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k0e3@lemmy.ca

[ja > en] Another letter... (sh.itjust.works)

submitted 2 weeks ago by nore@sh.itjust.works to c/translators@lemmy.ca

6 comments fedilink hide all child comments

Another letter from mom... This time I'm confused about "けんしょう", and also "はと"

Image text:

エミリーへ
けんしょうに
あたるコツはと　きかれたら
むよくと　こたえて
みたりする
かたわらに　ハガキのやま　はは

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[–] k0e3@lemmy.ca 5 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

It's hard to translate line by line because if the nature of the language and how the lines are split up, but here goes.

When someone asks me what the trick is to win a sweepstakes, I try to say, "be without greed." A pile of postcards sits next to me

From: mom

懸賞(けんしょう) is a sweepstakes where participants send in postcards to try to get their names drawn to win a prize.

Mom is saying she tries to act cool when someone asks what the secret to winning is by responding, "you can't look desperate," even though she has a pile of postcards with her name on it.

Hope that clears it up!

Also, check out Nasubi, a guy who lives off sweepstake winnings on a livestream about 30 years ago.

[–] nore@sh.itjust.works 3 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

Thank you for the help once again!
But what about the "はと" in the 3rd line?
Is it just a combination of the particles "は" and "と" or does it hold extra meaning?

[–] k0e3@lemmy.ca 3 points 2 weeks ago (2 children)

Oh sorry, I didn't address that.

Think of it like this: 「懸賞に当たるコツは(なんですか)」と聞かれたら

They're omitting "what is" from the question. I hope that makes sense. I can translate, but still learning when it comes to explaining.

[–] nore@sh.itjust.works 3 points 2 weeks ago

I see!
I had completely forgotten the 「」 can be omitted when quoting things.
Thank you for clarifying that.

[–] Lumidaub@feddit.org 2 points 2 weeks ago

The omission of "what is" seems to be tricky even for professional translators to recognise. Even just これは with clear upward inflection in movies/shows occasionally comes out as "That is..." in subtitles, instead of "what is that?"

[–] cerebralhawks@lemmy.dbzer0.com 1 points 2 weeks ago

Google translate (via camera)

"to emily

To be safe
If you ask me what the trick is to hit it.
I answered enthusiastically
to watch

There's a mountain of postcards beside me, haha"

Something is likely lost in translation and a better translator (i.e. someone who actually knows Japanese!) could possibly explain.

I recall your Animal Crossing character is named Emily so that tracks.

It's probably the standard winter greetings, I think she talks about knitting sweaters and having too many or something like that... at least in New Horizons.

The last part makes sense.