ちょっと試しに、ChatGPT4oに候文の手紙を英訳させてみたら、完璧に訳しました!びっくり。また「不名誉な場所(=遊郭)」を”unsavory places”と訳していて、へええ、と思いました。
以下は候文の手紙の冒頭部です。英語に訳してください。
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この頃の寒気に御さはりも無き御様子にて、先ず先ず安心致し候。
実は久しく御出無之によりいかにやとお案じ申せし次第なり。しかし聡明にして勉強好きの足下、健康でさへあれば他は安心と思ひの外、さる確かなる筋より承聞するに、この頃は学校の課業も怠り勝ちにして懦弱なる軟文学の耽読に日を消さるるのみならず、折々は悪友と共に不名誉の場所へ行かるるとの事、果たして事実なりや、如何。御国許の父君より、昨今屡予定以外の送金を請求し来るは何か仔細なきかとの御手紙ありしに対し、政夫君に限りて御心配の事ある筈なしと保證しおきしが、今思ひ出づれば、老生こそ監督を依頼されながら迂闊の至り、申訳なき次第なり。
ChatGPT
Here’s the English translation of the beginning of the letter in epistolary style:
With the recent chill in the air, I am relieved to know that you seem unaffected, allowing me some peace of mind. In truth, I had grown somewhat concerned due to your prolonged absence. Yet, knowing your intelligence and love for study, I believed that as long as your health was intact, there was no cause for worry. However, I recently heard from a reliable source that, lately, you have been neglecting your schoolwork, spending your days absorbed in frivolous literature, and, on occasion, visiting unsavory places with questionable company. Could this truly be the case?
Your father from home has also written with some concern, wondering if there might be a reason for the recent requests for additional, unplanned funds. I assured him that he need not worry in the least about Masao, yet now, upon reflection, I feel I have been far too remiss in my oversight and cannot help but feel remorse for my negligence.