今日取り上げるのも "The Book of Tea" 巻末の "Okakura Kakuzo A Biographical Sketch" からですが、単語の話題ではなく、岡倉天心の英語力を含めた才能の高さを示す逸話です。引用文の最初に出てきる "Taikan" とは横山大観の事です。
A favorite anecdote of Taikan's recounts an incident that occurred on one of the promenades through the streets of Boston. They were accosted by a cocky young man who asked: "What sort of 'nese are you people? Are you Chinese, or Japanese?" Whereto the quick-witted Tenshin retorted: "We are Japanese gentlemen. But what kind of 'key are you? Are you a Yankee, or donkey, or a monkey?" In addition to revealing the barbed sharpness of his tongue, this tale attests to Tenshin's facility in thinking and speaking in English.
A favorite anecdote of Taikan's recounts an incident that occurred on one of the promenades through the streets of Boston. They were accosted by a cocky young man who asked: "What sort of 'nese are you people? Are you Chinese, or Japanese?" Whereto the quick-witted Tenshin retorted: "We are Japanese gentlemen. But what kind of 'key are you? Are you a Yankee, or donkey, or a monkey?" In addition to revealing the barbed sharpness of his tongue, this tale attests to Tenshin's facility in thinking and speaking in English.
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