I took to train to London yesterday and visited The Japan Centre! I was so excited and I spent way too much money. One of my favourite purchases was a children’s story book, the Japanese translation of Anne of Green Gables.
Even though this book is for children, it has taken me hours to translate the first page. I’m not even kidding. Phew! Anyway, I’ll post my notes here for future reference.
Anne of Green Gables (Red-headed Anne) Page 1:
| カナダの | Of Canada |
| アボンリー | Abonrii (Avonlea) |
| むらに | In village |
| とし年をとつた
とし 年year(s) |
Toshi is “year(s)” or in this case, age in years.
The verb “toru” means “to take”
“Totte” = Take (the imperative) “Totta” = took
Toshi o totte = take some years, get older Toshi o totta = got older GREW UP? |
| きょうだいが | (The) siblings |
| すんでいました。 | Lived |
Translation:
A brother and sister grew up living in the village of Avonlea in Canada.
| あには | Brother |
| ましゅうマシュウ、 |
Matthew |
| いもうとは | Younger sister |
| まりらマリラといいます。 | Called Marilla |
Translation:
The brother’s name was Matthew, and his younger sister was called Marilla.
| ふた り二人は | Two people-pair |
| こじいんから | from an orphanage |
| おとこ こ男の子を | boy |
| ひきとることにしました。 | ひきとるtook custody (look after/take charge of/adopt)ことにする=to decide |
Translation:
The pair decided to adopt a boy from an orphanage.
| マシュウが | Matthew |
| えきに | At the train station |
| むかえにいくとまっていたのは | mukae ni iku to=go to pick up/meet matte ita= was waiting
(this phrase confused the hell outta me! What’s that random と doing there?)
|
| おとこ こ男の子ではなく | But not boy |
| そばかす | freckles |
| だらけの | Covered all over |
| あかげ赤毛の | Redhead |
| おんな女の子でした。 | Was a girl |
Translation:
Matthew waited to pick him up at the station, but it was not a boy, it was a redheaded girl all covered in freckles.
| こんいちは | Hello |
| マシュウおしさんですか？ | Are you Uncle Matthew? |
| わたしアンです。 | I’m Anne. |
Translation:
Hello, are you Uncle Matthew? I’m Anne.
| こじいんから | From orphanage |
| ひきとって | Adopting me/looking after me/taking charge of me/collecting me(imperative) |
| くださってありがとうごさいます。 | Thank you so much for…verb + kudasatte+arigatou gozaimasu |
Translation:
Thank you so much for adopting me from the orphanage.