3) もっとも、かといってこれ以上あげるつもりもロレンスにはない

I think the translation is good. もっとも - but then again, かといって - neither, つまり=つもり (typo) Momogan 00:41, 20 February 2008 (PST)

(4) ただ、それは別に異教徒のものでもなんでもない。第一、異教徒などというものはもっともっと北か、もっともっと東のほうにしかいないものだ。この近辺で行われる祭りというのは、騎士がわざわざ配置されるような類｛たぐい｝のものではない。どこでも行われる、麦の収穫を祝い豊作の祈願｛きがん｝するお祭りだ。

But, It didn't have anything to do with pagans. Firstly, there were only pagans in the far north and far east. The festival celebrated in the area weren't ones that required knights to be dispatched. It was a festival that celebrated the harvest and prayed for a rich harvest - a kind of festival that is done everywhere. Momogan 00:41, 20 February 2008 (PST)

Thanks :) What does the なんでもない in the first sentence mean? If we drop it, ただ、それは別に異教徒のもので would still be "But, It didn't have anything to do with pagans." - AlephNull 12:19, 21 February 2008 (PST)

Chapter 1, Page 23

　ただ、ちょっとこの辺の祭りは他｛ほか｝のところよりも特殊だったり盛大だったりするので、修道院の連中が目をつけて都市部の教会に報告したのだろう。長いこと本格的に教会の手の入らなかったところだから、教会も余計に神経を尖｛とが｝らせているのかもしれない。

However, the festivals around these parts were somewhat unique from the others, being grander. The monastery monks probably kept an eye on this and reported back to the city church. (?) [ alt: "central church" or "main church"? ] Normally, the hands of the church wouldn't reach into such business far away (?) [ meaning of 長いこと? ], perhaps they were being overly sensitive here. (?)

　それに、最近教会は異端審問｛いたんしんもん｝や異教徒の改宗に躍起｛やっき｝になっているし、最近は都市部での神学者と自然学者の言い争いも珍｛めずら｝しくない。昔のようにすべての民衆が無条件に教会にひれ伏すということがなくなってきている。

Moreover, with the church recently going all out with things like inquisitions and converting pagans, arguments between the theologians and naturalists (?) [ meaning of 自然学者? ] in the cities are no longer uncommon. Things are becoming different from the past, when the entire populace would unquestioningly prostrate themselves before the church. (?) [ meaning of なくなってきている? ]

　教会の絶対的であった威厳がほころび始めているのだ。それは町に住む者達ならば口に出せずともうすうす思っていることだろう。実際、教皇｛きょうこう｝は教会税が思ったより入らずに、大神殿の修復費をいくつかの国の王に申し入れたという。十年前ならば信じられない話だった。

Their absolute dignified authority was beginning to fall apart. It seems this was what the townsfolk thought but did not voice. As things turned out, (?) the tithes came up short from what the Pope expected, and the king had to be propositioned for some of the repair costs for the grand cathedral. Such a thing was inconceivable ten years ago.

　そんな情勢なので教会も威厳を復活させようと躍起なのだ。

It was in such a state of affairs that the church was pushing hard to recover their authority.

　「どこの商売も大変だな」

"It's gonna be tough doing business anywhere."

　ロレンスは苦笑して、蜂蜜菓子を口に放り込んだのだった。

With a bitter smile [ phrasing ], Lawrence popped another honey drop into his mouth.

　ロレンスが広大な麦畑に着くと、もう西の空は麦よりも綺麗｛きれい｝な黄金色｛こがねいろ｝だった。速くで鳥が小さな影となって家路を急ぎ、蛙｛カエル｝も寝に入ることを告げているかのようにそこかしこで鳴いていた。

By the time Lawrence arrived at the wide wheat fields, the western sky was already a shade of gold more brilliant [ lit: beautiful ] than the wheat. Tiny bird shadows will soon be hurrying home, and the croaking of pollywogs everywhere announce their imminent slumber. [ Does 'pollywog' refer to only tadpoles, or can it refer to frogs in general as well? ]

Chapter 1, Page 24

　麦畑はほとんど収穫が終わっているようで、祭りは近日中だろう。早ければ明後日｛あさって｝には行わ れるかもしれない。

The harvesting looked nearly finished, the festival ought to be within a few days. If things pick up, it could even be the day after tomorrow.

　ロレンスの目の前に広がるのはこの地方では結構な収穫高を誇るパスロエの村の麦畑だ。収穫高が高ければ村人もそこそこ裕福｛ゆうふく｝になれる。その上ここ一体を管理するエーレンドット伯爵｛はくしゃく｝が近隣に名が轟｛とどろ｝くほどの変わり者で、貴族のくせに土いじりが好きなせいで自然と祭りにも協力的だから、毎年飲めや歌えの大騒｛さわ｝ぎのようだ。

Spread out before Lawrence's eyes were Pasroe village's wheat fields, which boasted fairly high crop yields. Large harvests meant that the villagers would soon prosper as well. Furthermore, Count Eirendott, the lord of the land (?) [ lit: one in charge of everything ], was notorious (?) [ text seems stronger ] in the neighbourhood as an eccentric. The nobleman peculiarly enjoyed gardening as a hobby, and was cooperative with the natural environment and festivals, [ phrasing ] and every year there was a terrific racket, with drinking and singing and other revelry.

　ただ、ロレンスはそれに参加したことがない。残念なことに部外者は参加できないのだ。

However, Lawrence would not be a part of that. It was too bad that outsiders could not join in.

「いよう、おつかれさん」

"Hullo, a hard day's work." (?)(1)

　そんな村の麦畑の一角で荷車に麦を積んでいる農夫に声をかけた。よく実った麦だ。先物｛さきもの｝買いをした連中はほっと胸をなでおろしていることだろう。

In the corner of the village wheat fields, peasants were piling wheat on a cart. Lawrence called out a greeting to them. [ restructured ] The wheat had ripened beautifully. Those who had bought futures in it could breathe a sigh of relief.

「おー？」

"Ho?"

"「ヤレイさんはどの辺にいるかな」

Where can I find Mr Yarei?" [ should I drop the 'Mr'? ]

「おお、ヤレイさんならあっちの、ほれ、あっちで人がたかってるだろ。あの畑だな。今年はヤレイさんのところは若い者ばっかでな。手際が悪いせいで今年はあそこの畑の誰かが『ホロ』だな」

"Oh, if it's Yarei you want, he's over yonder with, look, see the big group over there? That's the field. This year, there's only youngin's with him. In that field, whoever's the slow one [ lit: performs poorly ] this year's gonna be 'Horo'."

　農夫は日焼けした顔にいっぱいの笑みを浮かべながら楽しそうに言う。商人には絶対にいない、裏表のない人間だけが浮かべることのできる笑顔だ。

Merry words seemed to pass between the peasants, their tanned faces filled with emerging laughter. [ or smiles? ] This was something a merchant could never be, only people without a hidden side to them [ phrasing ] could carry such happy countenances.

Discussion

(1) What does おつかれきん mean? For that matter, how do people normally translate おつかれ?

おつかれ - thanks for your hard work. emphasis on "hard work". おつかれさん or おつかれさま generally means the same thing. - Tsuyuri 02:12, 25 feb 2008 (GMT +8)

Chapter 1, Page 25

　ロレンスは農夫に商売用の笑顔で礼を言って、馬をヤレイ達のほうに向けた。

Lawrence put on his business smile for the peasants, and saying his thanks turned his horse towards Yarei's group.

　その区画は農夫の言った通りに人がたかっていて、畑の中に向かって口々に何かを叫んでいた。

Like the peasant said, there were lots of people in this area, many voices were shouting something from the middle of the field .

　それは最後まで作業をしている連中を囃｛はや｝し立てているのだが、別に作業の遅れを罵｛ののし｝っているわけではない。罵ることがすでに祭りの一部なのだ。

The shouts were taunts and jives directed at the last group to finish the work, (?)(1) but it wasn't to ridicule their tardiness. Such teasing was part and parcel of the festival.

　ロレンスがのんびりと近づいていくと、やがて騒いでいる内容も聞こえてきた。

Lawrence casually approached, and soon could discern the commotion.

「狼｛オオカミ｝がいるぞ狼がいるぞ！」

"The wolf is here, the wolf is here!"

「それ、そこに狼が横たわっているぞ！」

"There, that's where the wolf is lying!"

「最後に狼を掴｛つか｝むのは誰だ誰だ誰だ！」

"Last one catches the wolf, whosit whosit whosit!"

　皆口々に囃し立て、酒が入っているかのように陽気に笑っている。ロレンスが人垣｛ひとがき｝の後ろに荷馬車を止めても誰も気がつかないほどだった。

Every voice was joined in raucous cadence (1), and every person merrily laughing as though in a stupor. (?) [ restructured ] Lawrence stopped his cart behind the crowd without any of them noticing.

　しかし、彼らが口にしている狼とは実際の狼ではない。実際に狼がいたらさすがに笑っていられないだろう。

In spite of the villagers' cries of "wolf", there weren't in fact any. [ the village that cried wolf =P ] If a wolf were indeed present, they certainly wouldn't be laughing.

　狼とは豊作の神の化身｛けしん｝で、村の連中から聞いた話では最後に刈り取られる麦の中にいて、それを刈り取った者の中に入り込むという言い伝えらしい。

The wolf was the personification of the god of harvest, what was heard amongst the villagers was that it lay within the last of the wheat to be reaped. Legend had it that that the wolf would possess whoever cut this last wheat.

「最後の一束だ！」

"That's the last sheaf!"

「刈り過ぎないように注意しろ！」

"Hear, hear, those who haven't finished cutting!" (?)

Discussion

(1) Meaning of 囃し立て here? Could it encompass both the 'jeering' and 'musical' meanings of the 囃 kanji, i.e. jeering, but in a rhythmic manner? Consider all the repetitions in the cries in this and the following page.

Chapter 1, Page 26

「欲張りの手からはホロが逃げるぞ！」

"Horo flees from greedy hands!" (!)

「狼｛オオカミ｝を掴｛つか｝んだのは誰だ誰だ誰だ」

"Who's gonna catch the wolf, whosit whosit whosit."

「ヤレイだヤレイだヤレイだ！」

"Yarei's it Yarei's it Yarei's it!"

　ロレンスが荷馬車から降りて人垣｛ひとがき｝の向こうをひょいと覗｛のぞ｝くと、ちょうどヤレイが最後の一束を掴んだところだった。土と汗｛あせ｝に汚｛よご｝れた真っ黒な顔に苦笑いをいっぱいに浮かべ、そして一息に麦を刈り取ると束を掲げて空に向かって叫んだのだった。

Lawrence alighted from the cart, and peering through (?) the crowd, just happened to see Yarei grabbing the last sheaf. His face, blackened with dirt and sweat, revealed a broad, wry grin. In a single effort, [ phrasing ] he raised the harvested sheaf and howled at the sky.

「アオオオオオオオオオオオン」

"Auuooooooooooon"

「ホロだホロだホロだ!」

"It's Horo it's Horo it's Horo!"

「アオオオオオオオオオオオン」

"Auuooooooooooon"

「狼ホロが現れたぞ!狼ホロが現れたぞ!」

"The wolf Horo has appeared! The wolf Horo has appeared!"

「それ捕｛つか｝まえろ、やれ捕まえろ！」

"Catch it, oh catch it!"

「逃がすな、追え！」

"After it, don't let it get away!"

　それまで口々に囃｛はや｝し立てていた男達が、唐突｛とうとつ｝に走り出したヤレイを追いかけていった。

With that, the men who had been calling out suddenly broke into a run and chased after Yarei.

　豊作の神は追い詰められ、人間に乗り移ってどこかに逃げようとする。それを捕｛と｝らえてまた一年、この畑にいてもらうのだ。

Able to run down the god of harvest, / if it were to possess a human, where could it run to? (!) It's been a year since the last catch, this field/giving (!)

　実際に神がいるのかどうかはわからない。ただ、ここの土地の者達はもう長い間それを続けている。

Who knows whether or not there's actually a deity present. However, the inhabitants of this land have carried on that belief for a long time.