Keeping up with pregaming the vocab is getting rough. I’ve started removing vocabulary from my personal anki deck once it hits 1 month. I’m already spending more time studying the vocabulary than reading the book!
Speaking of the book, it’s been mostly smooth sailing, but the last 4 pages of the 2nd section of Chapter 3 were rough. I’d say it’s the second time so far I’ve been in serious danger of losing the plot. Maybe being as dizzied by the onslaught of people chattering as Kiki just adds to the immersion, though. Hopefully a good reread and some questions should clear things back up.
From the last 4 pages of week 4:
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おじゃまさせていただくって、このコリコにかい？ - This is the first line that threw me. I get that Koriko is the name of the town, but I just can’t parse the rest. Particularly the にかい.
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町にひとりぐらいはいるもんだって、むかしからいいますけどねえ。今までいなくっても、どうってことありませんでしたねえ。- This is another one I couldn’t parse on my own. With some mechanical help, I get the understanding that she’s saying It’s been said since long ago that a town will have one witch, but they haven’t had one up until now and nothing bad’s come of it., right?
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でも、めんどうはごめんですよ - I understand this to mean But, (I/we) don’t want any trouble. But is this a specific turn of phrase, or can はごめんです be used in other contexts?
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まあ、ごかってに - And the very next line. Is this someone flippantly telling Kiki to just do whatever she likes? Is the ご making it more impersonal instead of more polite?
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ひとり暮らしのお年寄りとあやとりをしてあげたり - This one tripped me up at first, because I kept trying to read “ひとり暮らしのお年” as “The year spent living alone” without realizing “お年寄り” meant “elderly person”.
Alright. A second go through made that a lot easier. Now, to finish the chapter.
In a week, of course. Looks like I’ve got… About 12 pages to go. Excellent, it’s even got a built in cheat day.
