I'd want to go where my men went and I'd want to do what they did.

Japanese translation: 僕が軍隊に入ったとしたら[僕の指揮下の]軍人と同じ場所に行って同じことをしたい

13:22 Nov 27, 2004

English to Japanese translations [PRO]
General / Conversation / Greetings / Letters

English term or phrase: I'd want to go where my men went and I'd want to do what they did.

This was said by Prince William and "If I was to join the army" was followed by the above sentence. I'm not sure why past tense, "went" & "did", is used and how it affects the translation. Thank you.

tanina

Japanese translation:僕が軍隊に入ったとしたら[僕の指揮下の]軍人と同じ場所に行って同じことをしたい

Explanation:
Past tense is used because it is a hypothetical sentence using "if". (If I did X, I would (I'd) want to do Y.) （〜をしたとしたら、Ｙをしたい[と思う・でしょう]。

That is the only reason the past tense is used, just to have correct grammar in a hypothetical situation.

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Note added at 1 day 3 hrs 52 mins (2004-11-28 17:14:25 GMT)
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In response to Tanina¥'s question:
Yes, because it is subjunctive mode, the past tense is used. Here is a breakdown of the sentence
Part A: If I was to (join the army) [IF-1st part of subjunctive]
Part B: I¥'d want to (go) [WOULD-2nd part of subjunctive]
Part C: where my men go [CLAUSE-This clause is not part of the subjunctive. Because it begins with ¥"where¥", it is just describing the verb ¥"go¥" from Part B, telling you more information about it.]

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Note added at 1 day 3 hrs 54 mins (2004-11-28 17:16:30 GMT)
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Other non-subjunctive descriptive clause examples:
1. She lives [where the 2 rivers meet.]
2. I will go [when the clock strikes twelve.]

The function of the ¥"Part C¥" clause is the same as these 2 clauses.

Selected response from:

conejo
United States
Local time: 02:19

Grading comment

Thank you for your explanation. I also like Katsue's translation. Thank you all for your feedback.
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer

Summary of answers provided

4 +3

僕が軍隊に入ったとしたら[僕の指揮下の]軍人と同じ場所に行って同じことをしたい

conejo

私は部下と一心同体でありたいと望む。

humbird

Discussion entries: 2

Answers

10 hrs confidence:

peer agreement (net): +3

i'd want to go where my men went and i'd want to do what they did.

僕が軍隊に入ったとしたら[僕の指揮下の]軍人と同じ場所に行って同じことをしたい

conejo
United States
Local time: 02:19
Works in field
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 16

Grading comment

Thank you for your explanation. I also like Katsue's translation. Thank you all for your feedback.

1 day 6 hrs confidence:

i'd want to go where my men went and i'd want to do what they did. 私は部下と一心同体でありたいと望む。

Explanation:
この訳は少しもじってあります(つまり直訳ではない）。ですがつぎに説明する状況を考えると、このほうが自然なはずです。
I understand from your explanation this is a statement made by Prince william (whoever it is). As we all know Prince XXXX is no private, his position in the military is Commander or Admiral or equal of the rank. When someone like that speaks something of this nature, he is speaking from his rank. He is in charge, and he is looking the soldiers (my men) from high above. This is no ordinary statement, thus my translation. (If you cannot see this picture conejo's translation is fine, but I think this statement is more that that.)
As for your question of tense, in this case "past" tense is natural. He is making this statement AFTER the matter is over.
Instead 私, 余(I for person of very, very hight social status) may be better.

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Note added at 1 day 15 hrs 11 mins (2004-11-29 04:33:55 GMT)
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I take back about the tense, yes it is in past tense because it is ¥"if¥" situation as conejo explained.

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Note added at 1 day 15 hrs 16 mins (2004-11-29 04:39:08 GMT)
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Nonetheless Prince William would not start from the lowest rank when he went British Military. ¥"My men¥" shows his high status. He is speaking from above.

humbird
Native speaker of:

Japanese,

English
PRO pts in category: 20

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)

neutral

tappi_k: British monarch's speech getting more and more like everybody else's, and William being a young and friendly lad he is, I think your tone might be a bit too much. but of course you're right that he is saying 'my men' 'cause they theoretically are his men

10 hrs

-> Thank you for your insight. However I don't know how that lad thinks and speaks. Either way his social status does not change.

neutral

mnlucht: Your translation is right and sophisticated meaning wise. However, if we will go in your way, we would lose some of the character of Prince William. This time, the direct translation is better to show how he said “bukato to isshindoutai” in his way.

1 day 28 mins

-> Whether my way or other way is up to the original client. Skilled writing is deteriorating art nowadays.

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I'd want to go where my men went and I'd want to do what they did.

Japanese translation: 僕が軍隊に入ったとしたら[僕の指揮下の]軍人と同じ場所に行って同じことをしたい

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I'd want to go where my men went and I'd want to do what they did.

Japanese translation: 僕が軍隊に入ったとしたら[僕の指揮下の]軍人と同じ場所に行って同じことをしたい

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