が and けど at end of a sentence

Question

I know that when in a sentence-final position が and けど can be used as softeners or to convey hedging, but in some situations understanding them as such doesn't feel right. Although my brain instinctively wants to interpret them as "though", I can't think of any reason that would be correct. Here's an example from a story, spoken from the point of view of the narrator:

彼は唯一の生き残り。無論、生き残ったのには理由があるからなのだが。

Would translating it as something like this be wrong:

"He is the sole survivor. Though of course, it's because there's a reason he survived."

I can't understand how だが's usage here would indicate hedging or softening, but "though" doesn't make sense either. Could someone help me get this?

Answer 1

The purpose of that structure is making "無論、生き残ったのには理由があるからなのだ" into a subordinate clause for "彼は唯一の生き残り", in other words, those are one sentence divided by period. It enhances an effect like "He - of course, it's because there's a reason he survived - is the sole survivor".

Answer 2

In this case I feel “though” is entirely correct for what kind of nuance it imparts, you simply somehow put it at the wrong place, it should be:

He is the sole survivor. There is a reason he survived of course though.

However, it would be a mistake to assume that “〜が” or “〜けど”　always function like either “..., but ...” or “... though.” in English do. The way I see it they both have these uses:

• providing contrast, as in “..., but...” or “... though.”
• introducing a new topic of speech, similar to “About ...” or “... actually.”, very often as “〜のだが” as in “機能のことなんだけど。” for “Now, about what happened yesterday.” or “質問なんですけど。” “I have something to ask actually.”
• expressing some degree of frustration or apalledness, as in “二時間も待ってたけど？” for “I've been waiting for all of two hours you know.”. This use is typically with a rising tone. One can argue that “... though.” is also an appropriate translation for this but I feel this usage of “though” in English is also a different one from the first.
• expressing uncertainty or a lack of confidence. As in “そうですけど…” for “Well, yes I suppose...”, implying the speaker is not entirely convinced, very often making a concession.
• softening a demand or request, again, typically as “〜のだが” again: “あの、注文したいんですが。”. “Say, I would like to place my order.”, far more often but not exclusively as “〜が” rather than “〜けど”
• Conceding some kind of impoliteness of the speaker's part, typically in fixed expressions such as “お言葉ですが、” for “With all due respect,” or “早速ですが、” for “Forgive me for jumping straight to the point,” but it can also be used as say “ひどく扱ったですが、” for say “I know I treated you horribly, but ...”