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。

2011年09月

 
 
 
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 Heather Howard.
Let's take a look at conversation at work.
 
Doing more with less  (3)
 
Walker describes how a bank in his home state of Florida introduced
a new system in which employees could move freely between tasks
ultimately allowing the  bank to trim six full time positions.
Breakstone talks about a similar example of a delivery company that
used computerized labels to better organized truck loading.
Walker says that surprisingly cutting staff can help create
a more customer friendly environment.
 
 
Comes to mind: Appear in one's thoughts, Walker means.
Say, you recommended a colleague for a certain project,
you might tell them, "You came to mind immediately when
the boss asked me for recommendation.
I know how hard working and creative you are."
 
Spring / jump
 
Sunshine State: All the U.S. states have nicknames.
I was born in Alaska, for example, which is called the last frontier.
And I lived for about 10 years in Oregon,
which is called the Beaver State.
Tied to: Walker uses this to mean require to stay at.
You know, unable to get away from.
Another very common expression using tie is "tie up",
which can mean to keep occupied or busy.
For example, I'm sorry I couldn't call earlier. I was tied up in a meeting.
 
Many's the time: Something has happened many times,
Wakimoto is saying.
I think it's a little old-fashioned, a little formal sounding.
But we still use it.
Unfortunately I have to admit that many's the time
I worried about things that ended up never happening.
 
For ages: Wakimoto said, for a long time, in other words.
You'll also hear, "ages ago," which means a long time ago.
For example, "Oh, he joined the company ages ago.
Or he's been here for 35 years."
 
Head south: This means decline, deteriorate, fail.
You can also say, "go south."
For example, "The negotiations went south
when the parties couldn't agree on profit share."
 
Front-line employee: This means someone
who is directly involved with providing a service or making a product.
A nurse would be a front-line health care worker, for example.
 
Lean and mean 経費節減をした 意地の悪い  lean and agile 身軽な/活気のある
 
Take a leaf from the same book:
Emulate someone else's behavior, do something similar to what they've done.
You might say, "I should take the page from John's book
and saved 10% of my income every month."
In other words, save 10% a month like your friend John does.
 
Take a page from the same book
 
Employ: Breakstone means hire, retain as employees.
But employ can also mean utilize, make use of.
As we're hearing in this vignette, companies are employing
the latest technology to enhance the productivity.
 
 
That's all for today.
 
Hope that was useful. See you next time.

 
 
 
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 Heather Howard.
Let's take a look at conversation at work.
 
Doing more with less  (2)
 
 
Walker says hiring is expected to increase as the recovery accelerates.
But many experts predict it will take until 2014 to replace all the jobs lost
in a downturn.
Breakstone attributes companies' higher productivity to such measures
as utilizing new technology.
And Walker says the recession forced companies to devise
new business models.
Breakstone predicts business leaders will continue to manage
this way for some  time.
 
 
Pick up steam: accelerate in other words.
We also have the opposite expression: "run out of stream",
which is to lose momentum, energy.
You might hear something like,
"The housing boom ran out of steam after 3 years."
And you can also use this about physical energy.
I'm a morning person. So I tend to run out of steam about 10 p.m. or so.
 
Scrap marginal products: Breakstone uses "marginal" to mean
not important, not key.
It can also mean, "minimal."
For example, you might say, "Her negotiating skills are marginal at best."
 
Squeeze: One common idiom that uses this is put the squeeze on,
which is often used to mean, "cut into someone's revenue."
For example: Big box retailers have put squeeze on mom and pop stores.
Or soaring fuel prices have put the squeeze on airline companies.
 
 Exploit / milk / milk a client
 
Reap positive benefits: Reap can mean to cut grain and such for harvest.
But Walker acquiesces using it here in a metaphorical sense.
To gain something as a result of your own or someone else's actions.
You could say something like:
"The company has reaped enormous rewards from its focus
on research and development," for example.
 
Downturn: And this is exactly what it sounds like a turn downward,
the decline in something, most often economic or business activity.
Walker's using it to refer to the recession,
a period of overall economic malaise.
But it can also be applied to specific areas and figures.
I saw an article the other day that said "sales of new U.S.
slipped to 2.1% after a steep downturn in activity in the north east."
 
Through the mill 苦しい経験をして
 
We also say, "put someone through the mill."
For example,
This training program puts new employees through the mill.
But they come out with excellent sales and presentation skills, you can say.
 
Breakstone also used the word, "proverbial."
And in this case, it means referring to a commonly used expression or idiom.
You might say, "That was a proverbial last straw. He decided to quit."
Or, "She's hit the proverbial glass ceiling."
 
And of course, it can refer to something in a proverb.
Like, "Last month, we talked about An apple a day keeps the doctor away."
So you could say, "I tried to eat lots of vegetables.
You know, get the proverbial apple a day."
 
In the wake of: This expression uses the image of a ship passing,
leaving waves behind itself.
And it means following something, as a result of something.
And I'd say it usually means following, or as a result of
some negative event.
Or at the very least an event that stirs up a situation
that makes waves.
You might say, "The company shares plunged in the wake of
its CEO's arrest on suspicion of insider trading."
 
 
That's all for today.
 
Great to see you. Bye.

 
 
 
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 Heather Howard.
Let's take a look at conversation at work.
 
Doing more with less  (1)
 
 
Wakimoto says he's busier than ever now that Yoko and Sue are no longer
at Great Lakes.
And Breakstone says many people are taking on more work as companies
reduce their staff during the recession.
Wakimoto wonders how this is affecting productivity.
And Breakstone replies that companies have had to become more efficient.
Wakimoto speculates this is responsible for the lack of improvement
in employment.
 
Have got a lot on one's plate: This means you have a lot to do,
a lot to deal with, as if your plate is loaded up with food.
We also use the expression: Have a full plate:
You could say, "Well, I have a full plate next week: a presentation,
a report due, and a business trip to Osaka on Friday.
 
Cosmetics outfit: Wakimoto uses "outfit" here to mean an organization,
a group of people involved in the same activity.
It's often a business.
For example, an Internet search for this term turned out articles about
an online gaming outfit and an advertising outfit.
I've also seen it used about music groups, sports teams and military units.
 
Lean: Breakstone is using "lean" in a good way.
She means companies that operate with little access or waste.
But "lean" can also have the negative meaning of lacking abundance,
not prosperous.
Say, someone starts a new company, the first few years may be very lean
with little to no profit as they work to become known creative customer base.
 
They will be missed.
 
Wakimoto also used the expression: "in more ways than one", "in multiple ways."
Doubtless he means things like: Sue and Yoko were talented.
They were nice to be around. They set a good example for the other staff.
I've also seen this used a lot when people are drawing on the multiple
meanings of different words and expressions.
For example, I just saw an article about a U.S. governor that said
he was going green in more ways than one.
And it was because he had just signed a number of bills to promote
renewable energy, green energy.
And he was going to a fund raiser to get some green some money.
 
Carry one's share of the load: Wakimoto is using "share" to mean his part
of the responsibility, you know the workload at Great Lakes.
"Share" is also used to mean a good number or amount of something.
For example, if I say that company has had a share of failed products.
I mean it's experienced a good number of them.
 
Tank: This is an informal way to say something rapidly drops, fails, collapses.
A company stock might tank.
The price might drop very quickly after it released a terrible earnings report,
for example. 
 
Out of sheer necessity: Out of has a number of meanings.
Here it refers to the cause it impetus for something.
You might read for example that consumers are spending less out of
concern over job security.
In other words, their fear of losing their jobs is causing them to spend less.
 
 
 
That's all for today.
 
Thanks for listening. Bye.

 
 
Welcome to Business communication in simple English.
 
And I am Adam Fulford.
 
We're here to help you master some e-mail basics.
 
Hello, this is Adam Fulford.
I'm glad you could join us again.
 
Now this is a radio program. So you can't see the spelling of the words.
But one point here is how you spell "enquiry."
If you use an "e" at the beginning, that's British spelling.
Some Americans also "enquiry."
But "in" is more common among Americans.
 
And the point here is that it's okay to use "I'm" instead of "I am."
"I'm" is not seen as informal.
 
One thing you can do is to put the abbreviation in parenthesis right
after the full name.
 
The form is sent as an attached document.
 
You could also simply say, "The form is attached ."
Or "I have attached the form for your reference."
 
You should keep the subject line short.
You don't know what e-mail software the recipient is using.
And in some cases, it may not be much roomed to see the subject line.
 
Yes. "Yours sincerely," is okay. "Sincerely yours," is also okay.
Some people simply use, "Sincerely,"
Personally I find that I often end an e-mail with "Best wishes,"
 
Best, Regards, Cheers,
 
I would just like to add that it's best to use a comma after
"Yours sincerely" or "Sincerely yours" or "Best wishes"
Don't use a "period" or as we say in Britain, a "full stop."
 
Yes. Here's one more.
"Thank you very much for replying so quickly."
 
And of course, in any language, you should double check
that you have actually attached the file.
If you forget, you might write,
"I'm sorry. I'm resending with the fine attach."
 
See you next time.

 
 
Welcome to Business communication in simple English.
 
And I am Adam Fulford.
 
We're here to help you master some e-mail basics.
 
Hello, I am Adam Fulford.
Welcome to Business communication in simple English:
E-mail mastering the basics.
E-mail is so important in everybody business.
Our aim is to offer you some helpful advice about e-mail do's and don'ts.
 
So how would you like me to address you?
 
Oh, please call me Adam.
 
Oh, please call me Fumi.
 
Fumi. Okay.
 
 
Okay.
 
Of course you could also say, "My name is..."
 
And instead of using one long sentence,
you could use two short sentences for:
I work for Happy Electronics, Tokyo.
I'm the marketing director.
 
And instead of "for", you could use, "at."
I am the Marketing Director at Happy Electronics, Tokyo.
 
Again, you could use two short sentences in stead of one long one:
I was referred to you by Mio Saito. She is our Pacific Region Manager.
 
And I didn't use Ms. But we do have "she" in the second sentence.
So the reader knows that Saito san is a woman.
A lot of foreigners will find it difficult to know the gender of
a Japanese person just by reading the person's name.
 
 
Okay, the first thing I'd like to point out is never use "Miss" or "Mrs."
Always use "Ms."
 
Right. The next point is aim to be formal.
If your business relationship develops, you may be able to use
a more casual style in your e-mail.
But until you get to know the other person a little better,
it's best to be formal.
 
And one comment from me.
Don't be afraid to use short sentences.
Short sentences and simple grammar often contribute to clear communication.
 
And one more thing.
The sample sentences for this program are read with an American accent.
I'm from England.
So sometimes my sounds, stress and intonation will be different from
what you hear in the sample sentences.
 
And it's important to understand that different people use English
in different ways.
There are rules of course.
But I will encourage you to find your own way to use English.
 
See you next time.

 
 
Monday, September 26, 2011
Hi, listeners! Welcome to 5 minute English.
I'm David Neale.
It's time to focus on your English.
And I'm Vicki Glass.
Thanks for tuning in.
It's time to build up your English muscles.
Are you ready?
Here we go.
Let's read out loud.
One. Now listen.
 
It's a beautiful sunny day.
But watch out for UV rays.
You don't want to get a sunburn.
 
I think I have an earache.
It's not very painful.
But it feels tender and itchy.
 
That letter isn't ready to send.
You need to write the zip code.
Do you need to look it up?
 
Let's check. Let's try.
Here's a message for you today.
The key to better English lies within you.
英語上達への鍵はあなたの中にあるのです。
See you tomorrow. Bye.
 
 
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Let's read out loud.
One. Now listen.
 
What are you drinking?
That looks like beer.
Let me top that up for you.
 
Is this a picture of you as a boy?
How cute you were!
Look at you in your little baseball cap.
 
Hey, what's for lunch today?
Oops! I forgot that I'm home alone today.
So lunch is whatever I feel like eating.
 
You can't achieve anything unless you take action.
行動を起こさなければ何も達成できません。
 
 
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Let's read out loud.
One. Now listen.
 
Let's get into character
Scene 6
As a music expert you start talking about garage bands in the 60's.
 
The 60s saw an explosion of what was termed garage bands:
groups of kids who practiced in their garages.
Those kids saw the Beatles on the Ed Sullivan Show.
And they thought: Hey, I can do that.
Most of them couldn't, of course.
They didn't have the talent it takes.
But some of them made it.
And they changed music forever.
 
Keep moving forward without turning back.
後戻りをせず、前に進み続けましょう。
 
 
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Let's role play.
One. Now listen.
 
A: That picture on the wall is crooked.
B: No, it's not. I just straightened it.
A: Let me show you. I'll straighten it.
B: You just made it crooked again.
 
A: Did you just eat a tiny octopus?
B: Yeah. They're great. Here. Try one.
A: I can't. It's looking at me.
B: Different countries, different customs.
 
A: Those biscuits smell wonderful.
B: They're not biscuits. They're scones.
A: Whatever they are, I want three.
B: Perfect. I made three for each of us.
 
Improvement requires constant effort.
上達するには絶えず努力する必要があります。
 
 
Friday, September 30, 2011
Let's listen and answer.
Now listen.
 
Where did I put that brown coffee cup I like?
You broke it last week. Remember?
Oh, yeah. What a shame! I really like it.
They're easy to find. You can always buy another.
 Q: What did the man do? - Break a cup.
I should be going now.
My train leaves in twenty minutes.
There's one more train after that.
But it's not for another hour.
So it's either leave now or stay another hour.
 Q: What does the man need to do next? - Make a decision.
I have a friend who's an avid marathoner.
I'm surprised you don't know each other.
It seems you have run in the same races.
He'd really like to get in touch with you.
Can I give him your e-mail address or cellphone number?
 Q: What does the woman want to do? - Introduce someone.
Better English doesn't happen overnight.
一夜にして英語は上達しない。
 
 
Saturday, October 1, 2011
Let's listen and answer.
Now listen.
 
Thanks for coming to the meeting.
Is there anything else anyone would like to discuss?
If not, then it looks like we've resolved all the outstanding issues today.
I think we can close the meeting early and go to lunch.
No more pending issues, anyone?
All right, then.
I wish every meeting could be this easy.
Some of us will be going to Gabriel's Grill in about 30 minutes.
Who else would like to come?
Can I have a show of hands?
I'll call to make reservations if we have a big enough group.
 Q1: When does the talk take place? - At the end of a meeting
 Q2: What does the man imply? - Meetings usually are more difficult.
 Q3: What will happen next? - A group will go out for lunch.
Each effort gets you closer to your goal.
努力するたびに目標に近付くのです。
 
 
Sunday, October 2, 2011
Let's listen and write.
One. Now listen.
 
Patience is his strength.
His comment was out of line.
You know better than I do.
Your eyes are playing tricks on you.
Is this for here or to go?
 
Wishful thinking isn't getting you any closer to your goal.
甘い考えをしていたら目標には近づけません。

 
 
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。
 
Eat well to be well (6)
 
 
Talk the Talk
 
S: Our current vignette brought you the topic of nutrition.
Melinda Kinkaid is a recent convert to edamame and natto
thanks to Goto Yoko.
How about you, Susan?
Are you a fan of natto?
 
I: Well, I love edamame, but natto is a taste I haven't acquired yet.
My husband eats it for breakfast every day, and has tried
for years to sell me on its nutritional benefits.
As Jack Wakimoto noted, it's full of protein and relatively low in calories.
When my husband offers it to me, I tell him I prefer my soy beans
fresh not fermented.
 
S: Well, you're really missing out.
Maybe you'll the light some day.
 
I: It's certainly possible.
I didn't like azuki bean paste or shiso when I first moved to Japan.
But I've grown to like both over the years. Maybe natto is next.
How about you, Sugita san?
Did you have an equivalent to natto when you lived in the States?
In other words, something you needed to acquire a taste for?
 
S: Hmmm. I was never able to acquire a taste for it.
But I really hated rice pudding.
 
I: Rice pudding?
 
S: Hmmm. You eat rice either boiled or fried.
But the concept of a rice pudding, sweet rice pudding was
really disgusting to me.
 
I: You know, it's funny you say that because rice pudding is
actually a comfort food for many people in the U.S.
I'm not a huge fan of it myself. But I do like it.
For me, comfort foods would include things like peanut butter
or maybe a nice big bowl of oatmeal on the cold winter morning.
 
S: Hmmm. Oatmeal. I had trouble with oatmeal too.
I like a crispy, cereal.
But again, oatmeal? Hmmm.
 
I: Oatmeal's great. It really sticks to your ribs and keeps you full all day.
You should try it with some cinnamon or maybe some brown sugar,
perhaps with a little bit of maple syrup.
You might like it.
 
S: A well-balanced diet is the cornerstone of good health.
But it's not always easy to stay on track.
 
I: Yes. And though Melinda may have some good habits, she also mentioned
the challenge of making sure her diet is balanced and healthful.
This is something sure to strike a code with many business people.
If you got a full plate figuratively speaking, at work and at home,
it's easy to neglect what's on your dinner plates.
The stress of balancing work and family life sometimes leads to
poor choices, such as succumbing to late-night munches.
There's nothing wrong with an occasional treat but skipping breakfast
and snacking often can be a slippery slope.
 
S: Melinda brought up the concept of framing as a way to maintain
a healthful diet.
 
I: Yes. I found that interesting and attempted to try it myself.
Sometimes when I'm rushing across town to another meeting, I buy a
chocolate bar from a newsstand at a station instead of having a proper meal.
It's enough to give me energy for a while but with few nutritional
benefits if any.
I shuddered to think of the accumulative total of chocolate
I've eaten over the course of the year.
 
S:Ron Walker recommended reaching for fruits and vegetables
when looking for an energy boost.
 
I: That is definitely sensible advice.
I'm sure I could find a way to incorporate better choices into
my day if I put some effort into it.
Now for me, I could convince my local newsstand to start selling
carrot sticks next to the chocolate bars.
Joking aside, I've noticed an interesting trend recently on the
junk food shelves at supermarkets and convenience stores.
 
S: What's that?
 
I: Well, Listing nutritional information, including calories,
has become much more common over the years here in Japan.
Recently, I've noticed more and more low-calorie versions of
popular snack foods, such as potato chips and instant ramen.
Some popular brands of chocolate are being sold in smaller sizes.
And there have been increasing number of diet soft drinks on the market.
Of course, most nutritionists would encourage people to
choose fresh fruits and vegetables over processed snack foods.
But it's an interesting trend nonetheless.
 
That's all for today.
 
Thanks for joining us.

 
 
 
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 Heather Howard.
Let's take a look at conversation at work.
 
Eat well to be well  (5)
 
Walker says he was in active 15 years ago but decided to become
healthier so he  could enjoy his later years.
In addition to eating well, he now exercises every day
to reach his goal of being fit at 100.
Walker also says it's never too late to change and that
many things are possible if people overcome the tendency
to remain mired in their current habits.
 
 
Right. Walker has been practicing what he preaches, in other words.
Behaving the way he urges other people to behave.
Wakimoto also could have said, "You've been taking your own advice."
Or and in keeping with our health related theme, there's also the proverb:
Physician, heal thyself, which means instead of criticizing others,
we should correct our own faults.
 
Physician, heal thyself
Meaning
Attend to one's own faults, in preference to pointing out the faults of others.
The phrase alludes to the readiness and ability of physicians to heal sickness
in others while sometimes not being able or willing to heal themselves.
This suggests something of 'the cobbler always wears the worst shoes',
i.e. cobblers are too poor and busy to attend to their own footwear.
It also suggests that physicians, while often being able to help the sick,
cannot always do so and, when sick themselves,
are no better placed than anyone else.
Origin
From the Bible, Luke 4:23 :
And he said unto them, Ye will surely say unto me this proverb,
Physician, heal thyself: whatsoever we have heard done in Capernaum,
do also here in thy country.
The text is usually interpreted to mean that Jesus expected to hear
the proverb said to him in Nazareth, and that the people there
would expect him to work miracles in his hometown as he had in other places.
 
Right. But I would personally in conversation, I'd be more likely to say,
"Ah, I need to go to the gym. I need to get in shape.
Or I need to get in better shape."
I wouldn't be surprised if shape up in that sense mostly appears in
like headlines and ads when you needed a shorter text.
 
Shape up or ship out.
 
In fighting trim: This means to be in strong,
healthy condition to handle a certain situation.
A company might streamline its operations and cut unnecessary
expenses to get in fighting trim to deal with the recession, for example.
 
Regimen: This is a systematic plan or a regular course of action
that's meant to bring some benefit or serve some purpose.
An athlete has a training regimen.
While a personal trainer will create a weight loss regimen.
Also dermatologists will tell you to make sunscreen a regular part
of your skin care regimen.
 
Be on track: We use this to mean something is developing
or progressing in a way that will achieve a certain goal that
will reach a certain point.
I just saw an article, for example, that said mega company A
was on track to pass mega company B
in terms of advertising revenue this year.
 
Centennial  Centenary
 
Status quo bias: Status quo is the existing state of things.
You know the way they are now.
In Latin, it literally means state in which.
People tend to be weary of change, don't they?
That's where we get the expression: Better the devil we know
than the devil we don't, meaning sometimes it's better to deal
or stay with the situation or person we don't like but are familiar with
rather than something that could be even worse.
 
1833, from L. status quo "the state in which," hence "existing state of affairs." Also status quo ante "the state in which before, state of affairs previous"
(1877).
 
 
Stay in a rut: Rut in this case, refers to a groove in a road made
by some vehicle.
So if you're metaphorically in a rut, you're stuck in an unchanging
pattern or routine that's usually boring or ineffective.
And it could apply the things as well as people.
We probably say, A company is in a rut if it's making
the same kind of product it's made for years and not introducing
new innovations or brushing out into new fields.
 
 
That's all for today.
 
Great to see you. Take care.

 
 
 
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 Heather Howard.
Let's take a look at conversation at work.
 
Eat well to be well  (4)
 
Kinkaid describes the concept of framing using the consumption of
one candy bar or cookie a day as an example.
That may not seem like much she says.
But it adds up to a huge amount when viewed over a year.
Walker recommends snacking on fruits and vegetables.
He also suggests limiting meals to one average size plate
and increasing the size of vegetable portions while reducing meat portions.
 
If you're like me: This is a lightly roundabout way of saying this is
what I do or think.
You know this is what happens to me.
If you're like me, for example, you're always just a little behind
the latest technology.
Never one of the first to try the latest innovations.
 
Nothing to lose sleep over: Nothing to be too concerned about,
Kinkaid is saying.
Not something to worry about.
We also use "lose sleep over" when someone is concerned about something.
You know, anxiously thinking about it.
I lost a lot of sleep over by college applications back in high school.
It was all I can think about for months.
 
Consume: Kinkaid is using consume here in the same of eat or drink
a large amount.
A similar word for this would be "devour", which is to eat greedily
or voraciously.
 
Over the course of a year: Over the course of means over the progression,
over the duration of a certain period.
You might see an article that reads stocks moved mostly higher
over the course of the trading day.
Or the G8 finance ministers were expected to discuss a number of issues
over the course of their two-day meeting.
 
Put things in perspective: This means give someone an understanding
of the actual importance, the scale or the value of something.
To make them view it or assess it in reasonable terms.
Keep things in perspective is also a common expression.
Say, one of your colleagues made a mistake at work, you might tell them:
"Try to keep things in perspective. You know, it's only one mistake.
And you've done lots of other things well."
 
Translate into: In this case,  "translate" means lead to or result in.
I was just reading about a study on the connection between
women's weight and their income.
And the headline was "Can being thin actually translate into a
bigger paycheck for women?"
 
Have a yen for: Here yen is not the Japanese currency
but a desire for something, a craving.
According to my dictionary, there used to be
an English term yen yen, which meant a craving for opium.
And it was adopted from the Chinese yin yang.
Yin meaning opium. And yang meaning craving.
At the moment I personally have a yen for a new laptop.
And by the time this broadcast airs,
I will probably have succumbed to temptation and bought one. 
 
Yeen yearn  opium craving
 
Sitting: In one period of time, on one occasion.
This is generally used about things that we'd likely do in a sitting position.
Like: Reading, eating and watching TV.
So you could say, "I wrote the entire report in one sitting."
But you wouldn't say, "I ran ten kilometers in one sitting."
That would best strange.
 
Reduce by half: Walker also could have used the verb "halve" h-a-l-v-e.
Halve your meat portions.
 
 
That's all for today.
 
Thanks for listening. Bye.

 
 
Welcome to Business communication in simple English.
 
Hi! I'm Brandon Stowell. Great to have you with us.
 
Yes. This program will help you sound more professional in any situation.
 
Let's jump right in.
 
Hi, I'm Brandon Stowell.
 
As this is our last episode, we believe you'll understand to listen
for the dialogue about now.
 
Good job, everyone. Keep it up.
 
Yes. "Lead" means to control and guide.
But many westerners may argue about lead's definition.
Some may say it means to be a role model.
 
Interesting.
 
Right. A dream is paradise.
It's someone's idea of perfection or something perfect.
For example, this car runs like a dream.
 
Oh, I saw that going.
 
Are you ready?
 
You're all doing great.
 
You know, I took a class in university called "leadership"
which of course did not focus on the hierarchy of students.
Instead it motivated students to be proactive in everyday life
and make an impact wherever they make their own.
One of the first steps is being to monitor your personal behavior.
By doing so, I believe we all have the capacity to be leaders in home
or at work.
 
Eriko, it's been a pleasure partnering with you on the show.
 
Thank you, Brandon. It's been a real pleasure too.
 
And everyone, it's been great learning with you each week.
 
Everyone, keep it up.

 
 
Welcome to Business communication in simple English.
 
Hi! I'm Brandon Stowell. Great to have you with us.
 
Yes. This program will help you sound more professional in any situation.
 
Let's jump right in.
 
Hi! I'm Brandon Stowell.
 
I believe Eriko has our first dialogue.
 
Indeed.
 
Yes. And as one motivational ad says, "If you believe it, you can achieve it."
 
That's encouraging.
 
Yes. "Believe" means to strongly hope.
 
Thanks, Brandon.
 
Right. When I envision the word "inspire" I think of the muses,
the goddesses who inspire the creation of literature and the arts.
So it is with beautiful women.
 
Let's get started.
 
There's a song by the British band EMF called "Unbelievable"
showing you just how common this expression is.
The song highlights the bad meaning.
But as Eriko points out there's a time and a place for each phrase.
So start practicing so as not to create any awkward moments.
 
EMF Unbelievable
 
The things, you say,
Your purple prose just gives you away.
The things, you say,
You're unbelievable.
 
I can't believe we only have one more episode left.
 
Be sure to tune in.
 
See you next time.

 
 
Monday, September 19, 2011
Hi, listeners! Welcome to 5 minute English.
I'm David Neale.
It's time to focus on your English.
And I'm Vicki Glass.
Thanks for tuning in.
It's time to build up your English muscles.
Are you ready?
Here we go.
Let's read out loud.
One. Now listen.
 
Hello, I've lost my credit card.
So I need to have it canceled.
It might fall into the wrong hands.
 
Owls are my favorite birds.
I don't know why.
But there's something about them I like.
 
Have you eaten lunch yet?
If not, why don't you stay?
We're all just about to eat.
 
Let's check. Let's try.
Here's a message for you today.
Who can improve your English? It's you.
あなたの英語を上達させることができるのは誰か?それはあなたです。
See you tomorrow. Bye.
 
 
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Let's read out loud.
One. Now listen.
 
Take a close look at this poster.
Do you see anything interesting?
It's made entirely of tiny photos.
 
Why are you wearing a tie, Jack?
I've never seen you dressed up.
Is this a special day for you?
 
This taffy is delicious.
Uh-oh! Dental emergency!
My filling just came off.
 
Diligence always pays off.
勤勉は必ず報われる。
 
 
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Let's read out loud.
One. Now listen.
 
Something about Harry looks different.
He'd dyed his hair black.
Perhaps it makes him look younger.
But it's somehow less dignified
Silver gray is his natural color.
 
I couldn't go jogging today.
It was raining hard.
So I borrowed my daughter's jump rope.
It was a lot of fun.
I think I'll buy one of my own.
 
Nothing good comes out of excuses.
言い訳をしても何も良いことはない。
 
 
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Let's role play.
One. Now listen.
 
A: Oops! I almost dropped this vase.
B: It's not real crystal, is it?
A: No. But it was my mother's.
B: Oh, so it has sentimental value.
 
A: Can I use your pencil sharpener?
B: I thought you had an electric one.
A: I did. But it stopped working.
B: Sometimes low-tech is better.
 
A: What are you doing?
B: Sipping coffee. You can see that.
A: I mean, why aren't you getting ready for work?
B: Today's a national holiday.
 
Wishful thinking leads to nothing.
甘い考えは何の役にも立たない。
 
 
Friday, September 23, 2011
Let's listen and answer.
Now listen.
 
Your umbrella is broken.
That's okay. It's just bent a little.
Aren't you going to replace it?
No. It keeps the rain off. That's all that matters.
 Q: What does the man imply? - The umbrella still functions.
Some people talk to their pets.
I used to think that was strange.
Then I bought a pet dog, Pookie.
I always talk to Pookie, because she's smart.
Isn't that right, Pookie?
 Q: What do we know about the woman? - She has a dog.
You're a very good writer.
But I wish you'd be more careful.
This essay is full of careless errors.
Look at this word.
The usage is correct, but the spelling is wrong.
I know you could do better.
It's just a matter of concentrating.
 Q: What kind of error does the man point out? - Spelling
 
You're getting nowhere without motivation and perseverance.
やる気と粘り強さがなければどうにもなりません。
 
 
Saturday, September 24, 2011
Let's listen and answer.
Now listen.
 
Excuse me, I bought some computer peripheral equipment here last week,
and I'm pretty sure I was overcharged.
This is the receipt, which shows a total of $138.16.
And here's my bankbook.
It shows a payment to your store of $188.16.
Is this something I'm supposed to work out with the bank,
or can you look into it?
If the bank has overpaid you, I'm sure you'll be able to find a record of it.
I haven't been able to contact them about it because it's the weekend
and they're not open.
 Q1: Where does the conversation take place? - At an electronic store
 Q2: What did the woman probably do? - Pay with the David Card
 Q3: When did the woman buy the equipment? - Last week
Tomorrow's success depends on what you do today.
明日の成功は今日何をするかにかかっています。
 
 
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Let's listen and write.
One. Now listen.
 
He has a one-track mind.
This wine has a lot of body.
I'm not listening to any excuses.
I'm feeling a bit chilly.
I'm not much of a big eater.
 
Don't worry. You're headed in the right direction.
心配いりません。あなたは正しい方向に進んでいます。

 
 
 
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 Heather Howard.
Let's take a look at conversation at work.
 
Eat well to be well  (3)
 
Walker warns that children will figure out their parents' words don't
match their behavior and suggests having a few more family dinners
each week to promote good eating habits.
Wakimoto says single man like him often have trouble following
a healthy diet and confesses that he's gained weight lately.
Kinkaid recommends a practice called "framing."
 
Set an example: This is behaving in a way that will be copied
or should be copied.
And there  are good and bad examples.
My mother set a good example for me by always being very organized,
keeping a schedule book, filing things carefully.
But if a parent lied all the time, we'd say he/she is setting
a bad example for their children
 
Cotton on to: This is an informal way to say "realize",
"come to understand."
You might hear something like:
It took a long time for him to cotton on to the potential of social media.
 
Not practice what one preaches:
If I don't practice what I preach, then I don't personally follow
the principles that I advocate, that I espouse.
Let's say I make comments about how important it is to meet
deadlines and answer e-mails promptly, well if I myself miss deadlines
a lot and wait a week before I answer e-mails,
then I don't practice what I preach
 
Don't talk the talk if you can't walk the walk.
実行できないのなら、偉そうなことを言うな。
 
A similar concept is expressed by the saying, "Do as I say, not as I do."
Which we say when someone is not practicing what they preach.
 
Food for thought 考えさせられること
 
Feel guilty: We also have the expression, "guilt trip."
Which means feelings of remorse, shame.
And we very often use this when the guilt is unnecessary
or blown out of proportion.
And "guilt trip" can also be a verb:
For example, you might say to a colleague,
"Don't let the boss guilt trip you and not using your vacation days.
You have a right to take time off."
 
Ego trip 自己満足
 
Just say no: This was the slogan for antidrug campaign lead
by first lady Nancy Reagan.
Apparently a little girl asked her in the 1980s, 
"What do you do if somebody offers you drugs?"
And Mrs. Reagan said, "Well, you just say no."
Now it's often used to mean reject a wide variety of things.
An editorial and a newspaper, you know, for example,
might carry a headline like,
Just say no  to higher corporate taxes
 
Put on a few extra pounds is gained a little extra weight, in other words.
It's very easy to put on a few pounds in summer as in it then during
year-end holidays. 
 
Day to day decisions : daily decisions Kinkaid is saying.
"Day to day" can also mean operating one day at a time,
with no concern or knowledge of the future.
Someone who never thinks about saving money, for example,
you know, buys whatever they want now, is living day to day.
 
Framing: When you frame a fact or an issue, you're presenting it
or examining it from a specific perspective.
You know, in a specific context as if you were looking through
a certain kind of picture frame.
Say you want your company to try a new idea, it'd probably
be best to frame your presentation to highlight the benefits
to the company not the cost or the difficulty.
 
 
That's all for today.
 
Take care everybody. See you next time.

 
 
 
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 Heather Howard.
Let's take a look at conversation at work.
 
Eat well to be well  (2)
 
Kinkaid says she's always made sure her daughter eats a balanced diet.
Walker compliments her saying food is at the heart of being healthy.
But Kinkaid confesses that she herself is often so busy she skips meals
or just eat snacks.
Walker says many parents focus on their children's health
at the expense of their own.
But they should make an effort to eat well for their children's sake.
 
 
Turn one's nose up: The visual image here makes this
pretty easy to understand.
When we turn up our noses, we reject something,
we respond with scorn or disgust.
Something like, he turned his nose up at the salary they offered.
 
Aversion aside: Kinkaid uses "aside" here to mean except for
or not including something in one's considerations.
She also could have said, "aside from her natto version,
she keeps to a very balanced diet."
Let's imagine, say, an excellent job prospect.
It would take an hour and a half to get there one way.
But it would be fascinating work with talented colleagues
and pay really well.
So you can say: Aside from a long commute, it seems ideal.
 
Keep to: Kinkaid means abide by, maintain a certain course
of action or thought.
At the moment I personally keep to a vigorous exercise regimen
of lifting my coffee cup repeatedly throughout the day.
 
Toddler: To toddle is to walk with small, unsteady steps
like a little child.
So a child who is at that age is a toddler.
Up to about 3 years old, I would say?
 
Oh, yes. Definitely. An infant is: still be carried around.
That's a little baby.
 
An apple a day keeps the doctor away:
English has a number of sayings regarding health.
One very well known saying is "Health is wealth",
meaning good health is a very valuable asset.
There's also, "You're what you eat."
Which is pretty much the same as "Eat well to be well."
"What you eat will determine how healthy you are," in other words.
 
Role model: This is someone whose behavior is imitated by others,
who serves as an example on how to behave.
My father is one of my role models especially
when it comes to personal finance.
He's very frugal and has carefully saved money his entire life.
 
Be preoccupied with: When we're preoccupied with something,
it dominates our thoughts or time to the exclusion of other things.
You might say for example, "I've been so preoccupied with finishing
this presentation. I completely forgot to file my taxes."
 
In the best interests of: A certain course of action would be best,
in other words.
The greatest benefit would result from it.
And you can say, "interests" or "interest" singular.
A company might decide that going green would be in its best interest,
for example.
It would help the company survive longer by preserving resources
and improve its reputation with customers.
 
Be up doing paperwork: Paperwork is regular clerical work
or record keeping that's often done as part of some bigger job or goal.
Filing an expense report for a business trip, for example.
Or filling in an application for an insurance policy would be
doing paperwork.
 
 
That's all for today.
 
Cheers everybody. Thanks for learning.

 
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。
 
Eat well to be well (1)
 
Kinkaid says she has become a natto fan thanks to Goto,
who gave her some as a good-bye gift.
Walker doesn’t know what natto is.
And Wakimoto explains that it’s fermented soybeans:
a low calorie, low cholesterol food that provides a lot of protein.
Kinkaid says many people including her daughter Rebecca
find the stringiness and smell of natto off-putting.
 
Aficionado: An aficionado is a devoted fan of something.
And very often, the nuance is that they know a lot about
that particular subject, an activity.
Imagine that your boss at work watches a lot of historical
documentaries and he can give very detailed explanations of the
background behind the taiga dramas, you call him a history aficionado.
 
Thanks to Yoko, Melinda says.
She’s expressing gratitude to Yoko.
But you can also use this expression in a negative way
when something is someone’s fault.
For example, we didn’t get the account thanks to
John’s terrible presentation.
There’s also the expression: no thanks to,
which means someone or something didn’t contribute
or was a hindrance.
Like: we made the deadline no thanks to Katie
and her two-hour lunches.
 
Going away present
 
Decaf: This is an abbreviation of “decaffeinated.”
In other words, with the caffeine removed.
Walker also could have said just
”Is that some new kind of decaf?”
When we use “decaf” alone as a noun, that’s coffee.
But it also appears as an adjective, like:
decaf tea, decaf soda.
 
Newbie: This is someone who is new to a subject or an activity.
A more formal way to say this would be “novice.”
I remember when I was a computer newbie
many many years ago, I panicked the first time
the screen scrawled up.
I thought I’d lost my text.
 
Fave: This is slang for favorite and shortened from that word.
Unlike “favorite”, it can be either a noun or an adjective.
You might see an article, for example, headlined
“Our ten fave smart phone apps for 2011.”
 
English is an acquired language for me.
 
Yes. I’ve heard certain books, for example,
described as an acquired taste.
It takes multiple readings to appreciate the author’s
skill and message.
 
To me, the word “musky” evokes an earthy quality:
slightly animalistic.
 
“Odor” usually refers to an unpleasant smell.
I did an Internet search and found only negative examples.
For example: Certain products are sold to fight foot odor.
“Smell” I would say, is neutral.
And “aroma” is usually positive.
 
Serving: In this case, “serving” means a portion,
a helping of a certain type of food for one person.
 
Try telling that to: We use this when we think
someone will not agree with a certain position.
You know, in this case, Kinkaid’s daughter
will not agree that natto is worth eating.
 
That’s all for today.
Thanks a lot for listening. See you next time.

 
 
Welcome to Business communication in simple English.
 
Hi! I'm Brandon Stowell. Great to have you with us.
 
Yes. This program will help you sound more professional in any situation.
 
Let's jump right in.
 
 
Hi, I'm Brandon Stowell. Hi, everyone. 
 
Let's have Eriko tell us what's on top.
 
Yes. And listening to this program should give you a better understanding
of useful business English.
 
That's right.
 
Yes. Understanding means your knowledge of it.
 
Nicely put.
 
Professional is a word we all must live by in business.
We must be professional by being friendly, knowledgeable,
timely and always dressing appropriate to the occasion.
 
I sure agree.
 
Are you ready?
 
"Thank you for your understanding" is a sentence I would say
for e-mails, formal writing and official announcements.
For example, in flight announcements, store announcements.
In conversation, this phrase can come off as condescending.
Since it is the nicest thing you can say.
As such, the manner in which it is said is often interpreted
as its true meaning.
Stick with "Thank you for understanding" in the office.
 
 
See you next time.

 
 
Welcome to Business communication in simple English.
 
Hi! I'm Brandon Stowell. Great to have you with us.
 
Yes. This program will help you sound more professional in any situation.
 
Let's jump right in.
 
Hi! I'm Brandon Stowell.
 
Let's turn our attention to the first dialogue.
 
Fantastic work, everyone.
 
Yes. But if you're like me, your desk is disorganized.
 
So your desk must be a bit of a mess then.
 
Right. And every coach, boss or motivational speaker since the
beginning of time has used the idiom.
"There's no I in team" to try and motivate a group of individuals.
Put simply, the word team does not have an I in its spelling.
The I represents yourself or an individual.
The metaphor being that there's not just one person in a team
and so we must work together.
 
We hear that from sports players too, I guess.
 
Are you ready?
 
When I hear the phrase "you are so organized", I think that someone
is talking to my mom. She is also why I know the phrase
"A-type" personality, which is to say that those of us that
are A blood types have a tendency to be more organized.
It's funny because my mom was the only A in a household of three O's.
 
 
See you next time.

 
 
Monday, September 12, 2011
 
Do I look like I've gained weight?
Don't answer that.
I already know the answer.
 
This bottle says "conditioner."
And this one says "rinse."
What's the difference?
 
Those pants are too long.
The hems are dragging on the ground.
They're going to get frayed and tattered.
 
Here's a message for you today.
 Every time you read out loud, your English muscles grow stronger.
音読するたびに英語の筋肉が鍛えられます。
 
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Let's read out loud.
One. Now listen.
 
Something's burning in the kitchen.
Turn on the ventilation fan.
It's going to set off the smoke alarm.
 
It's almost time for dinner.
Do you want to have leftovers?
Or can we eat out tonight?
 
What's that sound?
It sounds like distant drums.
Is there an outdoor concert going on?
 
Daily practice is the best way to better English.
毎日練習することが英語上達への一番の方法です。
 
 
 
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Let's read out loud.
One. Now listen.
 
I'm going out for a while.
I have some shopping to do.
It shouldn't take long.
I'll be back by dinner time.
Six-thirty at the very latest.
 
Today is Friday the 13th.
People say that's bad luck.
But my horoscope said I'd have good luck.
I wonder which one is right.
Maybe they'll cancel each other out.
 
Here's a message for you today.
Never give up. That's your motto.
決して諦めない。それがあなたのモットーですよね。
See you tomorrow. Bye.
 
 
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Let's role play.
One. Now listen.
 
A: Here we are at the theater.
B: Thanks a lot for the ride.
A: No problem. What time should I pick you up?
B : I'm not sure. I'll call you after the movie.
 
A: Would you get the paprika for me?
B: Sure. Where is it?
A: There in the spice rack.
B: Please don't point with that butcher's knife.
 
A : Are you going to eat that fried chicken?
B: No. I couldn't eat another bite.
A: I'll finish it for you.
B: Please do. Help yourself.
 
Here's a message for you today.
You can't make your dream come true without strong willpower.
強い意志がなければ、夢は叶いません。
See you tomorrow. Bye.
 
Friday, September 16, 2011
Let's listen and answer.
Now listen.
 
I'm glad it's sunny today.
Yes. We can do a load of laundry.
I meant it would be a good day to go for a drive.
Why don't we do both?
 Q: What does the man want to do? - Go for a drive
Can we stop at a convenience store?
I'd like to get something to drink.
I didn't drink coffee yet this morning.
The kids should probably go to the bathroom.
 Q: What will the man most likely buy? - Coffee
Look!
There's a bug on the kitchen floor.
It looks like a little cockroach.
You know what they say about roaches.
They live inside the walls.
For every one you see there're 20 more.
Hold on a second.
What a relief!
It's a piece of a pocket lint.
 Q: What is the woman relieved? - It wasn't a cockroach after all.
 
No practice, no better English skills.
練習しなければ、英語力はアップしません。
See you tomorrow. Bye.
  
Saturday, September 17, 2011
Let's listen and answer.
Now listen.
 
I think I'll wear my blue suit today.
I have two job interviews in the afternoon. And I feel nervous.
But that suit somehow makes me feel confident.
Oh, wait a minute. Oh, no. It's at the cleaners.
And the charcoal gray one here in the closet is wrinkled.
That leads my pinstriped silk suit.
It's not bad. But it's a little flamboyant.
It's double breasted with broad lapels.
Wearing it makes me feel like a game show host.
But if it's the only choice, then I guess I'll just have to wear it.
 Q1: What is on the man's schedule today? - Two job interviews in the afternoon
 Q2: Why does the man prefer his blue suit? - It makes him feel confident.
 Q3: What suit will the man wear? - The pinstriped silk one
 
Here's a message for you today.
A goal without action is nothing but a dream.
行動を伴わない目標は夢に過ぎない。
 
Sunday, September 18, 2011
 
Where can we exchange currency?
You're welcome to link to this site.
Should I ask her out?
There goes the fire alarm.
This condo doesn't allow pets.
 
Here's a message for you today.
Make persistent efforts to reach your goal.
目標に到達するために努力を積み重ねていきましょう。
 

 
13時間前の未来」上
 
上巻 p79-82
 親愛なるニックへ
 きみの頭のなかから霧が晴れることを願っているが、その霧は、いま起こっていることに対するさらなる混乱に取って代わるにちがいない。
 きみはいま、今夜八時にいた場所に戻っているからだ。
 人生には、理解することも慣れることもできない瞬間がある。たとえば、罪もない人の理不尽な死。愛する人を失ったときの、言葉にできない苦悩と動揺。どうしようもない運命の残酷さ。
 単純で利己的な行動ひとつが、時間と人生のなかで谺し、あげくに見も知らぬ人間の命を奪うことがある。愛する人が、まったく知らなかったり理解できなかったりする瞬間や出来事の反響のせいで、死を迎えることもある。しかしながら、もしその瞬間が起こらなければ、あるいはその瞬間を発見してもとに戻すことができれば、その瞬間によって狂わされた人生を修正できるはずだし、失われた命も救えるはずだ。
 いまきみはある部屋に立っているが、一瞬それは、きみの記憶の一部を再現しているかのように思えるだろう。なにかの魔法にかかったか、それとも見えざる神の手が介入してきたかと自分を疑うだろうが、そのどちらでもないことは私が保証しよう。
 きみはいま、今夜八時にいた部屋にいて、その一時間をもう一度生きている。ただしその一時間は単なる再現ではなく、自分のやりたいことを自由にやれる一時間だ。前は右に曲がったところで左に曲がることができるし、前はノーといったところでイエスということもできる。だれもそのちがいがわからないし、きみ以外にこの現象を経験する人間はほかにいないだろう。きみは自分の裁量で正しいと思う方向を選び、きみが経験した未来を変えることができるのだ。
 ニック、きみは贈り物を与えられたのだ。きみの人生の十二時間を、もう一度生きることができるという贈り物だ。
 ただし、細心の注意を払わなければならない。時間は短いからだ。
 一時間ごとに…つまり、金の懐中時計がまわって12の文字に到達するたびに…きみは百二十分前に時間を逆戻りして、自分の人生の一時間をもう一度生きることになる。
 一歩進んで二歩下がる、というわけだ。
 それが十一回起こる。それより多くもなければ、少なくもない。そして一時間ずつ時間をさかのぼって、今朝十時まできみを連れ戻す。
 きみが一時間ずつ時間を戻りながら行動を起こすことで、奥さんをみつけて命をすくうチャンスが手に入るのだ。
 詳しい説明や専門的用語できみをうんざりさせるつもりはない。要は懐中時計の分針が12を指した瞬間、きみは二時間前にいた場所へと時間的にも空間的にも引き戻され、それからの一時間を新たに生きる、ということだ。
 だが気をつけなければならないのは、ふつうの人生と同じく、それぞれの選択には、選んだ瞬間に思いもよらなかった結果がついてくる場合がある。いまのきみにはジュリアの命を救う能力があるし、きみの世界を安定した状態に戻す能力があるが、きみがこれから進もうとしている道はきわめて不確かなものだということを、くれぐれも承知していてほしい。熟慮に熟慮を重ねて、きみの選択が、きみやほかの人の命を危険にさらすことのないようにしてくれ。
 きみがなぜこの贈り物を与えられたか、私が何者か、どうしてこんなことが起こっているかについては、いまの段階では重要ではないが、安心してほしい。やがてはすべて明らかになるだろう。
 成功を祈る。時は逃げていく(テンプス・フギト)。
 
Zより
 
下巻 p13-14
 赤いトヨタの四駆が横からマーカスの車を追い越したかと思うと、いきなりマーカスの前に割りこんで、どこへ向かうのか、猛スピードで走り去っていった。
「おれたちの行動は、おれたちが想像もつかないような広い範囲にまで影響を及ぼす」マーカスは前方でどんどん遠ざかっていくトヨタを指さした。「ああいう無謀なドライバーの単純な行動ひとつが、ドミノ倒しのように何百人もの人々につぎつぎと影響を与えるし、さらにその何百人の一人一人が、関わり合うすべての人に影響を与えるんだ
 あの男が飛ばしすぎで事故を起こしたら、数え切れない人々が、自宅に時間どおりに帰れなくなってしまう。遅れた人のなかには医者がいて、その医者の三歳になる子どもがゴムのボールを呑みこんで気管を詰まらせていたとしたら、パニックになったベビーシッターはどうしていいかわからず、子どもは死んでしまう。もし医者が時間どおりに帰宅していれば、子どもにハイムリック法でボールを吐き出させ、家族はふつうに座って夕食を食べていただろう。やがてその子は、長じて癌を治す医者になるかもしれない。父親に触発されてな」
「あの無茶な飛ばし屋を見て、殺したい気分になったのかい?」ニックは茶化した。
「しかし、どんな運命が待っているかなんてだれがわかる? もしその子どもが大人になって癌を治す医者になるとしたら?」
「癌を治すに決まってる。いま自分でそういったじゃないか」
「しかし……」
「しかしばっかりだな…」
「しかしその医者は、癌を治す過程で、何百万人もの人間を殺すことになる悪い薬を作り出したとする。全体の流れからすれば、あの暴走ドライバーは、何百万人もの命を救ったことになるだろう。つまり、目的が気高いものであろうと利己的なものであろうと、おれたちの行動が将来どういう結果になるかなんて、だれにもわからないのさ」

 
 
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。
 
Trend spotting (6)
 
 
Talk the Talk
 
S: Now Our current vignette focuses on the effect trends have
on the economy and society at large.
Paul Pearson found an interesting example of a trend that was seen
as a sign of economic recovery.
 
I: Yes. He mentioned an up-swinging cosmetic surgery.
I suppose if you have the extra money for brow lift or liposuction,
things must be looking up financially speaking.
After all those procedures don't come cheap.
 
cf. Liposuction, also known as lipoplasty ("fat modeling"),
liposculpture suction lipectomy or simply lipo ("suction-assisted fat removal")
is a cosmetic surgery operation that removes fat from many different sites
on the human body. Areas affected can range from the abdomen, thighs
and buttocks, to the neck, backs of the arms and elsewhere.
 
S: Paul also mentioned other trends in consumer spending habits
such as where  people choose to go on vacation.
 
I: That's an interesting indicator and that's if people are
going on vacation at all.
During the recent economic downturn, people talked of
taking staycations.
In other words, staying at home instead of jetting off to
an exotic locale for vacation.
 
S: How about you, Susan? Did you go on a staycation
or vacation this summer?
 
I: Well, a bit of both.
One of my cousins and her daughter came to visit this past summer,
and I took about a week off from work to show them around Tokyo.
In that sense, it was a staycation for me,
because we took day trips in the Tokyo area.
Of course, for them it was an exciting international vacation.
I wonder what the trend spotters would make of that.
 
S: Goto Yoko brought up the subject of mega trend.
And Paul Pearson pointed out a great example: social media.
 
I: Yes. And social networking definitely qualifies under Paul's
definition of a mega trend as one that has a lasting impact on society.
It really is amazing to think of how social networking online
has affected the way people relate to each other.
There are several popular social networking sites in the U.S.
But one in particular has dominated many social circles.
On a recent trip to the States, I noticed that network
popping up in face to face conversation quite often with my family.
We rely on it to share news with far-flung friends and relatives.
And I've only been using it for the past 3 or 4 years.
I can't imaging giving it up.
 
S: As Ron Walker noted it's easy to follow a trend once it's caught on.
Spotting a potential mega trend is much more difficult.
 
I: Indeed.
Getting a jump-on competitors is the real challenge.
The savviest trend spotters have a feel for trends
with true potential versus ones that are just a flash in the pan. 
 
S: Paul Pearson has some advice for building one's
trend spotting acumen.
He emphasized the importance of sourcing and sifting
through information.
 
I: Yes. And reading a variety of newspapers and online
media is a great start.
Identifying trendsetters, early adopters and influences
in technology, media and other areas is also important.
If there is a buzz among these groups, it's a good indication
of a hot new trend on the horizon.
Whether or not the trend will last is another story.
 
 
That's all for today.
 
Thanks for joining us.

 
 
 
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 Heather Howard.
Let's take a look at conversation at work.
 
Trend spotting  (5)
 
To spot emerging trends, Pearson advises Goto to watch for new terms
and concepts that seem to be drawing a lot of interest.
He says she can also just collect information areas that interest her.
And then he often makes connections between seemingly unrelated facts.
Walker says he regularly gets on mailing lists.
And Pearson urges Goto to be aware of indicators in the news.
 
Rid the world of: Goto uses "rid" to mean empty some place or
something usually of something you don't want.
You might hear something like: Activists are working to rid the
governmental corruption.
 
We also have the expression, "good riddance",
which means thank goodness something has gone.
We're better off without it.
Imagine you have a lazy colleague,
if always makes lots of careless mistakes.
If he/she quit, you might think, "Good riddance,
they just made more work for everybody."
 
For good: Permanently, Goto means, forever.
I took one math class in college to get the credits
I needed to graduate and then I gave up the subject for good.
 
Source and sift through information:
In this case, source is a verb meaning to find from
some source or sources.
So Pearson is telling Goto she needs to learn where
to look for useful information.
And then "sift through" means go through something,
usually to pick out what you need or what's important.
For example, companies might sift through job applications
and pick out especially good candidates for an interview.
 
Buzz: Anything that creates excitement or stimulus.
Buzz marketing / word of mouth
 
Random fact: Radom means without a particular connection,
pattern or plan.
When convenience stores give away prizes as part of
a PR campaign, for example, winners are often selected at random.
Or they're selected by random drawing.
 
At random
 
Information trawling: Trawling is fishing by dragging a net
or allying the hooks on it.
So metaphorically speaking, to trawl is to search through
a lot of information or many possibilities.
I was reading the other day about a social network site
that headhunters use to trawl for potential job applicants.
 
Shoot off: Walker uses this to mean write and send quickly.
Likewise I often use my smartphone to dash off e-mails to
my parents on the way to work.
 
Walker also could have said,
"Many of which you can get free of charge."
 
 
That's all for today.
 
Thanks for learning with us. Bye.

上巻 p81
 
 ニック、きみは贈り物を与えられたのだ。きみの人生の十二時間を、もう一度生きることができるという贈り物だ。
 ただし、細心の注意を払わなければならない。時間は短いからだ。
 一時間ごとに…つまり、金の懐中時計がまわって12の文字に到達するたびに…きみは百二十分前に時間を逆戻りして、自分の人生の一時間をもう一度生きることになる。
 一歩進んで二歩下がる、というわけだ。
 それが十一回起こる。それより多くもなければ、少なくもない。そして一時間ずつ時間をさかのぼって、今朝十時まできみを連れ戻す。
 きみが一時間ずつ時間を戻りながら行動を起こすことで、奥さんをみつけて命をすくうチャンスが手に入るのだ。

 
 
 
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 Heather Howard.
Let's take a look at conversation at work.
 
Trend spotting  (4)
 
Pearson says the Internet has made it possible for any business
to operate internationally.
Goto describes growing environmental awareness as another mega trend.
And Walker mentions the enormous popularity of health related foods
and products.
Pearson says problems such as the prevalence of obesity in the U.S.
create opportunities and expresses hope that competitions
from foreign firms will help U.S. businesses develop new high tech products.
 
 
Green product: Here Goto uses green to mean environmentally friendly.
We also have the term "green light", which means permission to proceed.
And this comes from the railroad signal.
They will be used to tell a train it's all right to go forward.
You could say something like: We've been given the green light
to buy new computers for the office.
 
In a similarly positive vein: Along the same line of thought or action,
Walker means.
He also could have said, "along the same lines."
"Vein" can also mean "style" or "manner", for example.
He sent me a very rude e-mail on Monday.
And then two more in the same vein on Tuesday.
 
wellness
American Heritage Dictionary:
the condition of good, physical and mental health,
especially when maintained by proper diet, exercise and habits.
 
Walker also uses the word "oriented."
And he means primarily concerned with or directed toward a certain thing.
There are business oriented networking sites.
For example, and... retirement oriented investment funds.
 
consumer oriented / consumer focused / consumer driven
 
BE: orientated
 
Obesity: This is the noun. The adjective is "obese."
And it means extremely overweight.
On a related note, it's best to avoid the word "fat" most of the time.
It's very harsh and direct. Overweight is softer.
 
plump ふくよかな
 
Qualify as: In this case, "qualify" means meet the requirements,
the standards for something.
People qualify for laws, for example. Or are not qualified to do certain jobs.
 
Spur new product development: Pearson uses spur
to mean stimulate someone to take action or make a greater effort
as if you were urging on a horse with the spurs on riding boots.
And insider trading scandal could spur authorities to introduce
tougher regulations, for example.
 
 
That's all for today.
 
Always a pleasure. Take care.

 
 
Welcome to Business communication in simple English.
 
Hi! I'm Brandon Stowell. Great to have you with us.
 
Yes. This program will help you sound more professional in any situation.
 
Let's jump right in.
 
Hi, everyone. 
 
Hi, I'm Brandon Stowell. Hi, all.
 
No more waiting. Let's get started.
 
This week you can expand your vocabulary by learning "expand."
 
Yeah, and if your company is a large multinational,
it might be possible to expand your empire.
 
Expand an empire. That's an intoxicating spell.
 
Yes. "Expand" simply means to get bigger.
 
 
Are you ready?
 
By now I hope your vocabulary has expanded greatly.
 
See you next time.

 
 
Welcome to Business communication in simple English.
 
Hi! I'm Brandon Stowell. Great to have you with us.
 
Yes. This program will help you sound more professional in any situation.
 
Let's jump right in.
 
Hi! I'm Brandon Stowell.
 
Let's get the day started with our first word.
 
Yes. "Manage" can also be used in this way:
"How are you doing?" "Oh, I manage."
where "manage" means you're fine, okay or getting by.
 
That's a useful expression, too.
 
Yes. "Manage" means to continue to function despite difficulties.
 
Thanks for the great input.
 
Right. So this reminds me of CEOs or any top decision maker in a company.
These people typically have the most influence or power to decide
how to use available resources, especially budgets.
CEOs allocate budgets while departments are allocated budgets.
 
The ones who allocate budgets. The ones who are allocated budgets.
 
Let's get started.
 
Can you manage to be a manager?
Isn't this the direction we all aim for in business?
As we talked about previously one quality you can use to get ahead is focus.
If you can focus and prioritize, you can easily manage being a manager.
 
See you next time.

 
 
Monday, September 5, 2011
Hi, listeners! Welcome to 5 minute English.
I'm David Neale.
It's time to focus on your English.
And I'm Vicki Glass.
Thanks for tuning in.
It's time to build up your English muscles.
Are you ready?
Here we go.
Let's read out loud.
One. Now listen.
 
Let's go see a movie.
We always rent DVDs.
But I feel like going to a theater tonight.
 
Oops! I bumped the table.
Sorry about that.
Did I spill anyone's drink?
 
Gas prices have been going up.
So I'm looking for ways to economize.
That's why I go shopping by bicycle lately.
 
Let's check. Let's try.
Here's a message for you.
Persistent learners make the most progress.
こつこつ学ぶ人が最も上達するのです。
See you tomorrow. Bye.
 
 
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Let's read out loud.
One. Now listen.
 
That's a beautiful calendar.
The photography is superb.
Where did you get it?
 
Are you going out?
You don't have sunscreen on, right?
You'd better wear a hat, then.
 
I'd like to take a hot bath.
But there's no time for that.
I'll take a quick shower.
 
Here's a message for you.
Action today leads to success tomorrow.
今日の行動が明日の成功につながる。
See you tomorrow. Bye.
 
 
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Let's read out loud.
One. Now listen.
 
Did you know about my blog?
It's mostly about cooking.
I try out a lot of new recipes.
You should check it out.
Why don't you try blogging?
 
I met Bill the other day.
He was in the park, painting.
He's become quite an artist.
He had a group of five or six others.
And he was teaching them to paint.
 
Here's a message for you.
You can build up your confidence by practicing.
練習すれば自信がつきます。
See you tomorrow. Bye.
 
 
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Let's role play.
One. Now listen.
 
A: What's your favorite vegetable?
B: I like steak fried with onions.
A: So onions are your favorite?
B: No. Steak. You can keep the onions.
 
A: How much milk do we have?
B: We are almost out.
A: Okay. I'll pick up a carton.
B: Get some orange juice while you're at it.
 
A: Excuse me, it's broad daylight.
B: I know. Why are you telling me that?
A: These lights don't need to be on.
B: Oh, I see. I'll turn them off.
 
Let's check. Let's try.
Here's a message for you today.
Keep reading out loud to build up your English muscles.
英語の筋肉を鍛えるために音読を続けましょう。
See you tomorrow. Bye.
 
 
Friday, September 9, 2011
Let's listen and answer.
Now listen.
 
I see that you bought a new car.
Yes. But I don't feel like it's mine yet.
Why not? You're driving it.
I'll be making payments on it for another year.
 Q: What did the man do? - Buy a car
My mother read to us as children.
She's very good at it.
Now she volunteers at the local library.
Her reading sessions are popular with kids.
 Q: Who does the woman's mother entertain? - Children
I was looking for a novel to read.
But then I came across some classics.
I've always been curious about famous old books.
Some of them are quite interesting and easy to read.
I'm reading Aristotle now.
 Q: What kind of book is the man reading? - Classics
Here's a message for you today.
Laziness will get you nowhere.
怠けていたらどうにもなりません。
See you tomorrow. Bye.
 
 
Saturday, September 10, 2011
Let's listen and answer.
Now listen.
 
You want $10 for this?
It's just a rusty old horseshoe.
What value could it possibly have?
Well, it's a genuine hand-made antique.
And maybe its value depends on how lucky it is.
Some horseshoes are luckier than others.
Lots of people are after ones like this.
Still, how do I know it's got $10 worth of luck?
I can't go that high.
Umm I'll give you $3 for it.
No?
How about $6.50 and you throw in this antique spoon?
$7.50 with the spoon.
OK, $9 for both.
That's final.
 Q1: What is the woman doing? - Bargaining
 Q2: What does the woman say about the horseshoes?
- They sometimes bring luck.
 Q3: What product does the woman mention? - A spoon
Here's a message for you today.
Your English is getting better day by day.
あなたの英語は日々上達しているのです。
See you tomorrow. Bye.
 
 
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Let's listen and write.
One. Now listen.
 
The fish aren't biting much today.
I remember it like it was yesterday.
Why don't you pace yourself?
This was a smooth flight.
I meant it as a joke.
 
Here's a message for you today.
It won't do you any good to make an excuse.
言い訳をしても何の役にも立ちません。See you tomorrow. Bye.
 

13時間前の未来 上・下」 リチャード・ドイッチ 
 
 「心にナイフをしのばせて」 奥野修司
 
「原発のウソ」 小出裕章
 
朽ちていった命被曝治療83日間の記録
 
「六〇歳から始める小さな仕事」 瀬川正仁
 
「あの頃の誰か」 東野圭吾
 
「幸福な生活」 百田尚樹
 
「砂上のファンファーレ」 早見和真
 
「ストーリー・セラー」 有川浩
 
「クジラの彼」 有川浩
 
「ナニワ・モンスター」 海堂尊
 
「月の上の観覧車」 荻原浩
 
「麒麟の翼」 東野圭吾
 
「ヘッドライン」 今野敏
 
「子どもの考える力は『書き・読み』で伸びる!」 樋口裕一
 
「風景」 瀬戸内寂聴
 
 「ねじれた絆」 奥野修司
 
「プラナリア」山本文緒
 
「花水木」 今野敏
 
「真夏の方程式」 東野圭吾
 
「プラチナデータ」 東野圭吾 
 
********************************************************
 
13時間前の未来 上・下」 リチャード・ドイッチ … 驚いた。すごい。
 
 「心にナイフをしのばせて」 奥野修司 … すごい。
  
「原発のウソ」 小出裕章 … これも。
 
 「朽ちていった命被曝治療83日間の記録」 … 必読書。
 
 
「六〇歳から始める小さな仕事」 瀬川正仁 …案外と面白い
 
「あの頃の誰か」 東野圭吾 … うん、よかったな。
 
「幸福な生活」 百田尚樹 … やはり、面白い。
P128
「ものすごいブスだったんです。しかも凄まじい厚化粧で」
「あれは暴力だな」
「暴力って、どういう意味ですか?」
「ブスにもランクがあるなんです。あるラインを超えると、その醜さは暴力的になるんですよ」
 
「砂上のファンファーレ」 早見和真 … これは秀作。
 
「ストーリー・セラー」 有川浩 … なかなか感動的。
 
「クジラの彼」 有川浩 … 「空の中」や「海の底」を読んでてよかった。
 
「ナニワ・モンスター」 海堂尊 … うん、面白かった。
 
「月の上の観覧車」 荻原浩 … うん、読みやすい。
 
「麒麟の翼」 東野圭吾 … うん、よかったよ。
 
「ヘッドライン」 今野敏 … うん、これも。
 
「子どもの考える力は『書き・読み』で伸びる!」 樋口裕一 … なるほど。
 
「風景」 瀬戸内寂聴 … よかったよ。
 
 「ねじれた絆」 奥野修司 … よかった。
P254-255
 後年のことだが、照光たちとのあいだであった壁がどうしても崩せなかった理由を、美津子は城間家がかかえる貧困と親の教養をあげて説明した。
「かあちゃんはいつも真知子と比較した。怒るときは感情的になるから怖い。それがとても嫌だった。どこで怒ったらいいのか、どこでほめたらいいのか、たぶん自分でも頭の中で整理できてなかったのだと思う。お小遣いがもらえなかったことも悲しかったけど、親に教養がなかったことはもっと悲しかった」
 教養がなかったということで三女の清美にも苦い思い出がある。
 小学二年生の頃だったか、夏子に学校の宿題を尋ねたことがあった。「北」や「右」といった語句の反対語を問う問題だった。「そんなこともできないのか」と夏子はブツブツ言いながら、空白に「たき」「ぎみ」と書き入れた。このために赤恥をかくことになり、それ以来学校のことは一切、夏子には相談しないことにした。
 
「プラナリア」山本文緒 … うん、まぁまぁかな。
 
「花水木」 今野敏 … うん、よかった。
 
「真夏の方程式」 東野圭吾 … うん、とてもよい。
 
「プラチナデータ」 東野圭吾 … これもよい。
 
 

 
P101
 政府や電力会社は、福島の事故が「想定外」だったと強調しています。しかし彼らは原子力発電所に事故が起これば大惨事になることをはじめからよく知っていました。だから東京電力は自社の経電範囲に火力発電所は建てても、原子力発電所だけは絶対に建てませんでした。そんな危険なものを人口の多い地域につくることはできない、人口の少ない田舎に押しつけてしまえ、というわけです。
 
P103
 電力会社は、勝手に好きな場所に原発を造っているのではありません。国の原子力委員会が定めた「原子炉立地指針」に基づいて立地を選定しています。「指針」に掲げられた三条件は「原子炉から一定の範囲内は非居住区域であること」「その外側は低人口地帯であること」「原子炉敷地は人口密集地から離れていること」です。もし本当に原発が安全なら、こんな条件を掲げる必要はありません。電力の大消費地である大都市に建設したほうがずっと効率がよいのですから。
 もしも事故が福島でなく、東京や大阪、あるいは名古屋で起こっていたらどうなっていたでしょうか。人口密集地や工業地帯が立ち入り禁止になるわけですから、ものすごい数の人たちが住まいや仕事を奪われます。大企業といえども連鎖倒産するでしょう。被爆者の数もはるかに多くなることは確実です。福島の事故でさえ被災者に支払う補償は前例のない巨大な金額になるのですから、大都市圏で原発事故が起きれば間違いなく国そのものが破滅するほどの被害が出ていました。
 政府や電力会社はそのことをよく分かっていたからこそ、新潟や福島の原子力発電所から東京まで電気を送るという、効率の悪いことをしてきたのです。
 
P107-108
 その上、この法律(原子力損害賠償法)には「異常に巨大な天災地変または社会的動乱」で事故が起こった時は責任は取らなくてもいいと書かれています。
 4月28日、東京電力の清水正孝社長は、今回の原発事故が「この免責事由に当てはまりうる」との見解を述べました。暗に「自分たちでなく国がすべて賠償すべきだ」と言っているのです。東京電力は、この原子力被害が自分たちの怠慢や甘さによって起こったことを、内心では認めていないのではないでしょうか。
 今回の大震災は確か異常に巨大な地震、異常に巨大な津波でした。でも、東京電力の責任で動かした原子力発電所が事故を起こしたのに、どうして私たちの税金が使われるのでしょうか。もちろん被災者は必ず救わなければいけないけれども、本当に責任のあるのは東京電力のはずです。
 さすがに政府は「東京電力の損害賠償免責はありえない」「一義的には東京電力に責任がある」と言っていますが、5月13日に正式決定した賠償スキームによれば、東京電力の存続を前提として「原発賠償機構(仮称)」を作り、他の電力会社の資金拠出や公的資金投入で賠償支援を行うことになっています。また、「電力の安定供給に支障が生じる場合は国が補償を肩代わりできる」という条項も盛り込まれました。つまり原子力を推し進めてきた体制を何の反省もなしにそのまま維持し、全国民に電気料金値上げと税金の形で事故の責任を押しつけようとしているのです。
 
P108
 電力会社の収入は電気料金ですが、実は、電力会社は原発を造れば造るほど電力料金を値上げできるシステムになっているのです。そこには次のような「カラクリ」があります。みなさんご存知の通り、日本の電力会社は「独占企業」です。私たちは電気を自分の住んでいる地域の電力会社からしか買うことができません。東京の人は東京電力からしか買えないし、大阪の人は関西電力からしか買えない。
 
p109-110
 電力会社も会社である以上、必要経費がかかります。減価償却費、営業費、それに税金も支払わなくてはなりません。その必要経費に利潤(事業報酬)を足したものが「総括原価」と呼ばれるもので、この額が全て電力会社の懐に入るように電気料金を決めることになっています。つまり、電力会社は何をやったとしても絶対に損はしません。
 それでは、電力会社はどうやってこの利潤を獲得するのでしょうか。
 普通の会社は汗水たらして少しでもいい商品を作り、それをたくさん買ってもらうことによって儲けを出します。
 ところが電力会社は違います。「レートベース」というものに「報酬率」という一定のパーセントを掛けて利潤を「決める」のです。
 では、その「レートベース」とはいったい何でしょうか。要するに電力会社が持っている「資産」のことです。「資産の何%かの額を自動的に利潤として上乗せしていいですよ」ということが、法律でおおっぴらに認められているわけです。
 ここで原発が大活躍します。原子力発電所がこの「資産」をたくさん増やしてくれるのです。原発は建設費が膨大で、1基造ると5000億円、6000億円。核燃料も備蓄できるし、研究開発などの「特定投資」も巨額です。
 それら全てが「資産」となって、利潤を決める際のベースをつり上げてくれます。つまり原子力発電をやればやっただけ、原発を建てれば建てただけ、電力会社は収入を増やすことができる。とにかく巨費を投じれば投じるほど電力会社が儲かるシステムです。そのため、夢中になってこれまで原子力を推進してきました。
 当然ですが、その利潤は電気料金に上乗せされるので、私たちの支払う分はどんどん高くなっていきます。そうこうしているうちに、今や日本の電気料金は世界一高くなってしまいました。
 
P117-118
…しかし、すでにお分かりのように原発は「エコ」でも「クリーン」でもなく、温暖化防止にも役立ちません。発電時以前に化石燃料を大量に浪費している存在なのです。
 そればかりではありません。原発は二酸化炭素よりももっと直接的なやり方で環境を破壊しています。
今日の標準的な原子力発電所の発電量は100万kwですが、それは電気になった部分だけの話です。実は、原子炉の中では全部で300万kwもの熱が生み出されています。そのうち、わずか3分の1だけを電気に変えて残りの3分の2は捨てているのです。
 どこに捨てているのかというと、海です。海水を原子力発電所の中に引き込んできて、それを温めてまた海に戻すことで原子炉の熱を捨てています。どのくらいの量かというと、1秒間に約70トン。1秒間に70トンの海水を引き込んで、その温度を7℃上げ、また海に戻しています。
 
P143-144
 これまで政府や電力会社は「起こりうる原発事故は安全審査で厳重に評価している」と宣伝してきました。しかし彼らの想定する事故では「安全防護装置はいついかなる時にも有効に働き、放射性物質を閉じ込める格納容器は最後まで決して壊れない」という仮定になっています。彼らの考える事故では、放射能は決して広範囲に拡散しないのです。格納容器が破壊されるような事故には「想定不適当事故」なる烙印を押して、破局的事態に至る可能性を無視し続けてきました。
 そういう前提で審査されているので、環境汚染や住民の被曝は考慮されていません。ですから広域避難計画の用意などあるはずがなく、汚染地域でも住民たちを避難させることができません。すぐに避難はさせられないが、パニックを起こされても困るので「ただちに影響はない」と言うしかなかったのです。
 さらに4月下旬、衝撃的な事実が発覚しました。福島の事故を受けて「もんじゅ」を含む全国の原発に非常用の電源車や発電機が配備されましたが、マスコミの取材でこれらの対策が全く役に立たないことが分かったのです。配備された非常用電源では容量が少なすぎて装置の一部しか動かせず「ほとんどの原子炉を冷やせない」とのことでした。
 あれだけの事故を目の当たりにしてもいまだに対策ができていないのですから、お粗末すぎて言葉になりません。福島第一原発の事故が起こってすぐ、各電力会社はあわてて非常用電源を準備「うちは大丈夫です」と言い張ってきました。それらは全部、原発を止めないためのウソだったのです。
 
P159-160
 水は物を冷やすのに圧倒的に優れた物質です。比熱が1で他の物質ではありえないほど効率的に冷やすことができ、透明です。しかも放射線にあたっても新たな放射能を生み出すことがないという素晴らしい物質なのですが、「もんじゅ」ではそれが使えず、ナトリウムで冷却します。
 このナトリウムという物質は「水に触れると爆発する」「空気に触れると火災を起こす」という、化学活性が非常に強い物質です。そんな危険なもので原子炉を冷やしながらプルトニウムを作ろうとしているわけですが、すでに1995年にナトリウム漏れで火事が起きたことからも分かるように、もしも地震などが起きて配管が大きく破れれば大火災になります。しかも鋼鉄を溶かすような大火災です。
 それでは福島の事故と同じように消防や自衛隊が出動して水をかけることができるのかというと、それもできません。水をかけたらナトリウムと反応して大爆発が起きてしまいます。事故が起きた場合の被害は原発よりもずっと大きく、今回のような規模の地震に直撃されたら、恐らく何の対処もできないまま破局を迎えてしまうことになるでしょう。
 本当に恐ろしいものを造ってしまったものです。
 
P181-182
 産業革命以後の200年間で私たちが使ったエネルギーはどのくらいの量でしょうか。人類という生き物が地球上に誕生したのは、400万年前と言われています。その400万年で人間が使ったエネルギーの総量のうち、産業革命以降の200年間で消費された分は全体の6割を超えます。
 そして私たちは「便利な生活を維持したい」という一念に駆られて、原子力発電という人間の能力では処理しきれない技術を進めるようになりました。福島の事故は、それがいかに恐ろしいことなのかをみせつけてくれています。
 今後、私たちは日常的に無意識に使っているエネルギーが本当に必要かどうかを真剣に考え、エネルギーを浪費する生活を改めざるをえなくなるでしょう。 
 いったい、私たちはどれほどのものに囲まれて生きれば幸せといえるのでしょうか。人工衛星から夜の地球を見てみると、日本は不夜城のごとく煌々と夜の闇に浮かび上がります。建物に入ろうとすれば自動ドアが開き、人々は階段ではなくエスカレーターやエレベーターに群がります。冷房をきかせて、夏だというのに長袖のスーツで働きます。そして、電気をふんだんに投入して作られる野菜や果物が、季節感のなくなった食卓を彩ります。
 日本を含め「先進国」と自称している国々の人間が、生きることに関係のないエネルギーを膨大に消費する一方で、生きるために必要最低限のエネルギーすら使えない人々も存在しています。
 残念ではありますが、人間とは愚かにも欲深い生き物のようです。豊かさや便利さを追い求めながら、地球温暖化、大気・海洋汚染、森林破壊、酸性雨、砂漠化、産業・生活廃棄物、環境ホルモン、放射能汚染、さらには貧困、戦争など、多くの"人災"を引き起こして地球の生命環境を破壊しています。種としての人類が生き延びることに価値があるかどうかは、私には分かりません。
 しかし、もし安全な地球環境を子どもや孫に引き渡したいのであれば、その道はただ一つ。「知足」しかありません。代替エネルギーを開発することも大事ですが、まずはエネルギー消費の抑制こそ目を向けなければなりません。
 一度手に入れてしまった贅沢な生活を棄てるには、苦痛が伴う場合もあるでしょう。これまで当然とされてきた浪費社会の価値観を変えるには長い時間がかかります。しかし、世界全体が持続的に平和に暮らす道がそれしかないとすれば、私たちが人類としての新たな叡智を手に入れる以外にありません。

 
P2-3
 私はかつて原子力に夢を持ち、研究に足を踏み入れた人間です。でも、原子力のことを学んでその危険性を知り、自分の考えを180度変えました。「原発は差別の象徴だ」と思ったのです。原子力のメリットは電気を起こすこと。しかし「たかが電気」でしかありません。そんなものより、人間の命や子どもたちの未来のほうがずっと大事です。メリットよりもリスクのほうがずっと大きいのです。しかも、私たちは原子力以外にエネルギーを得る選択肢をたくさん持っています。
 私が「原発は危険だ」と思った時、日本にはまだ3基の原発しかありませんでした。私は何とかこれ以上原発を造らせないようにしたい、危険性を多くの人に知ってほしい、それにはどういう方法があるんだろうかと、必死に模索してきました。しかし、すでに日本には54基もの原発が並んでしまいました。
 福島原発の事故も、ずっと懸念していたことが現実になってしまいました。本当に皆さん、特に若い人たちやこれから生まれてくる子どもたちに申し訳ないと思うし、自分の非力を情けないとも思います。
 けれども、絶望はしていません。私が原子力の危険に気づいた40年前、日本中のほとんどの人が原子力推進派でした。「未来のエネルギー」として、誰もが諸手を挙げて賛成し、原子力にのめりこんで行く時代でした。そんな夢のエネルギーの危険性を指摘する私は、ずっと異端の扱いを受けてきました。
 その時に比べれば、だんだんと多くの人たちが私の話を聞いてくださるようになりました。「原子力は危険だ」ということに気づき始めたようです。今こそ、私たちが社会の大転換を決断できる時がきたのではないかと思っています。
 起きてしまった過去は変えられませんが、未来は変えられます。
 これから生まれてくる子どもたちに、安全な環境を残していきませんか。皆さんの一人ひとりが「危険な原発はいらない」という意思表示をしてくださることを願っています。
 
P20
 チェルノブイリの時は「地球被曝」という言葉ができたほど広範囲に放射能汚染が広がりました。もし、福島第一原発で1号機から3号機までの原子炉、そして大量の使用済み核燃料がむき出しとなって溶けた場合、それ以上にすさまじい汚染が全世界を襲うことは確実です。首都圏はおそらく壊滅してしまうでしょう。
 この最悪のシナリオが現実になる可能性は今も消えていません。回避する唯一の方法は、原子炉に水を入れてひたらす冷却することだけです。政府や東京電力は当然そのことをよく理解していて、だからこそ作業員の被曝限度を無理やり引き上げ、急性障害が出るレベルの被曝にも目をつむって作業を続けさせています。この瞬間も現場で被曝しながら必死に働いている人たちの努力によって、何とか最悪の事態を押さえ込めているのです。しかし、いまだに原子炉を正常に冷やすことができていない以上、どのような不測の事態が起きてもおかしくありません。事態が好転していると思い込むのは現段階では早計です。少なくともこの危険な状態があと半年は続くと考えなくてはいけないでしょう。
 
P22
 作業員の被曝環境はますますひどくなっています。5月14日、1号機原子炉建屋内で毎時2000ミリシーベルトの放射線量が計測されました。その場に4時間もいたら全員が死亡する危険性のある数値です。私も原子力に携わる一人として被曝を覚悟で研究を続けてきましたが、ここで作業をしろと言われたらさすがに躊躇します。
 事故の前まで、緊急時の原発作業員の被曝限度量は年間100ミリシーベルトまでと定められていました。福島第一原発では、もはやそれではおさまらないので、今回の事故に限り250ミリシーベルトまで引き上げられています。この限度ですら、1号機建屋で作業をすれば10分も経たないうちに超えてしまいます。
 
P33-34
 今回の事故は「国際原子力事象評価尺度」(INES)で最悪のレベル7に該当します。レベル7に引き上げられたのは、事故から1ヶ月後の4月12日のことでした。あまりにも遅すぎる反応です。
 私を含め、多くの研究者は3月12日の水素爆発の時点でレベル6(大事故)は間違いないと確信しており、その後数日でレベル7に達したこともとっくに分かっていました。
 それなのに保安院の当初の評価はレベル4(「事業所外への大きなリスクを伴わない事故」)でした。これは1999年の「東海村JCO臨界事故」と同じレベルです。その後3月18日にスリーマイルアイランド(TMI)事故と同じレベル5(事業所外へのリスクを伴う事故)に引き上げましたが、これでも明らかに過小評価です。政府が事故を「小さく見せよう」とした結果、すぐに避難が必要だった汚染地域の住民も「ただちに影響はない」と、長い間放置されてしまいました。本当に無責任だと思います。
 
P52-53
(東海村JCO臨界事故で被曝した)大内さんの手は、被曝1か月後には皮膚全体が焼けただれたようになってしまいました。
 こうなってしまったのは手だけではありません。全身が焼けただれたようになっています。全身を包帯でグルグル巻きにされ、その包帯も体液ですぐジュクジュクになり、何人もの医師と看護師で毎日それを取り換える……。そういうことの繰り返しだったそうです。
 大内さんの手は、「日焼けしたように見えた」と言いました。私たちは、海で泳いで日焼けした程度では死ぬことはありません。漁師さんなどはたくさん日焼けするでしょうが、もちろん死にません。たしかに皮膚がボロボロむけることはありますが、その下からすぐに新しい皮膚が再生してきて、ちゃんと普段どおり生活していける。それが人間という生き物です。
 大内さんの場合は逆で、最初は何でもないように見えたのに、だんだん全身が焼けただれていきました。それは大内さんが放射線に被曝した、つまり放射線でやけどをしたからです。皮膚の再生ができなくなっていたのです。
 やけどをしたのは皮膚だけではありません。内側の肉も、骨も、内臓も、全部です。胃も腸も焼けただれている。細胞が再生されず、どんどん下血をして血液が失われていく。要するに、生きる力を失ってしまった状態です。
 毎日10リットルを超える輸血と輸液を繰り返しながら、日本の医学界は総出で治療に当たりました。天文学的な量の鎮痛剤(つまり麻薬)も投与されたそうです。
 そうやって大内さんは苦しみながら83日間生き延びましたが、亡くなってしまいました。途中からはもちろん意識もありません。日本の医学界が総出で彼を治療しなければ、恐らく2週間以内に亡くなっていたと思います。致死量の放射線を浴びたチェルノブイリの作業員たちがそうでした。どちらがよかったのかは分かりません。ですが、いずれにしても放射線に大量被曝するととりかえしのつかないことになることだけはお分かり頂けると思います。

 
P193-195
折り鶴 未来
 大内と篠原、二人の被曝患者の治療は前川の医療者としての驕りをみじんに打ち砕いた。同時に被曝治療は、近い将来、勝つ見込みのある闘いだとはおもえなくなった。放射線障害を受けた臓器や組織を最新の再生医学によって次々と置きかえていくだけでは、人間は救えない。事実、大内も篠原も造血幹細胞移植は一応成功したものの、高度な免疫機能を持つリンパ球は未熟なままにとどまり、本来の免疫が回復することはなかった。
 髙線量の被曝、とくに臨界事故などによる中性子線被曝の治療について、これまで日本ではほとんど研究がおこなわれてこなかった。
 日本は電力の三分の一を原子力に依存している。しかし、原子力防災体制のなかで、被曝治療の位置づけは非常に低いことを、前川は身をもって知った。自分たちのような臨床医が関わっていたら、もっと違う体制をとっているはずだった。
 大内が死亡した際の記者会見で、最後に前川はこう言った。
「原子力防災の施策のなかで、人命軽視がはなはだしい。現場の人間として、いらだちを感じている。責任ある立場の方々の猛省を促したい」
 事故など起きるはずがない……。
 原子力安全神話という虚構のなかで、医療体制はかえりみられることなく、臨界事故が起きた。国の法律にも、防災基本計画にも、医者の視点、すなわち「命の視点」が決定的に掛けていた。
 放射線の恐ろしさは、人知の及ぶところではなかった。今回の臨界事故で核分裂反応を起こしたウランは、重量に換算すると、わずか一〇〇〇分の一グラムだった。原子力という、人間が制御し利用していると思っているものが、一歩間違うととんでもないことになる。そのとんでもないことにたいして、一介の医師が何をしてもどうしようもない。どんな最新の技術や機器をもってしても、とても太刀打ちできない。その破滅的な影響の前では、人の命は本当にか細い。
 
朽ちていった命 解説 柳田邦男
P218-219
 最先端の薬や技術を総動員しても、あらゆる臓器、組織、機能が総崩れになっていくのを食い止めることができない。……(ヒロシマ・ナガサキの)被爆即死でなく、被爆による重傷者たちの病態・症状の実態を再確認したいと思ったのだ。それによると、重傷被爆者たちは、悪心、嘔吐、発熱、出血、下痢、脱毛、口内炎、倦怠感などに加えて、白血球、血小板の急激な減少、粘膜の壊死などが進行し、最重症群は十四日以内に全員死亡、次のレベルの重傷群の半数が四十以内に死んでいった。
 大内氏の八十三日間の凄絶な闘いのディテール(細部)を知った上で、原爆被爆者たちの症状の記述を読み返したとき、簡潔な医学的記述の向う側にあった重傷被爆者たち一人一人の死に至るまでの、むごいとしか言いようのないプロセスが、突如物凄いリアリティをもって見えてきた。
 そして気づいたこととは、こうだ。核戦争であれ核事故であれ、即死者はもちろん悲惨だが、生き残った被爆者たちあるいは原発事故や核事故の被曝者たちの多くが、大内、篠原両氏のように、数日ないし数週間、あるいは数カ月、地獄の拷問に等しい経過を経て死に至る人々が続出するということだ。さらに、それでも生き残った被爆()者たちも、十年後、三十年後にがんなどを発症する人々が少なくないことを、歴史は示している。その苛酷な事実を知らずに、核武装論などを言い出す言論人に、私は寒気を覚える。

 
P11-12
被曝 一九九九年九月三〇日
 バケツで七杯目。最後のウラン溶液を同僚が流し込み始めたとき、大内はパシッという音とともに青い光を見た。臨界に達したときに放たれる「チェレンコフの光」だった。その瞬間、放射線のなかでももっともエネルギーの大きい中性子線が大内たちの体を突き抜けた。
 被曝したのだった。
 午前一〇時三五分、放射線が出たことを知らせるエリアモニターのサイレンが事業所内に鳴り響いた。
「逃げろ!」
 別室に移っていた上司が叫んだ。大内は急いでその場を離れ、放射線管理区域の外にある更衣室に逃げ込んだ。と、その直後、突然嘔吐し、意識を失った……。 
 
P22-23
被曝2日目
 大内は無菌室に二つあるベッドの手前のほうで寝ていた。身長一七四センチ、体重七六キロ。高校時代ラグビーの選手だった大内はがっちりした体をしていた。
 前川(和彦 東京大学医学部教授)は大内の様子に一瞬目をみはった。どこから見ても重症患者には見えなかったのだ。顔面が少し赤くなって、むくみ、白目の部分がちょっと充血しているなと感じたが、皮膚が焼けただれているでもなく、はがれ落ちているわけでもなかった。水ぶくれさえなかった。意識もしっかりしていた。医師の目にも重い放射線障害があるとは見えなかった。
 
P25
「午後の会議が終わってから、前川教授と二人になりました。前川教授は「私が診ましょう。連れて帰る」とおっしゃいました。私(三菱神戸病院外科医長 衣笠達也)は「負け戦ですよ」と考え直すよう説得しました。負け戦というと誤解されるかもしれませんが、どう考えても現在の医学で大内さんを救うことはできなかった。専門であればあるほど、はっきりとわかります。大内さんが浴びた放射線の量(20sv)はそれほど多かったのです。
 でも、前川教授は決意を変えませんでした。前川教授は「患者さんが気の毒じゃないか。うちで最高の全身管理をしてあげたい」とおっしゃいました。私は「わかりました」と答えるしかありませんでした。
 医師が患者を死なせてしまうことはどんなことがあっても不名誉なことです。その不名誉をあえて背負ってでも助けたいと思っているのだから、そう言われると、あとは協力するしかありませんでしたね」
 
P56-57
被曝7日目
 染色体はすべての遺伝情報が集められた、いわば生命の設計図である。通常は二三組の染色体がある。一番から二二番と女性のX、男性のYとそれぞれ番号が決まっており、順番に並べることができる。しかし、大内の染色体は、どれが何番の染色体なのか、まったくわからず、並べることもできなかった。断ち切られ、別の染色体とくっついているものもあった。
 染色体がばらばらに破壊されたということは、今後新しい細胞が作られないことを意味していた。
 被曝した瞬間、大内の体は設計図を失ってしまったのだ。
 
 
P57
 平井(久丸 東大病院 無菌治療部副部長)は語る。
「病気が起きて、状況が徐々に悪くなっていくのではないんですね。放射線被曝の場合、たった零コンマ何秒かの瞬間に、すべての臓器が運命づけられる。ふつうの病気のように血液とか肺とかそれぞれの検査値だけが異常になるのではなく、全身すべての臓器の検査値が刻々と悪化の一途をたどり、ダメージを受けていくんです」
 
P71-72
被曝11日目
 大内の病状は目に見える部分でも悪化し始めていた。まず症状が出たのは皮膚だった。
 胸に貼った医療用のテープをはがすと、テープを貼ったぶぶんの皮膚が、そのままくっついて、取れてしまうようになった。テープをはがした跡は、消えなかった。次第にテープが使えなくなり、被曝から一〇日の一〇月9日にはテープを皮膚に貼ることは一切禁止とされた。
 右手には火傷の跡のように水ぶくれができてきた。また、タオルで足を洗ったり、ふいたりしたとき、こすれたところの皮膚がめくれるようになった。
 
P74
 健康な人の皮膚はさかんに細胞分裂している。皮膚の表面にある表皮では、基底層という一番下の部分にある細胞が分裂して、新しい細胞を作り出している。基底層で作られた新しい細胞に押し出されるようにして、細胞は徐々に表面に向かっていく。そして古くなった表皮の表面の細胞が垢となってはがれおちる。
 しかし、大内の場合、基底層の細胞の染色体が中性子線で破壊されてしまい、細胞が分裂できなくなっていた。新しい細胞が生み出されることなくき、古くなった皮膚ははがれ落ちていった。体を覆い、守っていた表皮が徐々になくなり、激痛が大内を襲い始めていた。
 
P104
被曝27日目
 急遽、消化器内科の岡本がよばれ、大腸の内視鏡検査がおこなわれた。モニターに現れた大内の腸の内部は、粘膜がなくなって粘膜下層とよばれる赤い部分がむき出しになっていた。死んだ腸の粘膜は所々に白く垂れ下がっていた。この状態では消化も吸収もまったくできない。摂取した水分も下痢になって流れ出るという状態だった。
 前川をはじめとする医療チームのメンバーはいわゆる「教科書」とずいぶん違う症状に戸惑い、議論を重ねた。まさに海図のない航海に迷い込んだようだった。
 一〇月二十八日午後、放医研(放射線医学総合研究所)の招きで来日したアメリカ、フランス、ドイツ、ロシアの被曝医療の専門家が、東大病院を訪れた。臨界事故で全身に被曝した患者で、これまでもっとも長く生存したケースは九日間。海外の専門家も、これほど高線量の中性子線を浴びながら生存している患者を診た経験はなかった。
 
P107
 入院したときは、一日で一気に日焼けたぐらいの赤さで、少しはれているだけだった大内の右手。事故の瞬間、もっとも多くの放射線を浴びたとみられているこの右手は、被曝から二週間たったころから表面が徐々に水ぶくれになっていた。人間の場合、皮膚の表皮が新しく入れ替わるまでのサイクルは約二週間といわれている。医療用テープをはがすときにいっしょにむけていた皮膚が水ぶくれが破れて、中から体液や血液が浸みだしてくるようになった。医療チームは水ぶくれが破れた部分に新しい表皮ができてこないことに気づいた。放射線で染色体がずたずたに破壊された大内の皮膚の細胞は分裂できず、新しい表皮が生まれてこないのだった。
 
P108
 被曝して一カ月後に撮影された右手の写真では、皮膚がほとんどなくなり、手の表面は大火傷をしたようにじゅくじゅくして赤黒く変色していた。
 右手から右上腕、右胸から右脇腹の部分、そして太股へかけて、皮膚が水ぶくれになっては、はがれ落ちていった。障害は浴びた放射線の量が多いところから徐々に広がっていった。皮膚がはがれたところは点状に出血があり、体液が浸み出していた。
 大内の全身は包帯とガーゼで包まれた。面会に来た妻はさみしそうに「もうさわれるところがありませんね」と言った。
 
P110
 大内の体を包んでいたガーゼや包帯は、体から浸み出す体液を吸い込んで重くなっていた。その重さを毎日量るのも看護婦たちの重要な仕事だった。大内の体から、どの程度の水分が失われているかがわかるからだ。浸み出した体液はこのころ、一日一リットルに達していた。
 看護婦の柴田直美は、ガーゼ交換をおこないながら、いつも大内を痛々しい思いでみつめていた。大内は体の前面全体が火傷したような状態になっており、ガーゼを交換するたびに皮膚がむけた。鎮静剤をたくさん投与されて眠っているものの、痛くてつらいだろうなと思っていた。
 このころ大内は目ぶたが閉じない状態になっていた。目が乾かないよう黄色い軟膏を塗っていた。ときどき、目から出血した。細川美香は大内が苦しくて血の涙を流しているのではないかと思った。
 爪もはがれ落ちた。
 
P125
被曝50日目
 大内が世界でも例のない患者であることはよくわかっていた。医師として、そうした稀な診療に関わることができるというのは貴重な体験であると、まわりから励まされたこともあった。しかし山口(研修医)自身は、こんな医療があるのか、自分のしていることが果たして本人のためになっているのかとつねに自問自答していた。目の前の大内に起きている状態を受け止めるので精一杯だった。
 
P126-127
 看護婦たちの間にも動揺が広がっていた。
 入院したときの、ふつうに話していた大内の姿を知っている名和純子は、大内がどんどん変わっていく様子をずっと見つめてきた。すべてが変わってしまった大内のケアをしながら、「人間って、こんなになってしまうのか」と衝撃を受けていた。
 体の前面の皮膚はほとんど失われ、口からも腸からも出血している。そうして失われた血液や体液を自分たちはひたすら補充する。もしかしたら「治療」という名のもとに、大内はこういう状態をつづけさせられているのではないか。
 名和は「大内さんはいやだろう」と思った。
「そこまでやって治るのならいいけれども、でも多分治らないだろう。そういう状態を長く長くつづけさせていくことは、大内さんにとっては苦痛なんじゃないかと思ったんです」
 
P129
「ここにいる人は何なんだろう。だれなんだろうではなく、何なんだろう。体がある。それもきれいな体ではなくて、ボロボロになった体がある。その体のまわりに機械が付いているだけ。自分たち看護婦は、その体を相手に、次からつぎに、その体を維持するために、乾きそうな角膜を維持するために、はげてきそうな皮膚を覆うために、そういう処置ばかりをどんどんつづけなければならなかったんです。自分は一体何のためにやっているんだろう。自分は別に角膜を守りたいわけではない。大内さんを守るためにやってるんだ。
 そう思わないと耐えられないケアばかりでした。大内さんを思い出しながらでないと、自分のやっていることの意味が見いだせないような、そんな毎日でした」
 
P154
被曝63日目
 被曝から六三日目の一二月一日。大内の血液の中で新たな事態が起きていることが判明した。
 赤血球を輸血しても増え方が思わしくなくなっていた。また白血球の数も徐々に少なくなっていたことから、この日、医療チームでは検査のために骨髄液を採取した。
 無菌治療部の平井久丸がのぞいた顕微鏡の視野のなかで、赤血球や白血球にアメーバのような形をした細胞が襲いかかっていた。マクロファージとよばれる細胞だった。
 マクロファージは、本来、体に侵入した細菌やウイルスなどを攻撃する免疫細胞だ。アメーバのように変形しながら、細菌やウイルスを中に取り込んで消化することから「貪食細胞」とよばれている。古くなっていらなくなった赤血球なども取り込んで処理するが、このマクロファージが異常をきたし、正常な赤血球や白血球をまさに「食べて」いたのだ。「血球貪食症候群」とよばれる症状だった。
 

 
P131
 あるとき、年配の神父さんから、お兄さんが救われるように祈りましょうと言われたときがあった。わたしは真剣な顔でたずね返した。
「神父さんは本気で神様がいると思っているんですか」
 神父さんは苦笑いをしながら、
「むずかしい質問だなあ」
 と言った。それを聞いてわたしは、
「ほら、やっぱり答えられないでしょ」
 と勝ち誇ったように言った。これがシスターなら拷問のような説教が返ってくるが、その神父さんはちがった。生意気なわたしを否定したり、自分の説を強要しなかったから、わたしは口で挑発しながら、心の中では誠実な人なんだなあと思った。
 このときずいぶん失礼なことも言った。
「教会なんて精神病院みたいなもんだと思う。拠り所がないから集まっているだけで、お祈りするのは精神安定剤と同じだ」
 シスターが聞いたら卒倒したことだろう。そういうことを平気で口にするわたしは、大人にすれば
ほんとに扱いにくい子どもだったと思う。
 
P135-137
 あれは三回忌の前だった。母はそれまでのように寝込むこともなく元気そうに見えたが、やはり寂しかったのだろう。小さな女の子を養女にしようとしたことがあった。…
 わたしの母のことを「ママ」と呼んでなついていたが、これがとんでもない子供だった。
 うちが預かったのがはじめてではなかった。最初は親戚中をたらい回しにされたそうだが、そのうち親戚でも面倒を見きれないというので施設に預けられたそうだ。それを、うちの母なら世話してもらえるのではないかと声をかけたのだという。
 たしかに母は、自分の子でもないのに、わが子のようにかわいがった。しかし、小さいときからあちこちに預けられたせいか、まだ小学生になったばかりだというのに、性格が大きく歪んでいて、わたしの目にはどこにも子供らしさはなかった。
 たとえば、自分の居心地をよくしようと、大人たちに媚びて歓心を買うまではいいが、競争相手になるかもしれない同年配の子供がいると、狡知を働かせて貶めようとするるのだ。悪知恵というよりも、生きていくための、彼女の本能だったように思う。そのことが、結果的に預かった家族を引っかき回してめちゃくちゃにしてしう。そんな子供だった。
 彼女は平気で嘘をついた。…
 あの子にとって、わたしは競争相手であり、邪魔な存在だったのだろう。そんなわたしを叩きつぶすため、大人にすり寄ってわたしを追い出し、自分の地位を確立しようとしたのだと思う。それが、転々と預けられてきたその子の、生きる知恵だったのだ。
 誰もいないときだったか、その子から、
「おまえの親、盗ってやる」
 と、子供とは思えないドスのきいた声ですごまれたことがある。これがその子の本音だったのだろう。
 
P139
 あの子を養女にすれば母の手に余るはずだが、母にはそれが見えなかった。しかし父は、その子の性格を見抜いていたらしく、いつもは母の言いなりになっていたのに、このときばかりは絶対に首を縦にふらなかった。
 その子の策略が我が家で成功しているうちはよかった。やがて彼女が外に出て、近所にまで同じような嘘をつきはじめたのが運のツキというか、子供の浅知恵だった。
 近所のおばさんたちに、わたしがまるであの子に暴力をふるっているかのように吹聴しはじめたのだ。これがあっという間に噂になった。回り回って父の耳に達すると、さすがに父もこれでは預かれないと観念したらしい。母には、あの子のお母さんが面倒を見ることになったと言い含め、あらためてC修道女会に引き取ってもらうことにした。
 
P226-227
 弔問にやってきた親戚の一人は、酒を飲みながらこんなことを言った。
「お父さんは、他人のために生きてきたようなものだね。お父さんの人生って、いったい何だったんだろう。自分のために生きられない人生ってかわいそうだよな」
 それを聞いたとき、わたしはすごく悔しかった。
 戦争中、餓死寸前の小笠原諸島の父島から、九死に一生を得て帰ってみれば、家は流され、父親が行方しれず、結婚でようやく幸せをつかんだと思ったら今度は息子を殺され、その後は母やわたしのために働きづめに働いた。そして、ようやく生活が安定したと思ったらガンでこの世を去ってしまったのだ。たしかに端から見ればかわいそうな人生だったかもしれない。でも、そうじゃないんだ、とわたしは叫びたかった。
「あんたにはわからないけど、父はわたしたちに毅然とした生き方を見せてくれたんだ。そういう背中を子供に見せてくれる親ってどんなにすばらしいか。口では簡単に言えるけど、あんたにそういう生き様や死に様を子供に見せられるか。死ぬ瞬間まで、そんな背中を見せてくれたお父さんに、わたしは言葉で言い尽くせないほど感謝してるんだ」
 考えてみれば、高校生のときに不良っぽい友人からたびたび誘惑を受けたが、わたしは一度も彼らの誘惑にのらなかった。なぜなら、誘惑を受けるたびに父の悲しむ顔が浮かぶのだ。それに父のような大人になりたいと思っていたから、父を裏切れるはずもなかった。
 父はお金を遺さなかったが、お金じゃ買えない大切なものを遺してくれた。これは父の遺産だと思っている。
 
P250-251
 二〇〇四年度で、日本政府が犯罪加害者の更正にかける支出は年間四百六十六億円。これでも他の先進諸国にくらべたら少ないといわれるが、被害者のための予算が年間わずか十一億円と聞けばいかにこの数字がいびつかがわかる。これも神戸の連続児童殺傷事件以降であり、それ以前はわずか数千万円と、加害者にかける費用の一千分の一以下であった。
 莫大な予算を組み、加害者の人権にはきめ細かく配慮しながら、被害者の遺族には何のケアもせず、さらに彼らを癒そうとする手だてすら持たないというのは、どう考えても納得できない。配慮すべきは、不条理な手段でわが子の命を奪われた親たちの無念や悲しみを癒すことであり、少年法が問われるとすれば、この一転にあるのではないかと思う。
 
P263-264
「あいつをめちゃくちゃにしてやりたい」
 みゆきさんは、兄を殺したAが弁護士になっていると聞いたとき、ほとばしる憤懣を従妹の明子さんに涙で訴えた。みゆきさんにはめずらしく、半狂乱のようだったという。驚いた明子さんは電話口で必死になだめたが、みゆきさんの興奮はおさまらなかった。
 一人の命を奪った少年が、国家から無償の教育を受け、少年院を退院したあとも最高学府にはいって人もうらやむ弁護士になった。一方のわが子を奪われた母親は、今や年金でかろうじてその日暮らしをしている。にもかかわらず、弁護士になったAは慰謝料すら払わず、平然としているだ。みゆきさんでなくても釈然としない。
「一人の命を奪いながら、国家から無償の教育を受け、知りたいことをいくらでも知ることができ、あったこともなかったことにできて、最高じゃないですか」
 みゆきさんは精一杯の皮肉を、涙とともに吐き出した。
三十余年が経過しても、今も被害者はあの事件を引きずっていた。おそらく生涯にわたって続くだろう。歳月は遺族たちを癒さない。そのことを私たちは肝に銘じておくべきだと思う。

 
 
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 Heather Howard.
Let's take a look at conversation at work.
 
Trend spotting  (3)
 
Goto and Walker agree that the entire business world is
now taking advantage of social media.
And Goto says constant connectivity is a mega trend
closely related to this phenomenon.
Pearson  brings up globalization as another example of
a mega trend and says technology has defeated geography
to link the world's economies in a global network.
Walker sites outsourcing as one example of globalization.
 
Differentiate: Walker uses this to mean make something
different or specialize.
A company might differentiate itself with excellent
customer service, for example.
Another meaning is to see or mark the differences between things.
Someone might ask, "How do I differentiate between
real e-mails and phishing scams?"
 
Jump on the bandwagon: This expression uses the image
of wagons carrying brass bands that used to accompany
candidate's election tour.
We use it to mean join a movement of some kind.
I was just reading the other day about how educational
publishers in the United States are jumping on the e-book bandwagon.
They're making textbooks available in that format.
 
At one's peril: Walker means that to do something is
to put yourself at risk, to endanger yourself in some way.
I'd say we neglect networking at our peril.
Having few personal connections can mean a lot of
missed opportunities in life.
 
Whether we like it or not: You can also say, just "like it or not".
The meaning is the same.
 
Via: This means by means of or by way of.
When my father flies to Japan from Alaska, for example,
he often comes via Seattle.
And both [vaia] and [via] are acceptable pronunciations.
 
There's no denying that: Pearson means that
something must be acknowledged as true.
It's irrefutable.
There's no denying that social media has transformed
the way we communicate, for example.
 
Trump: This means to defeat, to win out over a
competing things or person.
Imagine two competing products:
If the cheaper one ultimately sells much better than one
with more features, you might say,
"Well, looks like affordability trumps functionality."
  
Odds are / Chances are /
The odds are even. 成功する見込みは五分五分。
Against all the odds 猛烈な困難・抵抗にもかかわらず
 
Find oneself: This means to become aware of being
in a certain place or state.
Let's say, "If forgot to go to the bank one morning.
Later the day, I found myself without any money to pay for lunch."
 
The Philippines The Philippine Island  /  The Netherlands
 
And there's also ah this other country called the United States.
 
 
That's all for today.
 
Thanks for listening. Bye.

 
 
 
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 Heather Howard.
Let's take a look at conversation at work.
 
Trend spotting  (2)
 
Goto asks how to differentiate between ordinary trends and mega trends. 
And Pearson describes mega trends as having a deep, long lasting
impact on society.
He sites social media as an example, saying it has permanently
changed the way people communicate.
Walker talks about the difficulty of anticipating trends before others
do and says most firms wait until mega trends are obvious to all.
 
 
Stay one's step ahead of the pack: When you're ahead of the pack,
it means you're more advanced or you're more successful than
other people, companies, etc. around you.
You could say something like:
"That company's customer service has kept ahead of the pack."
 
a herd of cattle  牛の群れ
 
Run-of-the-mill: Ordinary, average.
According  to my idiom dictionary, this is from the late 1800's
and it refers to fabric that come directly from a mill.
It hasn't been sorted or checked for quality.
You could say something like:
"It was just a run-of-the-mill staff meeting.
There weren't any unusual announcements or discussions."
 
pedestrian 平凡な
 
Garden-variety: This is basically the same meaning as run-of-the-mill.
Here the image's of a very common plant,
one that I suppose would appear in any garden.
I remember when I first had the sinus trouble as a teenager.
I thought I had an infection.
But the doctor said, "No. You have garden-variety dust allergies."
 
sinus trouble 鼻づまり
 
Take something: Take social media, Pearson says.
He means observe something, consider something as a good example
of what I'm talking about.
There are a lot of great programs on Japanese television.
Take NHK, and its many excellent documentaries.
 
Be ahead of the curve: Walker means to be before others
in the sense of doing something earlier or realize its importance earlier.
You might say, "That company was ahead of the curve
in tapping the advertising potential of social media."
 
Come down the pike: This is an informal, I'd say, kind of folksy
way to say appear or occur.
Pipe is short for turnpike, which is a kind of road.
Something like: He is one of the most innovative entrepreneurs
to come down the pike in many years.
 
The thing is: We use this to mean the key issue or point or problem is,
some situation is what I'm about to say.
For example, you might hear, "The is a wonderful idea. But the thing is,
we don't have enough staff to execute it."
 
The trouble is / The problem is
 
Omnipresent: Omni means all, universally.
So omnipresent means present everywhere.
There's also, omniscient, which means to know everything.
And omnipotent, which means to have absolute power.
 
 
That's all for today.
 
Thanks for listening. Take care.

↑このページのトップヘ