ビジネス英語ディクテーション

ただ聞こえてきたままにタイプしてアップしてるだけの地味なブログです。

2010年12月

 
rallying cry って初めて聞いた。恐るべし! 松下さん。
 
Business Communication in Action 実践ビジネス英語

Hello, everybody.こんにちは。みなさん。

Hello and welcome to the show. This is Chris Matsushita. Let's take a look at conversation at work.
こんにちは。番組にようこそ。クリス松下です。実践的な会話を見てみましょう。
 
Work in China (2)
 
Pearson says that the number of MBA grads going to Asia has more than doubled.
He puts it down mostly to a shift toward a more international business talent market.
Wakimoto says young grads abroad can move up the career ladder faster.
Pearson adds that the perks can be quite nice.
 
 
Pearson talks about the top business schools.
I've read articles that say any business school is not what you should be aiming for.
You should be aiming for the highest level business school that will accept you, because
some of the lower level schools don't make much of a difference in your lifetime earnings.
So you might be paying a lot of money to go to school without increasing your career chances.
 
You may have heard the word "fluid" used as a noun meaning some kind of liquid material.
But you can also use it as an adjective as Pearson does here to mean something that moves easily.
"Fluid assets", for example, are things you can sell easily when you need the money.
 
fluidity 流動性・現金化することが可能かどうか
 
Wakimoto talks about "pay and benefits."
This refers to everything that the company gives you when they employ you.
"Compensation" is pay. It's the cash you get.
"Benefits" are the extras. It's probably not in cash.
So "benefits" would include things like health insurance, whether you get a company car or not.
I suppose phones and computers and maybe even housing.
Although "housing" is not the most common benefit that most employees get in the U.S.
 
Pearson talks about "landing a job": "landing an executive level job."
"Land" is sort of an interesting verb here.
It always makes me think of fish, because if you catch a fish, you can say, "you've landed it,"
"you took it out of the water onto the land."
And it's that kind of a metaphor: "landing a job"... you sort of reach into the pool and try to
pull out something good and make it your own.
 
In this sentence also, Pearson uses the verb "land." But this time he uses it in an idiom.
He's still talking about arriving on the earth, on land, on dirt.
But in this case, it's in an idiom: "land on one's feet."
The idiom "land on one's feet" is used to describe someone who survives intact
no matter what happens.
They're ... they're very good at surviving crises, for example.
If you think about cats, it's said that cats, when they fall, always land on their feet.
They have some sort of a talent or ability.
 
Pearson talks about "gated compounds" for the foreign talent working in China.
A "gated compound" would be an area with homes at least and maybe some other facilities
like gyms or pools or maybe even small restaurants that are altogether in one place
surrounded by a gate for security.
In the U.S., you don't usually hear about "gated compounds."
But you do hear about "gated communities."
Maybe "community" sounds a little friendlier than "compound."
 
 
That's all for today.
 
So long for now.
タグ ：
#その他教育

 
rallying cry って初めて聞いた。恐るべし! 松下さん。
 
Business Communication in Action 実践ビジネス英語

Hello, everybody.こんにちは。みなさん。

Hello and welcome to the show. This is Chris Matsushita. Let's take a look at conversation at work.
こんにちは。番組にようこそ。クリス松下です。実践的な会話を見てみましょう。
 
Work in China (1)
 
Goto asks Hughes about his son Brian who's living in New York and working at a bank in Manhattan.
Wakimoto guesses that it's a job many MBA graduates would like to have.
Hughes says that's becoming less true and that many grads are looking at
emerging markets overseas for work.
 
 
Manhattan is one of the boroughs of New York City.
New York has five boroughs. The boroughs are sections, subsections within a city.
Besides Manhattan, there's Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx and Staten Island.
 
cf. borough: New York Cityの行政区
 
TV personality ...    Or they might even say "celebrities."
 
Goto says Brian will be able to cut the mustard.
"Cut the mustard" or "be able to cut the mustard" or "can't cut the mustard."
All of those refer to the ability of the person being talked about to do things very well.
It's talking about talent and ability.
If you can cut the mustard, you're very good.
If you can't cut the mustard, you're substandard.
 
Nobody's quite sure why cut the mustard has that meaning.
But some of the guesses are mustard adds spice or sharpness to a dish.
So maybe it's referring to a person who's sharp and clear.
It also enhances the flavor.
Mustard was also used in the past to mean the best or the genuine article.
 
cf. mustard:
 
ha ha ... It's much simpler in Japanese.
The phrase "have a good head on your shoulders" means "you're very intelligent",
"you're smart", "you're quick", "you're a very good thinker."
You could just say, "he's got a good head", which has a similar meaning.
But talking about heads and shoulders usually refers to being good or better than
the rest of the people.
You could say, "he's head and shoulders above everybody else."
It seems to come from a phrase from Isaac Newton.
He said, "If I've seen further it is by standing on the shoulders of giants"
meaning he discovered many things, but it wasn't only his only talent.
He was first brought to a high level by the preceding people that he studied.
 
To set your sights on something is to target it or in for it, you make it your goal.
 
In this case, "sight" is a noun and it's the thing you find on top of a gun or a rifle
that helps you aim the rifle accurately.
 
But still when someone's ethnic background is put together with their current nationality,
they're called hyphenated Americans because of the previous hyphens.
And this has become a pretty big topic recently.
Some people say, "you shouldn't stress someone's ethnic background or national background
if they're American citizens, because it just divides everybody."
We're all Americans, wherever we came from, whenever we or families came.
Sometimes though, it is necessary to refer to a person's ethnic or national background.
And this is one of those cases, I think, because it's interesting that Brian's classmate
is going back to the country of this parents.
 
Japanese American citizens' league
 
No one's ever called me a German American, for example.
 
"Steaming right along" is an interesting phrase.
It means progressing very smoothly and quickly.
 
  
That's all for today.
 
I'm glad you joined us.
タグ ：
#その他教育

 
2010/12/28（火）　2011/1/4（火）  http://blogs.yahoo.co.jp/tjqfd020/61032323.html
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
タグ ：
#その他教育

Monday, December 27, 2010
Hello, everybody. You're listening to 5 minute English.
Hi! I'm David Neale.
Let's practice English together.
And I'm Vicki Glass.　
Welcome to our program.
Let's build up your English muscles.
Are you ready? Here we go.
Let's read out loud.
One. Now listen.
 
That's a nice outfit.
I haven't seen anything like it.
Did you order it online?
 
This is a reclining chair.
Just pull this lever here and it tilts back.
 
Those shoes look terrible.
Why don't you shine them before you go out.
Just give them a quick brush job.

Let's check. Let's try.
Here's a message for you today.
Hard work always produces results. 頑張れば必ず結果が出ます。
 
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Let's read out loud.
One. Now listen.
 
I wonder if I could ask you a favor?
Are you using your car tomorrow?
If not, could I borrow it?
 
It's been a big year for us.
We've had quite a few ups and downs.
But thanks to you all, it's been a successful year.
 
Well, I'm going home now.
Have a nice year end break.
See you next year.
Here's a message for you today.
Keep moving ahead without looking back. 振り返らずそのまま前に進みましょう。
 
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Let's read out loud.
One. Now listen.
 
I'll be cleaning the house today.
I need some help.
There'll be heavy lifting involved.
Will you be around?
I'll need your hands for about an hour.
 
I don't feel like jogging today.
But I haven't done it in a week.
I'm supposed to jog three times a week.
I guess I'll force myself to do it.
No pain, no gain.
 
Let's check. Let's try.
Here's a message for you.
Set your goals and keep working toward them.
目標を決めてそれに向かって努力を続けましょう。
 
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Let's role play.
One. Now listen.
 
A: Can I throw this glass bottle away here?
B: No, not yet.
A: But this is the bin for glass bottles?
B: I have to soak off the labels first.
 
A: Oh, no! I just spoiled this book.
B: What did you do?
A: I read the last page first.
B: Yep. That'll spoil a suspense thriller.
 
A: How long will you be here today?
B: Until 4:30, Ms. Tyson.
A: Stan. Just call me Ann.
B: Okay. Ms. Tyson... I mean... Ann.
 
cf. soak off... 水などに浸してはぎ取る
 
Let's check. Let's try.
Here's a message for you today.
You can do anything with patience.辛抱強さがあれば何でも出来ます。
 
Friday, December 31, 2010
Let's listen and answer.
One. Now listen.

A Mr. Green called while you were out.
What did he say?
He wanted you to call immediately. It's an emergency.
That's what he always say.
 
Q: What does the man imply? - It's probably not a real emergency.
 
I'm not doing anything special for New Year's.
We usually just sit around the house.
It's a chance for the family to spend quiet time together. 
 
Q: What does the woman do on New Year's? - Stay at home with her family.
 
That was a great dinner.
And it's only eight o'clock.
Four hours till midnight and the New Year.
What don't we put on some music and pour some drinks?
Let's ring in the New Year with style, shall we?
 
Q: What does the man suggest? - Getting a party started.
 
Let's check. Let's try.
Here's a message for you today.
Keep at it next year too. We're rooting for you.
来年も頑張りましょう。私たちが応援しています。

Saturday, January 1, 2011
Let's listen and answer.
Now listen.
 
I didn't go to the party last night.
Parties on New Year's Eve are too rowdy.
Everybody gets drunk and makes a lot of noise.
That's not how I like to end the year.
To me, New Year's Eve is a family holiday.
We all gather together to spend a quiet evening at home.
It's like a family reunion.
There's always lots of good food and company.
Each of us tells the others what he/she is most proud of doing during the year
and what was most regrettable.
We exchange New Year's resolutions then have a toast with champagne at midnight.
 
Q1: Why didn't the woman go to the party? - She wanted to spend time with her family. 
Q2: What is her New Year's celebration like? - A family gathering.
Q3: What do they each talk about? - Things they regret.
 
cLet's check. Let's try.
Here's a message for you today.
Perseverance is a virtue. 粘り強さは美徳である。

Sunday, January 2, 2011
Let's listen and write.
One. Now listen.
 
1 You're just trying to escape from reality.
2 She was a pampered child.
3 Don't be biased!
4 The scandal broke last week.
5 I can do this no sweat.
 
Let's check. Let's try.
Here's a message for you today.
You can't go forward without taking action. 行動を起こさなければ前には進めません。
タグ ：
#その他教育

 
岩本 Susan: Business Communication in Action 実践ビジネス英語

杉田敏: Hello, everybody.こんにちは。みなさん。

I: Hello and welcome to the show. This is Susan Iwamoto.
Let's put our communication skills to work.
こんにちは。そして番組にようこそ。スーザン・岩本です。コミュニケーションの技術を応用しましょう。

Staying Connected (6)
 
Talk the Talk
 
S: In our current vignette, the gang at Great Lakes meets up with a former colleague:
Bob Phelps. Bob is one of the few remain holdouts in the cell phone age. 
 
I: Yes. Much to the dismay of his friends who aren't able to contact him at a moment's notice. 
I have a friend who refused to buy a cell phone for years.
But eventually she succumbed to main direct peer pressure.
Whenever one has a cell phone, you can be flexible when arranging a time and place to meet.
But with my friend, we had to set a time and place and stick to it, because we wouldn't be able
to reach her if there was a change.
Eventually she began to feel that her stance against cell phones was inconveniencing others
and ended up caving in and buying one.
 
S: As Paul Pearson noted over 85% of Americans own cell phones.
I suspect that percentage is even higher among American business people.
 
I: No doubt. I take cell phones for granted and find it hard to believe I've only been using them
for a little over ten years.
I'm particularly happy to have a phone with global capabilities.
I still have a number of business contacts who prefer phone calls to e-mail,
and now I don't have to worry about missing their calls while I'm out of the country.
In the past, I would sometimes return from overseas trips to find voice mail messages from
business contacts who thought I was ignoring their calls.
In one such instance, I lost out on an interesting work opportunity because of this.
Though I was frustrated that my contacts hadn't followed up with an e-mail,
I knew that I needed to buy a global phone before my next international trip.
As Melinda Kinkaid said, many people feel the need to stay connected
in order to stay on top of things.
And that was certainly the case for me.
 
S: Paul Pearson noted that the line between work time and private time isn't as clear as
it used to be.
 
I: That's for sure. I can see that in my own career.
When I was working full time for a major Japanese corporation a few years ago,
I was able to leave my work at the office for the most part.
I put in extra hours at the office when necessary.
But I  very rarely brought work home with me. 
I wasn't able to access my work e-mail from home, which made the separation between
my work time and my private time not much easier.
However My working style is much more flexible now, and often there isn't a defined start
and end to my working day.
Through my colleagues and I often exchange e-mails late at night and on the weekends,
we don't pressure each other to reply instantly.
 
S: Other business people aren't so lucky.
As Paul said, some business people feel they're on a digital leash, tied to their smart phones
and computers.
 
I: That does seem to be the case for many people.
Things were different back in the early days of my career when I worked for a bank in Boston.
In those days, cell phones were unreal deal and expensive. 
And at a result, not that popular.
Several of the executives I worked with had car phones,
something which seems terribly old-fashioned now, though this was only about 15 years ago.
However, one of our executives refused to install a phone in his car.
He treasured his hour of quiet time on his ride home and wasn't ready to give it up. 
I wonder how long he was able to resist cell phones once they became common place.
 
S: Well, he still has a safe heaven from cell phones on airplanes for the time being.
However as Paul mentioned, with more and more airlines offering in-flight wireless
connectively, you can't escape the long reach of technology.
 
I: True. I rarely work on planes, as I find it hard to concentrate.
Like Bob,  I'd rather just read or perhaps catch one of the in-flight movies. 
However, I have to admit that being able to surf the Internet is appealing,
especially on those long flights between Japan and the U.S.
 
 
That's all for today.では今日はここまでにしましょう。

Thanks for joining us. 参加していただいてありがとうございます。
タグ ：
#その他教育

 
rallying cry って初めて聞いた。恐るべし! 松下さん。
 
Business Communication in Action 実践ビジネス英語

Hello, everybody.こんにちは。みなさん。

Hello and welcome to the show. This is Chris Matsushita. Let's take a look at conversation at work.
こんにちは。番組にようこそ。クリス松下です。実践的な会話を見てみましょう。
 
Staying Connected (5)
 
This time Hughes says he finds it ironic that all the technology to make life easier
just adds to the workload.
Then Hughes asks Phelps if he'd ever get a cell phone.
Phelps thinks not because he enjoys the sense of independence he gets
even though it can be inconvenient not having one.
 
 
communications revolution 通信革命　digital revolution
 
Pearson talks about people being on call.
Another word he could have used is "available" although that's a much broader meaning.
 
He also uses the phrase "24/7" to mean all the time.
"24/7" is used so often nowadays that if you want to emphasize "always being available",
you might use the whole phrase, "24 hours a day, 7 days a week."
 
A "watchword" is often a kind of "motto" or "rallying cry."
And that's the way Pearson uses it here.
But you can also use it to mean "password."
A "watch" was a kind of a guard.
And a "watchword" would be the word you can use to go pass that guard.
 
Hughes uses the verb, "break down." It can be used in many different ways.
In this case, it means, "give in" or "give up" or "collapse" or "stop your resistance."
 
"I never say never" is a phrase you hear actually fairly often in English.
The general meaning is "nothing is impossible." - Anything can happen. -
 
Phelps calls himself a contrarian.
A "contrarian" is a person who's contrary to or against or different from most people.
He could have said, "He's a naysayer."
But "naysayer", although it's a similar meaning, it means it very negatively.
"Contrarian" is not necessarily negative.
It's a much more neutral way to talk about someone who's basically against most people.
 
Phelps also uses the phrase "at the end of the day."
He doesn't mean an actual day. This is a phrase people use fairly often to talk about conclusion.
 
Kinkaid uses a couple of interesting expressions here.
First she describes Phelps as being "dyed -in-the-wool."
Something that's dyed -in-the-wool is truly the way you're describing them.
And it refers to adding color to fabrics before they're woven.
If you do that, it makes the color deeper and faster.
 
Kinkaid also calls Phelps a Luddite.
A "Luddite" comes from the 19th century, the industrial revolution.
And "Luddites" were people who were resisting and protesting against the changes brought by
the industrial revolution when the factories were being mechanized,
many people were thrown out of work. And that made the man happy.
They were called Luddites after a guy who destroyed some looms in the past.
 
cf.  Luddite:
1811, from name taken by an organized band of weavers who destroyed machinery
in Midlands and northern England 1811-16 for fear it would deprive them of work.
Supposedly from Ned Ludd, a Leicestershire worker who in 1779 had done
the same before through insanity (but the story was first told in 1847).
Applied to modern rejecters of automation and technology from at least 1961.
 
 
That's all for today.
 
Please come back for part 6.
タグ ：
#その他教育

 
 
Business Communication in Action 実践ビジネス英語

Hello, everybody.こんにちは。みなさん。

Hello and welcome to the show. This is Chris Matsushita. Let's take a look at conversation at work.
こんにちは。番組にようこそ。クリス松下です。実践的な会話を見てみましょう。
 
Staying Connected (4)
 
This time Pearson observes that staying connected can blur the border between work and home.
Phelps says he thinks people need to disconnect sometimes for downtime.
Hughes agrees saying he doesn't need that kind of stress.
Kinkaid notes that being in touch shows you're a hard worker and productive.
 
 
Pearson talks about blurring the distinction.
When you blur something, you make it indistinct, or you make it dim or unclear or hazy.
So because it's a distinction, he's saying that work and home become more difficult to separate
from each other.
 
Phelps talks about chiming in.
"To chime in" in English is to break into a conversation especially
if you want to add your opinion to what's already been said. 
 
To recharge your batteries is to renew, refresh or rejuvenate yourself.
 
Hughes presents his idea as a question here. He's not really asking for information.
So you could call this a rhetorical question.
 
This is a very common rhetorical question:
How many times have I something, something, something...?
You might hear your mother, for example, say:
How many times have I asked you to clean up your room?
She's not asking for information.
And if you answer her with a number, you'll become even angrier.
 
It might be seem a little strange to add "thank you" to the end of the sentence. 
But it's actually quite common in English.
When you're talking about something you don't like that you don't have to take part in,
you can add the "thank you" on the end.
Sometimes people use the word "period" to give somewhat the same idea.
I'm finished talking. That's all there is, thank you.
 
You'll also hear politicians use the phrase "thank you" when they don't want to answer questions
any more from reporters.
 
"Digital leash" is an interesting phrase.
A leash is a kind of rope usually. Some kind of material that you use to control an animal.
Often you talk about a "dog's leash."
Or another word you can use is "lead" in the case of animals. 
A digital leash would be some kind of digital control or restraint.
So I suppose having a company cell phone and being able to read your work e-mail at home
does make up a kind of a digital leash.
You're always controlled by the company.
 
"Come out and say" is a phrase with two verbs that are often used together.
They mean, "speak clearly." They mean "don't beat around the bush."
 
Phelps also talks about an "unspoken rule."
In this case, "unspoken" is used like an adjective to describe a rule.
And the rule is not actually put into words. It's not actually uttered or expressed.
It's understood without actually speaking.
 
unwritten rule 不文律
 
That's all for today.
 
Talk to you again soon.
 
 
タグ ：
#その他教育

Monday, December 20, 2010
Hello, everybody. You're listening to 5 minute English.
Hi! I'm David Neale.
Let's practice English together.
And I'm Vicki Glass.　
Welcome to our program.
Let's build up your English muscles.
Are you ready? Here we go.
Let's role play.
One. Now listen.
 
A: I was shocked when I read your letter.
B: Why? I didn't write anything shocking.
A: You haven't written to me in years.
B: I guess that's true.
 
A: Let's get some coffee.
B: Okay. There's a vending machine.
A: I'd rather sit down in a nice cafe.
B: Do we have time for that?
 
A: How have you been?
B: Oh. Busy as usual. No big changes though.
A: No news is good news, I guess.
B: You could say that.

Let's check. Let's try.
Here's a message for you today.
You're getting closer to your dream little by little.
あなたは少しずつ夢に近づいているのです。
 
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Let's role play.
One. Now listen.
 
A: Today I start a new life.
B: What is it this time?
A: I'm now a vegetarian.
B: You start a new diet every couple of weeks.
 
A: How's your dog doing, Phil?
B: Fine. Why do you ask?
A: Your wife said he was sick.
B: That's the first I've heard of it.
 
A: Why are you washing your shirt?
B: Because it's dirty. Why else?
A: I mean... why are you doing it by hand?
B: It's salad oil. It has to be cleaned immediately.
 
Here's a message for you today.
Don't fear failure. 失敗を恐れてはいけません。
 
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Let's role play.
One. Now listen.
 
A: Turn off the TV.
B: Ooops! Sorry about that.
A: Couldn't you see I was sleeping?
B: I didn't even know you were here.
 
A: How can we get downtown?
B: I don't know. How about a taxi?
A: Taxis are expensive. Let's take a bus.
B: I don't see any bus stops around here.
 
A: You're drinking coffee at this hour?
B: Don't worry. It's Decaf.
A: In that case, I'll have a cup.
B: Sure. Do you take milk or sugar?
 
Let's check. Let's try.
Here's a message for you.
Nothing can be done if you remain idle. 怠けていたら何も出来ません。
 
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Let's role play.
One. Now listen.
 
A: What's your cell phone number?
B: It's ahhh... Hold on a second.
A: You don't know your own phone number?
B: I never call myself.
 
A: Why is the table all wet?
B: I knocked over the vase
A: How did you do that?
B: I don't know. Accidents happen.
 
A: We're going to be late for the meeting.
B: I wouldn't worry about it.
A: But what if we miss something important?
B: Martin will fill us in.
 
Let's check. Let's try.
Here's a message for you today.
A plan without action is of no use.行動が伴わない計画は何の役にも立ちません。
 
Friday, December 24, 2010
Let's role play.
One. Now listen.

A: Will you be okay while I'm gone?
B: Sure. I know how to cook.
A: There are prepared meals in the fridge. And...
B: Come on! I can take care of myself. 
 
A: Wow! Look what's in this bag!
B: Well, what is it? I can't see.
A: And there are two of them in here.
B: Quit being mysterious. What is it?
 
A: Are you all enjoying your meal?
B: Yes. Can we have some ice water?
A: Sure. Four glasses of water. Anything else?
B: No, that's it. Thanks.
 
Let's check. Let's try.
Here's a message for you today.
Improvement doesn't come to you without practice. 練習しなければ上達しないのです。

Saturday, December 25, 2010
Let's role play.
Now listen.
 
A: That was a great meal.
B: It sure was. I'm stuffed.
A: Me too. Do you want dessert?
B: No. I couldn't eat another bite.
 
A: Let me take you to the art museum.
B: Okay. Traffic is pretty congested though.
A: We can take the subway.
B: Good idea. That'll be a lot quicker.
 
A: How much do you want for this item?
B: This one costs $120.
A: Well, what's it really worth?
B: You seem interested. Let's talk.
 
Let's check. Let's try.
Here's a message for you today.
Quick action is the key to success. 素早い行動が成功への鍵となるのです。
 

Sunday, December 26, 2010
Let's role play.
One. Now listen.
 
A: What's that light over your ear?
B: I don't know. I can't see it.
A: It looks like a gray hair.
B: At this age, I'm glad to have hair.
 
A: No one laughs at my jokes.
B: Maybe your problem is...
A: Is what? Come on! Tell me.
B: Timing.
 
A: Don't shake that salad dressing.
B: Why not? You told me to make a salad.
A: You have to hold down a lid.
B: Good. I would have spilled it all over.
 
Let's check. Let's try.
Here's a message for you today.
Do you always carry your textbook with you? いつでもテキストを持ち歩いていますか？
タグ ：
#その他教育

 
 
Business Communication in Action 実践ビジネス英語

Hello, everybody.こんにちは。みなさん。

Hello and welcome to the show. This is Chris Matsushita. Let's take a look at conversation at work.
こんにちは。番組にようこそ。クリス松下です。実践的な会話を見てみましょう。
 
Staying Connected (3)
 
This time you'll hear Hughes defend Phelps by pointing out
what a good e-mail correspondent he is.
Phelps says he doesn't stay connected when traveling.
He prefers thinking or reading.
Hughes says he likes to know he's connected in case of a crisis.
Kinkaid says she feels being connected keeps her competitive.
 
 
When you stick up for someone or something, you defend him/her, you support him/her/it.
You could say, "you stand up for that person" or "you will stand up and be counted." 
 
stand up / go to bat for someone 野球用語から
 
Here's another example of using e-mail as a countable noun.
I still can't do that too comfortably. Although I do catch myself going that way, I try to avoid it. 
In this case though,
I love getting your e-mail messages Bob... sounds a little bit retentious, to tell the truth.
The language really is shifting to using e-mail regularly as a countable noun.
 
"In transit" is a phrase that I usually hear related to international travel.
When you have to stay in the airport while you're changing planes and you officially haven't
actually been admitted into that country.
That's transit or in transit. It is used in many other cases. 
It simply means moving. Other words you could use are en route or on route and traveling.
 
"Connectivity" is a word that's been used since the late 19th century in English.
And generally it talks about the quality or condition of being connected or the possibility
of being connected.
It's about that state. It's been used to talk about telecom systems.
But nowadays I think if I heard only the word "connectivity",
I would speak of computers and devices related to computers, computer like devices. 
And whether you can get onto the Internet or not, and how good your connection is.
One other comment Pearson pronounces the word [coNNectivity].
You can also pronounce it [COnnectivity].
 
"Bury yourself in a book" is a fairly common way to say read something that you really enjoy,
or something that takes all your attention.
You could also say, "You lose yourself in a book." Or "You dive into a good book."
 
Sounds like Hughes really isn't all that happy with having all the new technology
at his fingertips.
 
Kinkaid begins with the phrase "I read you."
That means she understands or comprehends what Hughes is saying.
 
It sounds like she's a lot more comfortable with all the new technology that's come into her life. 
 
Kinkaid calls herself a "road warrior".
"Road warrior" nowadays usually refers to a business person who has to travel a lot.
 
She also talks about the need to hone her competitive edge.
"Hone" means "sharpen."
But it's often used also to talk about perfecting something
or making something more competitive.
So it's a perfect word in this phrase.
 
And finally she mentions "not missing a beat."
The phrase "missing a beat" or "not missing a beat" refers to
whether you have a regular smooth performance or not.
 
 
That's all for today.
 
So long for now.
タグ ：
#その他教育

 
 
Business Communication in Action 実践ビジネス英語

Hello, everybody.こんにちは。みなさん。

Hello and welcome to the show. This is Chris Matsushita. Let's take a look at conversation at work.
こんにちは。番組にようこそ。クリス松下です。実践的な会話を見てみましょう。
 
Staying Connected (2)
 
Hughes takes Phelps to task for not having a cell phone.
Phelps says he likes to be different.
Kinkaid backs Hughes up reminding Phelps that he was late.
Pearson observes that about 15 percent of Americans don't have cell phones
although only a few of them are hard-core refuseniks.
 
 
Phelps talks about his Great Lakes Cronies.
A crony is a long time friend or a close companion.
But most of the time when I hear it used in English,
it tends to be used for friends of powerful people.
They're often also powerful themselves. And they help each other.
So it tends to be used a little bit negatively a lot in English.
Of course, Phelps isn't using it that way.
Here he's using it with the original meaning of a long time close friend or a companion.
 
aversion to ... …が嫌い　…を嫌がること
 
When you get on someone's case, you harass them or badger them or interfere
in what they're doing.
In this case, Hughes is criticizing Phelps. But they're good old friends. So it's not so bad.
 
"Dinosaur" is the word in English that people often use to talk about someone who's sort of
a relic of the past, something left over from the past.
A person who's hopelessly out of fashion or out of style. 
Hughes also uses the word "blessed" to talk about cell phones.
In this case, he's speaking satirically, because the original meaning of [blesid] or [blest],
which is another pronunciation, is something that brings good fortune
or pleasure or contentment.
In this case, He's using it as an intensifier.
And I think usually when it's used satirically, the pronunciation is [blesid].
And [blest] tends to be when it's used straight to describe something that's brought you
great happiness.
 
Phelps calls himself a stick-in-the-mud.
A stick-in-the-mud is a person who's conservative and boring and unchanging,
and someone who's not moving along with the times and keeping up with everybody
and all the new things.
 
Phelps also uses the phrase "jumped-up" as an adjective.
The original meaning of "jumped-up" is to describe a person who's pretentious and kind of
puffed up and things they're really great, a kind of an upstart.
But clearly in the way he's using it here in this sentence, it means more like something
overly elaborate, or too fancy or filled with unnecessary bells and whistles.
 
Phelps uses the phrase "jumped-up" to describe "walkie talkies."
A walkie talkie was a battery powered portable radio set.
And I think it was called "walkie-talkie", because you could walk and talk at the same time.
And that was a very new thing in the late 30s and early 40s when the word first started being used.
"Walkie talkies" were developed for the military.  
So they could be moving around and in contact with each other at headquarters.
 
To run with the herd is a phrase you can use in English to talk about doing
what everybody else does.
Herd animals often all travel together. A few of them start going, and everybody else follows.
You could also say, "you run with the crowd", which is the same meaning.
Or you could even say, "act like sheep."
 
"Touche" is a word that comes from French into English. And it's used in fencing.
When you manage to touch your opponent with your weapon. "Touche" is what you say.
And "touche" is also used quite a bit in regular conversation to say:
"Uh! You made a point. You stabbed me."
 
Pearson uses the phrase "hard-core" to describe the small number of people who refuse to
have cell phones.
They have a policy.
In this case, the adjective "hard-core" is used to mean, "die-hard" or "stubborn"
or "very resistant to change or improvement."
 
 
That's all for today.
 
Goodbye.
タグ ：
#その他教育

本作が、何と、著者（齋藤智裕氏）の処女作である。
 
本人が、まだまだ若く、一流の俳優であることもあり、全編を通して、物語は軽妙に進行していく。
 
語り口は非常に理解しやすい一方、比喩表現も巧み。
 
スイスから帰国した際、不自由な日本語をカバーすべく、辞書と首っ引きで読書に励んでいたことが奏功した。
 
軽妙な語り口ながら、「生と死」にとりくんだテーマで、奥に流れている思想はとてつもなく深い。
 
それでいて、読後感は実に爽やかだ。
 
きっと、素敵な映画になると思う。
タグ ：
#その他教育

「聖夜の贈り物」　百田尚樹
 
「欲情」　梟森南瞑
 
「告解者」　大門剛明
 
「交渉人・籠城」　五十嵐貴久
 
「輝跡」　柴田よしき
 
－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－
 
「聖夜の贈り物」　百田尚樹 　
…もう、これはめちゃくちゃよい。学生さん達に思わず読み聞かせした。
途中で涙が出そうになり往生する。あはは。
 
「欲情」　梟森南瞑　…うーん。なるほど。
 
「告解物」　大門剛明　…それなりに。
 
「交渉人・籠城」　五十嵐貴久　…なかなかよいよ。
 
p183　籠城犯（福沢）と警察官（遠野）との会話
「わたしには、前からずっと気になっていたことがあったんです。殺人事件でも暴力事件でも何でもいいのですが、犯人が未成年の場合、その姓名は公開されない。そうですね」
「その通りです」
「それについて、わたしは前から納得がいかなった。いや、未成年だから名前を表に出さないというのは、その根拠として少年法があるからだと理解はしています。ですから、それはいい。しかし、わたしがわからないのは被害者の扱いです」
「被害者の……扱い？」
　そうです、と福沢は言った。
「加害者と被害者が共に未成年の場合、加害者について一切情報は公開されません。それに対し、被害者の側は名前から年齢からすべてを公開されてしまう。おかしいと思いませんか？」
 
p183
「なぜ被害者の写真や名前は大きく新聞に載り、またテレビなどでも放送されるんですか？遠野さん、わたしは娘を殺されました。娘が殺されたと知らされて、どれだけのショックを受けたか、それはあなたにはわからないでしょう。仕事が手につかないとかそんなレベルの話じゃありません。息をすることさえもできなくなるほどの想いです。わかりますか？　そんなわたしたちに追い打ちをかけるように、毎日毎日テレビや新聞で娘の事件が報道される。わたしたちはね、放っておいてもらいたいんです。静かに娘の冥福を祈っていたいんです。ただそれだけなんです。ですが、マスコミはわたしたち親を放っておかない。むしろ逆です。追いかけ回してくる。早朝でも深夜でもお構いなしにね。ひどすぎると思いませんか？」
 
「輝跡」　柴田よしき
雪菜の夫で、元プロ野球選手だった竜也が事故に遭う
p211
 自殺なのか事故なのか、真相はまだ判っていない。だがこの三週間で、雪菜が知らなかったことが随分わかった。店の経営はぎりぎりのところで、銀行からの借り入れに返済するのがやっとだった。その他の細かな借金は、利息を支払うことも滞って、数百万に膨れていた。竜也は金策の為に、かつてのチームメイトのところへも頭を下げてまわっていた。そうしたことを、竜也は雪菜に打ち明けていなかった。さらに、大学野球時代のチームメイトに持ちかけられた投資話が詐欺まがいのものだったという事実が、今度の上京の際に判明していたらしい。
　電車に飛び込む理由くらい、誰だって持っている。ひとつやふたつ。
　けれどもう、そんなことはどうでもいい。
　やがて竜也は目を覚まし、わたしは竜也に声をかける。
　おはよう。朝ご飯、何食べたい？
 
テレビ局への就職を願った茉莉は、美容整形手術をする決断をする
p260
　茉莉は整形外科医を訪れ、目と鼻を整形したのだ。…インターネットを通じて得た情報の中でもっとも説得力があり、正しい、と思われたものが、美人の方が有利だよ、という、あまりにも情けない事実だったのだ。
 
　本当にくだらない、と思った。思ったけれど、それがこの世界の真実なのだ、と納得もした。同じ成績、同じ態度、同じ経歴、同じ体力の女が二人いて、どちらかを自分の会社に採用するとなった時、特殊な採用目的がない限りは、可愛い方を採用する。そこに矛盾はないのだ。
　この社会はそういうように出来ている。茉莉は、それに異論を唱えようとか逆らおうとかは思わなかった。抗っても無駄なのだから、と、諦めた。
 
タグ ：
#その他趣味

 
 
Business Communication in Action 実践ビジネス英語

Hello, everybody.こんにちは。みなさん。

Hello and welcome to the show. This is Chris Matsushita. Let's take a look at conversation at work.
こんにちは。番組にようこそ。クリス松下です。実践的な会話を見てみましょう。
 
Staying Connected (1)
 
Pearson, Hughes and Kinkaid are waiting for a former colleague, Bob Phelps in a restaurant.
They said he left Great Lakes for other opportunities.
Kinkaid notices that Phelps's late.
So Hughes offers to call him. 
Kinkaid says he can't be called, because he refuses to carry a cell-phone.
 
 
And native speakers always worry about this. So they try avoid it actually.
Many people will look it up if they wanna make sure it's correct.
And this is because sometimes specific words are usually written one way.
Although generally you can choose if it's one syllable with an "s" at the end.
 
boss's / boss'　ボスの
 
Pearson talks about the past using the phrase "back when."
It's a very common way to talk about the past especially if you're reminiscing or thinking about
the past in a nostalgic way.
Pearson also says that Phelps was doing freelance copywriting.
"Freelance" in English is usually used for describing people who work individually.
They're paid personally for the work they do.
They don't belong to a company or work for another person.
"Freelance" has been in English for a long time.
Since the 19th century, it's been used in this figuratively meaning.
But originally a "freelance" was a mercenary soldier in medieval times.
 
cf. freelance:
also free lance, free-lance, "medieval mercenary warrior," 1820 ("Ivanhoe"),
from free (adj.) + lance; apparently a coinage of Sir Walter Scott's.
Figurative sense is from 1864; specifically of journalism by 1882. Related: Freelancer.
The verb is first attested 1903. Related: Freelanced; freelancing.
 
be in demand 需用がある／人気がある／引っぱりだこである
 
 
"To be held up" has various meanings.
In this case, Hughes is using it to mean "he was delayed." 
 
"Forget it" is a phrase that Kinkaid is using to mean, "don't bother" or "never mind"
or "It won't work, Tony."
You have to be very careful with this phrase though.
It's quite casual for one thing.
And for another thing, depending on your intonation, it could be very sort of nasty sounding.
"Ahh!  Forget it. You can't do it anyway." 
It gives the meaning that you don't think very highly of the person you're speaking to.
 
You can also use "forget it" to mean "you're welcome" actually.
If someone says
"Thank you so much. is out of...Forget it. It was nothing. You don't owe me any return"
is what it means in that case.
 
"Cell-phone refusenik" is kind of an interesting phrase.
Kinkaid uses "refusenik" to mean Bob will not carry a cell-phone.
The word "refusenik" makes it sound like he's very much against cell-phones.
He does not like them and he will not carry one.
The suffix nik "N-I-K" comes originally from Russian or Yiddish.
And it's a suffix usually that means "person."
So a "refusenik" is a person who refuses.
There was also a word "beatnik" was used a lot.
It was for people in the probably about the late 40s and into the 50s who were more
interested in music and jazz and less interested in being in upright citizen of society.
The suffix "nik" was very productive in the U.S. after the Russians: put sputnik into orbit.
 
cf. nik: as in beatnik, etc., suffix used in word formation from c.1945, from Yiddish -nik
(cf. nudnik "a bore"), from Rus. -nik, common personal suffix meaning "person or thing
associated with or involved in" (cf. kolkhoznik "member of a kolkhoz").
Rocketed to popularity with sputnik (q.v.).
 
cf. beatnik: coined 1958 by San Francisco newspaper columnist Herb Caen during the heyday of
-nik suffixes in the wake of Sputnik. From Beat generation (1952), associated with beat
in its meanings "rhythm (especially in jazz)" as well as "worn out, exhausted,"
but originator Jack Kerouac (1922-1969) in 1958 connected it with beatitude.
 
Pearson uses a phrase "in this day and age." It's a kind of doubling. 
He could have just said, "these days" or "these times" or "in this age" or even "in this day."
 
"Get off one's high horse" is a phrase that people use in English when they wanna talk about
somebody who's acting very superior or elegant or overbearing.
It's a person that's really irritating you.
A high horse was a war horse, a great big horse that soldiers would ride into battle.
So "getting off your high horse" is acting more like normal people down on the ground.
 
 
That's all for today.
 
Thanks for joining us.
タグ ：
#その他教育

Monday, December 13, 2010
Hello, everybody. You're listening to 5 minute English.
Hi! I'm David Neale.
Let's practice English together.
And I'm Vicki Glass.　
Welcome to our program.
Let's build up your English muscles.
Are you ready? Here we go.
Let's read out loud.
One. Now listen.
 
Don't touch the sandwich yet. 
Wash your hands first.
You were just petting the dog.
 
I'm sorry if you were shocked.
I was just speaking my mind.
You told me to be frank, didn't you?
 
Put down your fork for a second.
Take a breath.
You've been eating too fast.

Let's check. Let's try.
Here's a message for you today.
Don't undervalue yourself. 自分自身を過小評価してはいけません。
 
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Let's read out loud.
One. Now listen.
 
This is a silver butter knife.
But the tip is mangled.
I tried to use it as a screwdriver once.
 
Don't throw that receipt away.
Show it next time you buy something.
They'll give you a discount.
 
You look different.
That's a new hair style, right?
I like the bangs.
 
Here's a message for you today.
I know you can do better. もっとうまくできますよね。
 
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Let's read out loud.
One. Now listen.
 
Bob's so funny.
He has lots of interesting stories.
It's hard to tell whether they're true.
But it doesn't really matter.
They're absolutely captivating.
 
The fish don't seem to be biting today.
I've had some good days at this point.
But it's always unpredictable.
Some days I catch a lot.
Sometimes I go home with nothing.
 
Let's check. Let's try.
Here's a message for you.
Laziness delays your improvement. 怠けていたら上達が遅くなります。 
 
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Let's role play.
One. Now listen.
 
A: Whose briefcase is this?
B: That? I'm not sure whose it is.
A: Why is it open? Is a visitor here?
B: You ask a lot of questions, don't you? 
 
A: You like to sketch, don't you?
B: Oh, yes. It's a wonderful hobby.
A: Draw me. I'll strike a heroic pose.
B: I can't draw people. Just landscapes.
 
A: Going somewhere?
B: No. Just home.
A: Then what are you doing with that suitcase?
B: I just got back from a business trip.
 
Let's check. Let's try.
Here's a message for you today.
You're not giving it enough effort.　努力が足りませんよ。
 
Friday, December 17, 2010
Let's listen and answer.
One. Now listen.

I'm sorry to hear about your flu, Steve.
I don't have the flu. I feel fine.
Sara just told me you did.
Maybe she was talking about Steven Dann, not me.
 
Q: What mistake did the woman make? - She thought the man had the flu.
 
Some guys have trouble remembering their wedding anniversaries.
But not me.
You know why?
That's because mine is on New Year's Eve.
 
Q: When is his wedding anniversary? - December 31st.
 
Wait a minute?
Did I hear correctly?
Your job is to watch movies and plays?
No morning commute?
No being shackled to a desk?
You go watch them and then write about them?
It sounds more like getting paid for doing a hobby.
 
Q: Who is the woman talking to? - A theater critic.
 
Let's check. Let's try.
Here's a message for you today.
Daily practice is sure to improve your English skills. 毎日練習すれば必ず英語力は上達します。

Saturday, December 18, 2010
Let's listen and answer.
Now listen.
 
I've finished writing up the holiday schedule, Wendy.
I'm afraid I'm having you work on the day after Christmas.
Sorry about that.
There was no getting around it.
And Fred. He will have to work on Christmas day.
It's the only way.
You don't mind breaking it to him, do you?
Now I know what you're thinking.
If I have to do the difficult communication work, then why don't they make me manager?
Well, see me in the second week of January.
I'm pretty sure I'll have some promotion related news for you.
 
Q1: Who is talking? - The office manager.
Q2: Why does the man apologize? - The woman has to work on the day after Christmas.
Q3: What does the man imply? - Wendy will be promoted.
 
Let's check. Let's try.
Here's a message for you today.
Just wishing won't get anything done. 願っているだけではどうにもなりません。

Sunday, December 19, 2010
Let's listen and write.
One. Now listen.
 
1 Words fail me right now.
2 I'd like to get your objective opinion.
3 You're not good at judging people.
4 My schedule is jam-packed this week.
5 You're drenched in sweat.
 
Let's check. Let's try.
Here's a message for you today.
Put your mind to it and you can do anything. やる気になれば何でも出来ます。
タグ ：
#その他教育

昨夜は１１時に寝たのに、起きたのは何と６時２０分! 疲れてたんだなー。でもたっぷり眠れたからスッキリした。
 
 
岩本 Susan: Business Communication in Action 実践ビジネス英語

杉田敏: Hello, everybody.こんにちは。みなさん。

I: Hello and welcome to the show. This is Susan Iwamoto.
Let's put our communication skills to work.
こんにちは。そして番組にようこそ。スーザン・岩本です。コミュニケーションの技術を応用しましょう。

Boot Camp for Pre-Retires (6)
 
Talk the Talk
 
S: In our current vignette, Tony Hughes has just come back from a very interesting boot camp.
 
I: Yes. A boot camp for soon to be retirees.
Tony and his wife attended an intensive seminar focused on preparing for the golden years.
I've heard of these kinds of workshops before.
And I have a feeling they will increase in popularity in years to come,
especially as baby boomers near retirement age.
In the years leading up to retirement, many people start thinking very seriously about whether
or not their financial planning is up to par.
 
S: With the financial crises of last few years, many people have many drastic changes to their
retirement plans.
Retiring around age 65 used to be the norm in the United States.
Do you think that's changed significantly?
 
I: Well, I think the majority of Americans tend to either slow down
or retire completely around 65 or 66, but this has been changing.
Of course there are some people who would prefer to retire even earlier than that.
But more and more people are extending their working years into their late 60s and 70s.
I've recently read that there are over 6 million Americans aged 65 and over in the U.S. job market.
That's up 2 million in the last 10 years.
Sometimes this is out of pure financial need, but in some cases, people enjoy working
and may want to earn some cash while they still have the energy for it.
My parents in their late 60s. And though my wife is retired, my dad still works on a project basis.
Among their brothers and sisters, all between the ages of 60 and 70, only one has fully retired.
The rest are still working, either full time or part time.
This change is reflected in government benefits too.
The age of eligibility for social security, which is of U.S. public pension system,
is currently 66 for full benefits.
Some law makers have proposed that the age of eligibility be increased to age 70.
 
S: As Goto Yoko noted medical advances and healthier lifestyles have increased longevity.
Why not make hay while the sun shines.
 
I: Exactly. You don't necessarily need to punch a clock every day of course.
Working part time or on a project basis is a great way to supplement your income and still have
time to pursue other interests.
One of my former professors is in his late 70s and still travels the world working as
an international management consultant.
I think he enjoys his career too much to ever retire.
 
S: What are some popular places to retire in the United States?
 
I: Florida has long been a popular haven for retirees particularly among people from
the North Eastern part of the U.S.
Although North and South Carolina have been gaining ground on the sunshine state.
Arizona has been favored among people in the West.
But New Mexico and Nevada are also gaining a popularity.
 
S: Tony mentioned that he plans to retire to Columbus, Ohio.
He has fun memories of living when he was a college student.
After retiring, he plans to take advantage of the cultural and educational opportunities there.
 
I: I know of several public universities that offer discounts or even free college courses to retirees.
When I was a sophomore in college, two of my classmates in my international politics
and law classes　were over 65, and taking the classes for free.
I really enjoyed hearing their perspective on things.
Their experience added a new dimension to our class discussions. 
I can see how the youthful vibe of a college town would appeal to retirees.
However they might not be thrilled with living next doors to a house full of college students
holding parties until the wee hours of the morning.
 
 
That's all for today.では今日はここまでにしましょう。

Thanks for joining us. 参加していただいてありがとうございます。
 
タグ ：
#その他教育

 
 
Business Communication in Action 実践ビジネス英語

Hello, everybody.こんにちは。みなさん。

Hello and welcome to the show. This is Chris Matsushita. Let's take a look at conversation at work.
こんにちは。番組にようこそ。クリス松下です。実践的な会話を見てみましょう。
 
Boot Camp for Pre-Retires (5)
 
Wakimoto says that it's easier for older people to continue working these days,
because a lot of work is not physically demanding.
Hughes says that work can be stimulating too.
Kim points too how work keeps people involved in a community.
Wakimoto says they'll miss Hughes when he retires.
 
 
Wakimoto talks about an information- and services-oriented economy.
"Oriented" means in the direction of or facing.
And by putting the words information hyphen and services hyphen together with oriented,
it means that the economy is facing information and services.
It's an economy that's based quite a bit on information and services
 
Wakimoto talks about sweating it out.
In this context, it's very clear he means actually sweating, doing hard physical work that
causes you to sweat.
But when you sweat something out as an idiom, it means wait and worry for the final conclusion.
 
Wakimoto begins his comment with the phrase "the way I see it."
It's a good phrase to use when you want to introduce either your personal opinion, your point of view
or even advice that you might want to give to someone.
 
I think "long time employment" has come along with the information and services oriented
economy, because a lot more of the work is intellectual instead of physical.
So people who like their work can continue working much longer than in the past
when more jobs were physically demanding.
 
And there's that phrase "so-called" again.
So Wakimoto is talking about retirement, which means quitting working. 
But working during retirement isn't really retirement.
So I think he's referring to two things at once.
People retire from their main job that they have for quite a while  
and through which they earned a private pension,
and then they work part time or only part of the year full time in work that they enjoy.
But it's probably not a new career.
 
In the U.S., people often wanted to retire to the South or the West,
because they were looking forward to better weather,
especially people from the North and North East.
Typical places to retire to were Florida in the South East and Arizona in the West.
 
Wakimoto uses the phrase "lined up."
It's a very common way to say, "it's planned and prepared." 
There's another idiom that people sometimes use in business.
It's called "having your ducks in a row."
It means everything's planned and prepared and should go very smoothly.
 
cf. have one's ducks in a row
準備｛じゅんび｝を整える、お膳立｛ぜん だ｝てをする
・Congress will pass the bill this time because we've got all our ducks in a row. : 我々がすっかりおぜん立てをしたのだから、今度はその法案は議会を通過するよ。

 
That's all for today.
 
Please tune in for part 6.
タグ ：
#その他教育

 
 
Business Communication in Action 実践ビジネス英語

Hello, everybody.こんにちは。みなさん。

Hello and welcome to the show. This is Chris Matsushita. Let's take a look at conversation at work.
こんにちは。番組にようこそ。クリス松下です。実践的な会話を見てみましょう。
 
Boot Camp for Pre-Retires (4)
 
This time you'll hear Hughes say he's got all sorts of projects planned.
Wakimoto says that some people can't afford to retire.
Hughes observes that the falling house prices nationwide are also causing trouble.
Goto looks on a bright side however, observing that people stay healthier much longer than before.
 
An outlet for his energies is kind of an interesting phrase, because from an actual outlet
you get electrical energy, electrical power.
You can also describe people as having too much energy and if they don't have a way to let it out,
they get upset and they irritate everybody like Wakimoto's father.
 
Going on a cruise is a very popular way for retirees to spend some time.
In the past, it was only rich people who could afford cruises
but I think over the last 20 or 30 years, cruises have become very popular with all kinds of
people in all kinds of economic conditions.
There are cruises for families and singles and older adults and cruises just for anybody
who's interested in the locations that the ship's going to.
Wakimoto's talking about the most recent financial crisis when the stock market crashed.
In the U.S. these days, many people have some of their savings in the stock market
and so many of them lost a lot of money.
In the past, fewer people had money in the stock market.
When I was a kid I don't think it was so common.
But nowadays that's part of financial planning and part of building up enough money
for your own retirement.
Hughes talks about the falling housing prices.
In some ways that's a good thing if you're a renter or if you're someone looking to buy a house.
However, many people buy houses as an investment.
Families might live in it of course, but it's also an investment.
I think the market's somewhat different from the Japanese housing market in that way.
For many decades one way a family could build up assets was to buy a small cheap house
or used houses, are often how people start.
And then slowly trade up to better houses over the years.
My parents did that and managed it fairly well.
 
If you describe something as being in tatters, it means it's been destroyed.
"Tatter" means rag, it's a shred, a piece of fabric.
So it's not a whole piece of clothing, for example.
"Tatters" also refers to worn or torn clothes.
You can also use tatters to mean rugs.
 
In this case when Kim mentions pension payment, she's referring back to the company
or perhaps local government pensions.
The national system, social security, there are many arguments about
whether it's well financed or not.
But at this point, everyone receives their social security payments.
 
 
That's all for today.
 
Talk to you again soon.
タグ ：
#その他教育

Monday, December 6, 2010
Hello, everybody. You're listening to 5 minute English.
Hi! I'm David Neale.
Let's practice English together.
And I'm Vicki Glass.　
Welcome to our program.
Let's build up your English muscles.
Are you ready? Here we go.
Let's read out loud.
One. Now listen.
 
Can you open this cookbook for me?
My hands are greasy.
Read the instructions on page 212.
 
It's December already.
That means year end drinking parties.
I've got a dozen of them coming up.
 
It's a warm day today.
But don't let that for you.
It gets very cold here in the winter.
 
Let's check. Let's try.
Here's a message for you today.
Practice and progress go hand in had. 練習すれば上達します。
 
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Let's read out loud.
One. Now listen.
 
Sorry, I can't talk now.　ごめん。今は話せへんのやわ。
I'm in a big hurry.　めっちゃ、急いでんねん。
I'll call you later.  　あとで電話するわ。
 
Do you have to go home already?
It's only 9.
We haven't served dessert yet.
 
Order the lasagna.
It's fantastic here.
You won't be sorry.
 
Here's a message for you today.
A positive attitude leads to success. 前向きな姿勢が成功へと導いてくれるのです。
 
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Let's read out loud.
One. Now listen.
 
It's a little dingy in here.
Why not open the curtains?
It's a glorious day outside,
Let in some light.
And how about some fresh air too?
 
I met Kenny Wells last week.
It was at a school reunion.
We hadn't met in thirty years.
But we recognized each other at first glance.
Some people never change.
 
Let's check. Let's try.
Here's a message for you.
You'll get better results if you practice harder. もっと練習すればもっといい結果が出ます。
 
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Let's role play.
One. Now listen.
 
A: You look tired.
B: That's because I am. 
A: Why don't you take a nap?
B: I'd rather go out for some fresh air.
 
A: It's going to rain in a minute.
B: How do you know that?
A: Just look up. Those are rain clouds.
B: Oh! You're right. I just felt a drop.
 
A: It's getting dark.
B: Yes. The days are getting shorter.
A: Shouldn't you turn on your headlights?
B: They'll go on automatically soon.
 
Let's check. Let's try.
Here's a message for you today.
Always be positive and keep practicing. いつも前向きに練習を続けましょう。
 
Friday, December 10, 2010
Let's listen and answer.
One. Now listen.

Look at this. Your car door is scratched.
I know. That happened last week.
Did you scrape a wall or something?
No. It happened in a parking lot when someone opened their door.
 
Q: What are they talking about? - A scratch.
 
Our next door neighbor is an artist.
He was a banker but he retired a few years ago.
Now he paints all day long.
I hear his work is very much in demand.
 
Q: Who is speaking? - The neighbor of an artist.
 
Come to lunch with me Jack.
I want to introduce you to someone.
He's a very important person in the business world.
It won't take much of your time.
But it could make a huge difference for your future.
 
Q: What is the man trying to do? - Help advance Jack's career.
 
Let's check. Let's try.
Here's a message for you today.
Don't be afraid to make mistakes. 間違えることを恐れていけません。

Saturday, December 11, 2010
Let's listen and answer.
Now listen.
 
It's funny how a small change can make a big difference.
Meg was always such a shy girl.
She seemed timid and lonely.
No one suspected why that was.
Then one day her parents got her a pair of glasses.
Suddenly the world came into sharp focus.
She seemed to feel it was all much more accessible.
She opened up and started making new friends.
Now she's more cheerful and outgoing than ever before.
A simple pair of glasses made all the difference.
Q1: What problem did Meg have? - She was shy and lonesome. 
Q2: What solution was found? - A pair of glasses.
Q3: What is the main point of the talk? - A small change can result in big changes. 
 
Let's check. Let's try.
Here's a message for you today.
Making mistakes is a part of learning. 間違えることは学習の一部なのです。

Sunday, December 12, 2010
Let's listen and write.
One. Now listen.
 
This is effective in dieting.
I tend to perspire a lot.
That was totally unnecessary.
Do what you think is right.
Don't keep it all to yourself.
 
Let's check. Let's try.
Here's a message for you today.
タグ ：
#その他教育

「Box!」　百田尚樹
 
「ブレイズメス１９９０」　海堂尊
 
「ゴールデンスランバー」　伊坂幸太郎
 
－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－
 
「Box!」　百田尚樹　…ほんとにこの作家にはハズレがない。
 
p352
「…スポーツの世界では、素直なことが伸びる条件です。監督やコーチの言われた通りに同じことを馬鹿みたいに繰り返す。そんな奴が最終的に伸びます。どんな世界でもそうですが、才能だけで勝ち上がっていけるのは初めのうちだけです。本当に天下を取るのは、牛や馬みたいに黙々とやり続けることの出来る奴です」
 
p368
「ボクシングは遊びやないんや。メキシコあたりやったら、十代初めにプロで喰うとる奴は山ほどいる。タイのムエタイ選手もみなそれくらいから試合をやる」
 
p467-468
「才能というやつは目に見えるもんやないから、誰にどんな才能が潜んでいるのかわかりません。テレビでタイガー・ウッズを観てすごいなあと言うてるオヤジの中には、きっとウッズ以上の才能を持ってる奴がいるはずです。ただ、そういうオヤジたちは自分の中に眠っていた才能を掘り出すチャンスに恵まれへんかったんです。そやから自分も知らない」
 
「たしかに才能というのは地下に眠る鉱脈みたいなもんですね。ゴルフに限らず、幼い時に何かの英才教育を受けていれば天才になっていたという人は少なくないでしょう。もしピアノをやっていたら天才ピアニストになったり、野球をやってたらイチロー以上になったりした人がいるかもしれません。ただ実際にはほとんどの人が自分の中にすごい鉱脈が眠っているのに気付かんと一生を終えるんやと思います」
 
 
「ブレイズメス１９９０」　海堂尊　…久々に読んだ。おもしろい。天城すごい。
 
p83
「セ・ラ・ヴィ、それが人生だ。人生は平等ではなく、不公平なもの。だからこそ人生は残酷で、だからこそベル・ヴィ、人生はかくも美しいのさ」
 
p92-93
「では、そのよくない戦争がこの世からなくならないのは、いったいなぜだ？」
「それはたぶん、社会が成熟していないから……」
「ノン。その考えこそ大いなる間違いだ。社会が成熟していても戦争は絶対になくならないし、人殺しも存在し続ける。なぜなら……」
「なぜなら、ヒトはヒトを殺すようにプログラムされているからだ。これはヒトに限らない。すべての生き物は自分以外の存在を殺すよう設計されている。地球上の生物に課せられた、忌まわしい宿命さ」
「それはたぶん、自分が生き残るため、なんだろう」
「殺人はなくならない。ヒトには他人を殺すプログラムが内蔵されているからだ。もしそれを根底から排除したら、その時はヒトがヒトでなくなる時だろう」
 
p176
「甘やかされたぼんぼんが、いつまでも父親の庇護の下で同じ生活ができる、と思い込んでいるのと同じだから、さ。高階先生の言葉は、医療が潤沢な資金で下支えされているから言える、金持ちの意見だ。真実は、腕があってもカネがなければ命は救えない。だから医療は独自の経済原則を確立しておかないと、社会の流れが変わった時、干からびてしまう」
 
p196
「つくづく面倒な人だなあ。下品な言葉遣いをお許しいただき、手っ取り早く申し上げれば、外野の野次馬がピーチクパーチク騒ぐな、と申し上げているのです」
 
p211
「人はいつか死ぬ。それも思いもしないような形であっさりと。人々が忘れがちなその真実を誰よりも実感しているのが、生と死の狭間の境界線を往き来するわれわれ心臓外科医だ。だから心臓外科医にとって、浮世の栄華など、うたかたにすぎないんですよ」
 
p224
「カネを重視しないとは、金持ちにしか言えない台詞です。そんな輩ほど、カネがなくなったとたん、自分の無能をカネのせいにする。そんな間抜けに未来はありません。つきつめれば私の手術という限定商品には高値がつけられるべきで、すると商品を手にできるのは、資産のある人間に限られるという結論になる。資本主義の原則です。医療人として、いただける時にいただけるモノをしっかりいただいておく、というのはバクチに勝つための鉄則です」
 
 
「ゴールデンスランバー」　伊坂幸太郎　…これもすごーくおもしろかった。
 
p352
「俺は犯人じゃない。青柳雅春」
 
「だと思った。」
タグ ：
#その他趣味

 
 
 
Business Communication in Action 実践ビジネス英語

Hello, everybody.こんにちは。みなさん。

Hello and welcome to the show. This is Chris Matsushita. Let's take a look at conversation at work.
こんにちは。番組にようこそ。クリス松下です。実践的な会話を見てみましょう。
 
Boot Camp for Pre-Retires (3)
 
Hughes says the boot camp tried to get the participants into a retirement mind-set.
They learned that you have to have a clear idea about how to use your time after retiring 
and that many retirees don't know what to do with themselves.
Wakimoto says his dad had that problem until he found a hobby he liked.
 
 
To get into a mind-set is to persuade yourself or work yourself into a particular way of thinking.
A mind-set is a way of thinking.
It can be used positively when it's something good.
It's a good way to think as in this example.
But it could also be somewhat negative, meaning you can't change a way of thinking.
It depends on a context.
 
In fact it's a good meaning here, because if you can't get your mind, switch it into thinking
like a retiree, you might not make a very good decisions or preparations
before your actual retirement. 
 
Goto uses the word "move". She's using it with a very broad meaning.
She doesn't mean just changing their living situation: moving from one city to another.
 
Hughes uses the phrase "so-called luxuries."
In English, the phrase "so-called" is often used to say,
"Well, I'm using that word, but I don't really mean it that way."
It's a little bit of an ironic usage.
So in this case, he's saying so-called luxuries like fine wines.
For him, it's not a luxury. It's part of the message that he's giving. 
 
That gesture also has a name. They're called "air quotes."
 
"Spartan" is used as an adjective with various meanings in the U.S.
As a good meaning, you can use it to mean, "self-disciplined":
someone who can really do what they should when they should the way they should.
I think, in this case, of Goto using it to mean simple or frugal or austere, 
which is when it's a little too frugal or too simple for comfort. 
 
The sentence many retirees don't know what to do with themselves.
So a person doesn't know what to do with him or herself -
is a very common phrase to refer to a person who seems a little lost.
 
Wakimoto talks about his dad having too much time on his hands.
I guess you could call that an idiom, which means, he was probably bored, he had nothing to do.
There are a lot of phrases about having too much time on your hands or having idle hands
in English talking about why that's bad.
One of the most common ones is, "idle hands are the devil's playground or workshop or tools."
 
Wakimoto also talks about how his dad drove his mom nuts.
This is another phrase. It's often used casually and informally
to talk about really irritating somebody.
 
I think not just for a self-made man,
but self-made man is a phrase that's quite complimentary in English.
In the U.S., I guess.
A self-made man is someone who started with nothing and through his hard work and
careful planning became a success.
 
 
That's all for today.
 
Goodbye.
タグ ：
#その他教育

 
 
 
Business Communication in Action 実践ビジネス英語

Hello, everybody.こんにちは。みなさん。

Hello and welcome to the show. This is Chris Matsushita. Let's take a look at conversation at work.
こんにちは。番組にようこそ。クリス松下です。実践的な会話を見てみましょう。
 
Boot Camp for Pre-Retires (2)
 
Hughes says he and his wife bought a condo in a college town
because they like the town's youthful atmosphere.
He adds that he learned it's important to pay off your mortgage before retiring
and to carefully consider your finances.
Wakimoto observes that it sounds like the boot camp was a solid program.
 
 
I'm not retiring from life. 死ぬわけじゃないんだから。
 
"Condo" is short for condominium.
A condominium is a building with apartments inside that people buy.
You can also refer to each apartment inside as a condo, which is what Hughes did here.
Other words for where people live in English include "apartment",
which just means you have a part of a building that you live in has nothing to do with
student life.
It's a rental unit.
People often say "my house" even if they don't actually have a house.
It means the place they live.
If you use the word "room", people will think you're talking about your bedroom.
So although Japanese people often say, "my room" when they're speaking English,
I think often what they mean is "my apartment."
Or you could even say, "my place."
 
flat
 
I think all North Americans understand that one too.
 
To drive home a message is to make it extremely strong and clear to the people you want to
receive it.
You can think about "driving home a nail", which is where it comes from.
If you use a hammer to hit a nail completely into the board so that's fresh with the surface,
you've driven a nail home.
So a message that you hit hard and sharp so that it reaches deeply into the people who
should receive it.
You've driven home your message. 
 
In the U.S., the word "mortgage" is the usual word used to talk about a home loan.
 
housing loan / house loan
 
"Must-do" is two words written with a hyphen.
It refers to something that you must do.
Something that you can't avoid.
It's a more casual, relaxed way to say that something is necessary.
 
must-see / must-have / must-read / must-win
 
It's often used to give strong advice even for a pleasure.
 
The phrase "take a long, hard look at" is often used to talk about very carefully and deeply
considering something.
 
"Cover all the bases" is an idiom used to mean basically ensure safety or be prepared for
everything that might happen as far as you can see it.
It comes from baseball.
If you're the team in the field then you've covered all the bases, it's much harder
for your opponent to score a run.
 
"Number-crunching" is a phrase that comes from computing, especially the earlier days
when computers were first able to process a lot of numbers and data much more quickly
than people could.
Nowadays it's often applied in almost any situation where you have to process many numbers
or a lot of data.
 
number-cruncher 経理
 
To reel. When humans reel, they're thrown off balance, so they feel dizzy.
A drunk might reel down the street. They can't walk straight.
In this case, Hughes is talking about all those numbers making him feel a little dizzy.
 
 
That's all for today.
 
So long for now.
タグ ：
#その他教育

 
 
 
Business Communication in Action 実践ビジネス英語

Hello, everybody.こんにちは。みなさん。

Hello and welcome to the show. This is Chris Matsushita. Let's take a look at conversation at work.
こんにちは。番組にようこそ。クリス松下です。実践的な会話を見てみましょう。
 
Boot Camp for Pre-Retires (1)
 
 
Hughes and his wife went to a week long seminar for people preparing to retire.
Goto's surprised to hear such a thing and asks for more information.
Hughes says they learned about everything you need to know to stop working.
Kim says it sounds like a good idea.
 
 
You notice Kim asks Hughes about his week off.
Generally in English, in the U.S. anyway if you're asking about someone who wasn't in the office,
you can just ask them about the day-off, the time-off.
You don't have to stop and figure out how to say a paid holiday
or whatever the Japanese phrases. 
I often notice people pausing and translating the phrase into English.
You'd just have to say, "Take some time-off" or "Take a day-off."
 
"Quality downtime" is kind of an interesting phrase.
It's a little bit humorous.
It's mixing downtime with quality time.
"Quality time" is a phrase people use to talk about having enough time for the people
that matter in their eyes in spite of their busy schedules.
They try to have quality time.
They spend time with their loved ones that's meaning, not just sitting together in a room
and not paying attention to each other. 
"Downtime" is often used these days.
It's a kind of slang for not working, for relaxing, recovering, rejuvenating.
But putting quality downtime together is a little humorous, because the original meaning of
downtime was factories or computers, for example, when they're not working. 
That's not a good thing, usually in companies.
You don't want too much downtime for maintenance or repairs.
 
"Boot camp" is the phrase that people use in the military to talk about
the basic level training camp for new recruits.
Sometimes it's also called "basic training."
Recently the last few years, it's been used to describe almost any kind of a short intense
training period.
You can have all kinds of different content.
It doesn't have to have anything to do with the military anymore.
 
IT Boot Camp
 
Social Media Boot Camp 
 
To reenlist is to enlist again.
And that's the way that's used in the military for people who've done one tour of duty
and plan to continue again for a second tour. 
Another way you can say it is reup.
 
Pre-retiree is not an established word in English. But everyone can understand it.
If you put the prefix pre on something, it means "before."
And so pre-retirees are people shortly before retirement age.
In the U.S., traditionally retirement age is 65 years ago.
But you can pretty much choose when you're gonna retire.
Or maybe your company has its own rules for what age they want people to retire at.
 
Hughes is going back to the idea that boot camp is military training for new recruits.
A lot of boot camp involves physical training so that the new soldiers are physically fit
for their new duties.
 
"Information overload" is a phrase that's been in use since about the mid 60s.
I think that's about when people started realizing
there was more and more information available to people.
And when you have too much information, you can't make decisions.
It's based on an earlier phrase from the 50s: "sensory overload."
 
information glut
 
The phrase "that's a new one on me" you can use anytime when somebody tells you
something that's a little bit surprising that you haven't heard of people.
It replaces "I haven't heard of that before."
 
Kim says "sounds like", because she's listening to Hughes speak.
If she was looking at something of course, she could  say, "that looks like something good."
"Looks" though you can even sometimes use when you're not actually looking at something.
But if you're sure what to say, you can always rely on "seems like."
 
 
That's all for today.
 
I'm glad you could join us.
タグ ：
#その他教育

↑このページのトップヘ