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特別公開？！海外の知人に日本文学を読んでもらえないか、と頼むときのメールの一例。こういうメールを送る活動は10年以上前からおこなっているんですが、今回リライトしてこころみに「150-300 words in a text file」という条件を加えています。読んでくれても、数十字くらいの日本語であることもあったりして、作家さんに伝えるには短いな、と思ったりするからです。このブログをご覧になっていてなにかご助言ある方は、ぜひメールからお願いします。

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Hi, today I have one thing I would like to ask. Would it be possible for you to help me? I have been long involved with one project in the hope that Japanese literature will get more people's attention around the world. I believe that other than some famous writers such as Haruki Murakami or Yasunari Kawabata, we have a great number of incredible writers. Fortunately, the literary landscape is changing in a good way after the 21st century: there are several young excellent translators who render Japanese literature into English. However, I attempt to make the situation even better. I'd be grateful if you’d read Japanese writers' short stories, some of which appear only in magazines or anthologies. Plus, would you be willing to send me an impression of 150-300 words in a text file, if you like the story? (中略) I look forward to your reply.