Thanks for the comments from those who have read my previous post, Candy – Candice White l’orpheline. It was a pleasant surprise Nagita is going to Paris in March indeed. Those who live near Paris or can read French must be excited, right? 🙂
Not only that, the title of the second volume of Candy Candy Final Story (CCFS) is Candy – Le prince sur la colline (translated to Prince on the Hill), which is the same as the original Japanese title, 丘の上の王子さま . You can find his title at the bottom right corner of the image below, thanks to Candy Albert for providing the link to her Facebook page.
My point is, in Candy Candy, the appellation the little orphan girl gave the Scottish boy has always been Prince on the Hill, but in some languages it is translated to Prince of the Hill. For your interest, you can read how Candy in her letter addressed Albert as Prince on the Hill again and again in my earlier post, Lost in translation (Part 3).
丘の上の王子さま can be broken down as shown below:
丘 – hill
上 – on, above, up
王子 – prince
The -sama suffix さま by itself is considered the more polite form of a similar honorific, the -san suffix さん, and may be translated to “Mr.” or “Sir”. Yet, in some contexts you really don’t have to translate it. For example, in CCFS Candy and others often address their letters’ recipients with the -sama suffix. It’s a common practice, and many translated that to “Dear <someone>” instead of “Mr. / Mrs. <someone>” (click さま for examples if you like). 王子 almost always goes with さま. Other than the fact that “prince” 🤴 is a royal status, another reason is that -sama さま can also mean a charming / popular person. Therefore, I read it once that 王子さま was actually translated to “Prince Charming”. 😉
Just when I thought the French version had got it right this time, I realized that in chapter 2 p. 38 Candy actually named him le petit prince de la colline. I must say I was disappointed even though I guess I know why. They must be proud of the beloved story, Le Petit Prince (published in April 1943 by the French aristocrat, writer, poet, and pioneering aviator Antoine de Saint-Exupéry).
Nonetheless, I was told that some Terry fans are in denial. They said that the title Candy – Le prince sur la colline did not refer to Albert because he is prince of the hill, not on the hill. They even used a picture from the anime version as their proof, in which Terry was standing on top of Pony’s Hill. 😀 😆
Enough of that. 😉 As I have promised Myra, I will discuss the excerpts chosen for Candy Candy Final Story book sleeves. I think some of you know that my friend has bought me these as her presents. Every time I pick up the book(s) I will remember her kindness to me. ❤️
For Volume 1 (上) in pink:
On the front:
原作者・名木田恵子（水木杏子）が
大人のために書き下ろした
真実の 『キャンディ・キャンディ』愛の物語
The above, displayed in white, can be translated to
The original author, Keiko Nagita (Kyoko Mizuki), has written this book for adults. The real love story of Candy Candy.
あの日々、たくさん流した涙は、今はきらめくような美しい思い出になった
The above, displayed in black, is an excerpt found in CCFS Volume 2, p.199, about Candy shedding lots of tears when living with the Lagans. This particular excerpt actually inspired me to write a short story for mature readers, Reminiscence, where I have paraphrased to
Those many tears that I shed back then have become glittering, beautiful memories to me now.
On the back:
ーーーーキャンディ、
きみはきっと笑顔でいるよね。
夢の中でアンソニーはいつも生きていて、
わたしはほっとする。
…なのに、わたしの目は濡れている。
これは夢だと心のどこかが醒めている。
The above, displayed in black, is an excerpt found in CCFS Volume 1, p.232, about Candy’s dream of Anthony and his remark about her smiling face. This is my attempt:
— Candy,
You’re certainly smiling, aren’t you?
In my dream Anthony is always alive,
and I’m relieved.
… but my eyes become moist.
Somewhere in my heart I’m aware this is a dream.
For Volume 2 (下) in greenish blue:
On the front:
The above, displayed in white, can be translated to
Candy, in her thirties, looked back upon her painful and cherished memories.
わたしが求めているのは、ほんのささやかなこと愛する“あのひと”と生きていくことーーー
The above, displayed in black, is an excerpt found in CCFS Volume 1, p. 224, about her happiness with Anohito “あのひと”. Basically it can be translated to
My tiny wish is to go on living with “the person” I love—
or
I want nothing but to go on living with “the person” I love—
On the back:
「おかえりなさい！」
わたしはこの言葉が言える幸せに
声をつまらせながら
椅子から立ち上がると、
あのひとが広げた腕の中に飛びこんでいった。
The above, displayed in black, is an excerpt found in CCFS Volume 2, p. 331, about Anohito coming home to Candy. It’s not easy to translate, and I have to paraphrase somewhat:
“Welcome home!”
My voice was choked with happiness, being able to say these words. I got up from the chair and ran, diving into Anohito’s outstretched arms.
It might be odd to English speakers, but the phrase おかえり is very common, which may happen on a daily basis. Those who have watched animes might have heard of them:
「ただいま～」(I’m home～)
「おかえり～」(Welcome back～)
From parents to children, they would simply say おかえり. What Candy said was more polite. 🙂 Bye for now. Until next time.