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Correct interpretation of this sentence?

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jbraswell
Been Around a Bit
Posts: 46
Joined: October 3rd, 2007 11:51 pm

Correct interpretation of this sentence?

Postby jbraswell » September 2nd, 2009 3:42 pm

Sentence is

「あれだけ世間を騒がせたからには身も隠さずにはいられまい。」

I'm thinking a very literal translation of it is something like

"Since causing the world to be so noisy, I, too, wouldn't not hide myself"

Obviously, a more natural parse would be something like

"If I had caused such a stir, I'd hide myself, too."

I just wanted to be sure that was a literal double negative with 隠さず and the negative volitional 〜まい。

Thanks

TrueNappa
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Joined: March 10th, 2007 2:57 am

Postby TrueNappa » September 8th, 2009 12:58 pm

it sounds to me like someone is speaking to someone else in this sentence. Like, the speaker is noting that as the listener had caused such a stir (I liked how you put that), now the listener (likely) won't be able to hide his/herself.

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jbraswell
Been Around a Bit
Posts: 46
Joined: October 3rd, 2007 11:51 pm

Postby jbraswell » September 8th, 2009 3:03 pm

TrueNappa wrote:it sounds to me like someone is speaking to someone else in this sentence. Like, the speaker is noting that as the listener had caused such a stir (I liked how you put that), now the listener (likely) won't be able to hide his/herself.


Yes, that's right. (Sorry, I should've described the context.)

Good, just looking for some confirmation I was on the right track. Thanks for the help.

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