Please help me to read this English sentence:

[Koir]

最初の投稿者：YuriTokoro

Hi, Koir. Thanks as always.

My English sentences don’t seem to convey the meanings.
The first volume is originally one book in the U.S., but in Japan, they divided the first volume in three parts. So I haven’t finished the original first volume, but I finished one whole book which was published in Japan.

I understood that part, Yuri. You've read one-third of the first book, so you don't have as complete an understanding of the book's theme compared to a U.S. reader who can read all three parts in one volume.

As for the sentence you quoted in italics:

"I can’t be absolutely certain because the first volume was divided in three parts, and I just read the first section."

...it makes sense to me in context. The first volume was divided into three parts, with only the first part translated into Japanese at this time. To remove all confusion, it could be changed to this:

"I can’t be absolutely certain because the first volume was divided in three parts, and currently only the first third has been translated into Japanese."

I’m sorry; I forgot to write “It’s too hard to me to read the story in English, and I won’t read it in English.”
In Japanese language, when people say “There are too many difficult words in the book”, they often mean they won’t read it. Japanese people won’t be bothered to say “I won’t read it” clearly every time. I have written the English sentences in Japanese way.

*smiles* It's perfectly okay, Yuri. You have given me a new insight into Japanese culture I did not know earlier. I shall remember it in future post revisions, with your help and guidance.

This is very hard part in writing English to me. Things I don’t say or get out in native language don’t come to mind when I speak/write English, and I forget to say them.

All part of the learning process, Yuri. It goes both ways, from student to teacher and teacher to student.

I’m sorry.
What should I write those two sentences?

Hm. In the first statement and following explanation, you say that it would be too difficult to read the story in it's original English language as there are too many "specialized" terms for physical pleasures. As a result, this makes me think the Japanese translation recently published is more preferable, as the translators have changed these terms to something more easily understood by the book's readers. Is that correct?

Second statement revision, as a summary:

"I can’t be absolutely certain because the first volume was divided in three parts, and currently only the first third has been translated into Japanese."

[Nagareboshi]

Actually, we can buy English copies of the story here. What part of my sentences makes you to think that? There must have been my mistakes.

It was the following sentence that made me think that.

In Japan, this is just published in Japanese.

I just re-worded it.

I’m sorry. My English is too poor.

Don't worry about it, your English isn't that bad. I can hardly tell that you're not a native English speaker. You just have a few small mistakes here and there.

You mean, not to say “this story seemed to be about conspiracies in an aristocratic society”, but “This story seems to be …”. Is this right?

Yes, that's right.

Thank you.

You're welcome.

[snbzk]

It was the following sentence that made me think that.

I just re-worded it.

The sentence was intended to mean "In Japan, the book was recently published in Japanese." The reason for the confusion is that 'just' can mean 'only' or '(very) recently' depending on the context. In the quoted sentence, the chosen meaning of 'just' is unclear because the sentence would make sense either way, so it would have been better to choose a more specific word such as 'recently.'

You should only say 'just' if the meaning is unambiguous: "I just arrived" wouldn't make sense as "I only arrived," and "it was just the two of us" wouldn't make sense as "it was recently the two of us."

[YuriTokoro]

最初の投稿者：Koir

I can’t be absolutely certain because the first volume was divided in three parts, and currently only the first third has been translated into Japanese.

Koir, thanks.
This sentence is very clear.

*smiles* It's perfectly okay, Yuri. You have given me a new insight into Japanese culture I did not know earlier. I shall remember it in future post revisions, with your help and guidance.

Thank you for being my teacher.
Please tell me when I speak in tongues.

It would be too difficult to read the story in it's original English language as there are too many coined words and "specialized" terms for physical pleasures. As a result, this makes me think the Japanese translation recently published is more preferable, as the translators have changed these terms to something more easily understood by the book's readers. Is that correct?

Yes, that’s what I want to say.

Is this good?
“A Book: Kushiel’s Dart”

This is a fantasy story written in 2001 by Jacqueline Carey. Recently, it has been translated into Japanese and published here.
When I started reading, I thought I had bought the wrong book as the heroine was a courtesan. Reading further, I discovered that the story seemed to be about conspiracies in an aristocratic society. I can’t be absolutely certain because the first volume was divided in three parts, and currently only the first third has been translated into Japanese. Even so, the story is interesting.
I want to read the next one soon, but I don’t know when the other two parts will be released. I seem to need to read it in English, but it would be too difficult to read the story in it's original English language as there are too many coined words and "specialized" terms for physical pleasures. As a result, this makes me think the Japanese translation published is more preferable, as the translators have changed these terms to something more easily understood by the book's readers.
Regardless, the amazing part of the story is the elimination of Christian morals. Japanese people originally don’t hold to the same kind of morals, so those who grew up in a Christian community would feel the story is more specific or unique than I do.

Thanks.

[YuriTokoro]

最初の投稿者：snbzk

The sentence was intended to mean "In Japan, the book was recently published in Japanese." The reason for the confusion is that 'just' can mean 'only' or '(very) recently' depending on the context. In the quoted sentence, the chosen meaning of 'just' is unclear because the sentence would make sense either way, so it would have been better to choose a more specific word such as 'recently.'

Hi, snbzk.
Yes, exactly! I wanted to say that.
I will be careful to use “just”. I have never thought how to use it. Thank you very much!

[Koir]

最初の投稿者：YuriTokoro

“A Book: Kushiel’s Dart”

This is a fantasy story written in 2001 by Jacqueline Carey. Recently, it has been translated into Japanese and published here.
When I started reading, I thought I had bought the wrong book as the heroine was a courtesan. Reading further, I discovered that the story seemed to be about conspiracies in an aristocratic society. I can’t be absolutely certain because the first volume was divided in three parts, and currently only the first third has been translated into Japanese. Even so, the story is interesting.
I want to read the next one soon, but I don’t know when the other two parts will be released. I seem to need to read it in English, but it would be too difficult to read the story in it's original English language as there are too many coined words and "specialized" terms for physical pleasures. Therefore, the Japanese translation is more preferable as these terms have been translated into words more easily understood by Japanese readers.
Regardless, the amazing part of the story is the elimination of Christian morals. Japanese people originally don’t hold to the same kind of morals, so those who grew up in a Christian community would feel the story is more specific or unique than I do.

Thanks.

Bolded sentence is the only revision I can see is needed to your post, Yuri. Other than that, the post is excellent.

[YuriTokoro]

最初の投稿者：Koir

Bolded sentence is the only revision I can see is needed to your post, Yuri. Other than that, the post is excellent.

Koir, thanks a lot!

[YuriTokoro]

Hi.
Could you correct my English?

"Bon Dance Event"

I went to a bon dance event today. That is a festival which is held by a neighborhood community during summer at night, and people dance bon dance there.
If you go bon dancing, you should wear yukata which is similar to kimono, but it’s very thin and not a formal clothes. If you have stayed in a Japanese style hotel called ryokan, you might have put it on. They have yukata, and customers put it on to be relaxed. It’s used as a bathrobe and pajama.
Anyway, I used to enjoy bon dancing. When I was an elementary school student, I made a promise with friends to go to bon dancing every year. I was really looking forward to going to the festival.
I put on yukata on the day. My mother gave me some money. I bought some food at yatai (stalls which is open only during a festival), and ate it with friends.
And then, we danced in line.
After becoming an adult and before getting married, I had lessons of Japanese classical dancing. So we danced bon dancing as good examples in matching yukata.
I’ve heard people dance bon dancing in many other countries now. If you see people dancing, please try. It’s very easy and simple.

Thank you.

Bon Festival - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
YouTube - Suwajinja 諏訪神社　盆踊り 3

[Koir]

最初の投稿者：YuriTokoro

Hi.
Could you correct my English?

"Bon Dance Event"

I went to a bon dance event today. It is a festival that is held by neighborhood communities on summer nights. During the festival, people perform bon dances.
If you go bon dancing, you should wear yukata. They are more informal kimono made from thinner fabric. Those who have stayed in a Japanese-style hotel, or "ryokan", may have worn a yukata. Hotel customers wear it to relax. It functions as both pajamas and bathrobe.
In the past I enjoyed bon dancing. When I was an elementary school student, I made a promise with friends to go to bon dancing every year. I was really looking forward to going to the festival.
I would put on yukata the day of the festival. My mother gave me some money. I bought some food at yatai (stalls which are open only during a festival), and ate with friends.
And then, we danced in line.
After becoming an adult and before getting married, I took Japanese classical dancing lessons. As a part of the lessons we performed bon dancing while wearing matching yukata.
I’ve heard people perform bon dancing in many other countries now. If you see people dancing, please try. It’s very easy and simple.

Thank you.

Bon Festival - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
YouTube - Suwajinja 諏訪神社　盆踊り 3

Sounds exciting, Yuri. I have some knowledge of yukata and bon dances from many hours spent watching anime (of course). Specifically "Toradora" and "Nogizaka Haruka no Himitsu". I'm guessing from those examples "bon" is the shorter version of "bonfire" around which the bon dance happens.

I don't dance myself, mainly due to embarassment and the feeling that it's not...quite...necessary, if that makes any sense. Being analytical all the time can be very tiring.

Regardless, I can tell summer festivals are very exciting times meant to be enjoyed with friends and fellow festival goers. Maybe someday I'll go to one, who knows.

[YuriTokoro]

最初の投稿者：Koir

Sounds exciting, Yuri. I have some knowledge of yukata and bon dances from many hours spent watching anime (of course). Specifically "Toradora" and "Nogizaka Haruka no Himitsu". I'm guessing from those examples "bon" is the shorter version of "bonfire" around which the bon dance happens.

Hi, Koir. Thanks as always.
Actually, bon is not from bonfire. It’s a Japanese word. Wikipedia says, “Bon is a Japanese Buddhist custom to honor the departed (deceased) spirits of one's ancestors.”
Originally, we do some ritual things on bon day which is August 15th. The most important thing is going to the ancestors’ grave and cleaning it. For this reason, most people have a paid day off on the day. I think I need to write a post about bon next.

I don't dance myself, mainly due to embarassment and the feeling that it's not...quite...necessary, if that makes any sense. Being analytical all the time can be very tiring.

Most Japanese boys or young men don’t bon dancing due to embarrassment too. They seem to prefer looking girls in yukata.

Regardless, I can tell summer festivals are very exciting times meant to be enjoyed with friends and fellow festival goers. Maybe someday I'll go to one, who knows.

One of my friends said her hometown is very far from the town she lives now, so she will go to her hometown on bon, and go to bon dancing to find a good man to marry. She is really excited. I wish her good luck.

Thanks again, Koir.