なぜ？どうして？科学のお話 - Section 2 Discussion Thread

[Cathm2]

P82

おもさは 四百五十キルグラムもありました。

Its weight was more than 450kg.

ダチョウは、せの高さが 二メートル、おもさは 百三十キルグラムをこえ、今 いちばん 大きな 鳥ですが、エピオルニスは とても かないません。

The ostrich (with) a stature of two metres, and weight of 130kg, is now the largest bird, (but) could not match the elephant bird.

大きい鳥と いえば、ニュージーランド いう 島国にも、たいへん 大きな鳥が いました。

Speaking of large birds, in another island nation, New Zealand, was a very large bird.

モアという、やはり とべない 鳥です。

It was called the Moa, and was likewise a flightless bird.

とくに ジャイアントモアは エピオルニスよりも せが 高く、四メートル近くあって、二かいの ベランダにも とどくほどでした。

In particular the Giant Moa, in comparison to the Elephant bird, was taller, being nearly four metres, reaching as much as a second floor balcony.

[Cathm2]

I’m still finishing section 2! Bit behind…

[2000kanji]

p. 84
それは、人間のせいだと考えられています。

It is thought that mankind is to blame.

Is this せい 所為?

人間は鳥たちの住む森林を切り開いて、畑や家にしました。

The forests where the birds lived were cleared by humans, to turn them into fields and houses.

捕まえて食べることもありました。

They were also caught and eaten.

でも、エピオルニスもモアも、飛べない鳥ですから、住処が無くなって追い詰められても、別の島へ移ることができませんでした。

But, as Aepyornis and Moa were non-flying birds, they couldn’t move to another island when they lost their habitat or were chased.

今から数百年前どちらの鳥も絶滅して、今では一羽も見ることができないのです。

These birds were eradicated hundreds of years ago and no such bird can be seen nowadays.

[Micki]

@2000kanji

Is this せい 所為?

I think so. Although Jisho says it’s usually written using kana alone, so I’m not sure how often you’d see it written in kanji like that.

[2000kanji]

If I had to write it by hand, I would also prefer kana alone

[Cathm2]

P83-84

エピオルニスも モアも 今は もう いません。

The elephant bird and the moa are no more.

なぜ いなく なってしまったのでしょう。

Why do they no longer exist?

それは、人間の せいだと 考えられています。

So, it is thought that is was due to humans.

人間は 鳥たちの すむ 森林を 切りひらいて、はたけや 家に しました。

Humans cut down birds’ dwellings in the forest, to make fields and houses.

つかまえた 食べる こともありました。

They were also caught to eat.

でも、エピオルニスもモアも、とべない 鳥ですから、すみかが なくなって おいつめられても、べつの しまへ うつる ことが できませんでした。

But, the elephant bird and the moa, being flightless birds, their habitat disappeared and they were also hunted, and they were not able to move to a different island.

今から 数百年前、どちらの 鳥も ぜつめつして、今では 一羽も 見る ことが できないのです。

Now, hundreds of years later, both birds are extinct, and now you can’t see a single bird.

[Micki]

What a strong finish to the section with four separate translations of the last few pages! I’m really enjoying reading this book with you guys.

Section 3 thread is up ready to kick off in a few hours time!

[2000kanji]

Thank you again for evaluating our translations and answering our questions. It’s fun reading this book and though it is a children’s book I have learnt not only some grammar but also some real life facts. This book was a good choice!

[Cathm2]

I’m currently watching g a David Attenborough documentary on the elephant bird and the moa.