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REVIEW: Shiki Tsukai GN 1




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dormcat
Encyclopedia Editor


Joined: 08 Dec 2003
Posts: 9902
Location: New Taipei City, Taiwan, ROC
PostPosted: Mon Oct 22, 2007 3:48 am Reply with quote
The last sentence of the synopsis wrote:
Aah, adolescence.

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



Joined: 08 Aug 2004
Posts: 185
Location: Stony Brook, NY
PostPosted: Mon Oct 22, 2007 11:20 am Reply with quote
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


Joined: 28 Jul 2003
Posts: 1684
Location: Los Angeles, CA
PostPosted: Mon Oct 22, 2007 4:36 pm Reply with quote
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


Joined: 08 Dec 2003
Posts: 9902
Location: New Taipei City, Taiwan, ROC
PostPosted: Mon Oct 22, 2007 9:22 pm Reply with quote
jsevakis wrote:
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!"

Aye, those are indeed Shakespearean. Wink

Thanks to both of you for sharing your knowledge.
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