Post by Hermes on Sept 27, 2010 13:32:07 GMT -5
Since the Sunnyspeak file for TGG has been postedin Dastardly Documents, which is read-only, I'm starting this discussion thread here.
First, congratulations, Sherry Ann, on this splendid achievement, and thanks for this much-needed resource.
I find it striking how often Sunny in this book does speak in plain English. She's getting quite close to being a fuilly articulate speaker now.
Anyhow, some comments. (There are a few places where you given no explanation, and I'm not sure if it's because you see it as obvious or because you can't think of one; so soem of my comments may be unnecessary.)
---
Though 'tedium' is actually a word (meaning 'tediousness').
That one baffles me.
I guess the idea is 'self-aware' - we should be aware of our own situation. (Sunny's Slytherin tendencies are already showing up, I see.)
That's another puzzle.
'Define', I think, and then perhaps 'pat' meaning 'precisely'
Um. That one is a bit improper.
From 'floss'.
Which suggests that Sunny, at least, has worked out that 'JS' means 'Justice Strauss'. (Whether it actually does is another matter, of course.)
Helen Keller, of course, was both blind and deaf, and Sunny is presumably suggesting that her situation in the grotto will be rather like that.
I think 'Ulp' may here just be a kind of gulp of trepidation.
Not contains precisely, but is an equivalent of.
An amuse-bouche being a bite-sized first course.
From 'perfidious', meaning treacherous, untrustworthy.
That puzzles me. She could be of enormous help working with plants (in a greenhouse)?
Oh, that is clever! And in TBB, of course, Sunny's remarks weren't meant to make sense, which explains why this one is so mysterious.
First, congratulations, Sherry Ann, on this splendid achievement, and thanks for this much-needed resource.
I find it striking how often Sunny in this book does speak in plain English. She's getting quite close to being a fuilly articulate speaker now.
Anyhow, some comments. (There are a few places where you given no explanation, and I'm not sure if it's because you see it as obvious or because you can't think of one; so soem of my comments may be unnecessary.)
---
“Tedium”
[From the word “tedious”]
The water cycle is quite dull**
[From the word “tedious”]
The water cycle is quite dull**
Though 'tedium' is actually a word (meaning 'tediousness').
“Subjavik”
So dark it was unrecognizable*
So dark it was unrecognizable*
That one baffles me.
“Selphawa”
We can’t think about Quigley now—we have to think about ourselves*
We can’t think about Quigley now—we have to think about ourselves*
I guess the idea is 'self-aware' - we should be aware of our own situation. (Sunny's Slytherin tendencies are already showing up, I see.)
“Nottooti?”
I’m curious about how you know so much about us**
I’m curious about how you know so much about us**
That's another puzzle.
“Dephinpat?”
What are Volunteer Factual Dispatches, exactly?**
What are Volunteer Factual Dispatches, exactly?**
'Define', I think, and then perhaps 'pat' meaning 'precisely'
?”
The other end?*
The other end?*
Um. That one is a bit improper.
“Flosh”
Don’t worry—I cleaned my teeth before using them as kitchen implements*
Don’t worry—I cleaned my teeth before using them as kitchen implements*
From 'floss'.
“Etartsigam”
[“Etartsigam” spelt backwards is “magistrate”]
The initials were J.S.**
[“Etartsigam” spelt backwards is “magistrate”]
The initials were J.S.**
Which suggests that Sunny, at least, has worked out that 'JS' means 'Justice Strauss'. (Whether it actually does is another matter, of course.)
“Hewenkella”
[Referring to Helen Keller]
I’m curious about how we’ll see our way**
[Referring to Helen Keller]
I’m curious about how we’ll see our way**
Helen Keller, of course, was both blind and deaf, and Sunny is presumably suggesting that her situation in the grotto will be rather like that.
“Ulp”
[ULP is an acronym for “Unit of Least Precision”]
I don’t like the idea of drifting by myself in a diving helmet*
[ULP is an acronym for “Unit of Least Precision”]
I don’t like the idea of drifting by myself in a diving helmet*
I think 'Ulp' may here just be a kind of gulp of trepidation.
“Wasabi”
The wasabi contains horseradish***
The wasabi contains horseradish***
Not contains precisely, but is an equivalent of.
“Amuse bouche”
Tiny water chestnut sandwiches, with a spread of cheese and sesame seeds*
Tiny water chestnut sandwiches, with a spread of cheese and sesame seeds*
An amuse-bouche being a bite-sized first course.
“Perifido”
It would be foolish to trust one of Olaf’s henchmen*
It would be foolish to trust one of Olaf’s henchmen*
From 'perfidious', meaning treacherous, untrustworthy.
“Greenhut”
[Referring to “greenhouse”]
You could be of enormous help*
[Referring to “greenhouse”]
You could be of enormous help*
That puzzles me. She could be of enormous help working with plants (in a greenhouse)?
“Gack”
[Referring the The Bad Beginning, when the same word was used]
Look at that mysterious figure emerging from the fog*
[Referring the The Bad Beginning, when the same word was used]
Look at that mysterious figure emerging from the fog*
Oh, that is clever! And in TBB, of course, Sunny's remarks weren't meant to make sense, which explains why this one is so mysterious.
