Forum - View topicREVIEW: Shiki Tsukai GN 1
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dormcat
Encyclopedia Editor
 Posts: 9902 Location: New Taipei City, Taiwan, ROC |
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Can anyone who knows more about English writing tell me whether this figure of speech is native to English or just a translation from the Japanese synopsis? While saying "seishun" is very common in Japanese literatures to show nostalgia and/or sarcasm, I've never seen the direct equivalent in English until today. |
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Akukaze
 Posts: 185 Location: Stony Brook, NY |
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Yes, it's used reasonably often (usually "oh, youth" or "ahh, youth," though) and has the same meaning/connotation as あぁ青春.
The fact that it's wirtten as "Aah" rather than "Ahh" is a bit strange, though. |
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jsevakis
Former ANN Editor in Chief
 Posts: 1684 Location: Los Angeles, CA |
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The sarcastic pattern, "Ahh, [positive noun]!" can be applied to just about anything, and in this case, as Akukaze said, this particular usage happens to translate just about exactly to a sarcastic, "あぁ青春." It's a totally native figure of speech, expressing that you're prepared to wax poetic after being moved by the nature of the subject. Its roots come in poetic language circa Shakesphere and common in flowery language ever since (and used to death in bad romantic-era poetry), which frequently punctuated poignant thoughts with lines like, "O, dear child!" or "Ah, sweet mystery of life!"
Other examples: After seeing a multi-car pile-up on an expressway turn into a fist-fight... "Ahh, rush hour!" After watching a particularly awful movie, "Ahh, the cinema!" After reading an anime forum flame war, "Ahh, otaku!" etc... |
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dormcat
Encyclopedia Editor
Posts: 9902 Location: New Taipei City, Taiwan, ROC |
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Aye, those are indeed Shakespearean. 
Thanks to both of you for sharing your knowledge. |
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