as well as：どちらを強調？

The following is a passage from "The Lord of the Rings" by J.R.R. Tolkien: "it seemed unfair that anyone should possess (apparently" perpetual youth as well as (reputedly) inexhaustible wealth". Question: Why is "as well as" used here, instead of a simpler "and"? How would the meaning or nuance of the sentence change if "and" was used?

ChatGPT:

In Tolkien's sentence:

"it seemed unfair that anyone should possess (apparently) perpetual youth as well as (reputedly) inexhaustible wealth."

The phrase "as well as" is used instead of a simple "and" to emphasize an additional quality in a slightly more nuanced way.

Difference in Meaning and Nuance:

1. "And" – If Tolkien had written "... possess perpetual youth and inexhaustible wealth.", it would present the two qualities as equal, straightforward attributes the person possesses. The sentence would feel more neutral and factual.

2. "As well as" – This suggests an added emphasis on the second quality, implying that not only does the person have perpetual youth, but on top of that, they also have inexhaustible wealth. It subtly conveys a sense of excess or piling on benefits, making the unfairness more striking.

Why Tolkien Uses "As Well As":

• The sentence expresses a sense of injustice or imbalance (i.e., it’s unfair for one person to have both these extraordinary gifts).
• "As well as" enhances the feeling that one quality alone might already be enviable, but having both together is even more remarkable and unfair.

In summary, "as well as" adds rhetorical weight, whereas "and" would present the attributes in a flatter, less emotionally charged way.

あなた:

Are you sure? Your answer seems to be opposite to what I have been taught at school, where the phrase "A as well as B" is typically translated into Japanese as something like "not only B but also A", or in Japanese, ”BだけでなくA” or ”BのみならずA" where the emphasis is on A rather than B. For example, the sentence "I can speak Chinese as well as English" emphasi（誤Enter）

ChatGPT:

You're absolutely right to question this! The phrase "A as well as B" can sometimes emphasize A rather than B, depending on the sentence structure and context.

However, in Tolkien's sentence:

"... possess (apparently) perpetual youth as well as (reputedly) inexhaustible wealth."

the emphasis still seems to fall on the second item (inexhaustible wealth), rather than the first (perpetual youth), because of how native English speakers process "as well as" in this specific structure.

Why "as well as" emphasizes the second item here:

1. In standard "A as well as B" structures, it's true that A is often emphasized.
   • Example: "I can speak Chinese as well as English." → This implies that my ability in Chinese is at least as strong as in English, possibly stronger. (Emphasis on Chinese.)
2. But Tolkien's sentence is different because it's about a list of qualities that feel cumulative:
   • "It seemed unfair that anyone should possess (apparently) perpetual youth as well as (reputedly) inexhaustible wealth."
   • This phrasing implies that perpetual youth alone is already enviable, but on top of that, they also have inexhaustible wealth.
   • The phrase "as well as" here adds extra weight to the second item as if stacking another privilege on top of the first.

What Happens If "and" Were Used Instead?

If Tolkien had written:

"... possess (apparently) perpetual youth and (reputedly) inexhaustible wealth."

• The sentence would sound more neutral, simply listing two attributes without suggesting that one is an additional burden on fairness.

Why the Common School Explanation ("A as well as B" = "Not only B but also A") Doesn't Fully Apply Here:

• That translation pattern applies best when there's an action or ability being described (e.g., "He can write as well as read." → He can not only read but also write).
• In Tolkien's case, he's listing unfair advantages rather than contrasting skills or actions, so "as well as" stacks the advantages instead of emphasizing the first one.

Key Takeaway:

• In most cases, "A as well as B" puts emphasis on A.
• In Tolkien’s case, due to the cumulative nature of the list, the unfairness builds up with the second item, giving it more weight.

So, your school explanation is generally correct, but Tolkien’s usage shows that context matters a lot!