Hi,
1. ふつうの手順でいけば、「どうなさいましたか？」という問題からはじまるのだが、このとき気をつかうのは、患者さんがしゃべりやすい雰囲気を作ることだ。
My translation: "If the procedure goes as usual, it begins with (me) asking 'What's the matter?', and my concern at this time is to create an atmosphere where the patient can talk easily."
Is this OK?
2. 問診をはじめる前に一言、たとえば「ずいぶん待ちましたか？」と聞いてみたりする。
My translation: "Before I start the interview, I say a word or two, such as asking 'Did you have to wait long?'"
a) Is it reasonable to translate 一言 as "a word or two" or "a few words" here, or have I got the wrong idea about this part?
b) Is みたり from みる + たり, literally meaning "do things like try (asking)"?
c) I notice that this text seems to include question marks after -か questions, but many texts don't. What's the deal with question marks in Japanese? Can you just use them or omit them as you choose without any difference? Or are there some contexts where they are indicated or forbidden?
1. ふつうの手順でいけば、「どうなさいましたか？」という問題からはじまるのだが、このとき気をつかうのは、患者さんがしゃべりやすい雰囲気を作ることだ。
My translation: "If the procedure goes as usual, it begins with (me) asking 'What's the matter?', and my concern at this time is to create an atmosphere where the patient can talk easily."
Is this OK?
2. 問診をはじめる前に一言、たとえば「ずいぶん待ちましたか？」と聞いてみたりする。
My translation: "Before I start the interview, I say a word or two, such as asking 'Did you have to wait long?'"
a) Is it reasonable to translate 一言 as "a word or two" or "a few words" here, or have I got the wrong idea about this part?
b) Is みたり from みる + たり, literally meaning "do things like try (asking)"?
c) I notice that this text seems to include question marks after -か questions, but many texts don't. What's the deal with question marks in Japanese? Can you just use them or omit them as you choose without any difference? Or are there some contexts where they are indicated or forbidden?