Nani mo Wakaranai - Vol. 1 Ch. 4 - Communication

[LIXOUA]

i really enjoyed that chapter

 

[Memoflora]

This is really cool, seems the author actually made their own language and is teaching us as well as the MC. I love these kinds of puzzles, reminds me of 7 Days to End with You. Seems "sui" is the copula but translating "imu" as ok is throwing me off since it initially seems "imu" and "gosu" are subjects for me and you. I'm not a linguist though so I probably have no idea what I'm talking about...

 

[74HC595]

Free time? Get on with the push-ups bro.

 

[WatermelonPlease]

The emphasis on trying to decipher the language is cool.

Play Tunic if you want something similar (though, no waifus -- well, not exactly).

I love that game

 

[Werebearguy]

Her face when she said "Oh-keh" is both pleasant and smug. I think she's winning.

 

[Lunkli]

Seems "sui" is the copula but translating "imu" as ok is throwing me off since it initially seems "imu" and "gosu" are subjects for me and you. I'm not a linguist though so I probably have no idea what I'm talking about...

Going and rereading the previous chapters, and idea I'm getting is that "sui" might actually be either a grammatical mood marker? So that "imu sui" would indicate some sort of realis mood, i.e. either a fact or something you view as a fact. That being derived from "yes" wouldn't be too odd.

"Gosu sui" could then be an imperative of some sort. In terms of actions, I think that this would fit with your misunderstanding of them as "me" and "you," as when describing things, you're typically more sure about yourself and more "commanding" other people.

Taking into account that the author is Japanese also supports this, I think, because in the Japanese language there's sort of a taboo on directly describing what people besides yourself intend on doing. You have to specify that you think that they intend on it, instead.

Anyway, the rest of the "...sui" constructions in the manga so far are:

1. "Toju sui" in Ch1, when she's afraid of Ryouta after he starts moving towards the sword. So it might be a stronger imperative form? We see the now-definide "oupu" here, (Both with and without "na," so maybe that's a verbalizing particle or something?) so she might be saying something like "stop right now," whereas if she had used "gosu sui" it would be something closer to "please stop."
   
   
2. Also, in the same panel as the previous, we see a "gosu" + a long construction + "sui." Could be something more like pleading, I guess? "Stop. Please stop" or the like, using both direct and indirect forms. (Could also be elaboration on "why" she's making the request, as I describe a bit more in-depth on point #5.) The whole thing does end in a lengthened "tojuu," though, so maybe the "sui" constructions can appear at the end of sentences, as well?
   
   
3. At the end of this chapter, then, we see "momu sui na oupu tui ai-." We sort of know what "na oupu" means, so this is probably some sort of request for Ryouta to stay while she collects the writing utensils. It might be a more hesitant request? Or maybe it's an optative? Or it could be something a bit more like "alright, hold on a moment while I..." Basically affirming that she's saying this becauseshe's carrying out his request. "Do this for your own sake" or something.
   
   We see this one again this chapter, followed by "na oupu" on page five right before she tells him she's leaving and asks him to stay put, which definitely seems to support the idea of it marking a command or suggestion of some sort.
   
   
4. In Ch2, we see "imu sui" for the first time when she's giving her name(?). This seems to support the realis mood theory, as your name is probably the prime example of the sort of fact that you'd want to present as such, considering how most cultures see the name as something that defines a person, and that it's something you can usually be fairly confident in.
   
   
5. In this chapter, we see a long construction of "go ja tautan tou duu, ni ma ni e ne e a sui." It's a very long construction, similar to the long one in the first "gosu sui" from chapter one. Maybe that's meant to give elaboration on the reason for the command? Like "gosu ~~~~ sui ~~~~" is "Please (because ~~~~) do ~~~~" and "imu ~~~~ sui ~~~~" is "I know (because ~~~~) that ~~~~" or something. Could also mean that I'm wrong about it being a mood marker, though.
   
   
6. Finally, at the end of this chapter, in the tinted flashback boxes, we see "Oupu jaa sui." This is from her response to him pointing at the pen-brush thing and asking what it is. Considering the use of "oupu" here, I might imagine this to indicate disagreement of some sort? Considering the context here, it's possible that what she said is meant to be something like "I don't understand what you're saying." I've also considered it being a response form of some sort, vaguely similar to Japanese んだ, but less confident on that. Plus, the line that includes it is in a thought bubble, and while it's in his flashback, (suggesting that he might have heard it) it at least implies that it wasn't directed at him in the way a response would probably be.

 

[pedronimo]

Going and rereading the previous chapters, and idea I'm getting is that "sui" might actually be either a grammatical mood marker? So that "imu sui" would indicate some sort of realis mood, i.e. either a fact or something you view as a fact. That being derived from "yes" wouldn't be too odd.

"Gosu sui" could then be an imperative of some sort. In terms of actions, I think that this would fit with your misunderstanding of them as "me" and "you," as when describing things, you're typically more sure about yourself and more "commanding" other people.

Taking into account that the author is Japanese also supports this, I think, because in the Japanese language there's sort of a taboo on directly describing what people besides yourself intend on doing. You have to specify that you think that they intend on it, instead.

Anyway, the rest of the "...sui" constructions in the manga so far are:

1. "Toju sui" in Ch1, when she's afraid of Ryouta after he starts moving towards the sword. So it might be a stronger imperative form? We see the now-definide "oupu" here, (Both with and without "na," so maybe that's a verbalizing particle or something?) so she might be saying something like "stop right now," whereas if she had used "gosu sui" it would be something closer to "please stop."
   
   
2. Also, in the same panel as the previous, we see a "gosu" + a long construction + "sui." Could be something more like pleading, I guess? "Stop. Please stop" or the like, using both direct and indirect forms. (Could also be elaboration on "why" she's making the request, as I describe a bit more in-depth on point #5.) The whole thing does end in a lengthened "tojuu," though, so maybe the "sui" constructions can appear at the end of sentences, as well?
   
   
3. At the end of this chapter, then, we see "momu sui na oupu tui ai-." We sort of know what "na oupu" means, so this is probably some sort of request for Ryouta to stay while she collects the writing utensils. It might be a more hesitant request? Or maybe it's an optative? Or it could be something a bit more like "alright, hold on a moment while I..." Basically affirming that she's saying this becauseshe's carrying out his request. "Do this for your own sake" or something.
   
   We see this one again this chapter, followed by "na oupu" on page five right before she tells him she's leaving and asks him to stay put, which definitely seems to support the idea of it marking a command or suggestion of some sort.
   
   
4. In Ch2, we see "imu sui" for the first time when she's giving her name(?). This seems to support the realis mood theory, as your name is probably the prime example of the sort of fact that you'd want to present as such, considering how most cultures see the name as something that defines a person, and that it's something you can usually be fairly confident in.
   
   
5. In this chapter, we see a long construction of "go ja tautan tou duu, ni ma ni e ne e a sui." It's a very long construction, similar to the long one in the first "gosu sui" from chapter one. Maybe that's meant to give elaboration on the reason for the command? Like "gosu ~~~~ sui ~~~~" is "Please (because ~~~~) do ~~~~" and "imu ~~~~ sui ~~~~" is "I know (because ~~~~) that ~~~~" or something. Could also mean that I'm wrong about it being a mood marker, though.
   
   
6. Finally, at the end of this chapter, in the tinted flashback boxes, we see "Oupu jaa sui." This is from her response to him pointing at the pen-brush thing and asking what it is. Considering the use of "oupu" here, I might imagine this to indicate disagreement of some sort? Considering the context here, it's possible that what she said is meant to be something like "I don't understand what you're saying." I've also considered it being a response form of some sort, vaguely similar to Japanese んだ, but less confident on that. Plus, the line that includes it is in a thought bubble, and while it's in his flashback, (suggesting that he might have heard it) it at least implies that it wasn't directed at him in the way a response would probably be.

tell me you're a linguist without telling me you're a linguist

 

[Shiizani]

nothing can be understood
looks inside
some things being understood

 

[sanctuary]

I need more

 

[AzraelPrimal]

maybe boy is an homunculus

I was thinking Golem with his mind being isekaid, but homunculus explains the lack of memories

 

[arashikitsu]

I was thinking Golem with his mind being isekaid, but homunculus explains the lack of memories

wouldn't homunculus also require needing to go to the toilet though? Although it would be funny if the only reason he didn't go to the toilet was because the author was so focused on the language they forgot humans need to go to the toilet and didn't draw it in

 

[Baddtraxx]

finally something good, love this mango so far, thanks for translation

 

[thatNEET_]

I'm having a lot of fun contemplating what they're going to do next. Have they already learned each over's alphabets? Because if they have, then they could at least take notes on what the other person is saying and ask about it later, since it seems hard for them to even repeat what the other person is saying. For things that can't be demonstrated with a drawing, charades would be helpful, and I'd prioritize establishing words like, "again" or "slower" through charades. I have no idea how they established the word for "not", because in order to indicate that a thing is not something, you'd have to establish the something that the thing is not.

 

[thatNEET_]

She reminds me of my siblings and kids. Patently incapable of taking all their possessions with them if they are in location for longer then an hour. Articles of clothing, keys, electronics, toys, and even the shoes they arrived in... if something is not on their person for more then an hour, chances are it will remain there till you physically hand it too them, or they return because it's wet, cold, or can't start the car without it.

Oh shit, she forgot her staff there? I didn't notice till you said something about it.
Edit: Oh, mangadex did that thing where it just skips over a page and I didn't notice.

 

[hjbtag]

Thanks for the tl

 

[Bibliothecarius]

Thanks for the chapter!!!

 

[pir0zhki]

Fascinating series. Really don't know what to expect for its direction but the premise is interesting so I'm here for the ride.

 

[Claith]

At least the language seems to be linear. Arrival is my #2 favorite movie.

I do have to respect this kid for his patience. First time she left, he waited over 2 hours to she came back. I'd have lasted 15 minutes before heading to the door.

 

[detarameMangadex]

Thanks for the chapter :D

Learning yes and no is huge: being able get a response from the other person opens up two way communication.

I like how we are not just not understanding language anymore; we are also not understanding everything in this world. This is getting really interesting.

 

[pip25]

How does he know that five hours have elapsed?