Podcasts about matthew bola

８月第２週〜第４週は、この７年間に配信した233本の「やさしい英語会話」よりエピソードを厳選し、毎回４本分を濃縮してお届けします。ナチュラルスピードの会話を、スクリプトとともにお楽しみください。ウェブ上で元のエピソードを検索して、解説を聞くこともできます。 第２回（通算６回目）の今回は"Fantasy"をテーマに、科学にまつわるファンタジーを選びました。もしも地球に巨大隕石が接近したら…？あるいは、もしもタイムマシンで時間旅行ができたら…？ロマンあふれるこれらの話題を、どうかお楽しみください！ Image credit: LoganArt via Pixabay Public Domain CC0. 　↓　↓　↓ Download MP3 （初級〜中級）1. やさしい英語会話 (185) Will the Earth be Hit by a Big Meteorite? M: Hey, did you hear about that meteorite that hit Russia about a year ago? W: Yeah, of course. It was all over the news. M: Did you see the reports of people claiming it marked the end of the world? W: Ha ha. Yeah, and some people apparently yelled that America was attacking! M: In the beginning I heard that almost 200 people were injured, but now I see the real number was close to 1,000! Which is weird, because the meteorite supposedly broke into a bunch of fairly small pieces after entering the earth's atmosphere, and mostly hit buildings or non-human things. W: That's because people were injured by the debris. M: I still don't understand how there could be 1,000 injuries, though. W: I recently watched an interview with the head physicist from the National Science Museum in New York. He explained that people first saw the light of the meteorite and, logically, walked to the window to see what it was. But, light travels faster than sound, so when they reached the window, they were then hit by the shockwave of the blast. Boom: Glass in face. M: Ooooohhhh~~~ That makes so much sense! But the fragments were still pretty small. Could they really create such a powerful blast? W: It's kind of scary to think, but yeah, they can. Little fragments can hit with the force of a bullet, but the 20-meter rock that hit Russia struck with the force of small atomic bomb! M: Wow! No wonder the dinosaurs went extinct! What are we going to do if one of those things hits us, and it's even bigger? Shouldn't we be building rockets or something to blast them out of the sky before they can hit the earth? W: Well, according to that physicist, rockets wouldn't be fast enough to destroy anything that has already entered the earth's atmosphere. M: Then what can we do? Anything? W: Maybe if we put satellites around earth's orbit, and we can somehow redirect the trajectory of a meteorite before it gets pulled in by earth's gravity. Since dangerous meteorites have a lot of metal in them, one idea would be to use giant magnets to redirect the trajectory. A small change in the asteroid's path early on in space can cause a huge shift in it's trajectory later on. M: Use magnets? Sounds impossible to me! But science sure is interesting and fun, don't you think? (Written by Sadie Cornforth) 2. やさしい英語会話 (205) Time Traveling Troubles (1) W: Hey, I've finally done it! I've built a fully-functioning time machine! Hahahaha! Now I can rule the world! But first, let's take a test run. Hmm… let's see… Yesterday around 2 in the afternoon should be good. I was at lunch then, so I shouldn't run into myself and potentially cause the destruction of the universe as we know it! OK. So, I just put the watch on, and turn this dial, and press this button… (Time traveling noises) W: Did I do it? Did it work!? Wait this doesn't look my laboratory. M: (With cowboy accent) Hey, can I help ya there, little lady? W: What! Who… Who are you? Where am I? M: Well, yer in the fine state of Texas! And I'm sheriff of this here town. W: Great… just where I always wanted to go, Texas (sigh). M: Excuse me, Miss. Were ya just disrespecting our great state? (pulls out six-shooter and cocks the gun) W: No, no, no. Of course not, my good sir! Um… Can you tell me what year it is? M: Well, it's 1865 and has been for 'bout five months. Um… are ya doing OK there, little lady? Did ya bump yer head or somethin'? W: Yes, yes, something along those lines… Darn, I really thought I had it this time, though I guess I did travel back in time, just not where or when I had thought. Man, how am I going to get back home? M: Hey, why ya wearin' such strange clothes? W: Oh… I… M: Well, it don't matter. Come on and get up on this here horse, and I'll take ya back to town and we can have the doc take a look at ya. W: Get on the horse? M: Yes, ma'am. (Written by Matthew Bola) 3. やさしい英語会話 (206) Time Traveling Troubles (2) W: Um… I think I'll just walk. M: Now really, ma'am, I must insist. It's a three-hour ride back, and there's all sorts of snakes, and coyotes, and a bunch of other stuff ya don't wanna be runnin' into. W: But… I've never been on a horse! M: What? Well, I'll be darned. Ya must be worth a pretty penny if you've only ridden in carriages yer whole life! I can tell by yer talk you've been brought up real proper too! W: What da ya mean “worth a pretty penny.” I'm not an object, you know! M: Well, yer a woman, ain't ya? W: I… I'm not going to even begin that conversation with a person such as yourself. Huh, I thought people in this time period would be a lot more polite… and… and less sexist. M: Hey, I done offered ya a ride. Now come on. Lets get goin' before the sun sets and we get stuck out here. W: All right, fine. Hey, wait. I have a time machine! Why don't I just try going back home!? M: A time what? W: Oh, oh. I hope I don't end up in a worse place than this. (sound of wolves) M: Hey, quiet! I think I can hear some coyotes comin'. W: And on that note, I'll take the risk. Well, good luck Mr. Sherriff. Bye! (Time machine noises) M: What? Where'd she go? I was gonna take her fer my wife! (Time machine noises) W: Ugh, wow, time traveling really makes ya nauseous. I wonder where I ended up, though anything is better than being out in the middle of nowhere with coyotes and a sexist sheriff. M: Hello there, good sister, where dost thou come from? (Written by Matthew Bola) 4. やさしい英語会話 (207) Time Traveling Troubles (3) W: Aww, man, here we go again. Um… Hello there… brother? I comest from-eth another village-eth, a far, far away village. M: Thy talk is so strange, so the village must be far indeed. W: You have no idea! M: Thou must be tired, weary traveler. Follow me back to town and we can accommodate you with some bread and shelter. W: Thank you. I AM actually starving. By the way, could you tell me which town exactly we are going to? M: Of course! We are on our way to Salem, a most noble and peaceful town. W: Salem… Salem… why does that name ring a bell? M: I should hope thou recognize the name Salem. It is renowned for being a town of good God-fearing people. W: God-fearing people?… It's right on the tip of my tongue, but I can't figure out where I've heard that name before. M: But before entering town, I'll have to ask thou a few simple questions. They're but precautions to protect us from the devil and his evil ways. W: OK. Shoot. M: Why dost thou wear such strange clothes? They look almost like the clothes a witch would wear. W: First, I'm wearing the normal clothes of people in my time?um, I mean VILLAGE?wear. And second, I thought witches wore black dresses and pointy hats. M: Yes, but they CAN disguise themselves easily, and indeed they love to take on such seductive forms such as thine. W: Somehow I don't think that was really a compliment. M: Oh, no! Why did I not see it before!? Thy speech, thy clothes, thy looks, surely thou art a witch! W: Ohhhh, the Salem witch trials. Ah! (Written by Matthew Bola)

８月第２週〜第４週は、この７年間に配信した233本の「やさしい英語会話」よりエピソードを厳選し、毎回４本分を濃縮してお届けします。ナチュラルスピードの会話を、スクリプトとともにお楽しみください。ウェブ上で元のエピソードを検索して、解説を聞くこともできます。 第２回（通算６回目）の今回は"Fantasy"をテーマに、科学にまつわるファンタジーを選びました。もしも地球に巨大隕石が接近したら…？あるいは、もしもタイムマシンで時間旅行ができたら…？ロマンあふれるこれらの話題を、どうかお楽しみください！ Image credit: LoganArt via Pixabay Public Domain CC0. 　↓　↓　↓ Download MP3 （初級〜中級）1. やさしい英語会話 (185) Will the Earth be Hit by a Big Meteorite? M: Hey, did you hear about that meteorite that hit Russia about a year ago? W: Yeah, of course. It was all over the news. M: Did you see the reports of people claiming it marked the end of the world? W: Ha ha. Yeah, and some people apparently yelled that America was attacking! M: In the beginning I heard that almost 200 people were injured, but now I see the real number was close to 1,000! Which is weird, because the meteorite supposedly broke into a bunch of fairly small pieces after entering the earth's atmosphere, and mostly hit buildings or non-human things. W: That's because people were injured by the debris. M: I still don't understand how there could be 1,000 injuries, though. W: I recently watched an interview with the head physicist from the National Science Museum in New York. He explained that people first saw the light of the meteorite and, logically, walked to the window to see what it was. But, light travels faster than sound, so when they reached the window, they were then hit by the shockwave of the blast. Boom: Glass in face. M: Ooooohhhh~~~ That makes so much sense! But the fragments were still pretty small. Could they really create such a powerful blast? W: It's kind of scary to think, but yeah, they can. Little fragments can hit with the force of a bullet, but the 20-meter rock that hit Russia struck with the force of small atomic bomb! M: Wow! No wonder the dinosaurs went extinct! What are we going to do if one of those things hits us, and it's even bigger? Shouldn't we be building rockets or something to blast them out of the sky before they can hit the earth? W: Well, according to that physicist, rockets wouldn't be fast enough to destroy anything that has already entered the earth's atmosphere. M: Then what can we do? Anything? W: Maybe if we put satellites around earth's orbit, and we can somehow redirect the trajectory of a meteorite before it gets pulled in by earth's gravity. Since dangerous meteorites have a lot of metal in them, one idea would be to use giant magnets to redirect the trajectory. A small change in the asteroid's path early on in space can cause a huge shift in it's trajectory later on. M: Use magnets? Sounds impossible to me! But science sure is interesting and fun, don't you think? (Written by Sadie Cornforth) 2. やさしい英語会話 (205) Time Traveling Troubles (1) W: Hey, I've finally done it! I've built a fully-functioning time machine! Hahahaha! Now I can rule the world! But first, let's take a test run. Hmm… let's see… Yesterday around 2 in the afternoon should be good. I was at lunch then, so I shouldn't run into myself and potentially cause the destruction of the universe as we know it! OK. So, I just put the watch on, and turn this dial, and press this button… (Time traveling noises) W: Did I do it? Did it work!? Wait this doesn't look my laboratory. M: (With cowboy accent) Hey, can I help ya there, little lady? W: What! Who… Who are you? Where am I? M: Well, yer in the fine state of Texas! And I'm sheriff of this here town. W: Great… just where I always wanted to go, Texas (sigh). M: Excuse me, Miss. Were ya just disrespecting our great state? (pulls out six-shooter and cocks the gun) W: No, no, no. Of course not, my good sir! Um… Can you tell me what year it is? M: Well, it's 1865 and has been for 'bout five months. Um… are ya doing OK there, little lady? Did ya bump yer head or somethin'? W: Yes, yes, something along those lines… Darn, I really thought I had it this time, though I guess I did travel back in time, just not where or when I had thought. Man, how am I going to get back home? M: Hey, why ya wearin' such strange clothes? W: Oh… I… M: Well, it don't matter. Come on and get up on this here horse, and I'll take ya back to town and we can have the doc take a look at ya. W: Get on the horse? M: Yes, ma'am. (Written by Matthew Bola) 3. やさしい英語会話 (206) Time Traveling Troubles (2) W: Um… I think I'll just walk. M: Now really, ma'am, I must insist. It's a three-hour ride back, and there's all sorts of snakes, and coyotes, and a bunch of other stuff ya don't wanna be runnin' into. W: But… I've never been on a horse! M: What? Well, I'll be darned. Ya must be worth a pretty penny if you've only ridden in carriages yer whole life! I can tell by yer talk you've been brought up real proper too! W: What da ya mean “worth a pretty penny.” I'm not an object, you know! M: Well, yer a woman, ain't ya? W: I… I'm not going to even begin that conversation with a person such as yourself. Huh, I thought people in this time period would be a lot more polite… and… and less sexist. M: Hey, I done offered ya a ride. Now come on. Lets get goin' before the sun sets and we get stuck out here. W: All right, fine. Hey, wait. I have a time machine! Why don't I just try going back home!? M: A time what? W: Oh, oh. I hope I don't end up in a worse place than this. (sound of wolves) M: Hey, quiet! I think I can hear some coyotes comin'. W: And on that note, I'll take the risk. Well, good luck Mr. Sherriff. Bye! (Time machine noises) M: What? Where'd she go? I was gonna take her fer my wife! (Time machine noises) W: Ugh, wow, time traveling really makes ya nauseous. I wonder where I ended up, though anything is better than being out in the middle of nowhere with coyotes and a sexist sheriff. M: Hello there, good sister, where dost thou come from? (Written by Matthew Bola) 4. やさしい英語会話 (207) Time Traveling Troubles (3) W: Aww, man, here we go again. Um… Hello there… brother? I comest from-eth another village-eth, a far, far away village. M: Thy talk is so strange, so the village must be far indeed. W: You have no idea! M: Thou must be tired, weary traveler. Follow me back to town and we can accommodate you with some bread and shelter. W: Thank you. I AM actually starving. By the way, could you tell me which town exactly we are going to? M: Of course! We are on our way to Salem, a most noble and peaceful town. W: Salem… Salem… why does that name ring a bell? M: I should hope thou recognize the name Salem. It is renowned for being a town of good God-fearing people. W: God-fearing people?… It's right on the tip of my tongue, but I can't figure out where I've heard that name before. M: But before entering town, I'll have to ask thou a few simple questions. They're but precautions to protect us from the devil and his evil ways. W: OK. Shoot. M: Why dost thou wear such strange clothes? They look almost like the clothes a witch would wear. W: First, I'm wearing the normal clothes of people in my time?um, I mean VILLAGE?wear. And second, I thought witches wore black dresses and pointy hats. M: Yes, but they CAN disguise themselves easily, and indeed they love to take on such seductive forms such as thine. W: Somehow I don't think that was really a compliment. M: Oh, no! Why did I not see it before!? Thy speech, thy clothes, thy looks, surely thou art a witch! W: Ohhhh, the Salem witch trials. Ah! (Written by Matthew Bola)

早いもので2015年最初の月ももうすぐ終わり。１月はお正月や成人の日などで、お酒を飲む機会が比較的多かったのではないでしょうか。適量を楽しむならよいのですが、飲み過ぎると怖いのが、翌日の二日酔いですね。 二日酔いは英語でhangoverと言います。会話の男性も、お酒を飲んだ翌朝のhangoverに苦しんでいるようですね…。 Image credit: jarmoluk via Pixabay. CC0 Public Domain. ※パソコンのブラウザでお聞きの方は、下に表示されている緑色のプレーヤーで、セクション単位での頭出し・巻き戻しができます。 （オープニング→スロースピードの会話→解説→ナチュラルスピードの会話→エンディング） Download MP3 スマートフォン用 （15:56　7.9MB　初級〜中級）*** It's a Good Expression *** （今回の重要表現） Laugh it up. 笑いたければ笑えよ。 I feel like I'm going to throw up every single one of my entrails もう内臓を全部吐いてしまいそうだ。 ※entrailsは「内蔵、腸」 That's disgusting! それはいやね。 Spill it already! 早く教えてよ！ ※to spillは「（秘密などを）打ち明ける」。 alreadyは、命令文とともに用いられる口語表現で「いいから、とっとと」。 to rehydrate oneself 水分補給をする to replenish nutrients 栄養補給をする I think it would be safe to assume that ... = Of course ※ここでのsafeの意味は「まず間違いない」。直訳すると「〜と考えてまず間違いないでしょう」となり、積極的に肯定する時に使われるフォーマルな表現。 current state 現在の状況 disrupts your REM cycle レム睡眠を妨げる（あまり眠れない） greasy 脂っこい substantial たくさんの、栄養たっぷりの to work 効果がある *** Script *** Horrible Hangover M: Oh man, I feel sooooo sick. I might have drunk a little too much last night… W: Ha ha. You? Overdrink? Never! I can't believe it. M: Laugh it up. But seriously, I feel like I'm going to throw up every single one of my entrails! W: Oh, that's disgusting! M: (sigh) But true… W: Well, maybe you shouldn't have drunk so much last night? M: I realize that, but that doesn't really help me now, does it? W: Hmm… I think I might have a few suggestions. M: OK. Spill it already! W: OK, OK. Well. First, you need to rehydrate yourself, so drinking a lot of water is the best! But you should also look to replenish some of your lost nutrients, especially if you threw up last night. Did you throw up? M: Um… I think it would be safe to assume that, looking at my current state. YES I THREW UP LAST NIGHT. W: Calm down, calm down. OK, well then, sports drinks and things like vegetable juice should help you feel better. Sleep will also help you recover some, because being drunk disrupts your REM cycle so you don't sleep as well. M: What about food? Should I eat something? W: If you can, you should definitely eat at least a little bit of something. A lot of people say greasy food helps, but in my opinion, something plain, but substantial, such as bread, rice, or soup, works the best. M: OK, OK. So I should eat something like bread, drink water or a sports drink, and sleep more? W: Yep, that's about all you can do. M: Thanks. I guess I'll try it. W: Good. I'll go get you something to drink. While I'm gone, brush your teeth, and definitely take a shower. You smell horrible! (Written by Matthew Bola)

早いもので2015年最初の月ももうすぐ終わり。１月はお正月や成人の日などで、お酒を飲む機会が比較的多かったのではないでしょうか。適量を楽しむならよいのですが、飲み過ぎると怖いのが、翌日の二日酔いですね。 二日酔いは英語でhangoverと言います。会話の男性も、お酒を飲んだ翌朝のhangoverに苦しんでいるようですね…。 Image credit: jarmoluk via Pixabay. CC0 Public Domain. ※パソコンのブラウザでお聞きの方は、下に表示されている緑色のプレーヤーで、セクション単位での頭出し・巻き戻しができます。 （オープニング→スロースピードの会話→解説→ナチュラルスピードの会話→エンディング） Download MP3 スマートフォン用 （15:56　7.9MB　初級〜中級）*** It's a Good Expression *** （今回の重要表現） Laugh it up. 笑いたければ笑えよ。 I feel like I'm going to throw up every single one of my entrails もう内臓を全部吐いてしまいそうだ。 ※entrailsは「内蔵、腸」 That's disgusting! それはいやね。 Spill it already! 早く教えてよ！ ※to spillは「（秘密などを）打ち明ける」。 alreadyは、命令文とともに用いられる口語表現で「いいから、とっとと」。 to rehydrate oneself 水分補給をする to replenish nutrients 栄養補給をする I think it would be safe to assume that ... = Of course ※ここでのsafeの意味は「まず間違いない」。直訳すると「〜と考えてまず間違いないでしょう」となり、積極的に肯定する時に使われるフォーマルな表現。 current state 現在の状況 disrupts your REM cycle レム睡眠を妨げる（あまり眠れない） greasy 脂っこい substantial たくさんの、栄養たっぷりの to work 効果がある *** Script *** Horrible Hangover M: Oh man, I feel sooooo sick. I might have drunk a little too much last night… W: Ha ha. You? Overdrink? Never! I can't believe it. M: Laugh it up. But seriously, I feel like I'm going to throw up every single one of my entrails! W: Oh, that's disgusting! M: (sigh) But true… W: Well, maybe you shouldn't have drunk so much last night? M: I realize that, but that doesn't really help me now, does it? W: Hmm… I think I might have a few suggestions. M: OK. Spill it already! W: OK, OK. Well. First, you need to rehydrate yourself, so drinking a lot of water is the best! But you should also look to replenish some of your lost nutrients, especially if you threw up last night. Did you throw up? M: Um… I think it would be safe to assume that, looking at my current state. YES I THREW UP LAST NIGHT. W: Calm down, calm down. OK, well then, sports drinks and things like vegetable juice should help you feel better. Sleep will also help you recover some, because being drunk disrupts your REM cycle so you don't sleep as well. M: What about food? Should I eat something? W: If you can, you should definitely eat at least a little bit of something. A lot of people say greasy food helps, but in my opinion, something plain, but substantial, such as bread, rice, or soup, works the best. M: OK, OK. So I should eat something like bread, drink water or a sports drink, and sleep more? W: Yep, that's about all you can do. M: Thanks. I guess I'll try it. W: Good. I'll go get you something to drink. While I'm gone, brush your teeth, and definitely take a shower. You smell horrible! (Written by Matthew Bola)

皆さんは数学は好きですか？頭をフル回転させて、筋道を追いながら問題の正解に迫っていくプロセスは楽しいものですが、逆に「数式なんて見るのもいや！」という人も多いかも知れませんね。 会話の男性はあまり数学が得意ではないようで、数学の宿題に苦戦しています。そんな彼に女性がアドバイスをするのですが…。数学が好きな人も苦手な人も、今回のポッドキャストをどうぞお楽しみください！ Image credit: PublicDomainPictures via Pixabay Public Domain CC0. ※パソコンのブラウザでお聞きの方は、下に表示されている緑色のプレーヤーで、セクション単位での頭出し・巻き戻しができるようになりました。 （オープニング→スロースピードの会話→解説→ナチュラルスピードの会話→エンディング） Download MP3 スマートフォン用（テスト中） （14:25　6.7MB　初級）*** It's a Good Expression *** （今回の重要表現） to work on 〜 〜に取り組む a subject 科目 There are few things more satisfying in the world than 〜ing 世の中に、〜することより満足感を得られることはほとんどない an equation 方程式 do lines upon lines of work 何行も何行も（数式を解くための）作業を行う ※ "lines upon lines"のように、uponを挟んで同じ名詞を重ねるのは強調表現。 to have a grasp on 〜 〜を理解する a letter 文字 to be over 終わる ridiculous ばかばかしい work うまくいく、効く How come? どうして？ Oh, man! なんてこった！ ※主に男性がよく使う。同じ意味で女性がよく使う表現にはOh dear!などがある。 *** Script *** (Slow speed) 03:55-06:15 (Natural speed) 11:35-13:20 Fun with Math M: Ugh, this homework is killing me! W: Hey, what are you working on? M: (Sigh) The worst subject to be working on: math. W: What? I love math! I think there are few things more satisfying in the world than getting deep into an equation, doing lines upon lines of work, and then getting the right answer in the end! M: Well, if I EVER get a right answer, I'll let you know if I feel the same. W: Alright. It can't be that bad. Let me take a look. Hmmm… wait this is just simple algebra! M: Hey, this is hard. I had a grasp on all this math stuff until they decided to start adding in letters. After that, it was all over! W: Are you serious? M: Yes! I mean, look at this equation. Its ridiculous! W: Well, let me see. First, you want to take this x and move it over here… and multiply this by… M: Wait. That doesn't work. I've already done that. W: Oh, well, let's try dividing by… No, that's not going to work. M: Well, well. Is someone having some trouble? W: No! Just give me a minute. How about this? And this. And, and, as you can see, it is actually quite simple! I got it! M: Sure. Just let me check your answer real quick…. And… and… it's wrong, W: WHAT?! M: Yep. Your answer is definitely very wrong. W: No, this isn't possible! How come? M: Oh man, now I'm going to fail math for the third time! My parents are going to kill me! (Written by Matthew Bola)

皆さんは数学は好きですか？頭をフル回転させて、筋道を追いながら問題の正解に迫っていくプロセスは楽しいものですが、逆に「数式なんて見るのもいや！」という人も多いかも知れませんね。 会話の男性はあまり数学が得意ではないようで、数学の宿題に苦戦しています。そんな彼に女性がアドバイスをするのですが…。数学が好きな人も苦手な人も、今回のポッドキャストをどうぞお楽しみください！ Image credit: PublicDomainPictures via Pixabay Public Domain CC0. ※パソコンのブラウザでお聞きの方は、下に表示されている緑色のプレーヤーで、セクション単位での頭出し・巻き戻しができるようになりました。 （オープニング→スロースピードの会話→解説→ナチュラルスピードの会話→エンディング） Download MP3 スマートフォン用（テスト中） （14:25　6.7MB　初級）*** It's a Good Expression *** （今回の重要表現） to work on 〜 〜に取り組む a subject 科目 There are few things more satisfying in the world than 〜ing 世の中に、〜することより満足感を得られることはほとんどない an equation 方程式 do lines upon lines of work 何行も何行も（数式を解くための）作業を行う ※ "lines upon lines"のように、uponを挟んで同じ名詞を重ねるのは強調表現。 to have a grasp on 〜 〜を理解する a letter 文字 to be over 終わる ridiculous ばかばかしい work うまくいく、効く How come? どうして？ Oh, man! なんてこった！ ※主に男性がよく使う。同じ意味で女性がよく使う表現にはOh dear!などがある。 *** Script *** (Slow speed) 03:55-06:15 (Natural speed) 11:35-13:20 Fun with Math M: Ugh, this homework is killing me! W: Hey, what are you working on? M: (Sigh) The worst subject to be working on: math. W: What? I love math! I think there are few things more satisfying in the world than getting deep into an equation, doing lines upon lines of work, and then getting the right answer in the end! M: Well, if I EVER get a right answer, I'll let you know if I feel the same. W: Alright. It can't be that bad. Let me take a look. Hmmm… wait this is just simple algebra! M: Hey, this is hard. I had a grasp on all this math stuff until they decided to start adding in letters. After that, it was all over! W: Are you serious? M: Yes! I mean, look at this equation. Its ridiculous! W: Well, let me see. First, you want to take this x and move it over here… and multiply this by… M: Wait. That doesn't work. I've already done that. W: Oh, well, let's try dividing by… No, that's not going to work. M: Well, well. Is someone having some trouble? W: No! Just give me a minute. How about this? And this. And, and, as you can see, it is actually quite simple! I got it! M: Sure. Just let me check your answer real quick…. And… and… it's wrong, W: WHAT?! M: Yep. Your answer is definitely very wrong. W: No, this isn't possible! How come? M: Oh man, now I'm going to fail math for the third time! My parents are going to kill me! (Written by Matthew Bola)

８月は、この６年間に配信した207本の「やさしい英語会話」よりエピソードを厳選し、毎回４本分を濃縮してお届けします。ナチュラルスピードの会話を、スクリプトとともにお楽しみください。ウェブ上で元のエピソードを検索して、解説を聞くこともできます。 最終回の今回は"College Life: Ups and Downs"（大学生活いろいろ）をテーマに、「やさしい英語会話」でよく登場する大学生活に関する会話を選びました。一人暮らしの苦労話、宿題を提出できない学生の言い訳、さらには日米の大学事情の違いまで、どうかお楽しみください！ Image credit: tpsdave via Pixabay Public Domain CC0. Download MP3 スマートフォン用（テスト中） （8:42　8.5MB　中級〜上級）1. やさしい英語会話 (61) College M: Hey, why do you look so glum? W: Just thinking. M: About? W: College life. M: Aren't you excited? We're finally on our own! W: That's just it. We're on our own now. We've taken so many things for granted until now. M: Like what? W: Free meals. I can't cook to save my life, but my Mom always made dinner the best part of my day. M: You can just go to McDonalds or something. You're free to do whatever you please! W: It's not as simple as picking what you want to eat. We have to pay for it out of our own pockets now. M: Don't your parents give you money? It's no different from an allowance. W: Well, mine just told me to get a job. They're cutting my allowance. M: That's harsh. What are you going to do? W: Face the music. I'm becoming an adult and its time that I start acting like one. M: You're growing up too fast for me. W: Or maybe you're not growing up at all? M: Hey, that's deep. W: I know. Oh, that reminds me, you going to the party at the Frat House? M: What happened to all that talk about acting like an adult? W: I figure I have a couple of more years to grow up, so why spoil it now. I'm young and free. Why be tied down by responsibility? M: Well, that didn't last long. Hey, lets go! (Written by Tijan Nicholson) 2. やさしい英語会話 (70) Handing in Homework M: Umm…Ms. Yamada? I’m sorry. I can’t hand in my homework today. Um, I think…the sheep took it from my bag on my way to school. W: What? How can sheep take your homework? You forgot your homework last week as well. Calvin, you need to work harder. M: I didn’t forget it last week. Last week… my dog ate it all up! W: Yeah, yeah, yeah…Calvin, you need to take more responsibility for what you do when you go to college or the workplace. You could get kicked out of school, or even lose your job! M: OK…but I’m still a kid. W: You’re already 18!! You’ll be out in the work force soon! Now, I want you to sit here and write “I’LL HAND IN MY HOMEWORK NEXT WEEK” 100 times. M: What!? Now? Here? W: Yes. Just sit here, write them on this paper. M: (in an adult-like way) Um, Ms. Yamada, I think this is meaningless. There is no guarantee that I’ll hand in my homework next week even if I write that sentence 100 times. It’s just a waste of time, paper, and ink. You will pollute the earth by making me do this thing. W: ……Calvin, that was the most logical thing I’ve heard you say in the last 10 months! M: Yeah?? So…can I go now? W: No. Now, I’d like to hear your story more. How can I get you to hand in last week’s homework? M: (in an adult-like way) Ms. Yamada, you need to keep moving forward. Some people say we should learn from the past, but I don’t think that’s always the case. We shouldn’t let the past pull us down. There is no future behind us; it’s ahead of us! So just forget about it and let’s move on! W: No! Now, you do last week’s homework right here, right now, and hand it in. Is that clear? M: Yes, Ms. Yamada. (Written by Ayumi Furutani) 3. やさしい英語会話 (162) A Boring Class Situation: 2 students are talking quietly during a class lecture. W: Hey, Ray, if you had only 14 minutes left to live, what would you do? M: Hmm… That's a tough one. I think I'd try to get to the high ground. When I was a kid, I used to spend summers at my grandparents' place, a small village in the mountains. One time I found this awesome rock. When I lay on that rock, the deep blue sky stretched endlessly all around. W: And, as I imagine, you would go directly to the sky from that rock? M: Exactly! What about you? W: I would behave like nothing's gonna happen. Cook my meal, surf the Internet, sit on the toilet. I mean, that's what my life is about, right? And I don't want it any other way. M: You have a point, unlike a certain person here. W: Mr. Jones IS a guru of boring lectures! Look how many students have fallen asleep under his hypnotizing gaze! 18 out of 20! M: Ha-ha, no way! Wait, are we the only ones awake now? W: Yep. M: And he doesn't seem to have a clue. How is that even possible? W: Maybe his sleeping magic backfired? Somniloquy in action! M: Hey, talking in your sleep is just one of the lesser wonders you can witness in class early on a Monday morning. W: Other wonders include a mass disappearance and/or a mass hangover! M: Anyway, what's with the question about the final 14 minutes? W: Oh, that's easy. Look at the clock. What do you see? M: As a student craving a cup of foul vending-machine coffee more than anything in the world, I see only how much time is left till the end of this lecture. And that is... exactly 13 minutes! Ah, got it. W: Now it's your turn to come up with a conversation topic we could use to pass the remaining, almost infinite amount of time! M: Hmm, what would you do if you had only 13 minutes left to live? (Written by Dmitry Mamchur) 4. やさしい英語会話 (202) Drinking In Class M: Hey! What are you doing?! W: (gulp, gulp) Um…drinking coffee? M: Hey, we're in the middle of class!! W: And that is related to this conversation how? M: You can't drink in the middle of a lecture! W: Really? Not even water, or coffee? M: No! W: Oh, that's strange… M: Why? Can you drink during class in America? W: Of course! You can drink water, tea, coffee, almost anything. Depending on the teacher and how discreet you are, you can even eat snacks! M: No way! You gotta be kidding. W: Well, sometimes there are a couple of teachers that won't let you drink or eat anything. But most teachers are very understanding, and even drink water or coffee themselves. M: Wow, that certainly sounds nice. W: Yes, but I've seen a few students fall asleep in the middle of a lecture here in Japan, and if that happened in a lecture in America the teacher would be furious! M: Is that so? Hmm, I guess it's give and take, though I could really go for something to eat now over taking a nap! W: Well, we only have about ten more minutes left in class, so I'm guessing we can both hold out for a few more minutes. M: True. Hey, do you want to catch some lunch after this? Maybe even head off campus and eat some curry? W: Sure, sounds good! Although I think maybe we should quiet down, the teacher's glaring at us and walking this way! (Written by Matthew Bola)

８月は、この６年間に配信した207本の「やさしい英語会話」よりエピソードを厳選し、毎回４本分を濃縮してお届けします。ナチュラルスピードの会話を、スクリプトとともにお楽しみください。ウェブ上で元のエピソードを検索して、解説を聞くこともできます。 最終回の今回は"College Life: Ups and Downs"（大学生活いろいろ）をテーマに、「やさしい英語会話」でよく登場する大学生活に関する会話を選びました。一人暮らしの苦労話、宿題を提出できない学生の言い訳、さらには日米の大学事情の違いまで、どうかお楽しみください！ Image credit: tpsdave via Pixabay Public Domain CC0. Download MP3 スマートフォン用（テスト中） （8:42　8.5MB　中級〜上級）1. やさしい英語会話 (61) College M: Hey, why do you look so glum? W: Just thinking. M: About? W: College life. M: Aren't you excited? We're finally on our own! W: That's just it. We're on our own now. We've taken so many things for granted until now. M: Like what? W: Free meals. I can't cook to save my life, but my Mom always made dinner the best part of my day. M: You can just go to McDonalds or something. You're free to do whatever you please! W: It's not as simple as picking what you want to eat. We have to pay for it out of our own pockets now. M: Don't your parents give you money? It's no different from an allowance. W: Well, mine just told me to get a job. They're cutting my allowance. M: That's harsh. What are you going to do? W: Face the music. I'm becoming an adult and its time that I start acting like one. M: You're growing up too fast for me. W: Or maybe you're not growing up at all? M: Hey, that's deep. W: I know. Oh, that reminds me, you going to the party at the Frat House? M: What happened to all that talk about acting like an adult? W: I figure I have a couple of more years to grow up, so why spoil it now. I'm young and free. Why be tied down by responsibility? M: Well, that didn't last long. Hey, lets go! (Written by Tijan Nicholson) 2. やさしい英語会話 (70) Handing in Homework M: Umm…Ms. Yamada? I’m sorry. I can’t hand in my homework today. Um, I think…the sheep took it from my bag on my way to school. W: What? How can sheep take your homework? You forgot your homework last week as well. Calvin, you need to work harder. M: I didn’t forget it last week. Last week… my dog ate it all up! W: Yeah, yeah, yeah…Calvin, you need to take more responsibility for what you do when you go to college or the workplace. You could get kicked out of school, or even lose your job! M: OK…but I’m still a kid. W: You’re already 18!! You’ll be out in the work force soon! Now, I want you to sit here and write “I’LL HAND IN MY HOMEWORK NEXT WEEK” 100 times. M: What!? Now? Here? W: Yes. Just sit here, write them on this paper. M: (in an adult-like way) Um, Ms. Yamada, I think this is meaningless. There is no guarantee that I’ll hand in my homework next week even if I write that sentence 100 times. It’s just a waste of time, paper, and ink. You will pollute the earth by making me do this thing. W: ……Calvin, that was the most logical thing I’ve heard you say in the last 10 months! M: Yeah?? So…can I go now? W: No. Now, I’d like to hear your story more. How can I get you to hand in last week’s homework? M: (in an adult-like way) Ms. Yamada, you need to keep moving forward. Some people say we should learn from the past, but I don’t think that’s always the case. We shouldn’t let the past pull us down. There is no future behind us; it’s ahead of us! So just forget about it and let’s move on! W: No! Now, you do last week’s homework right here, right now, and hand it in. Is that clear? M: Yes, Ms. Yamada. (Written by Ayumi Furutani) 3. やさしい英語会話 (162) A Boring Class Situation: 2 students are talking quietly during a class lecture. W: Hey, Ray, if you had only 14 minutes left to live, what would you do? M: Hmm… That's a tough one. I think I'd try to get to the high ground. When I was a kid, I used to spend summers at my grandparents' place, a small village in the mountains. One time I found this awesome rock. When I lay on that rock, the deep blue sky stretched endlessly all around. W: And, as I imagine, you would go directly to the sky from that rock? M: Exactly! What about you? W: I would behave like nothing's gonna happen. Cook my meal, surf the Internet, sit on the toilet. I mean, that's what my life is about, right? And I don't want it any other way. M: You have a point, unlike a certain person here. W: Mr. Jones IS a guru of boring lectures! Look how many students have fallen asleep under his hypnotizing gaze! 18 out of 20! M: Ha-ha, no way! Wait, are we the only ones awake now? W: Yep. M: And he doesn't seem to have a clue. How is that even possible? W: Maybe his sleeping magic backfired? Somniloquy in action! M: Hey, talking in your sleep is just one of the lesser wonders you can witness in class early on a Monday morning. W: Other wonders include a mass disappearance and/or a mass hangover! M: Anyway, what's with the question about the final 14 minutes? W: Oh, that's easy. Look at the clock. What do you see? M: As a student craving a cup of foul vending-machine coffee more than anything in the world, I see only how much time is left till the end of this lecture. And that is... exactly 13 minutes! Ah, got it. W: Now it's your turn to come up with a conversation topic we could use to pass the remaining, almost infinite amount of time! M: Hmm, what would you do if you had only 13 minutes left to live? (Written by Dmitry Mamchur) 4. やさしい英語会話 (202) Drinking In Class M: Hey! What are you doing?! W: (gulp, gulp) Um…drinking coffee? M: Hey, we're in the middle of class!! W: And that is related to this conversation how? M: You can't drink in the middle of a lecture! W: Really? Not even water, or coffee? M: No! W: Oh, that's strange… M: Why? Can you drink during class in America? W: Of course! You can drink water, tea, coffee, almost anything. Depending on the teacher and how discreet you are, you can even eat snacks! M: No way! You gotta be kidding. W: Well, sometimes there are a couple of teachers that won't let you drink or eat anything. But most teachers are very understanding, and even drink water or coffee themselves. M: Wow, that certainly sounds nice. W: Yes, but I've seen a few students fall asleep in the middle of a lecture here in Japan, and if that happened in a lecture in America the teacher would be furious! M: Is that so? Hmm, I guess it's give and take, though I could really go for something to eat now over taking a nap! W: Well, we only have about ten more minutes left in class, so I'm guessing we can both hold out for a few more minutes. M: True. Hey, do you want to catch some lunch after this? Maybe even head off campus and eat some curry? W: Sure, sounds good! Although I think maybe we should quiet down, the teacher's glaring at us and walking this way! (Written by Matthew Bola)

８月は、この６年間に配信した207本の「やさしい英語会話」よりエピソードを厳選し、毎回４本分を濃縮してお届けします。ナチュラルスピードの会話を、スクリプトとともにお楽しみください。ウェブ上で元のエピソードを検索して、解説を聞くこともできます。 第２回の今回は"Amazing Stories...!?"。宇宙人からクリスマスの奇跡まで、日常生活ではありえない不思議なお話を集めました。お盆休みは、これらの奇想天外なお話でどうかお楽しみください！ Image credit: bngnaranjo via Pixabay Public Domain CC0. Download MP3 スマートフォン用（テスト中） （9:53　9.6MB　中級〜上級）1. やさしい英語会話 (131) A Visitor from "Up There" Scene: In the office, two co-workers are talking. M: Susan, we're having in-service training tomorrow. You'll be there, right? W: Jiff, I'm afraid I can't make it to the training. I'm going to take some days off till next week. M: Are you kidding? Don't be silly. Tomorrow's training is really important! All the bosses will be there. And we're having an important meeting after the training. If you miss this training, you'll be off the career track! W: You're going a little overboard, aren't you? The career track means nothing to me. I'm doing this job as an editor because I like it. I don't care about money, authority, or popularity. M: Hmm… That sounds great, but this training is different. It'll be lots of fun, too. And if you are in a lowly position forever, your motivation and satisfaction will eventually go down. Come on. You have to cancel your holiday. W: Um… I can't, really. M: OK, the decision's up to you! W: Hey, can you grab that scratch pad for me, please? M: Here you go. Um… What are you doing? W: Oh, I'm writing a letter of resignation. M: Wait! Don't be in such a rush to quit! W: Why? It's for me and for my life. The decision is always up to me. M: Yeah, true. But you like this job, don't you? W: Yes, there's nothing better than being an editor. M: Then why? W: I'm writing a letter of resignation for not the position of editor, but for my other job up there. In the upcoming paid holidays, I'm supposed to go back to our ship and make a presentation about the earth and human beings. M: Other job? Your ship up there? A presentation about the earth? W: Yes, Jiff. To tell the truth, I... I'm from another planet, and my body here is not real. I'm just borrowing this human body. But now I know that our company's training is more important. As you said: I like being an editor better than being an alien! M: What? Another planet? You're… you're an ALIEN? (scream) (Written by Inori Okawa) 2. やさしい英語会話 (139) Sleeping Well at Night Scene: At the hospital M: Doctor, I'm having a terrible time sleeping well at night. You got any tips for me? I haven't had a good night's sleep for a month. What's wrong with me? Is it insomnia? W: OK. Let me ask you a few questions. Is there anything you're particularly worrying about these days? M: No, not really. (The sound of a machine) W: Hey, what's that sound? Can you hear it? Anyway, have you ever been diagnosed with insomnia? M: No. I always used to sleep like a rock through any noises at night. I always had great dreams. But now… W: OK. Are there any big changes in your life, such as divorce, a promotion, or did you move recently? M: No. Divorce? I have a beautiful wife and I do love her. There have been no big changes. (the sound of a machine) W: Again? What's that sound?... Hmm… alright. Do you feel tired during the day because you can't sleep well at night? M: Hmm… It's a mystery, doctor, but I don't really feel tired at all! I'm fine. W: Wow, that's weird. What do you do when you can't fall asleep? M: I usually read books, watch movies, and just drive into my imagination. W: So, you do not actually have troubles with those things? M: No, doctor. I just want to sleep better at night! Like other human beings. W: What do you do during the day? M: I work for a company. I used to do lots of paperwork, but now I have lots of meetings. (The sound of the machine) W: Are those meetings stressful for you? M: I don't think so. We have the meetings in the huge conference room. Since there are lots of people, nobody cares if I nod off during mee… mee… meetings. Pi pi pi this machine is out of batteries….This, human-like machine is out of batteries W: Oh, he's not a human, but a machine!? (Written by Inori Okawa) 3. やさしい英語会話 (181) Knocking on Heaven's Door Scene: Outside the gates of heaven. M: Ugh, where am I? All I remember is driving, and then a bright light. Man, my head hurts. W: Hello, and welcome to heaven! M: Heaven? No way! W: Yes way, sir. M: Wait. Was it you? Were you the bright light I saw while driving? Did you save me? W: No, sir, unfortunately that was the sixteen-wheeler crashing into the front of your car. M: Oh… I see. W: But, as you can see, sir, you don't have to worry about any of that old stuff anymore, because… you're in heaven! M: Wow… I'm so excited! So, what's it like here? Do you guys have, like, beer and stuff here? W: Yes sir, heaven distills the highest quality spirits daily for your consumption. M: Great! W: OK, well, let me just get your name, sir, and then we can set you up with whatever your heart desires. And it's just your luck that we are having a special this week on all the carnal desires. M: What, really?! So all that stuff is OK up here? W: Actually, yes, whatever, whenever, however you want it. Anything. As soon as it pops into your head you can have it! There are no laws, no taboos. M: Oh my God… W: Actually, he's out right now. Sorry sir. M: Hey, this is too good to be true! I must be dreaming! W: Isn't life but a dream? M: What? W: Never mind. You'll have plenty of time to brush up on your intelligence while here. But again, let me just get you name sir. M: It's Bieber, Justin Bieber. W: Bieber…Bieber… hmmm I'm not seeing it on the list… M: Are you sure? Check again. W: Nope, sorry sir. I got a Justin Beetman, but no Bieber. M: What! NO! W: If you'd just step over here sir. This pack of wild dogs will drag you to your next destination. M: NOOOOOOOOOO! (Written by Matthew Bola) 4. やさしい英語会話 (152) A White Lie: Santa Claus M: Rika, do you think it's a good thing to tell a white lie. W: What's a white lie? M: A white lie is a lie that doesn't really hurt anybody. For example, if your boyfriend buys a new shirt and you don't really like it. He asks you what you think about it. How do you answer? W: I'd answer that it looks fine. M: See! That's a white lie. You don't think it's nice but you tell him it is. W: I got it. M: Another example is Santa Clause. The whole idea of a fat guy in a red suit, going around the world in a flying sleigh pulled by reindeer, sliding down chimneys with toys… The story doesn't harm anyone. It's a cute lie! W: Excuse me! Santa Clause is NOT a lie. He really exists! M: Ha! You're a dreamer. I'm a person who believes in science. So I'm not going to believe that. W: He IS real. I saw him when I was little. Didn't your parents tell you that Santa Clause only comes to children who really believe in him? M: Rika, grow up. You're an adult and still believe in Santa Clause? It's just a white lie. W: No, it's true! Have you ever read the article "Yes Virginia, there is a Santa Clause"? A lot of things that we cannot see exist! Also I'm grown up, but I want to be childlike forever. I don't want to lose my dreams and hopes. M: OK. That's one idea. I'm different from you. W: Yes, maybe so. (Sounds of Christmas bells jingling) W: Hey, you hear that? M: What? (Sounds of Christmas bells jingling) W: He's coming! I know it! He's coming! Santa Clause: Ho ho ho! Merry Christmas!! M: Hey, Rika. Did you see him? W: Yes I did! M and W: Santa Clause is really really real!! (Written by Inori Okawa)

８月は、この６年間に配信した207本の「やさしい英語会話」よりエピソードを厳選し、毎回４本分を濃縮してお届けします。ナチュラルスピードの会話を、スクリプトとともにお楽しみください。ウェブ上で元のエピソードを検索して、解説を聞くこともできます。 第２回の今回は"Amazing Stories...!?"。宇宙人からクリスマスの奇跡まで、日常生活ではありえない不思議なお話を集めました。お盆休みは、これらの奇想天外なお話でどうかお楽しみください！ Image credit: bngnaranjo via Pixabay Public Domain CC0. Download MP3 スマートフォン用（テスト中） （9:53　9.6MB　中級〜上級）1. やさしい英語会話 (131) A Visitor from "Up There" Scene: In the office, two co-workers are talking. M: Susan, we're having in-service training tomorrow. You'll be there, right? W: Jiff, I'm afraid I can't make it to the training. I'm going to take some days off till next week. M: Are you kidding? Don't be silly. Tomorrow's training is really important! All the bosses will be there. And we're having an important meeting after the training. If you miss this training, you'll be off the career track! W: You're going a little overboard, aren't you? The career track means nothing to me. I'm doing this job as an editor because I like it. I don't care about money, authority, or popularity. M: Hmm… That sounds great, but this training is different. It'll be lots of fun, too. And if you are in a lowly position forever, your motivation and satisfaction will eventually go down. Come on. You have to cancel your holiday. W: Um… I can't, really. M: OK, the decision's up to you! W: Hey, can you grab that scratch pad for me, please? M: Here you go. Um… What are you doing? W: Oh, I'm writing a letter of resignation. M: Wait! Don't be in such a rush to quit! W: Why? It's for me and for my life. The decision is always up to me. M: Yeah, true. But you like this job, don't you? W: Yes, there's nothing better than being an editor. M: Then why? W: I'm writing a letter of resignation for not the position of editor, but for my other job up there. In the upcoming paid holidays, I'm supposed to go back to our ship and make a presentation about the earth and human beings. M: Other job? Your ship up there? A presentation about the earth? W: Yes, Jiff. To tell the truth, I... I'm from another planet, and my body here is not real. I'm just borrowing this human body. But now I know that our company's training is more important. As you said: I like being an editor better than being an alien! M: What? Another planet? You're… you're an ALIEN? (scream) (Written by Inori Okawa) 2. やさしい英語会話 (139) Sleeping Well at Night Scene: At the hospital M: Doctor, I'm having a terrible time sleeping well at night. You got any tips for me? I haven't had a good night's sleep for a month. What's wrong with me? Is it insomnia? W: OK. Let me ask you a few questions. Is there anything you're particularly worrying about these days? M: No, not really. (The sound of a machine) W: Hey, what's that sound? Can you hear it? Anyway, have you ever been diagnosed with insomnia? M: No. I always used to sleep like a rock through any noises at night. I always had great dreams. But now… W: OK. Are there any big changes in your life, such as divorce, a promotion, or did you move recently? M: No. Divorce? I have a beautiful wife and I do love her. There have been no big changes. (the sound of a machine) W: Again? What's that sound?... Hmm… alright. Do you feel tired during the day because you can't sleep well at night? M: Hmm… It's a mystery, doctor, but I don't really feel tired at all! I'm fine. W: Wow, that's weird. What do you do when you can't fall asleep? M: I usually read books, watch movies, and just drive into my imagination. W: So, you do not actually have troubles with those things? M: No, doctor. I just want to sleep better at night! Like other human beings. W: What do you do during the day? M: I work for a company. I used to do lots of paperwork, but now I have lots of meetings. (The sound of the machine) W: Are those meetings stressful for you? M: I don't think so. We have the meetings in the huge conference room. Since there are lots of people, nobody cares if I nod off during mee… mee… meetings. Pi pi pi this machine is out of batteries….This, human-like machine is out of batteries W: Oh, he's not a human, but a machine!? (Written by Inori Okawa) 3. やさしい英語会話 (181) Knocking on Heaven's Door Scene: Outside the gates of heaven. M: Ugh, where am I? All I remember is driving, and then a bright light. Man, my head hurts. W: Hello, and welcome to heaven! M: Heaven? No way! W: Yes way, sir. M: Wait. Was it you? Were you the bright light I saw while driving? Did you save me? W: No, sir, unfortunately that was the sixteen-wheeler crashing into the front of your car. M: Oh… I see. W: But, as you can see, sir, you don't have to worry about any of that old stuff anymore, because… you're in heaven! M: Wow… I'm so excited! So, what's it like here? Do you guys have, like, beer and stuff here? W: Yes sir, heaven distills the highest quality spirits daily for your consumption. M: Great! W: OK, well, let me just get your name, sir, and then we can set you up with whatever your heart desires. And it's just your luck that we are having a special this week on all the carnal desires. M: What, really?! So all that stuff is OK up here? W: Actually, yes, whatever, whenever, however you want it. Anything. As soon as it pops into your head you can have it! There are no laws, no taboos. M: Oh my God… W: Actually, he's out right now. Sorry sir. M: Hey, this is too good to be true! I must be dreaming! W: Isn't life but a dream? M: What? W: Never mind. You'll have plenty of time to brush up on your intelligence while here. But again, let me just get you name sir. M: It's Bieber, Justin Bieber. W: Bieber…Bieber… hmmm I'm not seeing it on the list… M: Are you sure? Check again. W: Nope, sorry sir. I got a Justin Beetman, but no Bieber. M: What! NO! W: If you'd just step over here sir. This pack of wild dogs will drag you to your next destination. M: NOOOOOOOOOO! (Written by Matthew Bola) 4. やさしい英語会話 (152) A White Lie: Santa Claus M: Rika, do you think it's a good thing to tell a white lie. W: What's a white lie? M: A white lie is a lie that doesn't really hurt anybody. For example, if your boyfriend buys a new shirt and you don't really like it. He asks you what you think about it. How do you answer? W: I'd answer that it looks fine. M: See! That's a white lie. You don't think it's nice but you tell him it is. W: I got it. M: Another example is Santa Clause. The whole idea of a fat guy in a red suit, going around the world in a flying sleigh pulled by reindeer, sliding down chimneys with toys… The story doesn't harm anyone. It's a cute lie! W: Excuse me! Santa Clause is NOT a lie. He really exists! M: Ha! You're a dreamer. I'm a person who believes in science. So I'm not going to believe that. W: He IS real. I saw him when I was little. Didn't your parents tell you that Santa Clause only comes to children who really believe in him? M: Rika, grow up. You're an adult and still believe in Santa Clause? It's just a white lie. W: No, it's true! Have you ever read the article "Yes Virginia, there is a Santa Clause"? A lot of things that we cannot see exist! Also I'm grown up, but I want to be childlike forever. I don't want to lose my dreams and hopes. M: OK. That's one idea. I'm different from you. W: Yes, maybe so. (Sounds of Christmas bells jingling) W: Hey, you hear that? M: What? (Sounds of Christmas bells jingling) W: He's coming! I know it! He's coming! Santa Clause: Ho ho ho! Merry Christmas!! M: Hey, Rika. Did you see him? W: Yes I did! M and W: Santa Clause is really really real!! (Written by Inori Okawa)

オリジナルの物語"Time Traveling Troubles"の最終回をお届けします。 タイムマシンを発明し、時間旅行を始めた女性。19世紀のテキサス州で危ない思いをした後、次にたどり着いたのは17世紀後半。親切な男性と共にセイラム（Salem）に向かう彼女ですが、この時代のセイラムといえば、世界史で有名なあの裁判の最中でした…！ Image credit: bykst via Pixabay Public Domain CC0. Download MP3 スマートフォン用（テスト中） （22:00　13.2MB　初級～中級）*** It's a Good Expression *** （今回の重要表現） brother 男性への呼びかけ I comest from-eth another village-eth 「私は別の村から参ったでござります」 ※17世紀にタイムスリップした女性が、古語表現をでたらめに使っていて、コミカルな響きになっている。comestはcomeの２人称単数現在形の古語なので、主語はthouに限られる。-(e)thは３人称単数現在形を作る語尾（he cometh）だが、前置詞や名詞にはつかない。ちなみに-thが変化して、現代の３単現の-sとなった。 thy = your thou = you weary = very tired / worried to accommodate = to provide starving = very hungry most noble = very noble to ring a bell = sound familiar to me renowned for = famous for God-fearing = religious right on the tip of my tongue ほとんど喉まで出かかっている ※日本語の慣用表現では「喉」だが、英語では「舌」になる。 to figure out 見当がつく They're but precautions ほんの用心に過ぎない butはonlyの意味 Shoot = Go ahead. Ask me questions. Why dost thou wear = Why do you wear a pointy hat 先の尖った帽子 to disguise oneself 変装する take on such seductive forms such as thine そなたのような妖しき姿に化ける thine = yours seductive「魅惑的な」 a compliment 褒め言葉 thou art a witch = you are a witch *** Script *** (Slow speed) 03:20-06:00 (Natural speed) 18:25-20:20 Time Traveling Troubles (3) W: Aww, man, here we go again. Um… Hello there… brother? I comest from-eth another village-eth, a far, far away village. M: Thy talk is so strange, so the village must be far indeed. W: You have no idea! M: Thou must be tired, weary traveler. Follow me back to town and we can accommodate you with some bread and shelter. W: Thank you. I AM actually starving. By the way, could you tell me which town exactly we are going to? M: Of course! We are on our way to Salem, a most noble and peaceful town. W: Salem… Salem… why does that name ring a bell? M: I should hope thou recognize the name Salem. It is renowned for being a town of good God-fearing people. W: God-fearing people?… It's right on the tip of my tongue, but I can't figure out where I've heard that name before. M: But before entering town, I'll have to ask thou a few simple questions. They're but precautions to protect us from the devil and his evil ways. W: OK. Shoot. M: Why dost thou wear such strange clothes? They look almost like the clothes a witch would wear. W: First, I'm wearing the normal clothes of people in my time?um, I mean VILLAGE?wear. And second, I thought witches wore black dresses and pointy hats. M: Yes, but they CAN disguise themselves easily, and indeed they love to take on such seductive forms such as thine. W: Somehow I don't think that was really a compliment. M: Oh, no! Why did I not see it before!? Thy speech, thy clothes, thy looks, surely thou art a witch! W: Ohhhh, the Salem witch trials. Ah! (Written by Matthew Bola)

オリジナルの物語"Time Traveling Troubles"の最終回をお届けします。 タイムマシンを発明し、時間旅行を始めた女性。19世紀のテキサス州で危ない思いをした後、次にたどり着いたのは17世紀後半。親切な男性と共にセイラム（Salem）に向かう彼女ですが、この時代のセイラムといえば、世界史で有名なあの裁判の最中でした…！ Image credit: bykst via Pixabay Public Domain CC0. Download MP3 スマートフォン用（テスト中） （22:00　13.2MB　初級～中級）*** It's a Good Expression *** （今回の重要表現） brother 男性への呼びかけ I comest from-eth another village-eth 「私は別の村から参ったでござります」 ※17世紀にタイムスリップした女性が、古語表現をでたらめに使っていて、コミカルな響きになっている。comestはcomeの２人称単数現在形の古語なので、主語はthouに限られる。-(e)thは３人称単数現在形を作る語尾（he cometh）だが、前置詞や名詞にはつかない。ちなみに-thが変化して、現代の３単現の-sとなった。 thy = your thou = you weary = very tired / worried to accommodate = to provide starving = very hungry most noble = very noble to ring a bell = sound familiar to me renowned for = famous for God-fearing = religious right on the tip of my tongue ほとんど喉まで出かかっている ※日本語の慣用表現では「喉」だが、英語では「舌」になる。 to figure out 見当がつく They're but precautions ほんの用心に過ぎない butはonlyの意味 Shoot = Go ahead. Ask me questions. Why dost thou wear = Why do you wear a pointy hat 先の尖った帽子 to disguise oneself 変装する take on such seductive forms such as thine そなたのような妖しき姿に化ける thine = yours seductive「魅惑的な」 a compliment 褒め言葉 thou art a witch = you are a witch *** Script *** (Slow speed) 03:20-06:00 (Natural speed) 18:25-20:20 Time Traveling Troubles (3) W: Aww, man, here we go again. Um… Hello there… brother? I comest from-eth another village-eth, a far, far away village. M: Thy talk is so strange, so the village must be far indeed. W: You have no idea! M: Thou must be tired, weary traveler. Follow me back to town and we can accommodate you with some bread and shelter. W: Thank you. I AM actually starving. By the way, could you tell me which town exactly we are going to? M: Of course! We are on our way to Salem, a most noble and peaceful town. W: Salem… Salem… why does that name ring a bell? M: I should hope thou recognize the name Salem. It is renowned for being a town of good God-fearing people. W: God-fearing people?… It's right on the tip of my tongue, but I can't figure out where I've heard that name before. M: But before entering town, I'll have to ask thou a few simple questions. They're but precautions to protect us from the devil and his evil ways. W: OK. Shoot. M: Why dost thou wear such strange clothes? They look almost like the clothes a witch would wear. W: First, I'm wearing the normal clothes of people in my time?um, I mean VILLAGE?wear. And second, I thought witches wore black dresses and pointy hats. M: Yes, but they CAN disguise themselves easily, and indeed they love to take on such seductive forms such as thine. W: Somehow I don't think that was really a compliment. M: Oh, no! Why did I not see it before!? Thy speech, thy clothes, thy looks, surely thou art a witch! W: Ohhhh, the Salem witch trials. Ah! (Written by Matthew Bola)

先週に引き続き、オリジナルの物語"Time Traveling Troubles"の第２話をお届けします。 1865年のテキサス州にタイムスリップした女性。変な保安官に出会いさっそく危ない目に遭った彼女は、無事にピンチを切り抜けることができるのでしょうか…？ Image credit: bykst via Pixabay Public Domain CC0. Download MP3 （18:26　11.1MB　初級～中級）*** It's a Good Expression *** （今回の重要表現） ma'am ご婦人（madamの略） ※男性に対してはsirを使う。接客など丁寧な言葉遣いが求められる場面で、今でもよく使われる。 all sorts of = all kinds of a bunch of （口語）たくさんの to run into ... ...に出くわす I'll be darned. = I'm surprised. ※darnは前回のエピソードでも登場したdamnの婉曲表現。 Ya must be worth a pretty penny あんたはお値打ちものに違いねえ ※pretty penny = plenty of money I can tell by yer [=your] talk (that) ... あんたの話を聞いていると…だとわかる You've been brought up real proper. 本当に家柄のいい家で育った（とわかる） What da ya mean =What do you mean ※アメリカ口語では頻繁にこのように発音される。 ain't ya? =aren't you? I'm not going to even begin that conversation with a person such as yourself. あなたのような人とは会話を始めることさえお断りよ。 a sexist 性差別主義者 ※Google Books Ngram Viewerによれば、1960年代半ばから使用頻度が増えた語で、その100年前にあたる1865年にはほとんど使われていなかった。 I done offered ya a ride = I did offer you a ride to get stuck 動けなくなる And on that note そんなわけで（=with that, so） I was gonna take her fer my wife! ※ferは"for"の弱形を綴りに表したもの。文中で特に強調する必要がない場合、通常forはferに近い弱形で発音される。 Time traveling really makes ya nauseous. 時間旅行はほんとうに気分が悪くなるわ。 *** Script *** (Slow speed) 03:10-05:35 (Natural speed) 15:00-17:05 Time Traveling Troubles (2) W: Um… I think I'll just walk. M: Now really, ma'am, I must insist. It's a three-hour ride back, and there's all sorts of snakes, and coyotes, and a bunch of other stuff ya don't wanna be runnin' into. W: But… I've never been on a horse! M: What? Well, I'll be darned. Ya must be worth a pretty penny if you've only ridden in carriages yer whole life! I can tell by yer talk you've been brought up real proper too! W: What da ya mean “worth a pretty penny.” I'm not an object, you know! M: Well, yer a woman, ain't ya? W: I… I'm not going to even begin that conversation with a person such as yourself. Huh, I thought people in this time period would be a lot more polite… and… and less sexist. M: Hey, I done offered ya a ride. Now come on. Lets get goin' before the sun sets and we get stuck out here. W: All right, fine. Hey, wait. I have a time machine! Why don't I just try going back home!? M: A time what? W: Oh, oh. I hope I don't end up in a worse place than this. (sound of wolves) M: Hey, quiet! I think I can hear some coyotes comin'. W: And on that note, I'll take the risk. Well, good luck Mr. Sherriff. Bye! (Time machine noises) M: What? Where'd she go? I was gonna take her fer my wife! (Time machine noises) W: Ugh, wow, time traveling really makes ya nauseous. I wonder where I ended up, though anything is better than being out in the middle of nowhere with coyotes and a sexist sheriff. M: Hello there, good sister, where dost thou come from? (Written by Matthew Bola)

先週に引き続き、オリジナルの物語"Time Traveling Troubles"の第２話をお届けします。 1865年のテキサス州にタイムスリップした女性。変な保安官に出会いさっそく危ない目に遭った彼女は、無事にピンチを切り抜けることができるのでしょうか…？ Image credit: bykst via Pixabay Public Domain CC0. Download MP3 （18:26　11.1MB　初級～中級）*** It's a Good Expression *** （今回の重要表現） ma'am ご婦人（madamの略） ※男性に対してはsirを使う。接客など丁寧な言葉遣いが求められる場面で、今でもよく使われる。 all sorts of = all kinds of a bunch of （口語）たくさんの to run into ... ...に出くわす I'll be darned. = I'm surprised. ※darnは前回のエピソードでも登場したdamnの婉曲表現。 Ya must be worth a pretty penny あんたはお値打ちものに違いねえ ※pretty penny = plenty of money I can tell by yer [=your] talk (that) ... あんたの話を聞いていると…だとわかる You've been brought up real proper. 本当に家柄のいい家で育った（とわかる） What da ya mean =What do you mean ※アメリカ口語では頻繁にこのように発音される。 ain't ya? =aren't you? I'm not going to even begin that conversation with a person such as yourself. あなたのような人とは会話を始めることさえお断りよ。 a sexist 性差別主義者 ※Google Books Ngram Viewerによれば、1960年代半ばから使用頻度が増えた語で、その100年前にあたる1865年にはほとんど使われていなかった。 I done offered ya a ride = I did offer you a ride to get stuck 動けなくなる And on that note そんなわけで（=with that, so） I was gonna take her fer my wife! ※ferは"for"の弱形を綴りに表したもの。文中で特に強調する必要がない場合、通常forはferに近い弱形で発音される。 Time traveling really makes ya nauseous. 時間旅行はほんとうに気分が悪くなるわ。 *** Script *** (Slow speed) 03:10-05:35 (Natural speed) 15:00-17:05 Time Traveling Troubles (2) W: Um… I think I'll just walk. M: Now really, ma'am, I must insist. It's a three-hour ride back, and there's all sorts of snakes, and coyotes, and a bunch of other stuff ya don't wanna be runnin' into. W: But… I've never been on a horse! M: What? Well, I'll be darned. Ya must be worth a pretty penny if you've only ridden in carriages yer whole life! I can tell by yer talk you've been brought up real proper too! W: What da ya mean “worth a pretty penny.” I'm not an object, you know! M: Well, yer a woman, ain't ya? W: I… I'm not going to even begin that conversation with a person such as yourself. Huh, I thought people in this time period would be a lot more polite… and… and less sexist. M: Hey, I done offered ya a ride. Now come on. Lets get goin' before the sun sets and we get stuck out here. W: All right, fine. Hey, wait. I have a time machine! Why don't I just try going back home!? M: A time what? W: Oh, oh. I hope I don't end up in a worse place than this. (sound of wolves) M: Hey, quiet! I think I can hear some coyotes comin'. W: And on that note, I'll take the risk. Well, good luck Mr. Sherriff. Bye! (Time machine noises) M: What? Where'd she go? I was gonna take her fer my wife! (Time machine noises) W: Ugh, wow, time traveling really makes ya nauseous. I wonder where I ended up, though anything is better than being out in the middle of nowhere with coyotes and a sexist sheriff. M: Hello there, good sister, where dost thou come from? (Written by Matthew Bola)

今月の「やさしい英語会話」は、オリジナルの物語"Time Traveling Troubles"を３回にわたってお届けします。 タイムマシンを発明した女性が、その試運転でタイムトラベルに出かけた先は、何と19世紀のテキサス州！お国なまりの保安官に銃を突きつけられたり、さっそく危ない目に遭いますが、果たしてこの女性の運命は…？ Image credit: bykst via Pixabay Public Domain CC0. Download MP3 （17:13　10.4MB　初級～中級）*** It's a Good Expression *** （今回の重要表現） Now I can rule the world! 助動詞"can" は通常「キン」「クン」に近い弱形（weak form）で発音される。 take a test run 試運転を行う potentially cause the destruction of the universe as we know it 私たちが知っている宇宙の終わりを引き起こす可能性がある ※potentially = maybe Did it work? タイムマシンが作動したかしら。 ya youのくだけた形。アメリカ口語で使われる。 little lady お嬢さん yer you are, you're ※通常、アメリカ口語ではyou areのように２語を分けて発音せず、you'reと短縮する。 I'm sheriff of this here town. 俺はここらの町の保安官よ。 ※this hereはアメリカ南部の方言。 Great... （皮肉を込めて）参ったな。最悪。 my good sir あなたさま、（この場合は）保安官さま ※男性に対する最高に丁寧な呼びかけ 'bout =about yer =your somethin' =something Did ya bump yer head or somethin'? あんた、頭かなんかぶつけたのかい。 something along those lines そんなところです（something like that） Darn. まったくもう。（Too bad.） ※同じ意味でDamn.という表現が映画などでは使われるが、非常に強い表現なので注意が必要。 it don't matter =it doesn't matter. ※３人称単数にdon'tを用いるのは、現在でもアフリカ系アメリカ人の英語（Ebonics）などで使われることがある。 The Beatlesの"Ticket to Ride"の歌詞"She's got a ticket to ride, but she don't care." は、John Lennonがブラック・ミュージックの雰囲気を出すために用いたと思われる。 the doc =the doctor ※映画Back to the Futureでおなじみの語だが、もともとは医者の先生を指すくだけた表現。 *** Script *** (Slow speed) 02:30-04:55 (Natural speed) 15:15-17:20 Time Traveling Troubles (1) W: Hey, I've finally done it! I've built a fully-functioning time machine! Hahahaha! Now I can rule the world! But first, let's take a test run. Hmm… let's see… Yesterday around 2 in the afternoon should be good. I was at lunch then, so I shouldn't run into myself and potentially cause the destruction of the universe as we know it! OK. So, I just put the watch on, and turn this dial, and press this button… (Time traveling noises) W: Did I do it? Did it work!? Wait this doesn't look my laboratory. M: (With cowboy accent) Hey, can I help ya there, little lady? W: What! Who… Who are you? Where am I? M: Well, yer in the fine state of Texas! And I'm sheriff of this here town. W: Great… just where I always wanted to go, Texas (sigh). M: Excuse me, Miss. Were ya just disrespecting our great state? (pulls out six-shooter and cocks the gun) W: No, no, no. Of course not, my good sir! Um… Can you tell me what year it is? M: Well, it's 1865 and has been for 'bout five months. Um… are ya doing OK there, little lady? Did ya bump yer head or somethin'? W: Yes, yes, something along those lines… Darn, I really thought I had it this time, though I guess I did travel back in time, just not where or when I had thought. Man, how am I going to get back home? M: Hey, why ya wearin' such strange clothes? W: Oh… I… M: Well, it don't matter. Come on and get up on this here horse, and I'll take ya back to town and we can have the doc take a look at ya. W: Get on the horse? M: Yes, ma'am. (Written by Matthew Bola)

今月の「やさしい英語会話」は、オリジナルの物語"Time Traveling Troubles"を３回にわたってお届けします。 タイムマシンを発明した女性が、その試運転でタイムトラベルに出かけた先は、何と19世紀のテキサス州！お国なまりの保安官に銃を突きつけられたり、さっそく危ない目に遭いますが、果たしてこの女性の運命は…？ Image credit: bykst via Pixabay Public Domain CC0. Download MP3 （17:13　10.4MB　初級～中級）*** It's a Good Expression *** （今回の重要表現） Now I can rule the world! 助動詞"can" は通常「キン」「クン」に近い弱形（weak form）で発音される。 take a test run 試運転を行う potentially cause the destruction of the universe as we know it 私たちが知っている宇宙の終わりを引き起こす可能性がある ※potentially = maybe Did it work? タイムマシンが作動したかしら。 ya youのくだけた形。アメリカ口語で使われる。 little lady お嬢さん yer you are, you're ※通常、アメリカ口語ではyou areのように２語を分けて発音せず、you'reと短縮する。 I'm sheriff of this here town. 俺はここらの町の保安官よ。 ※this hereはアメリカ南部の方言。 Great... （皮肉を込めて）参ったな。最悪。 my good sir あなたさま、（この場合は）保安官さま ※男性に対する最高に丁寧な呼びかけ 'bout =about yer =your somethin' =something Did ya bump yer head or somethin'? あんた、頭かなんかぶつけたのかい。 something along those lines そんなところです（something like that） Darn. まったくもう。（Too bad.） ※同じ意味でDamn.という表現が映画などでは使われるが、非常に強い表現なので注意が必要。 it don't matter =it doesn't matter. ※３人称単数にdon'tを用いるのは、現在でもアフリカ系アメリカ人の英語（Ebonics）などで使われることがある。 The Beatlesの"Ticket to Ride"の歌詞"She's got a ticket to ride, but she don't care." は、John Lennonがブラック・ミュージックの雰囲気を出すために用いたと思われる。 the doc =the doctor ※映画Back to the Futureでおなじみの語だが、もともとは医者の先生を指すくだけた表現。 *** Script *** (Slow speed) 02:30-04:55 (Natural speed) 15:15-17:20 Time Traveling Troubles (1) W: Hey, I've finally done it! I've built a fully-functioning time machine! Hahahaha! Now I can rule the world! But first, let's take a test run. Hmm… let's see… Yesterday around 2 in the afternoon should be good. I was at lunch then, so I shouldn't run into myself and potentially cause the destruction of the universe as we know it! OK. So, I just put the watch on, and turn this dial, and press this button… (Time traveling noises) W: Did I do it? Did it work!? Wait this doesn't look my laboratory. M: (With cowboy accent) Hey, can I help ya there, little lady? W: What! Who… Who are you? Where am I? M: Well, yer in the fine state of Texas! And I'm sheriff of this here town. W: Great… just where I always wanted to go, Texas (sigh). M: Excuse me, Miss. Were ya just disrespecting our great state? (pulls out six-shooter and cocks the gun) W: No, no, no. Of course not, my good sir! Um… Can you tell me what year it is? M: Well, it's 1865 and has been for 'bout five months. Um… are ya doing OK there, little lady? Did ya bump yer head or somethin'? W: Yes, yes, something along those lines… Darn, I really thought I had it this time, though I guess I did travel back in time, just not where or when I had thought. Man, how am I going to get back home? M: Hey, why ya wearin' such strange clothes? W: Oh… I… M: Well, it don't matter. Come on and get up on this here horse, and I'll take ya back to town and we can have the doc take a look at ya. W: Get on the horse? M: Yes, ma'am. (Written by Matthew Bola)

早いものでもうすぐ６月も終わり、日本の多くの学校では期末試験の季節が近づいてきました。これを乗り切ると楽しい夏休みが待っています。学生のリスナーの皆さん、今まで勉強してきたことをしっかりと復習して、期末試験をがんばってくださいね！ そういうわけで、今回のエピソードでは期末試験期間中の学生の会話をお届けします。やはり大量の試験勉強に追われて落ち着かない様子のようです…。 Image credit: Ashinari. Download MP3 （13:52　8.5MB　初級～中級）*** It's a Good Expression *** （今回の重要表現） How're your finals going? -- Yeah, ... 期末試験の調子はどう？ - うん、それがね…。 ※親しい間柄ではこのようにyesの代わりにyeahが使われることが多い。 （もちろん時と場合によってはyesも使われる） I feel like everything I've learned this semester is slowly leaking out of my brain! まるでこの学期に学んだすべてが少しずつ頭から流れ出てるみたいだ。 Whoa, whoa, whoa. どうどう、落ち着いて。 ※もともとは馬を止めるためのかけ声。 grades 成績 What finals do you have left? あと何の期末試験が残ってるの。 neuroscience 神経科学 anxiety 不安 baseless 根拠がない in all seriousness まじめな話 change my mind 気が変わる *** Script *** (Slow speed) 02:05-04:55 (Natural speed) 10:40-12:35 Finals Fever M: Hey Lucy! How're your finals going? W: Yeah, I'm really starting to get freaked out. I feel like everything I've learned this semester is slowly leaking out of my brain! I can't even concentrate on studying, because I am so stressed out! M: Whoa, whoa, whoa. You need to take a break and calm down. You look like you're either going to start crying, or kill someone with your pen! W: I know, but, if I stop studying… Ah! I just don't have the time… I don't know what to do! M: OK, here is what we're going to do. We're going to go get coffee, and talk about something totally unrelated to finals, grades, or school. Then, after an hour, we can go to the library and I'll help you study. What finals do you have left? W: I have my Neuroscience final today, my Chinese and Chemistry finals tomorrow, and my Modern Japanese History final Friday. M: Oh, I thought you were freaking out for a good reason! Now I can see you are totally baseless in your anxiety. Ha ha… but in all seriousness, we ARE going to need a lot of coffee for this. W: Exactly! What am I going to do?! OK, OK, I'll come with you for just one hour, but at least let me take one book with me…. M: No! Leave that here. We'll take a complete break, and then when we come back we'll concentrate on one final at a time, starting with the one you have today. And then after you take that one, we can come back to the library and continue studying. W: (Sighs). OK. I think I'll actually be OK with that. And I've studied pretty well for my neuroscience test already, and could use the break. Hey, let's hurry up and go before I change my mind! (Written by Matthew Bola)

早いものでもうすぐ６月も終わり、日本の多くの学校では期末試験の季節が近づいてきました。これを乗り切ると楽しい夏休みが待っています。学生のリスナーの皆さん、今まで勉強してきたことをしっかりと復習して、期末試験をがんばってくださいね！ そういうわけで、今回のエピソードでは期末試験期間中の学生の会話をお届けします。やはり大量の試験勉強に追われて落ち着かない様子のようです…。 Image credit: Ashinari. Download MP3 （13:52　8.5MB　初級～中級）*** It's a Good Expression *** （今回の重要表現） How're your finals going? -- Yeah, ... 期末試験の調子はどう？ - うん、それがね…。 ※親しい間柄ではこのようにyesの代わりにyeahが使われることが多い。 （もちろん時と場合によってはyesも使われる） I feel like everything I've learned this semester is slowly leaking out of my brain! まるでこの学期に学んだすべてが少しずつ頭から流れ出てるみたいだ。 Whoa, whoa, whoa. どうどう、落ち着いて。 ※もともとは馬を止めるためのかけ声。 grades 成績 What finals do you have left? あと何の期末試験が残ってるの。 neuroscience 神経科学 anxiety 不安 baseless 根拠がない in all seriousness まじめな話 change my mind 気が変わる *** Script *** (Slow speed) 02:05-04:55 (Natural speed) 10:40-12:35 Finals Fever M: Hey Lucy! How're your finals going? W: Yeah, I'm really starting to get freaked out. I feel like everything I've learned this semester is slowly leaking out of my brain! I can't even concentrate on studying, because I am so stressed out! M: Whoa, whoa, whoa. You need to take a break and calm down. You look like you're either going to start crying, or kill someone with your pen! W: I know, but, if I stop studying… Ah! I just don't have the time… I don't know what to do! M: OK, here is what we're going to do. We're going to go get coffee, and talk about something totally unrelated to finals, grades, or school. Then, after an hour, we can go to the library and I'll help you study. What finals do you have left? W: I have my Neuroscience final today, my Chinese and Chemistry finals tomorrow, and my Modern Japanese History final Friday. M: Oh, I thought you were freaking out for a good reason! Now I can see you are totally baseless in your anxiety. Ha ha… but in all seriousness, we ARE going to need a lot of coffee for this. W: Exactly! What am I going to do?! OK, OK, I'll come with you for just one hour, but at least let me take one book with me…. M: No! Leave that here. We'll take a complete break, and then when we come back we'll concentrate on one final at a time, starting with the one you have today. And then after you take that one, we can come back to the library and continue studying. W: (Sighs). OK. I think I'll actually be OK with that. And I've studied pretty well for my neuroscience test already, and could use the break. Hey, let's hurry up and go before I change my mind! (Written by Matthew Bola)

リスナーの皆さんはこの夏、ビーチに行く計画がありますか？まだまだ梅雨の日々ですが、今回は一足早く皆さんをビーチにお連れしましょう。 今回の会話では、男女ふたりが電話でビーチに行く話をしています。必要なものはビーチパラソルに、冷たいドリンクの入ったクーラーボックス、サンドイッチ、それから…？ Image credit: Mandegan. Download MP3 （16:04　9.7MB　初級～中級）*** It's a Good Expression *** （今回の重要表現） I could use 〜 〜があるとありがたい There's no better 〜 to be than ... ...よりもよい〜はない、...が最高の〜だ I already have the cooler all packed. もうクーラーボックスの荷造りもしちゃったよ。 ※このように定冠詞theは「聞き手や話し手がすでに知っているもの」を指すのに使われる。 よって、番組内の解説にあるように、家の中のものや身近なものに多く使われる。 ちなみに「冷房」はcoolerではなくair conditionerという。 I mean you're a woman. Isn't that in your job description? つまり君は女性だから（サンドイッチを作るのは）君の職務じゃないの。 ※job descriptionは求人広告などに書かれる職務内容の説明のこと。 硬い表現をカジュアルな冗談の中に盛り込むことでユーモラスな感じを出している。 （ただし上記の発言内容は、一般的には冗談どころか人権意識の欠如と見なされるので注意） You (had) better be careful... （アクセント注意、上がり調子で）気をつけた方がいいわよ。 ※had betterは、そうしないと相手に悪いことが起きるという「警告」を意味する。 You Do make some pretty awesome sandwiches. 君の作るサンドイッチは、ほんとかなりの出来だから。 ※pretty awesomeは「かなりいい感じの」。 ここでのDoは、文の内容が事実であることを強調するための表現。 Are we planning on burying someone? 誰か人でも埋めるつもりなの。 a sandcastle 砂のお城 And you're a whole 20 this year? 今年満20歳になる（大の大人の）あなたが？ ※a whole 20=「満20歳」。 Who would ever imagine? （あなたが砂のお城を作るだなんて）誰も想像だにしないわ。 If you say so. （アクセント注意、上がり口調で） そこまで言うなら。 ※相手の言ったことに消極的に同意する時の表現 I'll be over in ten (minutes) to pick you up 10分後にそっちに迎えに行くね。 *** Script *** (Slow speed) 01:40-03:40 (Natural speed) 12:45-14:20 To the Beach! M: Guess what time it is! W: 11:00 in the morning on a Saturday. Why are you calling me so early! M: Yeah, it's 11. You should be up already! W: But it's the weekend… M: Up! Get up! Come on. It's beach time! W: Actually that sounds like a good idea; I could use a day at the beach. M: I know. It's nice and hot outside, and there's no better place to be than the beach on a day like today! W: OK. Give me a couple of minutes to get everything together and ready. Um, do you have a beach umbrella? M: Yep, and I already have the cooler all packed, except for the sandwiches, which I was hoping YOU would make. W: And why is that…? M: Well, I mean you're a woman. Isn't that in your job description? W: You better be careful… It's still early in the morning! M: You know I'm just kidding. But seriously, you Do make some pretty awesome sandwiches. W: Whatever. I'll make the sandwiches and bring them over. M: Thank you! W: Are you bringing everything else? M: Yeah. I even packed a couple of buckets and small shovels. W: Are we planning on burying someone? M: No, I want to make a sandcastle! W: Really? And you're a whole 20 this year? Who would ever imagine? M: Hey, making sandcastles is very fun and cool. W: If you say so. M: Anyways, I'll be over in ten to pick you up, see you then! (Hangs up phone) W: Wait! (sigh) I still haven't even gotten out of bed! (Written by Matthew Bola)

リスナーの皆さんはこの夏、ビーチに行く計画がありますか？まだまだ梅雨の日々ですが、今回は一足早く皆さんをビーチにお連れしましょう。 今回の会話では、男女ふたりが電話でビーチに行く話をしています。必要なものはビーチパラソルに、冷たいドリンクの入ったクーラーボックス、サンドイッチ、それから…？ Image credit: Mandegan. Download MP3 （16:04　9.7MB　初級～中級）*** It's a Good Expression *** （今回の重要表現） I could use 〜 〜があるとありがたい There's no better 〜 to be than ... ...よりもよい〜はない、...が最高の〜だ I already have the cooler all packed. もうクーラーボックスの荷造りもしちゃったよ。 ※このように定冠詞theは「聞き手や話し手がすでに知っているもの」を指すのに使われる。 よって、番組内の解説にあるように、家の中のものや身近なものに多く使われる。 ちなみに「冷房」はcoolerではなくair conditionerという。 I mean you're a woman. Isn't that in your job description? つまり君は女性だから（サンドイッチを作るのは）君の職務じゃないの。 ※job descriptionは求人広告などに書かれる職務内容の説明のこと。 硬い表現をカジュアルな冗談の中に盛り込むことでユーモラスな感じを出している。 （ただし上記の発言内容は、一般的には冗談どころか人権意識の欠如と見なされるので注意） You (had) better be careful... （アクセント注意、上がり調子で）気をつけた方がいいわよ。 ※had betterは、そうしないと相手に悪いことが起きるという「警告」を意味する。 You Do make some pretty awesome sandwiches. 君の作るサンドイッチは、ほんとかなりの出来だから。 ※pretty awesomeは「かなりいい感じの」。 ここでのDoは、文の内容が事実であることを強調するための表現。 Are we planning on burying someone? 誰か人でも埋めるつもりなの。 a sandcastle 砂のお城 And you're a whole 20 this year? 今年満20歳になる（大の大人の）あなたが？ ※a whole 20=「満20歳」。 Who would ever imagine? （あなたが砂のお城を作るだなんて）誰も想像だにしないわ。 If you say so. （アクセント注意、上がり口調で） そこまで言うなら。 ※相手の言ったことに消極的に同意する時の表現 I'll be over in ten (minutes) to pick you up 10分後にそっちに迎えに行くね。 *** Script *** (Slow speed) 01:40-03:40 (Natural speed) 12:45-14:20 To the Beach! M: Guess what time it is! W: 11:00 in the morning on a Saturday. Why are you calling me so early! M: Yeah, it's 11. You should be up already! W: But it's the weekend… M: Up! Get up! Come on. It's beach time! W: Actually that sounds like a good idea; I could use a day at the beach. M: I know. It's nice and hot outside, and there's no better place to be than the beach on a day like today! W: OK. Give me a couple of minutes to get everything together and ready. Um, do you have a beach umbrella? M: Yep, and I already have the cooler all packed, except for the sandwiches, which I was hoping YOU would make. W: And why is that…? M: Well, I mean you're a woman. Isn't that in your job description? W: You better be careful… It's still early in the morning! M: You know I'm just kidding. But seriously, you Do make some pretty awesome sandwiches. W: Whatever. I'll make the sandwiches and bring them over. M: Thank you! W: Are you bringing everything else? M: Yeah. I even packed a couple of buckets and small shovels. W: Are we planning on burying someone? M: No, I want to make a sandcastle! W: Really? And you're a whole 20 this year? Who would ever imagine? M: Hey, making sandcastles is very fun and cool. W: If you say so. M: Anyways, I'll be over in ten to pick you up, see you then! (Hangs up phone) W: Wait! (sigh) I still haven't even gotten out of bed! (Written by Matthew Bola)

(image credit: OpenClips via Pixabay Public Domain CC0) 日本とアメリカの大学には様々な違いがあります。このうち、教室の風景として大きく違うことの一つは、アメリカの教室では飲み物の持ち込みが許されていることが多いという点です。日本の教室では考えられないことですが、何と授業中の食事も認めていることすらあるようです。 今回の会話では、授業中に飲み物を飲んでいるアメリカ人学生に日本人の友人が注意しているようです。教室での二人の会話に耳を傾けてみましょう。（でも学生の皆さん、授業中の私語はダメですよ…） Download MP3 （20:07　12.0MB　初級～中級）*** It's a Good Expression *** （今回の重要表現） And that is related to this conversation how? = And how is that related to this conversation? ※このような「肯定文＋疑問詞」のタイプが会話で使われることがある。 最後の疑問詞を上がり調子で発音する。 discreet 慎重な、控えめな No way! とんでもない！ You gotta be kidding! 冗談でしょ！ understanding 寛容な Wow, that certainly sounds nice. へえ、それは確かによさそうだね。 furious 激怒した give and take お互いが妥協しあっている go for something to eat over taking a nap お昼寝をするよりも、何か食べる物を探しに出かける to hold out for a few more minutes もう少しの時間だけがまんする to catch some lunch 昼ご飯を食べにいく ※類似の表現で、to catch a bite to eatも覚えておこう。 to head off 〜に行く ※headは動詞。 to glare at 〜 〜をにらむ *** Script *** (Slow speed) 03:25-06:00 (Natural speed) 15:05-16:50 Drinking In Class M: Hey! What are you doing?! W: (gulp, gulp) Um…drinking coffee? M: Hey, we're in the middle of class!! W: And that is related to this conversation how? M: You can't drink in the middle of a lecture! W: Really? Not even water, or coffee? M: No! W: Oh, that's strange… M: Why? Can you drink during class in America? W: Of course! You can drink water, tea, coffee, almost anything. Depending on the teacher and how discreet you are, you can even eat snacks! M: No way! You gotta be kidding. W: Well, sometimes there are a couple of teachers that won't let you drink or eat anything. But most teachers are very understanding, and even drink water or coffee themselves. M: Wow, that certainly sounds nice. W: Yes, but I've seen a few students fall asleep in the middle of a lecture here in Japan, and if that happened in a lecture in America the teacher would be furious! M: Is that so? Hmm, I guess it's give and take, though I could really go for something to eat now over taking a nap! W: Well, we only have about ten more minutes left in class, so I'm guessing we can both hold out for a few more minutes. M: True. Hey, do you want to catch some lunch after this? Maybe even head off campus and eat some curry? W: Sure, sounds good! Although I think maybe we should quiet down, the teacher's glaring at us and walking this way! (Written by Matthew Bola)

(image credit: OpenClips via Pixabay Public Domain CC0) 日本とアメリカの大学には様々な違いがあります。このうち、教室の風景として大きく違うことの一つは、アメリカの教室では飲み物の持ち込みが許されていることが多いという点です。日本の教室では考えられないことですが、何と授業中の食事も認めていることすらあるようです。 今回の会話では、授業中に飲み物を飲んでいるアメリカ人学生に日本人の友人が注意しているようです。教室での二人の会話に耳を傾けてみましょう。（でも学生の皆さん、授業中の私語はダメですよ…） Download MP3 （20:07　12.0MB　初級～中級）*** It's a Good Expression *** （今回の重要表現） And that is related to this conversation how? = And how is that related to this conversation? ※このような「肯定文＋疑問詞」のタイプが会話で使われることがある。 最後の疑問詞を上がり調子で発音する。 discreet 慎重な、控えめな No way! とんでもない！ You gotta be kidding! 冗談でしょ！ understanding 寛容な Wow, that certainly sounds nice. へえ、それは確かによさそうだね。 furious 激怒した give and take お互いが妥協しあっている go for something to eat over taking a nap お昼寝をするよりも、何か食べる物を探しに出かける to hold out for a few more minutes もう少しの時間だけがまんする to catch some lunch 昼ご飯を食べにいく ※類似の表現で、to catch a bite to eatも覚えておこう。 to head off 〜に行く ※headは動詞。 to glare at 〜 〜をにらむ *** Script *** (Slow speed) 03:25-06:00 (Natural speed) 15:05-16:50 Drinking In Class M: Hey! What are you doing?! W: (gulp, gulp) Um…drinking coffee? M: Hey, we're in the middle of class!! W: And that is related to this conversation how? M: You can't drink in the middle of a lecture! W: Really? Not even water, or coffee? M: No! W: Oh, that's strange… M: Why? Can you drink during class in America? W: Of course! You can drink water, tea, coffee, almost anything. Depending on the teacher and how discreet you are, you can even eat snacks! M: No way! You gotta be kidding. W: Well, sometimes there are a couple of teachers that won't let you drink or eat anything. But most teachers are very understanding, and even drink water or coffee themselves. M: Wow, that certainly sounds nice. W: Yes, but I've seen a few students fall asleep in the middle of a lecture here in Japan, and if that happened in a lecture in America the teacher would be furious! M: Is that so? Hmm, I guess it's give and take, though I could really go for something to eat now over taking a nap! W: Well, we only have about ten more minutes left in class, so I'm guessing we can both hold out for a few more minutes. M: True. Hey, do you want to catch some lunch after this? Maybe even head off campus and eat some curry? W: Sure, sounds good! Although I think maybe we should quiet down, the teacher's glaring at us and walking this way! (Written by Matthew Bola)

(image credit: gerdushe via Pixabay Public Domain CC0) 皆さんはどのような本を英語で読んでいますか。英語に気軽に触れるために、多読用のGraded Readersや、いわゆるヤングアダルト小説を楽しんでいる人も多いのではないでしょうか。 これらに慣れてきて、次はもう少し内容の濃い（substantial）本にチャレンジしたい！という方にお勧めなのは、英米の本格的な文学作品です。こうした文学作品は、思いを伝える「ことば」としての英語の力を生き生きと感じさせてくれます。また会話の話題づくりにもたいへん重宝するでしょう。 今回の会話で紹介されているアメリカの小説や演劇は、英語学習者にとっても比較的読みやすい作品ばかりです。興味を持った作品があれば、いちど手に取ってみてはいかがでしょうか。 Download MP3 （17:47　10.7MB　初級～中級）*** It's a Good Expression *** （今回の重要表現） ********** オープニングで紹介された作品 Twilight (2005-2008) Stephenie Meyer (1973-)によるヤングアダルト小説のシリーズ。計4巻で構成され、The Twilight Sagaとして映画化された。 Death of a Salesman (1949) アメリカの劇作家Arthur Miller (1915-2005)の代表作。第二次世界大戦後のアメリカ社会をめぐる問題を描き出した家族ドラマ。Millerは一時期Marilyn Monroeと結婚していたことでも有名。 For Whom the Bell Tolls (1940) アメリカの文豪Ernest Hemingway (1899-1961)作。スペイン内戦を舞台に、アメリカ人義勇兵と、両親をファシストに殺された娘との恋を描いた小説。1943年に映画化され、アカデミー作品賞を受賞。 The Sun Also Rises (1926) 同じくヘミングウェイによる作品。第一次世界大戦が原因で性的不能者になったアメリカ人の男を主人公に、Lost Generationと呼ばれる世代の無力感を描く。 The Bell Jar (1963) アメリカの詩人・小説家Sylvia Plath (1932-1963)の代表作。10代の女子の不安定な気持ちを描いた自伝的小説。 ********** substantial 中身の濃い、内容のある to point ～ in the right direction ～を正しく指南する、～に適切なアドバイスを与える the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939) スペイン内戦。第二次世界大戦の前哨戦となり、ヘミングウェイのFor Whom the Bell Tollsやピカソの「ゲルニカ」など、同時代の文学・芸術作品にも影響を与えた。 Dare I ask you ～? ～をあえて聞いてもいいですか。 to fall into depression うつ病に陥る Jeeze! まあ、何てこと！ Virginia Woolf (1882-1941) イギリスの小説家・批評家。繊細な文体で人間の意識を描写し、モダニズム文学の中心的存在となった。代表作にMrs. Dallowayなどがある。（ちなみに会話の男性が語っているような、いわゆる"sad"な小説はあまり書いていない） *** Script *** (Slow speed) 04:45-07:55 (Natural speed) 13:20-15:25 Some Good American Books Scene: Two students have just entered a bookstore. M: So, what type of books do you usually like to read, anyway? W: Well, usually I'll read just about anything, but as of right now I'm looking for a book about the States, because I'm leaving to go over there soon, you know. Though I wanted something a little substantial-- none of that Twilight stuff. What about you? What do you usually read? M: Oh, I usually try to read different types of books. But if you're looking for American literature, I think I might be able to point you in the right direction. W: Oh really? Well, all right then, lead the way! M: OK. Let's see… what have they got here? Oh, Death of a Salesman. That's a play… so that wouldn't really be what you're looking for. Hmm… how about… Ernest Hemingway. W: Yeah, I've heard of him. Is he any good? M: I actually really like him. His books are interesting, especially For Whom the Bell Tolls. It's about an American during the Spanish Civil War. And The Sun Also Rises is also really good. It's about a group of people who travel down from France into Spain to watch a bullfight. W: While that DOES sound interesting, how about a book set in America? And a book with a woman as the main character? M: Well, there's The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath. W: OK, that sounds interesting. Dare I ask what its about? M: It's about a girl who falls into depression. W: Jeeze, sounds sad. I don't really like sad things. M: And let me just say… although the book ends NOT depressing, DON'T read about the author's life. W: Fine, just give me the book… Wait. Here's another one. Who's this Virginia Woolf? M: Oh, oh. If you don't like sad things, I would just put that one down… (Written by Matthew Bola)

(image credit: gerdushe via Pixabay Public Domain CC0) 皆さんはどのような本を英語で読んでいますか。英語に気軽に触れるために、多読用のGraded Readersや、いわゆるヤングアダルト小説を楽しんでいる人も多いのではないでしょうか。 これらに慣れてきて、次はもう少し内容の濃い（substantial）本にチャレンジしたい！という方にお勧めなのは、英米の本格的な文学作品です。こうした文学作品は、思いを伝える「ことば」としての英語の力を生き生きと感じさせてくれます。また会話の話題づくりにもたいへん重宝するでしょう。 今回の会話で紹介されているアメリカの小説や演劇は、英語学習者にとっても比較的読みやすい作品ばかりです。興味を持った作品があれば、いちど手に取ってみてはいかがでしょうか。 Download MP3 （17:47　10.7MB　初級～中級）*** It's a Good Expression *** （今回の重要表現） ********** オープニングで紹介された作品 Twilight (2005-2008) Stephenie Meyer (1973-)によるヤングアダルト小説のシリーズ。計4巻で構成され、The Twilight Sagaとして映画化された。 Death of a Salesman (1949) アメリカの劇作家Arthur Miller (1915-2005)の代表作。第二次世界大戦後のアメリカ社会をめぐる問題を描き出した家族ドラマ。Millerは一時期Marilyn Monroeと結婚していたことでも有名。 For Whom the Bell Tolls (1940) アメリカの文豪Ernest Hemingway (1899-1961)作。スペイン内戦を舞台に、アメリカ人義勇兵と、両親をファシストに殺された娘との恋を描いた小説。1943年に映画化され、アカデミー作品賞を受賞。 The Sun Also Rises (1926) 同じくヘミングウェイによる作品。第一次世界大戦が原因で性的不能者になったアメリカ人の男を主人公に、Lost Generationと呼ばれる世代の無力感を描く。 The Bell Jar (1963) アメリカの詩人・小説家Sylvia Plath (1932-1963)の代表作。10代の女子の不安定な気持ちを描いた自伝的小説。 ********** substantial 中身の濃い、内容のある to point ～ in the right direction ～を正しく指南する、～に適切なアドバイスを与える the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939) スペイン内戦。第二次世界大戦の前哨戦となり、ヘミングウェイのFor Whom the Bell Tollsやピカソの「ゲルニカ」など、同時代の文学・芸術作品にも影響を与えた。 Dare I ask you ～? ～をあえて聞いてもいいですか。 to fall into depression うつ病に陥る Jeeze! まあ、何てこと！ Virginia Woolf (1882-1941) イギリスの小説家・批評家。繊細な文体で人間の意識を描写し、モダニズム文学の中心的存在となった。代表作にMrs. Dallowayなどがある。（ちなみに会話の男性が語っているような、いわゆる"sad"な小説はあまり書いていない） *** Script *** (Slow speed) 04:45-07:55 (Natural speed) 13:20-15:25 Some Good American Books Scene: Two students have just entered a bookstore. M: So, what type of books do you usually like to read, anyway? W: Well, usually I'll read just about anything, but as of right now I'm looking for a book about the States, because I'm leaving to go over there soon, you know. Though I wanted something a little substantial-- none of that Twilight stuff. What about you? What do you usually read? M: Oh, I usually try to read different types of books. But if you're looking for American literature, I think I might be able to point you in the right direction. W: Oh really? Well, all right then, lead the way! M: OK. Let's see… what have they got here? Oh, Death of a Salesman. That's a play… so that wouldn't really be what you're looking for. Hmm… how about… Ernest Hemingway. W: Yeah, I've heard of him. Is he any good? M: I actually really like him. His books are interesting, especially For Whom the Bell Tolls. It's about an American during the Spanish Civil War. And The Sun Also Rises is also really good. It's about a group of people who travel down from France into Spain to watch a bullfight. W: While that DOES sound interesting, how about a book set in America? And a book with a woman as the main character? M: Well, there's The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath. W: OK, that sounds interesting. Dare I ask what its about? M: It's about a girl who falls into depression. W: Jeeze, sounds sad. I don't really like sad things. M: And let me just say… although the book ends NOT depressing, DON'T read about the author's life. W: Fine, just give me the book… Wait. Here's another one. Who's this Virginia Woolf? M: Oh, oh. If you don't like sad things, I would just put that one down… (Written by Matthew Bola)

(image credit: 夢の散歩 via Wikipedia CC BY-SA 3.0) 2008年からスタートした本ポッドキャストの「やさしい英語会話」も、とうとう今回で200回目を迎えました。リスナーの皆様の日頃のご支援に感謝いたします。今後も英語学習に役立つ楽しい番組を作ってまいりますので、これからもよろしくお願いします！ さて今回は、少しシリアスな話題をユーモラスにお届けします。これは日本・韓国・アメリカのTVドラマにたびたび登場する話題ですが、国によって取り上げる視線がかなり異なるようですので、比較してみるのも面白いかも知れません。今回のテーマは「養子」です。 Download MP3 （15:17　9.3MB　初級～中級）You're Adopted *** It's a Good Expression *** （今回の重要表現） unethical 倫理に反する Caucasian コーカソイドの、白人の cf. African American（アフリカ系アメリカ人の、黒人の） a pigment deficiency 色素欠乏症 a driver's permit 運転許可証 ※国際運転免許証のような、一時的な許可証のこと a birth certificate 出生証明書 you need your birth certificate to get one 運転許可証を取得するためには出生証明書が必要である ※ここでのyouは人一般を指す。 sit ... down （大切な話をするために）...を座らせる it doesn't really matter. 全然問題ない there was a little part of me that knew all along （自分が養子であると）最初から分かっていた自分がいた You don't say... まさか、ほんとう？ ※don'tとsayを強く発音することに注意。 *** Script *** (Slow speed) 04:00-05:40 (Natural speed) 11:45-13:00 You're Adopted M: Kendra! I just found out I was adopted! I can't believe my whole life has been a lie!! W: Wait, what? You didn't know you were adopted? M: Hey, you knew?! Why didn't you ever tell me? W: I thought you already knew! I mean your parents are both African American…. And, and you're very… Caucasian… M: I thought I had a pigment deficiency! W: Well, how did you find out? M: I went to get my driver's permit, and you need your birth certificate to get one. So, I asked my parents, and then they gave me this really strange look. They sat me down in the living room, and explained to me that I was adopted. W: Oh, well, how do you feel about it? M: I guess OK. I'm still pretty shocked, but I guess it doesn't really matter. My parents are still my parents. And, maybe… there was a little part of me that knew all along. W: You don't say… M: And, hey, maybe they'll feel bad enough about not telling me all this time that they'll buy me a new car! W: Um, I cannot begin to explain how unethical that statement was! (Written by Matthew Bola)

(image credit: 夢の散歩 via Wikipedia CC BY-SA 3.0) 2008年からスタートした本ポッドキャストの「やさしい英語会話」も、とうとう今回で200回目を迎えました。リスナーの皆様の日頃のご支援に感謝いたします。今後も英語学習に役立つ楽しい番組を作ってまいりますので、これからもよろしくお願いします！ さて今回は、少しシリアスな話題をユーモラスにお届けします。これは日本・韓国・アメリカのTVドラマにたびたび登場する話題ですが、国によって取り上げる視線がかなり異なるようですので、比較してみるのも面白いかも知れません。今回のテーマは「養子」です。 Download MP3 （15:17　9.3MB　初級～中級）You're Adopted *** It's a Good Expression *** （今回の重要表現） unethical 倫理に反する Caucasian コーカソイドの、白人の cf. African American（アフリカ系アメリカ人の、黒人の） a pigment deficiency 色素欠乏症 a driver's permit 運転許可証 ※国際運転免許証のような、一時的な許可証のこと a birth certificate 出生証明書 you need your birth certificate to get one 運転許可証を取得するためには出生証明書が必要である ※ここでのyouは人一般を指す。 sit ... down （大切な話をするために）...を座らせる it doesn't really matter. 全然問題ない there was a little part of me that knew all along （自分が養子であると）最初から分かっていた自分がいた You don't say... まさか、ほんとう？ ※don'tとsayを強く発音することに注意。 *** Script *** (Slow speed) 04:00-05:40 (Natural speed) 11:45-13:00 You're Adopted M: Kendra! I just found out I was adopted! I can't believe my whole life has been a lie!! W: Wait, what? You didn't know you were adopted? M: Hey, you knew?! Why didn't you ever tell me? W: I thought you already knew! I mean your parents are both African American…. And, and you're very… Caucasian… M: I thought I had a pigment deficiency! W: Well, how did you find out? M: I went to get my driver's permit, and you need your birth certificate to get one. So, I asked my parents, and then they gave me this really strange look. They sat me down in the living room, and explained to me that I was adopted. W: Oh, well, how do you feel about it? M: I guess OK. I'm still pretty shocked, but I guess it doesn't really matter. My parents are still my parents. And, maybe… there was a little part of me that knew all along. W: You don't say… M: And, hey, maybe they'll feel bad enough about not telling me all this time that they'll buy me a new car! W: Um, I cannot begin to explain how unethical that statement was! (Written by Matthew Bola)

(image credit: tribut via openclipart Public Domain) 先週取り上げた「ショッピング」は多くの人に愛されていますが、逆に今週取り上げる話題は、多くの人に嫌われているかもしれません。今回のテーマは「喫煙」です。 日本では法律で20歳未満の喫煙が禁じられていますが、アメリカでは州によって喫煙可能な年齢が異なっています。また、概してタバコに対する規制が厳しいアメリカですが、日本では考えられないあるものの吸引が法律で認められている州もあるようです。それは何でしょうか。 Download MP3 （17:38　10.4MB　初級～中級）Smokin' *** It's a Good Expression *** （今回の重要表現） a smoke room 喫煙室 to annoy ...をいらいらさせる Why wouldn't they let me smoke outside ...? （反語的に）どうして外で喫煙させてくれないんだろう（させてくれてもいいじゃない）。 to dissipate into the air 空中に消散する、空気中に散って消える to be cramped into ... ...に閉じ込められる to compress 詰め込む、圧縮させる leisurely ゆっくりと to depend state by state 州によって違う turn 20 20歳になる to hold out 辛抱する *** Script *** (Slow speed) 03:15-05:40 (Natural speed) 14:10-15:55 Smokin' Scene: A friend approaches a female American student who is smoking. M: Hey, you can't do that here! W: Do what…? M: You can't smoke here! W: Why not? M: You're in the middle of campus. Here, look, there's a smoke room right here for you to smoke in. W: A smoke what? M: It's a smoke room, so you don't annoy the people around you. W: Wow, this is weird. Why wouldn't they let me smoke outside where the smoke can dissipate into the air easier, instead of cramping me in a room, which basically compresses it all? M: Because other people can smell it and breathe it in if you smoke outside. W: Hmm… Japan confuses me. It still has a couple of cafes and restaurants where you can smoke in, but you can't leisurely smoke outside? M: Can you in America? W: It depends state by state, but basically if you're outside no one really cares if you smoke. Except when there are signs that say you can't. M: What about in buildings? W: Generally, any public building you can't smoke in, and most restaurants are the same, so usually you can only smoke in bars now. M: Hmm. Hey, aren't you 19? You have to be 20 to smoke in Japan! W: What?! Man, really? It's only 18 in the US... Well, this is a sad day. I guess now is the best time to quit if I can't buy cigarettes in Japan! M: Yes, I think this is a great opportunity for you to give up smoking. W: Hey, Just kidding! I turn 20 next week. And I think I can hold out until then! M: I give up… (Written by Matthew Bola)

(image credit: tribut via openclipart Public Domain) 先週取り上げた「ショッピング」は多くの人に愛されていますが、逆に今週取り上げる話題は、多くの人に嫌われているかもしれません。今回のテーマは「喫煙」です。 日本では法律で20歳未満の喫煙が禁じられていますが、アメリカでは州によって喫煙可能な年齢が異なっています。また、概してタバコに対する規制が厳しいアメリカですが、日本では考えられないあるものの吸引が法律で認められている州もあるようです。それは何でしょうか。 Download MP3 （17:38　10.4MB　初級～中級）Smokin' *** It's a Good Expression *** （今回の重要表現） a smoke room 喫煙室 to annoy ...をいらいらさせる Why wouldn't they let me smoke outside ...? （反語的に）どうして外で喫煙させてくれないんだろう（させてくれてもいいじゃない）。 to dissipate into the air 空中に消散する、空気中に散って消える to be cramped into ... ...に閉じ込められる to compress 詰め込む、圧縮させる leisurely ゆっくりと to depend state by state 州によって違う turn 20 20歳になる to hold out 辛抱する *** Script *** (Slow speed) 03:15-05:40 (Natural speed) 14:10-15:55 Smokin' Scene: A friend approaches a female American student who is smoking. M: Hey, you can't do that here! W: Do what…? M: You can't smoke here! W: Why not? M: You're in the middle of campus. Here, look, there's a smoke room right here for you to smoke in. W: A smoke what? M: It's a smoke room, so you don't annoy the people around you. W: Wow, this is weird. Why wouldn't they let me smoke outside where the smoke can dissipate into the air easier, instead of cramping me in a room, which basically compresses it all? M: Because other people can smell it and breathe it in if you smoke outside. W: Hmm… Japan confuses me. It still has a couple of cafes and restaurants where you can smoke in, but you can't leisurely smoke outside? M: Can you in America? W: It depends state by state, but basically if you're outside no one really cares if you smoke. Except when there are signs that say you can't. M: What about in buildings? W: Generally, any public building you can't smoke in, and most restaurants are the same, so usually you can only smoke in bars now. M: Hmm. Hey, aren't you 19? You have to be 20 to smoke in Japan! W: What?! Man, really? It's only 18 in the US... Well, this is a sad day. I guess now is the best time to quit if I can't buy cigarettes in Japan! M: Yes, I think this is a great opportunity for you to give up smoking. W: Hey, Just kidding! I turn 20 next week. And I think I can hold out until then! M: I give up… (Written by Matthew Bola)

(image credit: Aoaoaoyama via Wikipedia CC-BY-SA 3.0) 先週、一挙８本をお届けしました「アメリカ探究の旅」いかがだったでしょうか。数が多すぎてまだ全部を聞けていないという方もご心配なく。自分のペースで聞けるのがポッドキャストのよいところ。お暇な折にぜひ耳を傾けてみてくださいね。そして次回の配信もお楽しみに！ さて、４月後半の３週間は「やさしい英語会話」をお届けします。今週のテーマは「ショッピング」です。２人の留学生が、広島にもあるあの有名なディスカウントストアで買い物をしているようです。ショッピングが好きな方も、そうでない方も、どうぞお楽しみください。 Download MP3 （15:35　9.4MB　初級～中級）Shopping *** It's a Good Expression *** （今回の重要表現） Don Quijote 日本のディスカウントチェーン。 to get stuck in one's head （歌などが）頭に残って抜けない、頭の中でぐるぐる回っている All's well that ends well. 「終わりよければすべてよし」 ※ことわざ。William Shakespeareの戯曲のタイトルとしても有名。 awesome すばらしい I wouldn't go that far. そこまでではないけどね。 ※thatは副詞。否定の文脈で「そんなに〜ではない」の意味で使われる。 これを直訳すると「私なら、そこまでは言い及ばないだろう」。 相手の言った（強い肯定を含む）ことに対し、肯定の度合いが低いことを表明する。 Wal-Mart アメリカの大手ディスカウントストア。 to dread ...ing ...するのが怖い mean （形）意地悪な、感じの悪い The quality of some of their products are pretty low. 正しくはThe quality of some of their products is pretty low. ※この言い間違いについては番組内の解説をお聞きください。 decent きちんとした to be few and far between とてもまれな to blow ... out of the water ...を打ち負かす multiple times 何度も flat out run 全速力で走る ※flat out＋...[形容詞] = really ... to check out （お店を）チェックする as far as the eyes can see 見渡す限り an option = a choice an entire day 丸一日 *** Script *** (Slow speed) 01:25-03:45 (Natural speed) 12:00-13:40 Shopping Scene: Two foreign students shopping at a Don Quijote. M: Don, Don, Don, Don Quijote, Don-Ki-Ho-Te! W: Please stop singing that song. M: Why? I love that song! And this store too. W: But it gets stuck in my head so easily! (sigh) Never mind. Now I'll just sing it the rest of the day too. M: See: all's well that ends well! Anyway, thanks a lot for bringing me to this store, they have everything that is awesome all in one place. W: I wouldn't go that far. M: It's like Wal-Mart, but with actually good things for sale. W: You don't like Wal-Mart? M: I'm a college student who has no money, so, yes, I like Wal-Mart. But at the same time, I kind of dread going to the place. W: Why? M: Because most of the time the people are very unhappy or mean. And the quality of some of their products are, unfortunately, pretty low. Now, I've been to a couple of Wal-Marts before that were decent with good customer service, but those are few and far between! W: So, now you're complaining about America's customer service? M: Not so much complaining as… comparing it to Japan's customer service, which just blows America's customer service out of the water! I've had people run to different sides of the store multiple times looking for something for me. They flat out RAN! (sigh) I'm going to miss Japan and their awesome stores. W: Me too, me too. Though I really wanna get back to America and check out their malls. Shops: as far as the eyes can see! Everywhere. Stores with clothes, and make-up, and bags! And, and SHOES! M: I know, I know, but really, why do you need so many shops in one place? W: Because women need options when they shop. M: And an entire day to do it! (Written by Matthew Bola)

(image credit: Aoaoaoyama via Wikipedia CC-BY-SA 3.0) 先週、一挙８本をお届けしました「アメリカ探究の旅」いかがだったでしょうか。数が多すぎてまだ全部を聞けていないという方もご心配なく。自分のペースで聞けるのがポッドキャストのよいところ。お暇な折にぜひ耳を傾けてみてくださいね。そして次回の配信もお楽しみに！ さて、４月後半の３週間は「やさしい英語会話」をお届けします。今週のテーマは「ショッピング」です。２人の留学生が、広島にもあるあの有名なディスカウントストアで買い物をしているようです。ショッピングが好きな方も、そうでない方も、どうぞお楽しみください。 Download MP3 （15:35　9.4MB　初級～中級）Shopping *** It's a Good Expression *** （今回の重要表現） Don Quijote 日本のディスカウントチェーン。 to get stuck in one's head （歌などが）頭に残って抜けない、頭の中でぐるぐる回っている All's well that ends well. 「終わりよければすべてよし」 ※ことわざ。William Shakespeareの戯曲のタイトルとしても有名。 awesome すばらしい I wouldn't go that far. そこまでではないけどね。 ※thatは副詞。否定の文脈で「そんなに〜ではない」の意味で使われる。 これを直訳すると「私なら、そこまでは言い及ばないだろう」。 相手の言った（強い肯定を含む）ことに対し、肯定の度合いが低いことを表明する。 Wal-Mart アメリカの大手ディスカウントストア。 to dread ...ing ...するのが怖い mean （形）意地悪な、感じの悪い The quality of some of their products are pretty low. 正しくはThe quality of some of their products is pretty low. ※この言い間違いについては番組内の解説をお聞きください。 decent きちんとした to be few and far between とてもまれな to blow ... out of the water ...を打ち負かす multiple times 何度も flat out run 全速力で走る ※flat out＋...[形容詞] = really ... to check out （お店を）チェックする as far as the eyes can see 見渡す限り an option = a choice an entire day 丸一日 *** Script *** (Slow speed) 01:25-03:45 (Natural speed) 12:00-13:40 Shopping Scene: Two foreign students shopping at a Don Quijote. M: Don, Don, Don, Don Quijote, Don-Ki-Ho-Te! W: Please stop singing that song. M: Why? I love that song! And this store too. W: But it gets stuck in my head so easily! (sigh) Never mind. Now I'll just sing it the rest of the day too. M: See: all's well that ends well! Anyway, thanks a lot for bringing me to this store, they have everything that is awesome all in one place. W: I wouldn't go that far. M: It's like Wal-Mart, but with actually good things for sale. W: You don't like Wal-Mart? M: I'm a college student who has no money, so, yes, I like Wal-Mart. But at the same time, I kind of dread going to the place. W: Why? M: Because most of the time the people are very unhappy or mean. And the quality of some of their products are, unfortunately, pretty low. Now, I've been to a couple of Wal-Marts before that were decent with good customer service, but those are few and far between! W: So, now you're complaining about America's customer service? M: Not so much complaining as… comparing it to Japan's customer service, which just blows America's customer service out of the water! I've had people run to different sides of the store multiple times looking for something for me. They flat out RAN! (sigh) I'm going to miss Japan and their awesome stores. W: Me too, me too. Though I really wanna get back to America and check out their malls. Shops: as far as the eyes can see! Everywhere. Stores with clothes, and make-up, and bags! And, and SHOES! M: I know, I know, but really, why do you need so many shops in one place? W: Because women need options when they shop. M: And an entire day to do it! (Written by Matthew Bola)

いよいよ野球シーズンの到来です！先週21日の第86回選抜高校野球大会。その翌日の大リーグ（MLB）開幕に続き、今週金曜日には日本プロ野球（NPB）の公式戦が始まります。大リーグの日本人選手の活躍も気になりますが、昨年悲願のCS進出を果たした地元・広島カープも、ますます応援の熱気が高まることでしょう。 一方、野球発祥の地アメリカで今最も人気の高いスポーツといえば、アメリカン・フットボール。その野球をはるかに凌ぐ人気の秘訣は、どうやらプロリーグのシステムにもあるようです。会話の中では、野球とアメフトのシステムをどう比較しているでしょうか。 Download MP3 （15:26　9.3MB　初級～中級）Do You Like Baseball? *** It's a Good Expression *** （今回の重要表現） in the US [=the United States] / in the States ※国名が複数形のsで終わる場合、前に前置詞のtheをつける。 この例としては、他にフィリピン（the Philippines）、オランダ（the Netherlands）などがある。 mildly popular = わずかに人気がある このような"mildly＋[形容詞]"の用法は、popularやinterestingといった特定の形容詞に限られる。 much less = ましてや〜は...だ ※直前に否定文を伴う。 the Yankees, the Red Sox, the Dodgers, the Giants ※スポーツチームには必ずtheをつける。広島カープはthe Hiroshima Carp。 A close second to football = （アメフトの）僅差で２番目（に好きなスポーツ） ※secondはここでは名詞。 to gain popularity = 人気を得る *** Script *** (Slow speed) 02:45-04:55 (Natural speed) 10:45-12:35 Do You Like Baseball? W: Hey Robert, do you like baseball? M: Baseball? Hmm, not really, why? W: Here in Japan, baseball is extremely popular, and it was invented in the US, so I was just curious. M: Hmm… actually baseball's only mildly popular in the States. In fact, I can't say I know many people who watch it, much less being fanatic about it. W: Really? That's surprising. What sports do Americans really like, then? M: American football is undoubtedly Number 1. It's really exciting, you know. In comparison, baseball is boring. Too slow, and there are so many baseball games that individual games are not really important. W: Hmm… M: Yeah, in football, there's a salary cap for each team, so all the teams are basically even, and each year almost any team can win the championship! In baseball, the good players go to the rich teams—the Yankees, the Red Sox, the Dodgers, the Giants, so the smaller poorer cities have no chance. W: Yeah, the Carp have the same problem. M: A close second to football is basketball. Is basketball popular in Japan? W: Actually, yes. Soccer's gained increasing popularity the past couple of years, though it's still not as popular as baseball. Hey, but if you want excitement, soccer is great. I heard soccer's not so popular in America? M: Yeah, unfortunately that's true. Soccer's not very popular there, though it's gaining some popularity. W: At last! Americans are beginning to watch the proper football! M: Hey! (Written by Matthew Bola)

いよいよ野球シーズンの到来です！先週21日の第86回選抜高校野球大会。その翌日の大リーグ（MLB）開幕に続き、今週金曜日には日本プロ野球（NPB）の公式戦が始まります。大リーグの日本人選手の活躍も気になりますが、昨年悲願のCS進出を果たした地元・広島カープも、ますます応援の熱気が高まることでしょう。 一方、野球発祥の地アメリカで今最も人気の高いスポーツといえば、アメリカン・フットボール。その野球をはるかに凌ぐ人気の秘訣は、どうやらプロリーグのシステムにもあるようです。会話の中では、野球とアメフトのシステムをどう比較しているでしょうか。 Download MP3 （15:26　9.3MB　初級～中級）Do You Like Baseball? *** It's a Good Expression *** （今回の重要表現） in the US [=the United States] / in the States ※国名が複数形のsで終わる場合、前に前置詞のtheをつける。 この例としては、他にフィリピン（the Philippines）、オランダ（the Netherlands）などがある。 mildly popular = わずかに人気がある このような"mildly＋[形容詞]"の用法は、popularやinterestingといった特定の形容詞に限られる。 much less = ましてや〜は...だ ※直前に否定文を伴う。 the Yankees, the Red Sox, the Dodgers, the Giants ※スポーツチームには必ずtheをつける。広島カープはthe Hiroshima Carp。 A close second to football = （アメフトの）僅差で２番目（に好きなスポーツ） ※secondはここでは名詞。 to gain popularity = 人気を得る *** Script *** (Slow speed) 02:45-04:55 (Natural speed) 10:45-12:35 Do You Like Baseball? W: Hey Robert, do you like baseball? M: Baseball? Hmm, not really, why? W: Here in Japan, baseball is extremely popular, and it was invented in the US, so I was just curious. M: Hmm… actually baseball's only mildly popular in the States. In fact, I can't say I know many people who watch it, much less being fanatic about it. W: Really? That's surprising. What sports do Americans really like, then? M: American football is undoubtedly Number 1. It's really exciting, you know. In comparison, baseball is boring. Too slow, and there are so many baseball games that individual games are not really important. W: Hmm… M: Yeah, in football, there's a salary cap for each team, so all the teams are basically even, and each year almost any team can win the championship! In baseball, the good players go to the rich teams—the Yankees, the Red Sox, the Dodgers, the Giants, so the smaller poorer cities have no chance. W: Yeah, the Carp have the same problem. M: A close second to football is basketball. Is basketball popular in Japan? W: Actually, yes. Soccer's gained increasing popularity the past couple of years, though it's still not as popular as baseball. Hey, but if you want excitement, soccer is great. I heard soccer's not so popular in America? M: Yeah, unfortunately that's true. Soccer's not very popular there, though it's gaining some popularity. W: At last! Americans are beginning to watch the proper football! M: Hey! (Written by Matthew Bola)

(image credit: Zauberin via Pixabay Public Domain CC0) もうすぐ春。広島大学では本日一般入試（前期日程）が行われています。受験生の皆さんに輝かしい春が訪れ、それぞれの夢に向けてスタートが切れるよう、スタッフ一同祈っています。 ところで今回の会話には、輝かしいというよりちょっと「あぶない」夢が登場するようです。 夢といえば以前にも「明晰夢」の話や「変わった夢」についての会話をお届けしました。今回のお話も一風変わった夢の話からスタートしますが、途中からの予想外に「あぶない」展開をお聞き逃しなく…。 Download MP3 （16:09　9.8MB　初級～中級）Dangerous Dreams *** It's a Good Expression *** （今回の重要表現） deranged =crazy a clown 道化師 to run 〜 over 〜を車でひく a butchers knife 肉切り包丁 to plunge 〜 into ... 〜を...に突っ込む multiple 多数の to drive 〜 crazy 〜の頭をおかしくさせる demonic 悪魔のような random でたらめな I don't like where this is going… この話の流れはいやだな... an overwhelming desire 抗いがたい欲望 to run 〜 down 〜をひく（to run over） to gun the gas （車の）スロットルを開いて加速する to pop open （目が）驚きで見開く to stab 〜を刺す *** Script *** (Slow speed) 02:05-04:35 (Natural speed) 11:55-13:50 Dangerous Dreams Scene: Two students discussing their dreams from the previous night. M: I had the weirdest dream last night! W: Really? What happened? M: I had a nightmare that I woke up from, and I went downstairs to go to school and talk to you, and then I was attacked by a deranged clown in a car! He tried to run me over! W: Then what happened? M: I woke up right when he hit me! But when I woke up I was lying in bed and I tried to get up, but I couldn't move! W: Oh no! M: And then the clown was standing over me with a butchers knife. I tried to scream and scream but nothing would come out. Then the clown took the knife and started to plunge it into my stomach! W: Wow, that sounds horrible. M: Yeah, I hate those dreams where there are multiple dreams within a dream. It drives me crazy! W: Well, I had an interesting dream, too, though not as demonic sounding as yours. M: Oh, what happened in it? W: Well, first it seemed like just a regular day… M: But I'm guessing it wasn't? W: Exactly. M: So…? W: I was walking to my car when I found a clown costume on the ground. At first I thought it was really random, for no reason, but then all the sudden I was already wearing it, and it felt so natural. M: Oh, I don't like where this is going… W: And then I was in my car… and I saw you… and I felt this overwhelming desire to run you down! So I gunned the gas! But then you disappeared right before I hit you! M: Oh god. W: But it's OK, because then I was in your bedroom, watching you sleep. Then, all of the sudden your eyes popped open, and I could see the fear in them. But you didn't move. It was, almost, like you couldn't move! M: Please stop… W: And so I took the knife, that appeared in my hand all of the sudden, and stabbed you. But again you disappeared! But this time… M: Stop… Get away! W: Ha ha ha!!! There's nowhere to disappear to! (Written by Matthew Bola)

(image credit: Zauberin via Pixabay Public Domain CC0) もうすぐ春。広島大学では本日一般入試（前期日程）が行われています。受験生の皆さんに輝かしい春が訪れ、それぞれの夢に向けてスタートが切れるよう、スタッフ一同祈っています。 ところで今回の会話には、輝かしいというよりちょっと「あぶない」夢が登場するようです。 夢といえば以前にも「明晰夢」の話や「変わった夢」についての会話をお届けしました。今回のお話も一風変わった夢の話からスタートしますが、途中からの予想外に「あぶない」展開をお聞き逃しなく…。 Download MP3 （16:09　9.8MB　初級～中級）Dangerous Dreams *** It's a Good Expression *** （今回の重要表現） deranged =crazy a clown 道化師 to run 〜 over 〜を車でひく a butchers knife 肉切り包丁 to plunge 〜 into ... 〜を...に突っ込む multiple 多数の to drive 〜 crazy 〜の頭をおかしくさせる demonic 悪魔のような random でたらめな I don't like where this is going… この話の流れはいやだな... an overwhelming desire 抗いがたい欲望 to run 〜 down 〜をひく（to run over） to gun the gas （車の）スロットルを開いて加速する to pop open （目が）驚きで見開く to stab 〜を刺す *** Script *** (Slow speed) 02:05-04:35 (Natural speed) 11:55-13:50 Dangerous Dreams Scene: Two students discussing their dreams from the previous night. M: I had the weirdest dream last night! W: Really? What happened? M: I had a nightmare that I woke up from, and I went downstairs to go to school and talk to you, and then I was attacked by a deranged clown in a car! He tried to run me over! W: Then what happened? M: I woke up right when he hit me! But when I woke up I was lying in bed and I tried to get up, but I couldn't move! W: Oh no! M: And then the clown was standing over me with a butchers knife. I tried to scream and scream but nothing would come out. Then the clown took the knife and started to plunge it into my stomach! W: Wow, that sounds horrible. M: Yeah, I hate those dreams where there are multiple dreams within a dream. It drives me crazy! W: Well, I had an interesting dream, too, though not as demonic sounding as yours. M: Oh, what happened in it? W: Well, first it seemed like just a regular day… M: But I'm guessing it wasn't? W: Exactly. M: So…? W: I was walking to my car when I found a clown costume on the ground. At first I thought it was really random, for no reason, but then all the sudden I was already wearing it, and it felt so natural. M: Oh, I don't like where this is going… W: And then I was in my car… and I saw you… and I felt this overwhelming desire to run you down! So I gunned the gas! But then you disappeared right before I hit you! M: Oh god. W: But it's OK, because then I was in your bedroom, watching you sleep. Then, all of the sudden your eyes popped open, and I could see the fear in them. But you didn't move. It was, almost, like you couldn't move! M: Please stop… W: And so I took the knife, that appeared in my hand all of the sudden, and stabbed you. But again you disappeared! But this time… M: Stop… Get away! W: Ha ha ha!!! There's nowhere to disappear to! (Written by Matthew Bola)

今回のテーマは「バス」。 公共交通機関（public transportation）が発達している日本に対し、アメリカの多くの地域では車が移動手段の主流となっています。日本でバスが定時運行する（punctual）のは普通のことですが、アメリカでもそうなのでしょうか。 また今回の会話では、overly、awfully、exceptionallyなど、直後の形容詞を強調するための様々な副詞が使われています。これらの副詞、日本人は意外と使わないのではないでしょうか。会話でついついveryやsoを使いがちな人は、ぜひこれらを使ってみてくださいね。会話表現がより生き生きとしたものになるでしょう。 Download MP3 （18:08　10.9MB　初級～中級）Do You Like Buses? *** It's a Good Expression *** （今回の重要表現） right on time 時間通りの overly annoying 非常にイライラする awfully とても exceptionally punctual 非常に時間通りの to come at a cost 高くつく、「高い代償を払う」 pricey =expensive not entirely sure よくわからない to run 運営する、経営する a good portion of 〜 多くの 〜 take turns 順番に〜する kinda (=kind of) ちょっと〜のような a procedure 手続き to stick to 〜 〜をし続ける、〜を手放さない Suit yourself! 好きにしなさい、勝手にしなさい *** Script *** (Slow speed) 03:05-05:45 (Natural speed) 14:30-16:25 Do You Like Buses? Scene: Two students waiting for a bus. M: Hey, here comes the bus! W: Yep, right on time. M: That's amazing. I've tried to ride the bus a couple of times to save money in the States, but it's just overly annoying because they are constantly late. I've waited an extra 20 minutes for a bus before, and was then extremely late to my class. It's awfully frustrating. W: Really? I guess we're lucky here in Japan. Public transportation is generally exceptionally punctual. M: I know. I'm very impressed. But it DOES come at a cost. W: And what's that? M: It's pretty expensive. W: It's not that bad is it? M: I guess not, but still, it's a little pricey. (getting on the bus) OK, how do I do this again? Just take the ticket and pay when I get off, right? W: Yep, that's it. How do buses work in America? M: Honestly, I am not entirely sure. If I use a bus, I usually use the bus that my school runs which is free for students. I haven't taken the city bus in a couple of years. W: Really? So I'm guessing you have a car? M: Yeah. W: Do most students have a car? M: I think there're a lot that do. And there's also a good portion of students that don't have their own cars, but they usually have friends that do. So most people take turns driving or help paying for gas. W: Sounds pretty cheap. M: It is, especially if you have a car full of people helping to pay for gas. Then you can go all over the place. (sigh) I kinda miss my car. W: Man, I wanna get my license. M: You don't have one? W: Not yet. It's a pretty difficult, long, and expensive procedure in Japan. M: Really? In the States it's fairly easy and not too expensive, but then again we have quite a lot of accidents. W: So I've heard. M: I mean I can drive well, of course. So when you come to the States I can drive you anywhere you want! W: Yes, well, I've seen you riding your bike around; I think I'm going to stick to buses and trains until I get my own license! M: Suit yourself! (Written by Matthew Bola)

今回のテーマは「バス」。 公共交通機関（public transportation）が発達している日本に対し、アメリカの多くの地域では車が移動手段の主流となっています。日本でバスが定時運行する（punctual）のは普通のことですが、アメリカでもそうなのでしょうか。 また今回の会話では、overly、awfully、exceptionallyなど、直後の形容詞を強調するための様々な副詞が使われています。これらの副詞、日本人は意外と使わないのではないでしょうか。会話でついついveryやsoを使いがちな人は、ぜひこれらを使ってみてくださいね。会話表現がより生き生きとしたものになるでしょう。 Download MP3 （18:08　10.9MB　初級～中級）Do You Like Buses? *** It's a Good Expression *** （今回の重要表現） right on time 時間通りの overly annoying 非常にイライラする awfully とても exceptionally punctual 非常に時間通りの to come at a cost 高くつく、「高い代償を払う」 pricey =expensive not entirely sure よくわからない to run 運営する、経営する a good portion of 〜 多くの 〜 take turns 順番に〜する kinda (=kind of) ちょっと〜のような a procedure 手続き to stick to 〜 〜をし続ける、〜を手放さない Suit yourself! 好きにしなさい、勝手にしなさい *** Script *** (Slow speed) 03:05-05:45 (Natural speed) 14:30-16:25 Do You Like Buses? Scene: Two students waiting for a bus. M: Hey, here comes the bus! W: Yep, right on time. M: That's amazing. I've tried to ride the bus a couple of times to save money in the States, but it's just overly annoying because they are constantly late. I've waited an extra 20 minutes for a bus before, and was then extremely late to my class. It's awfully frustrating. W: Really? I guess we're lucky here in Japan. Public transportation is generally exceptionally punctual. M: I know. I'm very impressed. But it DOES come at a cost. W: And what's that? M: It's pretty expensive. W: It's not that bad is it? M: I guess not, but still, it's a little pricey. (getting on the bus) OK, how do I do this again? Just take the ticket and pay when I get off, right? W: Yep, that's it. How do buses work in America? M: Honestly, I am not entirely sure. If I use a bus, I usually use the bus that my school runs which is free for students. I haven't taken the city bus in a couple of years. W: Really? So I'm guessing you have a car? M: Yeah. W: Do most students have a car? M: I think there're a lot that do. And there's also a good portion of students that don't have their own cars, but they usually have friends that do. So most people take turns driving or help paying for gas. W: Sounds pretty cheap. M: It is, especially if you have a car full of people helping to pay for gas. Then you can go all over the place. (sigh) I kinda miss my car. W: Man, I wanna get my license. M: You don't have one? W: Not yet. It's a pretty difficult, long, and expensive procedure in Japan. M: Really? In the States it's fairly easy and not too expensive, but then again we have quite a lot of accidents. W: So I've heard. M: I mean I can drive well, of course. So when you come to the States I can drive you anywhere you want! W: Yes, well, I've seen you riding your bike around; I think I'm going to stick to buses and trains until I get my own license! M: Suit yourself! (Written by Matthew Bola)

日本のコンビニは、単に商品を売っているだけではなく、ATMや公共料金の支払いなど、今や様々な便利な機能を担っています。例えば街を歩いていてゴミが出ても、なかなかゴミ箱が見つからないものです。そういう時、ゴミ箱のあるコンビニの存在はありがたいですね。もちろん、家庭ゴミは持ち込まないようにして、キレイに利用したいですね。 会話の女性も、手に持っているゴミをなかなか捨てられず、ちょっとご立腹のようです。そこでコンビニ探しが始まるのですが、今回の会話を通じて日本とアメリカの街の「ゴミ箱事情」も見えてきそうです。 Download MP3 （15:01　9.1MB　初級～中級）Garbage and Convenience Stores *** It's a Good Expression *** （今回の重要表現） I can't take this anymore! これ以上我慢できない！ a trash can ゴミ箱 ※a garbage canとも言う。イギリス英語ではa rubbish bin、あるいはa litter boxが使われる。 awesome すばらしい、最高の ※ここでは皮肉として使われている。 not inconvenient at all 全然不便ではない ※ここでは皮肉。 Calm down, man. ねえ、落ち着いてよ。 ※manは呼びかけの言葉で、性別を問わず使われる。 It's just… seriously? だって…おかしくない？ [There is] Not a single trash can in sight! 視界にはゴミ箱が一つもないじゃないの！ to litter ゴミを捨てる decent かなりの scarce ほとんどない（rare） It's a fair trade. 良い面もあれば悪い面もある。/ 悪い面もあれば良い面もある。 ※fair tradeはもともと「公正な取引」のこと。Fair trade coffeeのように発展途上国の農家の利益を上乗せして販売する商品などに使われる。 abundant 豊富な rundown 質の悪い [T]he food there takes about ten years off your lifespan. アメリカのコンビニの食べ物は寿命を十年縮めてしまう（ほど質が悪い） When it comes to... ...の話となると a bill 請求書、勘定 *** Script *** (Slow speed) 01:40-04:20 (Natural speed) 12:00-14:00 Garbage and Convenience Stores Scene: Two students walk in a street W: I can't take this anymore! M: What's wrong? W: There are no trash cans in the entire country of Japan! Not a single one! It's fine; I'll just carry my trash around for the rest of the day, because carrying around an empty bottle is awesome, and not inconvenient at all. M: Whoa, calm down, man. W: I AM CALM! M: I didn't know people could get so excited over trash… W: It's just… seriously? Not a single trash can in sight! M: In the US, do they have a lot of garbage cans? W: I mean they don't litter the streets, but we have a decent number. It's just really weird for them to be so scarce here. M: Oh, well, just wait for a convenience store. They usually have garbage cans outside of them. W: That's true. I guess it's a fair trade: Actually--convenient convenience stores for a shortage of trash cans. M: Really? Convenience stores aren't convenient in the US? W: Yes and no. Japanese convenience stores are definitely more abundant here. And moreover, their products are much better. They have decent food, drinks, copy machines, and even clothes. American convenience stores are generally pretty rundown, overpriced, and the food there takes about ten years off your lifespan. M: Sounds...awesome… W: Well, they have the necessities at least, but I do wish they were more like Japan when it came to food. Japanese convenience stores might be a little overpriced but, man, I can't stop going for their onigiri! And really late at night, their oden and fried chicken are perfect. M: That's true. And you can even get concert tickets and pay your bills and health insurance there! W: What?! No way! (Sigh) I guess not having trash cans in convenient places IS a decent trade indeed. M: What are you going to do with your empty bottle then? W: Well, I guess I have no choice but to find the nearest convenience store, throw it away, and get an onigiri, and look at the magazines! (Written by Matthew Bola)

日本のコンビニは、単に商品を売っているだけではなく、ATMや公共料金の支払いなど、今や様々な便利な機能を担っています。例えば街を歩いていてゴミが出ても、なかなかゴミ箱が見つからないものです。そういう時、ゴミ箱のあるコンビニの存在はありがたいですね。もちろん、家庭ゴミは持ち込まないようにして、キレイに利用したいですね。 会話の女性も、手に持っているゴミをなかなか捨てられず、ちょっとご立腹のようです。そこでコンビニ探しが始まるのですが、今回の会話を通じて日本とアメリカの街の「ゴミ箱事情」も見えてきそうです。 Download MP3 （15:01　9.1MB　初級～中級）Garbage and Convenience Stores *** It's a Good Expression *** （今回の重要表現） I can't take this anymore! これ以上我慢できない！ a trash can ゴミ箱 ※a garbage canとも言う。イギリス英語ではa rubbish bin、あるいはa litter boxが使われる。 awesome すばらしい、最高の ※ここでは皮肉として使われている。 not inconvenient at all 全然不便ではない ※ここでは皮肉。 Calm down, man. ねえ、落ち着いてよ。 ※manは呼びかけの言葉で、性別を問わず使われる。 It's just… seriously? だって…おかしくない？ [There is] Not a single trash can in sight! 視界にはゴミ箱が一つもないじゃないの！ to litter ゴミを捨てる decent かなりの scarce ほとんどない（rare） It's a fair trade. 良い面もあれば悪い面もある。/ 悪い面もあれば良い面もある。 ※fair tradeはもともと「公正な取引」のこと。Fair trade coffeeのように発展途上国の農家の利益を上乗せして販売する商品などに使われる。 abundant 豊富な rundown 質の悪い [T]he food there takes about ten years off your lifespan. アメリカのコンビニの食べ物は寿命を十年縮めてしまう（ほど質が悪い） When it comes to... ...の話となると a bill 請求書、勘定 *** Script *** (Slow speed) 01:40-04:20 (Natural speed) 12:00-14:00 Garbage and Convenience Stores Scene: Two students walk in a street W: I can't take this anymore! M: What's wrong? W: There are no trash cans in the entire country of Japan! Not a single one! It's fine; I'll just carry my trash around for the rest of the day, because carrying around an empty bottle is awesome, and not inconvenient at all. M: Whoa, calm down, man. W: I AM CALM! M: I didn't know people could get so excited over trash… W: It's just… seriously? Not a single trash can in sight! M: In the US, do they have a lot of garbage cans? W: I mean they don't litter the streets, but we have a decent number. It's just really weird for them to be so scarce here. M: Oh, well, just wait for a convenience store. They usually have garbage cans outside of them. W: That's true. I guess it's a fair trade: Actually--convenient convenience stores for a shortage of trash cans. M: Really? Convenience stores aren't convenient in the US? W: Yes and no. Japanese convenience stores are definitely more abundant here. And moreover, their products are much better. They have decent food, drinks, copy machines, and even clothes. American convenience stores are generally pretty rundown, overpriced, and the food there takes about ten years off your lifespan. M: Sounds...awesome… W: Well, they have the necessities at least, but I do wish they were more like Japan when it came to food. Japanese convenience stores might be a little overpriced but, man, I can't stop going for their onigiri! And really late at night, their oden and fried chicken are perfect. M: That's true. And you can even get concert tickets and pay your bills and health insurance there! W: What?! No way! (Sigh) I guess not having trash cans in convenient places IS a decent trade indeed. M: What are you going to do with your empty bottle then? W: Well, I guess I have no choice but to find the nearest convenience store, throw it away, and get an onigiri, and look at the magazines! (Written by Matthew Bola)

(image credit: werner22brigitte via Pixabay Public Domain CC0) 来週13日に成人式を迎えるリスナーの皆さん、おめでとうございます！ 成人になって認められることの一つに「飲酒」がありますね。お酒はほどほどに楽しむのが大人の礼儀ですが、酔っぱらって街を歩いたり、公衆の場所で飲酒する人を見かけることがあります。 日本では、迷惑行為に及ばない限り、人前での飲酒には比較的寛容な社会であると言えるでしょう。一方アメリカでは、これらの行為はどう思われるのでしょうか。 Download MP3 （16:24　9.9MB　初級～中級）Drinking in Public *** It's a Good Expression *** （今回の重要表現） to be drunk = 酔っぱらって not socially acceptable = 社会に容認されていない mind-blowing = crazy public drunkenness = 公衆の面前での酩酊状態 to get fined = 罰金を科せられる to get arrested = 逮捕される less acceptable (than in Japan) = （日本ほどは）受け入れられない to reel it in a bit = ちょっと遠慮する ※ reel it in（わきまえる） + a bit（ちょっと）。もともと"to reel in 〜"は釣りで使われる表現で「（獲物）をリールでたぐり寄せる」の意味。「状況をコントロールする」という意味合いから転じて、この会話の中では「わきまえる、遠慮する」。 「やさしい英語会話 (173) Seeing Stars」でも"to make it easy to understand"の意味でこの表現が使われている。辞書等にはあまり載っていないが、Google検索すると多数の用例がヒットする。 to get in trouble = トラブルに巻き込まれる too much of a 〜 = あまりに〜過ぎる a nuisance = 不愉快なもの、迷惑のもと tend to be a bit stricter = 少し厳しめになりがちである I guess (that) drinking laws and how people perceive other people who are drunk vary greatly due to culture. = 飲酒の法律や、人々の酔っぱらいに対する考え方は、文化によって大きく異なる。 ※that節の主語は"drinking〜drunk"、動詞は"vary"。 to vary「様々である」 due to「〜が原因で、〜によって」 to suck = 最悪だ、うんざりする ※スラング表現だが、映画などでも頻繁に登場する。軽蔑的表現なので、使用には注意を要する。 もともとの意味は「（口で）吸う」。 to grab = to get ※目的語に飲食物が来ると「さっと食べる（飲む）」「ちょっと〜でも食べる（飲む）」の意味。Let's grab some lunch.で「ランチでも行こうか」。 Care to join me? = 一緒に行かない？ ※誰かを誘う表現で、もともとはWould you care to join me? care to do「〜したいと思う」 *** Script *** (Slow speed) 02:35-05:15 (Natural speed) 11:55-13:55 Drinking in Public Scene: Two friends out walking around at night. M: Wow, look at those students! W: What about 'em? M: They're clearly drunk! And half of them are even carrying around open cans of beer and bottles of sake! W: I don't see the problem. M: Really?! So this is totally socially acceptable and legal in Japan? W: Yes, it is. M: That's mind-blowing. W: Why, in America is that NOT OK? M: No, that's called public drunkenness, and you can get fined, or even arrested for it. W: Really? So there's never anybody out in public completely drunk in America? M: Well… no, there is, but I think it's less common, or at least less acceptable. There are definitely drunk people in the streets, but usually near bars, and most people at least TRY to reel it in a bit in public, because you can get in trouble. W: Well, you can still get in trouble for it in Japan if you become too much of a nuisance. M: I guess. W: Well, what about open bottles of alcohol? Is that illegal in America too? M: Yes, in most cities these days, it's against the law. There are a few cities, such as New Orleans, where you ARE allowed to have an open bottle in public, but for the majority of places, you can't walk around in public while holding alcohol. And about open containers of alcohol, the police tend to be a bit stricter than in Japan, I think. W: That seems very different; I guess drinking laws and how people perceive other people who are drunk vary greatly due to culture. M: Yeah. Drinking alcohol in America, although very common and even celebrated, is still almost a taboo subject, I think. W: Really? M: At least, in my opinion it is. Which is probably also why our drinking age is so high. W: Ah, yes, that is very unfortunate for you guys, isn't it. M: Well, waiting until you're 21 to drink does suck, but now that I'm 21, I don't really care anymore! Anyways, all this talk about alcohol makes me want to grab a beer! Care to join me? W: Great! (Written by Matthew Bola)

(image credit: werner22brigitte via Pixabay Public Domain CC0) 来週13日に成人式を迎えるリスナーの皆さん、おめでとうございます！ 成人になって認められることの一つに「飲酒」がありますね。お酒はほどほどに楽しむのが大人の礼儀ですが、酔っぱらって街を歩いたり、公衆の場所で飲酒する人を見かけることがあります。 日本では、迷惑行為に及ばない限り、人前での飲酒には比較的寛容な社会であると言えるでしょう。一方アメリカでは、これらの行為はどう思われるのでしょうか。 Download MP3 （16:24　9.9MB　初級～中級）Drinking in Public *** It's a Good Expression *** （今回の重要表現） to be drunk = 酔っぱらって not socially acceptable = 社会に容認されていない mind-blowing = crazy public drunkenness = 公衆の面前での酩酊状態 to get fined = 罰金を科せられる to get arrested = 逮捕される less acceptable (than in Japan) = （日本ほどは）受け入れられない to reel it in a bit = ちょっと遠慮する ※ reel it in（わきまえる） + a bit（ちょっと）。もともと"to reel in 〜"は釣りで使われる表現で「（獲物）をリールでたぐり寄せる」の意味。「状況をコントロールする」という意味合いから転じて、この会話の中では「わきまえる、遠慮する」。 「やさしい英語会話 (173) Seeing Stars」でも"to make it easy to understand"の意味でこの表現が使われている。辞書等にはあまり載っていないが、Google検索すると多数の用例がヒットする。 to get in trouble = トラブルに巻き込まれる too much of a 〜 = あまりに〜過ぎる a nuisance = 不愉快なもの、迷惑のもと tend to be a bit stricter = 少し厳しめになりがちである I guess (that) drinking laws and how people perceive other people who are drunk vary greatly due to culture. = 飲酒の法律や、人々の酔っぱらいに対する考え方は、文化によって大きく異なる。 ※that節の主語は"drinking〜drunk"、動詞は"vary"。 to vary「様々である」 due to「〜が原因で、〜によって」 to suck = 最悪だ、うんざりする ※スラング表現だが、映画などでも頻繁に登場する。軽蔑的表現なので、使用には注意を要する。 もともとの意味は「（口で）吸う」。 to grab = to get ※目的語に飲食物が来ると「さっと食べる（飲む）」「ちょっと〜でも食べる（飲む）」の意味。Let's grab some lunch.で「ランチでも行こうか」。 Care to join me? = 一緒に行かない？ ※誰かを誘う表現で、もともとはWould you care to join me? care to do「〜したいと思う」 *** Script *** (Slow speed) 02:35-05:15 (Natural speed) 11:55-13:55 Drinking in Public Scene: Two friends out walking around at night. M: Wow, look at those students! W: What about 'em? M: They're clearly drunk! And half of them are even carrying around open cans of beer and bottles of sake! W: I don't see the problem. M: Really?! So this is totally socially acceptable and legal in Japan? W: Yes, it is. M: That's mind-blowing. W: Why, in America is that NOT OK? M: No, that's called public drunkenness, and you can get fined, or even arrested for it. W: Really? So there's never anybody out in public completely drunk in America? M: Well… no, there is, but I think it's less common, or at least less acceptable. There are definitely drunk people in the streets, but usually near bars, and most people at least TRY to reel it in a bit in public, because you can get in trouble. W: Well, you can still get in trouble for it in Japan if you become too much of a nuisance. M: I guess. W: Well, what about open bottles of alcohol? Is that illegal in America too? M: Yes, in most cities these days, it's against the law. There are a few cities, such as New Orleans, where you ARE allowed to have an open bottle in public, but for the majority of places, you can't walk around in public while holding alcohol. And about open containers of alcohol, the police tend to be a bit stricter than in Japan, I think. W: That seems very different; I guess drinking laws and how people perceive other people who are drunk vary greatly due to culture. M: Yeah. Drinking alcohol in America, although very common and even celebrated, is still almost a taboo subject, I think. W: Really? M: At least, in my opinion it is. Which is probably also why our drinking age is so high. W: Ah, yes, that is very unfortunate for you guys, isn't it. M: Well, waiting until you're 21 to drink does suck, but now that I'm 21, I don't really care anymore! Anyways, all this talk about alcohol makes me want to grab a beer! Care to join me? W: Great! (Written by Matthew Bola)

(image credit: Phier via Wikipedia cc-by-3.0) クリスマス・イブを迎え、今年も残すところあと１週間となりました。先週はクリスマスの日米比較を取り上げましたが、今回は日本とアメリカの新年（New Year's）の過ごし方を比べてみます。 おせち料理、凧揚げ、コマ回し、さらには「寝正月」まで、日本のお正月の風物を英語でどう表現するのでしょうか。日本には「おとしだま」がありますが、ニューヨークのタイムズスクエアで行われる「たまおとし」とは何でしょうか。また、アメリカには日本のような新年の特別な祝い方があるのでしょうか。 忙しい年の瀬ですが、ポッドキャストの番組でどうぞ一息ついてください。 Download MP3 （16:04　10.1MB　初級～中級）New Year's in the States *** It's a Good Expression *** （今回の重要表現） in that 〜 = 〜の点で（because） ※〜の部分には節が来る。会話以外にも、プレゼンやエッセイでも大変役立つ表現。 to be centered on 〜 = 〜を中心としている How so? = どうして？ a giant ball drop = 玉落とし ※ニューヨーク・タイムズスクエアで新年のカウントダウン時に行われる行事。 go off = to happen ※to go off wellで、行事などが「うまく行く」。 confetti = 紙吹雪 to toast (to 〜) = (〜に)乾杯する to be supposed to do = 〜することになっている Which is probably a good thing. = たぶん、それはいいことなんだろうけどね。 ※関係代名詞のwhichが、直前の文全体の内容を表す場合。 この場合、"No(, we don't get money or gifts during New Year's)."を指す。 この関係代名詞Whichで始めるパターンは、会話でもよく使われる。例えば直前の文に対し"Which is good."（「で、それは良いことなんだ」「だったら、いいことだね」）と付け加える時など。 to recover = 取り戻す、回復する to lay around (the house) = ごろごろする *** Script *** (Slow speed) 03:30-05:50 (Natural speed) 12:45-14:35 New Year's in the States M: So, yeah, here in Japan usually we go back and celebrate the New Year with our families. W: That's cool. M: Yeah, we cook special food, and on New Year's Day a lot of people go to shrines. What do you guys do in America? W: Well, usually Christmas is more like how you celebrate New Year's in Japan in that it's pretty centered on the family. New Year's Eve is more of a party day in America. M: Really? How so? W: Well, usually people go to parties on New Year's Eve. They get together and watch a giant ball drop in Times Square in New York City. The ball is made out of crystal, and it slides down a pole, and when the clock changes to the New Year and the countdown goes off, the ball reaches the floor and fireworks and confetti go off! M: Oh, that sounds cool! W: Yeah, it's pretty interesting. M: Are there any other traditions during New Year's Eve? W: Well, a lot of people drink champagne and toast each other at midnight, and you're supposed to have someone to kiss when the countdown finishes! M: How romantic! Hey, do you guys get money or gifts during New Year's? W: Unfortunately, no. Which is probably a good thing considering everybody is usually trying to recover after buying Christmas gifts for everyone else! M: Ah, I see. That makes sense. Well, it definitely sounds like fun. Um, in America you don't do anything special on January 1st? W: Not usually. Families might have their own special traditions, but most families just lay around. M: Well, next year you'll have to show me the American way to celebrate if I'm in the States. W: I'll be sure to have the champagne ready! (Written by Matthew Bola)

(image credit: Phier via Wikipedia cc-by-3.0) クリスマス・イブを迎え、今年も残すところあと１週間となりました。先週はクリスマスの日米比較を取り上げましたが、今回は日本とアメリカの新年（New Year's）の過ごし方を比べてみます。 おせち料理、凧揚げ、コマ回し、さらには「寝正月」まで、日本のお正月の風物を英語でどう表現するのでしょうか。日本には「おとしだま」がありますが、ニューヨークのタイムズスクエアで行われる「たまおとし」とは何でしょうか。また、アメリカには日本のような新年の特別な祝い方があるのでしょうか。 忙しい年の瀬ですが、ポッドキャストの番組でどうぞ一息ついてください。 Download MP3 （16:04　10.1MB　初級～中級）New Year's in the States *** It's a Good Expression *** （今回の重要表現） in that 〜 = 〜の点で（because） ※〜の部分には節が来る。会話以外にも、プレゼンやエッセイでも大変役立つ表現。 to be centered on 〜 = 〜を中心としている How so? = どうして？ a giant ball drop = 玉落とし ※ニューヨーク・タイムズスクエアで新年のカウントダウン時に行われる行事。 go off = to happen ※to go off wellで、行事などが「うまく行く」。 confetti = 紙吹雪 to toast (to 〜) = (〜に)乾杯する to be supposed to do = 〜することになっている Which is probably a good thing. = たぶん、それはいいことなんだろうけどね。 ※関係代名詞のwhichが、直前の文全体の内容を表す場合。 この場合、"No(, we don't get money or gifts during New Year's)."を指す。 この関係代名詞Whichで始めるパターンは、会話でもよく使われる。例えば直前の文に対し"Which is good."（「で、それは良いことなんだ」「だったら、いいことだね」）と付け加える時など。 to recover = 取り戻す、回復する to lay around (the house) = ごろごろする *** Script *** (Slow speed) 03:30-05:50 (Natural speed) 12:45-14:35 New Year's in the States M: So, yeah, here in Japan usually we go back and celebrate the New Year with our families. W: That's cool. M: Yeah, we cook special food, and on New Year's Day a lot of people go to shrines. What do you guys do in America? W: Well, usually Christmas is more like how you celebrate New Year's in Japan in that it's pretty centered on the family. New Year's Eve is more of a party day in America. M: Really? How so? W: Well, usually people go to parties on New Year's Eve. They get together and watch a giant ball drop in Times Square in New York City. The ball is made out of crystal, and it slides down a pole, and when the clock changes to the New Year and the countdown goes off, the ball reaches the floor and fireworks and confetti go off! M: Oh, that sounds cool! W: Yeah, it's pretty interesting. M: Are there any other traditions during New Year's Eve? W: Well, a lot of people drink champagne and toast each other at midnight, and you're supposed to have someone to kiss when the countdown finishes! M: How romantic! Hey, do you guys get money or gifts during New Year's? W: Unfortunately, no. Which is probably a good thing considering everybody is usually trying to recover after buying Christmas gifts for everyone else! M: Ah, I see. That makes sense. Well, it definitely sounds like fun. Um, in America you don't do anything special on January 1st? W: Not usually. Families might have their own special traditions, but most families just lay around. M: Well, next year you'll have to show me the American way to celebrate if I'm in the States. W: I'll be sure to have the champagne ready! (Written by Matthew Bola)

(image credit: preimers via Pixabay cc) 一足早いですが、リスナーの皆様、メリー・クリスマス！毎年この時期にはクリスマスの話題をお届けしていますが、今年はクリスマスの食べ物に関するお話です。 皆様はクリスマスの食べ物と言えば何を思い浮かべるでしょうか。クリスマスケーキや鳥の丸焼きでしょうか。それとも、シュトーレンやジンジャーブレッドでしょうか。 今回の会話では、アメリカ人にとっては「クリスマスの味」ですが、日本人にはなじみのない、ある濃厚な（rich）飲み物が登場します。それはいったい何でしょうか。また、逆に日本のクリスマスには欠かせないのに、アメリカでは全く見られない食べ物とは…？ Download MP3 （15:27　9.4MB　初級～中級）The Taste of Christmas *** It's a Good Expression *** （今回の重要表現） eggnog = エッグノッグ ※牛乳ベースの甘い飲み物で、北米ではクリスマスや大晦日に飲まれる。 version(s) = 〜版、同じ種類の別のもの、バリエーション rich = 濃厚な It's fine. = It's okay.（まあまあ） candy cane(s) = 杖の形の飴 gingerbread cookie(s) = ジンジャーブレッドクッキー ※人の形などをしたショウガ入りクッキー。米国ではクリスマス前後に作られる。 molasses = 糖蜜 stuff = もの ※口語表現で大変よく使われる。 Not particularly. = とりたててそのようなことはない。 fruitcake = （ドライフルーツの入った）フルーツケーキ not very cake-like = あまりケーキっぽくない to be up for ... = ...をしたい ※若者言葉で、[...]の部分には名詞句や動詞のing形が入る。 *** Script *** (Slow speed) 03:05-06:05 (Natural speed) 11:25-13:25 The Taste of Christmas Scene: Two friends discussing the different foods of Christmas. M: Man, this tastes like Christmas in a cup! W: What are you drinking? And what does that even mean? M: I'm drinking eggnog! And you know, certain tastes remind you of certain seasons. W: What's eggnog? M: It's a popular drink for the winter season, especially around Christmas, in the US, and I think Canada too. W: Oh, that sounds interesting. What's it made of? M: Eggs, milk, a lot of sugar, and the most important part: nutmeg! Also some versions can be made with alcohol for adults, but just plain eggnog is very popular among all ages. W: OK, I wanna try it! M: OK, here you go. I hope you like it! W: Wow, that's um… very rich… and thick. M: Yeah, you can't drink too much of it, or you'll start to get fat. But, did you like it? W: Yeah, it's fine. So what other foods taste like Christmas to you? M: Well, probably anything, like candy canes or gingerbread cookies. W: What're those? M: Candy canes are cane-shaped candies, as the name implies. And they are traditionally peppermint flavored, but now they come in all sorts of flavors. And gingerbread cookies are usually cookies more flavored with molasses rather than ginger, though I do think it still has some in it… Anyways, people usually make them with children, and shape them into different designs, especially to look like people, which we call gingerbread men. W: Sounds like you guys eat some good stuff. Do you eat cake during Christmas? M: Cake….? Not particularly, at least not in America. I mean, we have a thing called fruitcake, but it's not very cake-like, and a lot of families don't eat it. I've never had any before. Why do you ask? W: Well in Japan, we usually order Christmas cakes for Christmas! M: Really? I'm always up for new Christmas foods. W: OK then, why don't you make me some of these cookies you've been talking about, and I'll order a Christmas cake, and we can do some research about cross-cultural comparisons! M: Sounds like MY kind of research! (Written by Matthew Bola)

(image credit: preimers via Pixabay cc) 一足早いですが、リスナーの皆様、メリー・クリスマス！毎年この時期にはクリスマスの話題をお届けしていますが、今年はクリスマスの食べ物に関するお話です。 皆様はクリスマスの食べ物と言えば何を思い浮かべるでしょうか。クリスマスケーキや鳥の丸焼きでしょうか。それとも、シュトーレンやジンジャーブレッドでしょうか。 今回の会話では、アメリカ人にとっては「クリスマスの味」ですが、日本人にはなじみのない、ある濃厚な（rich）飲み物が登場します。それはいったい何でしょうか。また、逆に日本のクリスマスには欠かせないのに、アメリカでは全く見られない食べ物とは…？ Download MP3 （15:27　9.4MB　初級～中級）The Taste of Christmas *** It's a Good Expression *** （今回の重要表現） eggnog = エッグノッグ ※牛乳ベースの甘い飲み物で、北米ではクリスマスや大晦日に飲まれる。 version(s) = 〜版、同じ種類の別のもの、バリエーション rich = 濃厚な It's fine. = It's okay.（まあまあ） candy cane(s) = 杖の形の飴 gingerbread cookie(s) = ジンジャーブレッドクッキー ※人の形などをしたショウガ入りクッキー。米国ではクリスマス前後に作られる。 molasses = 糖蜜 stuff = もの ※口語表現で大変よく使われる。 Not particularly. = とりたててそのようなことはない。 fruitcake = （ドライフルーツの入った）フルーツケーキ not very cake-like = あまりケーキっぽくない to be up for ... = ...をしたい ※若者言葉で、[...]の部分には名詞句や動詞のing形が入る。 *** Script *** (Slow speed) 03:05-06:05 (Natural speed) 11:25-13:25 The Taste of Christmas Scene: Two friends discussing the different foods of Christmas. M: Man, this tastes like Christmas in a cup! W: What are you drinking? And what does that even mean? M: I'm drinking eggnog! And you know, certain tastes remind you of certain seasons. W: What's eggnog? M: It's a popular drink for the winter season, especially around Christmas, in the US, and I think Canada too. W: Oh, that sounds interesting. What's it made of? M: Eggs, milk, a lot of sugar, and the most important part: nutmeg! Also some versions can be made with alcohol for adults, but just plain eggnog is very popular among all ages. W: OK, I wanna try it! M: OK, here you go. I hope you like it! W: Wow, that's um… very rich… and thick. M: Yeah, you can't drink too much of it, or you'll start to get fat. But, did you like it? W: Yeah, it's fine. So what other foods taste like Christmas to you? M: Well, probably anything, like candy canes or gingerbread cookies. W: What're those? M: Candy canes are cane-shaped candies, as the name implies. And they are traditionally peppermint flavored, but now they come in all sorts of flavors. And gingerbread cookies are usually cookies more flavored with molasses rather than ginger, though I do think it still has some in it… Anyways, people usually make them with children, and shape them into different designs, especially to look like people, which we call gingerbread men. W: Sounds like you guys eat some good stuff. Do you eat cake during Christmas? M: Cake….? Not particularly, at least not in America. I mean, we have a thing called fruitcake, but it's not very cake-like, and a lot of families don't eat it. I've never had any before. Why do you ask? W: Well in Japan, we usually order Christmas cakes for Christmas! M: Really? I'm always up for new Christmas foods. W: OK then, why don't you make me some of these cookies you've been talking about, and I'll order a Christmas cake, and we can do some research about cross-cultural comparisons! M: Sounds like MY kind of research! (Written by Matthew Bola)

(image credit: David_Vasquez via Wikipedia cc) 今回はアメリカ西部・ネバダ州の旅に出てみましょう。 ネバダ州と言えば、延々と続く砂漠、そしてその中に忽然と現れるカジノ都市・ラスベガスが有名ですね。ラスベガスは、ギャンブルのみならず家族向けのショーなども多く、だれでも安心して娯楽を楽しめる街として、世界中から多くの観光客が訪れています。一方、州内には売春（prostitution）が合法な地域があり、州自体の犯罪率も高いなど、負の側面もあるようです。 そんな中、会話では、毎年開催されるある大きなイベントが紹介されています。Burning Manと呼ばれるこのイベント、果たしてどのようなものでしょうか。 Download MP3 （19:15　11.5MB　初級～中級）*** It's a Good Expression *** （今回の重要表現） nifty = 粋な、気の利いた awesome = すばらしい cool stuff = かっこいいもの besides = in addition to prostitution = 売春 a county =（アメリカの）郡 ※州の行政区画 but five = ５つ（の郡）を除いて butは前置詞でexceptの意味 outside the city limits = 街から外れている vice and greed = 悪徳や欲 a bunch of 〜 =a lot of 〜 ※同じ意味の表現のa ton of 〜も登場する rafting = 川下り pretty much everything = almost everything enticing = very attractive What the heck is that? = What on earth is that? Burning Man = 「バーニング・マン」 ※ネバダ州リノ市の砂漠で８月末から９月初めまで開催されるイベント a hippie = ヒッピー ※1960年代に登場した人々で、暴力や既成概念に反対し、独特のファッションを好み、長髪やドラッグを好む。 to do drugs = 麻薬を使用する ※doを使う。 a structure = 建造物 an effigy = 像；（人の身代わりの粗末な）人形 to signify = 〜を意味する rebirth = 再生 insane = 常軌を逸した a rodeo = ロデオ（カウボーイ競技） *** Script *** (Slow speed) 03:15-06:00 (Natural speed) 15:30-17:45 Nifty Nevada M: Oh, by the way, Sue, where in the States did you say you're from? W: Oh, I am from Nevada. M: Oh, that's awesome! I really want to go to Las Vegas. W: Well, there's a lot of cool stuff in Nevada besides Las Vegas. M: Like…? The dessert? W: No! Like, how gambling is legal throughout the entire state. Unlike the rest of the states in America. M: That IS pretty cool. W: What about prostitution? M: What about it? W: Do you think it's legal in the United States? M: No, everybody knows it's illegal. W: Wrong! In Nevada it's completely legal in all the counties but five, as long as it is outside the city limits. M: Wow, no way! W: Yep! But if vice and greed are not your thing, then we also have a bunch of things to do outdoors. M: For example? W: We have a ton of land for riding horses, rafting rivers, hiking, pretty much everything! M: Sounds pretty enticing! W: Oh, and then there's Burning Man. M: OK… what the heck is that? W: It's a ten-day event out in the middle of nowhere, at a place called Black Rock Dessert. M: Sounds scary. W: Actually, quite the opposite. People collect out in the dessert and, basically, party, drink, do drugs, build huge structures, decorate their cars in crazy ways, and at the end of the event they burn a huge effigy of a man. M: …What? Why? W: Why not? OK, I said party, but it's more like an extremely large gathering of hippies. Like, seriously, a ton of hippies! M: And why do they burn an effigy of a man? W: Not just an effigy, a GIANT effigy. And I'm not entirely sure but it's probably to signify rebirth. And a lot of what they build out there is actually very artistic and impressive. M: That sounds insane. Do you guys have any… um, more normal events? W: Well, we do have a couple of rodeos a year. M: That's it! I'm coming out to visit you! (Written by Matthew Bola)

(image credit: David_Vasquez via Wikipedia cc) 今回はアメリカ西部・ネバダ州の旅に出てみましょう。 ネバダ州と言えば、延々と続く砂漠、そしてその中に忽然と現れるカジノ都市・ラスベガスが有名ですね。ラスベガスは、ギャンブルのみならず家族向けのショーなども多く、だれでも安心して娯楽を楽しめる街として、世界中から多くの観光客が訪れています。一方、州内には売春（prostitution）が合法な地域があり、州自体の犯罪率も高いなど、負の側面もあるようです。 そんな中、会話では、毎年開催されるある大きなイベントが紹介されています。Burning Manと呼ばれるこのイベント、果たしてどのようなものでしょうか。 Download MP3 （19:15　11.5MB　初級～中級）*** It's a Good Expression *** （今回の重要表現） nifty = 粋な、気の利いた awesome = すばらしい cool stuff = かっこいいもの besides = in addition to prostitution = 売春 a county =（アメリカの）郡 ※州の行政区画 but five = ５つ（の郡）を除いて butは前置詞でexceptの意味 outside the city limits = 街から外れている vice and greed = 悪徳や欲 a bunch of 〜 =a lot of 〜 ※同じ意味の表現のa ton of 〜も登場する rafting = 川下り pretty much everything = almost everything enticing = very attractive What the heck is that? = What on earth is that? Burning Man = 「バーニング・マン」 ※ネバダ州リノ市の砂漠で８月末から９月初めまで開催されるイベント a hippie = ヒッピー ※1960年代に登場した人々で、暴力や既成概念に反対し、独特のファッションを好み、長髪やドラッグを好む。 to do drugs = 麻薬を使用する ※doを使う。 a structure = 建造物 an effigy = 像；（人の身代わりの粗末な）人形 to signify = 〜を意味する rebirth = 再生 insane = 常軌を逸した a rodeo = ロデオ（カウボーイ競技） *** Script *** (Slow speed) 03:15-06:00 (Natural speed) 15:30-17:45 Nifty Nevada M: Oh, by the way, Sue, where in the States did you say you're from? W: Oh, I am from Nevada. M: Oh, that's awesome! I really want to go to Las Vegas. W: Well, there's a lot of cool stuff in Nevada besides Las Vegas. M: Like…? The dessert? W: No! Like, how gambling is legal throughout the entire state. Unlike the rest of the states in America. M: That IS pretty cool. W: What about prostitution? M: What about it? W: Do you think it's legal in the United States? M: No, everybody knows it's illegal. W: Wrong! In Nevada it's completely legal in all the counties but five, as long as it is outside the city limits. M: Wow, no way! W: Yep! But if vice and greed are not your thing, then we also have a bunch of things to do outdoors. M: For example? W: We have a ton of land for riding horses, rafting rivers, hiking, pretty much everything! M: Sounds pretty enticing! W: Oh, and then there's Burning Man. M: OK… what the heck is that? W: It's a ten-day event out in the middle of nowhere, at a place called Black Rock Dessert. M: Sounds scary. W: Actually, quite the opposite. People collect out in the dessert and, basically, party, drink, do drugs, build huge structures, decorate their cars in crazy ways, and at the end of the event they burn a huge effigy of a man. M: …What? Why? W: Why not? OK, I said party, but it's more like an extremely large gathering of hippies. Like, seriously, a ton of hippies! M: And why do they burn an effigy of a man? W: Not just an effigy, a GIANT effigy. And I'm not entirely sure but it's probably to signify rebirth. And a lot of what they build out there is actually very artistic and impressive. M: That sounds insane. Do you guys have any… um, more normal events? W: Well, we do have a couple of rodeos a year. M: That's it! I'm coming out to visit you! (Written by Matthew Bola)

(image credit: schoolfreeware via Openclipart pd) 今回は映画についての会話をお届けします。 先月の異文化ディスカッションでも映画の話題が登場しましたが、好きな映画や最近見た映画について英語で話せるようにしておくと、ちょっとしたおしゃべりの場面で役立ちます。また、映画の有名なセリフを会話や文章の引き立て役として引用してみる（quote）のも面白いですね。 このように会話の話題として重宝する映画ですが、好き嫌いをあまりに主張しすぎるのは禁物です。今回登場するカップルも、どうやら映画の好みをめぐってもめているようですね・・・。 Download MP3 （17:49　10.7MB　初級～中級）*** It's a Good Expression *** （今回の重要表現） to narrow ... down = ...（の候補）を絞る 例：You should narrow down the topic when writing an essay. to rule out = を除外する sappy = 感傷的な mafia = マフィア just because [S + V] doesn't mean (that) {S + V} = [SがV]だからと言って、{SがV}なわけではない iconic movie moments = famous and impressive movie scenes a lame movie = a bad and stupid movie Charleston = チャールストン（サウスカロライナ州都） ※女性が直後に指摘しているように、映画Gone with the Wind（風と共に去りぬ）の中で燃えていたのはジョージア州都のAtlanta。 "Frankly my dear I just don't give a damn." = 「俺の知ったことか」 ※映画Gone with the Windのラストシーンで、RhettがScarlettに放つセリフ。日本では、この後でScarlettの言う"After all, tomorrow is another day."（結局、明日という日があるのだから）が有名だが、アメリカでは上記のRhettのセリフの方が知られている（Wikipedia「風と共に去りぬ (映画)」より）。 ※"to not give a damn"= (spoken, not polite) to not care at all about someone or something (LDOCE Online) to quote = から引用する "The Shining" = シャイニング ※Stephen King原作、Stanley Kubrick監督、Jack Nicholson主演の映画（1980年）。本作品の英語の題にはTheがつくことに注意。 "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" = カッコーの巣の上で ※Ken Kesey原作、Miloš Forman監督、Jack Nicholson主演の映画（1975年）。 to go out together = （恋人同士が）つき合う Seven = David Fincher監督、Brad Pitt主演の映画（1995年）。キリスト教の「７つの大罪」（Seven Deadly Sins: pride, envy, wrath, sloth, greed, gluttony, lust）をモチーフとしたサイコサスペンス。 to break up = （恋人同士が）別れる melodramatic = 芝居がかった *** Script *** (Slow speed) 02:10-05:10 (Natural speed) 13:50-16:10 Melodramatic Movie Selections Scene: A couple at a movie store. W: So what do you want to watch tonight? M: I don't know…. What do YOU want to watch tonight? W: I don't know either… Hmm, let's narrow it down. M: OK, well, let's rule out romance movies and sappy love stories. W: Hey, we never get to watch those types of movies. M: You had your chance. Now, what type do you not want to watch? W: I don't want to watch any mafia or gangster movies. M: Hey, just because I made you watch all three of "The Godfather" movies doesn't mean we can't watch other mafia movies. W: You made me watch each one twice! M: That series has some of the most iconic movie moments in the whole of American film history! W: Oh, please. "Gone with the Wind," now THAT is an iconic movie. M: Psh, that was a lame movie. Nobody cares that Charleston was burning, so "Frankly my dear I just don't give a damn." W: It was Atlanta for one, and obviously it wasn't that bad of a movie if you're quoting it! M: OK, fine. How about we watch "The Shining"? Its classic American horror, and Jack Nicolson at his finest. W: I thought he was better in "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest." M: Sometimes I wonder why we're going out together. W: Really? You can honestly say you didn't like THAT movie? M: No, I didn't say that. But "The Shining" is clearly better. W: …Fine… How about the movie "Seven." M: I've never heard of it. W: Morgan Freeman and Brad Pitt try to hunt down a serial killer who is killing people according to the seven deadly sins. M: Eh, sounds pretty awesome, but I don't think I'm really in the mood for a serial killer movie. W: Didn't you just suggest "The Shining?" M: It's different! W: OK, fine. What do YOU want to watch? M: How about something classic and neutral. How about one of the Indiana Jones movies? W: Oh, I don't actually like those. M: We're breaking up. Right now! W: Come on, stop being so melodramatic! (Written by Matthew Bola)

(image credit: schoolfreeware via Openclipart pd) 今回は映画についての会話をお届けします。 先月の異文化ディスカッションでも映画の話題が登場しましたが、好きな映画や最近見た映画について英語で話せるようにしておくと、ちょっとしたおしゃべりの場面で役立ちます。また、映画の有名なセリフを会話や文章の引き立て役として引用してみる（quote）のも面白いですね。 このように会話の話題として重宝する映画ですが、好き嫌いをあまりに主張しすぎるのは禁物です。今回登場するカップルも、どうやら映画の好みをめぐってもめているようですね・・・。 Download MP3 （17:49　10.7MB　初級～中級）*** It's a Good Expression *** （今回の重要表現） to narrow ... down = ...（の候補）を絞る 例：You should narrow down the topic when writing an essay. to rule out = を除外する sappy = 感傷的な mafia = マフィア just because [S + V] doesn't mean (that) {S + V} = [SがV]だからと言って、{SがV}なわけではない iconic movie moments = famous and impressive movie scenes a lame movie = a bad and stupid movie Charleston = チャールストン（サウスカロライナ州都） ※女性が直後に指摘しているように、映画Gone with the Wind（風と共に去りぬ）の中で燃えていたのはジョージア州都のAtlanta。 "Frankly my dear I just don't give a damn." = 「俺の知ったことか」 ※映画Gone with the Windのラストシーンで、RhettがScarlettに放つセリフ。日本では、この後でScarlettの言う"After all, tomorrow is another day."（結局、明日という日があるのだから）が有名だが、アメリカでは上記のRhettのセリフの方が知られている（Wikipedia「風と共に去りぬ (映画)」より）。 ※"to not give a damn"= (spoken, not polite) to not care at all about someone or something (LDOCE Online) to quote = から引用する "The Shining" = シャイニング ※Stephen King原作、Stanley Kubrick監督、Jack Nicholson主演の映画（1980年）。本作品の英語の題にはTheがつくことに注意。 "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" = カッコーの巣の上で ※Ken Kesey原作、Miloš Forman監督、Jack Nicholson主演の映画（1975年）。 to go out together = （恋人同士が）つき合う Seven = David Fincher監督、Brad Pitt主演の映画（1995年）。キリスト教の「７つの大罪」（Seven Deadly Sins: pride, envy, wrath, sloth, greed, gluttony, lust）をモチーフとしたサイコサスペンス。 to break up = （恋人同士が）別れる melodramatic = 芝居がかった *** Script *** (Slow speed) 02:10-05:10 (Natural speed) 13:50-16:10 Melodramatic Movie Selections Scene: A couple at a movie store. W: So what do you want to watch tonight? M: I don't know…. What do YOU want to watch tonight? W: I don't know either… Hmm, let's narrow it down. M: OK, well, let's rule out romance movies and sappy love stories. W: Hey, we never get to watch those types of movies. M: You had your chance. Now, what type do you not want to watch? W: I don't want to watch any mafia or gangster movies. M: Hey, just because I made you watch all three of "The Godfather" movies doesn't mean we can't watch other mafia movies. W: You made me watch each one twice! M: That series has some of the most iconic movie moments in the whole of American film history! W: Oh, please. "Gone with the Wind," now THAT is an iconic movie. M: Psh, that was a lame movie. Nobody cares that Charleston was burning, so "Frankly my dear I just don't give a damn." W: It was Atlanta for one, and obviously it wasn't that bad of a movie if you're quoting it! M: OK, fine. How about we watch "The Shining"? Its classic American horror, and Jack Nicolson at his finest. W: I thought he was better in "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest." M: Sometimes I wonder why we're going out together. W: Really? You can honestly say you didn't like THAT movie? M: No, I didn't say that. But "The Shining" is clearly better. W: …Fine… How about the movie "Seven." M: I've never heard of it. W: Morgan Freeman and Brad Pitt try to hunt down a serial killer who is killing people according to the seven deadly sins. M: Eh, sounds pretty awesome, but I don't think I'm really in the mood for a serial killer movie. W: Didn't you just suggest "The Shining?" M: It's different! W: OK, fine. What do YOU want to watch? M: How about something classic and neutral. How about one of the Indiana Jones movies? W: Oh, I don't actually like those. M: We're breaking up. Right now! W: Come on, stop being so melodramatic! (Written by Matthew Bola)

(image credit: vectorsme via Openclipart pd) 今回の会話の舞台は「天国」です…でも、別にこわい話ではありませんのでご安心を。 "Knocking on Heaven's Door"は、死にゆく男を歌ったBob Dylanの名曲を思わせるタイトルですが、今回お聞きいただくのは、ドアをノックするどころか、すでに天国の中に入ってしまった男の話です。 天国ならではのユーモラスな会話が、くすりと笑わせてくれます。最後のどんでん返しもお聞き逃しなく！あの有名人の名前も登場しますよ。 Download MP3 （17:54　10.8MB　初級～中級）Knocking on Heaven's Door *** It's a Good Expression *** （今回の重要表現） man（間投詞） = なんてこった（Oh my goodness） to hurt = 痛む ※"My [体の部分] hurts."で「〜が痛い」 No way! = とんでもない！/まさか！ Yes way! = それが、とんでもあるんですよ！/そのまさかなんですよ！ ※No way!に対するユーモアを込めた返答。 a sixteen-wheeler = 16輪車（巨大トラック） ※バイクなどの二輪車はa two-wheeler、 自家用車などの四輪車はa four-wheeler。 to distill / to distil = （お酒を）蒸留する ※still-という語根には「一滴、しずく」の意味がある。 例：instillation（点滴） spirits = 蒸留酒 ※語根spir-の意味は「息」。気体にして作ることから。 例：inspire（奮起させる←息を吹き込む）、expire（期限が切れる←息が絶える） for your consumption = あなたの食用（飲用）に供するため、お召し上がりになれるよう to set ... up with 〜 = to provide ... with 〜 whatever your heart desires = お望みのものは何でも the carnal desires = 浮き世の望み ※carn-は「肉」。carnalは「肉欲の」とも訳される。 例：carnivore「肉食動物」carnival「謝肉祭」 to pop into one's head = （考えなどが）ひょいと頭に浮かぶ He's out right now. = （神様は）今外出中でいらっしゃいます。 ※直前の"Oh my God..."を受けたユーモラスなセリフ。 Isn't life but a dream? = 人の命も夢にすぎない、そうでしょ？ ※もう天国に来ている男に対するユーモラスな返答。 ここでのbutは副詞で、onlyの意味。 以下の有名な英語の童謡（nursery rhyme）に由来する慣用表現。 Row, row, row your boat, Gently down the stream. Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily, Life is but a dream. to brush up on 〜 = 〜を勉強し直す to drag ... to 〜 = ...を〜に引っぱり込む a destination = 目的地 *** Script *** (Slow speed) 02:55-05:35 (Natural speed) 13:35-15:50 Knockin' on Heavens Door Scene: Outside the gates of heaven. M: Ugh, where am I? All I remember is driving, and then a bright light. Man, my head hurts. W: Hello, and welcome to heaven! M: Heaven? No way! W: Yes way, sir. M: Wait. Was it you? Were you the bright light I saw while driving? Did you save me? W: No, sir, unfortunately that was the sixteen-wheeler crashing into the front of your car. M: Oh… I see. W: But, as you can see, sir, you don't have to worry about any of that old stuff anymore, because… you're in heaven! M: Wow… I'm so excited! So, what's it like here? Do you guys have, like, beer and stuff here? W: Yes sir, heaven distills the highest quality spirits daily for your consumption. M: Great! W: OK, well, let me just get your name, sir, and then we can set you up with whatever your heart desires. And it's just your luck that we are having a special this week on all the carnal desires. M: What, really?! So all that stuff is OK up here? W: Actually, yes, whatever, whenever, however you want it. Anything. As soon as it pops into your head you can have it! There are no laws, no taboos. M: Oh my God… W: Actually, he's out right now. Sorry sir. M: Hey, this is too good to be true! I must be dreaming! W: Isn't life but a dream? M: What? W: Never mind. You'll have plenty of time to brush up on your intelligence while here. But again, let me just get you name sir. M: It's Bieber, Justin Bieber. W: Bieber…Bieber… hmmm I'm not seeing it on the list… M: Are you sure? Check again. W: Nope, sorry sir. I got a Justin Beetman, but no Bieber. M: What! NO! W: If you'd just step over here sir. This pack of wild dogs will drag you to your next destination. M: NOOOOOOOOOO! (Written by Matthew Bola)

(image credit: vectorsme via Openclipart pd) 今回の会話の舞台は「天国」です…でも、別にこわい話ではありませんのでご安心を。 "Knocking on Heaven's Door"は、死にゆく男を歌ったBob Dylanの名曲を思わせるタイトルですが、今回お聞きいただくのは、ドアをノックするどころか、すでに天国の中に入ってしまった男の話です。 天国ならではのユーモラスな会話が、くすりと笑わせてくれます。最後のどんでん返しもお聞き逃しなく！あの有名人の名前も登場しますよ。 Download MP3 （17:54　10.8MB　初級～中級）Knocking on Heaven's Door *** It's a Good Expression *** （今回の重要表現） man（間投詞） = なんてこった（Oh my goodness） to hurt = 痛む ※"My [体の部分] hurts."で「〜が痛い」 No way! = とんでもない！/まさか！ Yes way! = それが、とんでもあるんですよ！/そのまさかなんですよ！ ※No way!に対するユーモアを込めた返答。 a sixteen-wheeler = 16輪車（巨大トラック） ※バイクなどの二輪車はa two-wheeler、 自家用車などの四輪車はa four-wheeler。 to distill / to distil = （お酒を）蒸留する ※still-という語根には「一滴、しずく」の意味がある。 例：instillation（点滴） spirits = 蒸留酒 ※語根spir-の意味は「息」。気体にして作ることから。 例：inspire（奮起させる←息を吹き込む）、expire（期限が切れる←息が絶える） for your consumption = あなたの食用（飲用）に供するため、お召し上がりになれるよう to set ... up with 〜 = to provide ... with 〜 whatever your heart desires = お望みのものは何でも the carnal desires = 浮き世の望み ※carn-は「肉」。carnalは「肉欲の」とも訳される。 例：carnivore「肉食動物」carnival「謝肉祭」 to pop into one's head = （考えなどが）ひょいと頭に浮かぶ He's out right now. = （神様は）今外出中でいらっしゃいます。 ※直前の"Oh my God..."を受けたユーモラスなセリフ。 Isn't life but a dream? = 人の命も夢にすぎない、そうでしょ？ ※もう天国に来ている男に対するユーモラスな返答。 ここでのbutは副詞で、onlyの意味。 以下の有名な英語の童謡（nursery rhyme）に由来する慣用表現。 Row, row, row your boat, Gently down the stream. Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily, Life is but a dream. to brush up on 〜 = 〜を勉強し直す to drag ... to 〜 = ...を〜に引っぱり込む a destination = 目的地 *** Script *** (Slow speed) 02:55-05:35 (Natural speed) 13:35-15:50 Knockin' on Heavens Door Scene: Outside the gates of heaven. M: Ugh, where am I? All I remember is driving, and then a bright light. Man, my head hurts. W: Hello, and welcome to heaven! M: Heaven? No way! W: Yes way, sir. M: Wait. Was it you? Were you the bright light I saw while driving? Did you save me? W: No, sir, unfortunately that was the sixteen-wheeler crashing into the front of your car. M: Oh… I see. W: But, as you can see, sir, you don't have to worry about any of that old stuff anymore, because… you're in heaven! M: Wow… I'm so excited! So, what's it like here? Do you guys have, like, beer and stuff here? W: Yes sir, heaven distills the highest quality spirits daily for your consumption. M: Great! W: OK, well, let me just get your name, sir, and then we can set you up with whatever your heart desires. And it's just your luck that we are having a special this week on all the carnal desires. M: What, really?! So all that stuff is OK up here? W: Actually, yes, whatever, whenever, however you want it. Anything. As soon as it pops into your head you can have it! There are no laws, no taboos. M: Oh my God… W: Actually, he's out right now. Sorry sir. M: Hey, this is too good to be true! I must be dreaming! W: Isn't life but a dream? M: What? W: Never mind. You'll have plenty of time to brush up on your intelligence while here. But again, let me just get you name sir. M: It's Bieber, Justin Bieber. W: Bieber…Bieber… hmmm I'm not seeing it on the list… M: Are you sure? Check again. W: Nope, sorry sir. I got a Justin Beetman, but no Bieber. M: What! NO! W: If you'd just step over here sir. This pack of wild dogs will drag you to your next destination. M: NOOOOOOOOOO! (Written by Matthew Bola)