Is usage of を片手に necessary in this paragraph?

Question

Is it normal to use 買い与えられたポケベルを片手に in this paragraph?:

私の二人の姉は当時高校生で、両親から買い与えられたポケベルを片手に、高校生活を謳歌しているように私には見えた。

Why not use just 与えられたポケベル or 買い与えられたポケベル. Is it necessary to use を片手に?

Would the translation be: "My sisters were school students at the time with the pocket bell, that they received from our parents, in her hands hands they seemed to enjoy their school life" — Jon, Nov 25 '16 at 11:55

score 2 · Accepted Answer · answered Nov 25 '16 at 02:37

2

片手 here is being used idiomatically. From here:

二つ以上のことを同時に行うこと

So it doesn't just mean "in one hand" (literally) but implies they are doing two things at the same time.

answered Nov 25 '16 at 02:37

Jesse Good

So what would be the two things happening at the same time – Jon Nov 25 '16 at 11:43
1

@Jon: 1) Holding a ポケベル while 2) Enjoying high school life. – Jesse Good Nov 25 '16 at 11:45

1 Answers1