日本語のカタカナ英語表現は、正しい英語表現とは限りません。英語の本来の意味や用法、正しい英語表現を学び直しましょう。
今回の和製英語は「バカンス」。
2015年12月20日に開催された、ミスユニバース(Miss Universe)世界大会、優勝者発表。生放送で世界中に中継される中、司会者が優勝者と準優勝者を言い間違える(誤発表)というハプニングが起きました。
この珍事を一言であらわすキーワードが「 gaffe 」です。
時系列や時間の前後を表す基礎的な単語(形容詞)に last および next があります。last は「前の」、next は「次の」という意味合いで用いられます。基本的には「last は過去」で「next が未来」を指す語といえます。
last も next も、単に last / next と言う場合と、定冠詞「the」を付けて the last / the next と表現する場合とでは、ニュアンスや使い方が違ってきます。
beef は牛肉。Where’s the beef? なら「牛肉はどこ?」といった意味の疑問文です。でも Where’s the beef? のフレーズは、意外な意味で、意外な意味で使われる慣用表現でもあります。
厨房や食品スーパーで食材が見当たらない!というわけではありません。さて、どんな意味でしょうか?
続きを読む
英語には頭の良し悪しを形容する表現が沢山あります。「頭のよさ」を表現する語もあれば、「頭のわるさ」を表現する語も豊富です。
愚かさ・バカさにも色々なニュアンスがあります。腹立たしい愚かさ、許せるおバカさ、呆れてしまうような能なし加減など。英語の形容詞はこうしたニュアンスの違いを一語で言い分けられるものが少なくありません。
「趣味・教養」に関する問題を解いてみましょう。
Bridgewater Community Center
New Spring Class
March 14, March 21, March 28, April 4
Introduction to Cake Making
Beginners to Intermediate (for ages 16 and above)
$30/class; $100/series
Christy Kundst, a cake-making expert and owner of Christy’s Cakes on 10th Avenue, will teach this new spring offering. Learn the basics of cake making from how to choose ingredients and measure accurately to whipping up simple chiffon and sponge cakes. Classes may be taken individually or as a series. To register, call (352) 112-3944 or download a registration form from the Community Center Web site and mail it to 948 Addo Street, Mephisto, AZ 85002. Please register by March 7 so we can assess enrollment and prepare for your participation. Registration will be closed as soon as classes are filled to capacity.
「趣味・教養」に関する問題を解いてみましょう。
May 30—A Bryce Rollins retrospective will be shown from June 17 to September 15 at the Schulz Museum to celebrate the museum’s 35th anniversary. Approximately 120 works, including paintings from the private collection of Ruth and Steve Whitman that have never been on public display, will be shown. Since the early 1970s, Rollins—who possesses a unique brand of cynicism—has continued to release striking works that satirize the complications brought on by modernization. The section that houses Schulz permanent collection of African art will be closed during the Rollins retrospective. It is scheduled to reopen on September 20.
「趣味・教養」のジャンルでは、美術館(museum、art museum)に関するものと、大学や地域のコミュニティーセンター(community center)などが主催する公開講座、市民講座の話題がよく取り上げられます。美術館では、展覧会や展示物のお知らせ、作家紹介のほか、施設案内、ガイド付きツアーのスケジュールなどが主な話題になります。一方の講座関連では、開催される講座名、講師の略歴、日程表などのほか、受講登録の方法や締め切り日、受講できる人数などに関する情報がテーマとしてしばしば登場します。
「書評・投稿」に関する問題を解いてみましょう。
SEND US YOUR STORY!
Sophistication, the most widely subscribed lifestyle magazine for thirtysomethings, is asking for your submission for its September/October issue. The subject is limited to autobiographical travel experiences. Submissions should preferably be at least 500 words but may not exceed 800 words. Submissions may either be mailed or sent as an attachment to an e-mail. Deadlines are May 14 and May 20, respectively. Mailed submissions will not be returned to the sender. Contributors will be notified by June 15 as to whether their story will be published. For more information, visit the Sophistication Web site at www.sophisticationmagazine.com.
「書評・投稿」に関する問題を解いてみましょう。
BOOK OF THE MONTH
reviewed by Jan Mizuno
How to Win the Losing Game
Author: Kate Hersey
128 pages with photos
Conrad & Smith, $15.95
Kate Hersey has earned a reputation as one of the country’s foremost gurus of diet and fitness. The fact that 10 of her 15 publications have topped the Brooklyn Times Bestseller List is proof that many think of her as the savior to a nation plagued with obesity. Although the title of her latest book hints at step-by-step instructions for dieting, the content has to do more with literacy than practicality. Divided into several sections—each with a theme—the book is an easy read, informative and full of the contagious energy and humor that is the hallmark of the Kate Hersey persona.
テストでは、本・雑誌など出版物(publication)の話題もよく取り上げられます。雑誌では、発刊形態(月刊、季刊など)を示す語や、定期購読に関する用語などを覚えておくとよいでしょう。記事内容では、経済のトレンドを概説したものや、ある企業のCEOの交代を、記者会見のコメントやインタビューなどを交えて伝えるものなどさまざまですが、特に注目したいのは、新刊、映画、劇、写真展などの批評(review)がよく出題されることです。そして、Part 7の最後の2文書の問題では、雑誌や広告記事に対する投稿もしばしば登場します。
「交通」に関する問題を解いてみましょう。
June 4—The Bordertown Transportation Authority (BTA) announced Tuesday that in conjunction with the demolition of Merton Stadium, the entire area between Central and Merton Avenue and 9th and 11th Street will be closed to traffic for a period three weeks starting June 15. Motorists will be guided to detours during this time. Pedestrians are asked to stay clear of the area, although some access may be possible depending on the time of day. City buses #4 Central and #11 Uptown that have routes going through the closed area will run on a revised schedule: between 8 and 9 A.M. and 4 and 6 P.M. Monday through Friday.
Questions concerning the closure may be addressed to BTA.
「交通」に関する問題を解いてみましょう。
NOTICE TO ALL INTERNATIONAL PASSENGERS
Please be at the gate at least 30 minutes before departure. Making it in time to board your fl ight means allowing plenty of time to check in. We recommend passengers boarding international flights to check in at least three hours before departure. Although online check-in is available, ground crew at the airport MUST check passports and visas of passengers traveling to international destinations. Checking baggage may also take twice as long as domestic flights. Expect security lines to be long. Keep in mind that items on your person or in your carry-on luggage that do not comply with safety requirements may be confiscated. A guideline for what is and is not permitted can be found on our Web site at www.air-qatar.com.
交通機関(transportation)は、非常に出題率の高い話題です。中でも、飛行機、自動車、電車に関するトピックは、リスニングテストやPart 7 のお知らせ(notice)の文書などに登場します。飛行機の話題は、欠航とその理由の説明、代替手段のお知らせ、海外出張の手配などの場面が多く、出張の旅程表の中にも便名、行き先、発着時間などが示されます。電車は遅延とそのお詫びのアナウンス、車は渋滞や工事による迂回路の案内、車通勤者用の駐車場の利用方法の説明などの形でよく扱われます。
「賢い」「頭が良い」に当たる英語表現は種類が豊富です。単語だけでも、どんな種類の賢さなのかを端的に表現する言い方が一通り揃っています。
語彙が豊富なだけに、言葉のもつニュアンスをちゃんと踏まえて使う必要があります。言葉の選び方を誤ると誤解や失敗の原因にもなりかねません。どういう言葉にどういうニュアンスがあるのかはざっと踏まえておきましょう。
時間的な過去を指し示す英語表現には ago、before、earlier などの語があります。どれも日常的に使われる表現ですが、どの場面でどの語をどう使えばよいか?は中々把握しにくいところです。
「不動産・公共料金」に関する問題を解いてみましょう。
TO: Billing Department, Bay City Gasworks
FROM: Marsha Davies
DATE: February 23
SUBJECT: Mistake in my bill
Dear Billing Department Staff,
I’m writing with regard to the late charge that was listed on my gas bill this month. It is my understanding that the late charge was incurred because it was assumed that I didn’t pay last month’s gas bill on time. However, according to my records, I sent a check for the full amount on January 20—well in advance of the due date of January 25—and my bank statement says the check was cashed on the 27th.
There must have been some mistake, and I would appreciate it if you could look into the matter and contact me as soon as possible.
Marsha Davies
「不動産・公共料金」に関する問題を解いてみましょう。
You’re invited to an
OPEN HOUSE
9116 Riveredge Drive
Saturday, September 8
9 A.M.-5 P.M.
Take a tour of the 5-bedroom, 2-bath Victorian house in the prime location of Riveredge. The house sits on a half-acre of beautifully landscaped property bordering Winona River to the north.
The 80-year old house underwent major renovations last year and the foundation and exterior are in pristine condition. The kitchen, bathrooms and laundry area are fitted with state-of-the-art fixtures and appliances.
The property is within walking distance of a major shopping area and famous restaurants. Several schools, both public and private, are all within a 15-minute drive from the property.
For more information, contact Kim Yoshida of Mauer Real Estate at 832-2938.