How is "と" being used in these two sentences: 「ふりむくと、こどもたちが...」「トンネルをつくろうっと。」


I think "と" is being used differently in both of these sentences. However, I'm
not entirely sure if it is being used as a particle in either one. Can you
please explain to me the purpose of "と" in these sentences and how it changes
the meaning of the sentences?

>   1. ふりむく **と** 、こどもたちが おおきな やまを つくっています。
>
>   2. ぼく、トンネルを つくろうっ **と** 。
>
>




「と」 is used as a particle in both cases.

> 1.「ふりむく **と** 、こどもたちが おおきな やまを つくっています。」

Here, the 「と」 is a **_conjunctive particle_** meaning "when" as in "When I did
A, I saw B happening."

The sentence means " ** _When I turned around, the kids were making a huge
mountain_**."

The tense used in the original is the present, but it is the historical
present, which is why I used the past tense in my translation.

> 2.「ぼく、トンネルを つくろう **っと** 。」

The 「っと」 here is the **_quotative particle_** , believe it or not. The speaker
is quoting himself, so to speak.

「Verb in volitional form + っと」 is a **_very_** common structure used in
colloquial conversations. It is a way of making a **_light and casual
declaration_** (more to oneself than to others). With this 「っと」, the speaker
is often just thinking out loud.

**_"Alright, let's dig a tunnel here!"_** (Said more to oneself than to
another.)




「と」 is used as a particle in both cases.

> 1.「ふりむく **と** 、こどもたちが おおきな やまを つくっています。」

Here, the 「と」 is a **_conjunctive particle_** meaning "when" as in "When I did
A, I saw B happening."

The sentence means " ** _When I turned around, the kids were making a huge
mountain_**."

The tense used in the original is the present, but it is the historical
present, which is why I used the past tense in my translation.

> 2.「ぼく、トンネルを つくろう **っと** 。」

The 「っと」 here is the **_quotative particle_** , believe it or not. The speaker
is quoting himself, so to speak.

「Verb in volitional form + っと」 is a **_very_** common structure used in
colloquial conversations. It is a way of making a **_light and casual
declaration_** (more to oneself than to others). With this 「っと」, the speaker
is often just thinking out loud.

**_"Alright, let's dig a tunnel here!"_** (Said more to oneself than to
another.)

