2014年2月号 -エイゴパス月刊ニュースレター

英語ニュース Current Internet NEWS!! <新着ネットニュース>
英語のビデオ Video News (Domestic and World Events/国内&世界の動画ニュース)
American Idioms & Slang<アメリカのイディオム&スラング表現>
Grammar Study<今月の文法学習>
TOEICクイズ TOEIC Study Quiz<TOEICテスト>
Monthly Column – A Foreigner’s Life<今月のコラム:外国人の生活>
 
   
You can read the article below and use it in your lessons to discuss with your teacher. — この記事を読んで先生とレッスンで話し合おう!
World News

— The Power of Makeup–

A user publicly posted a picture of herself showing one side of her face with makeup and the other side makeup-free showing to the world the "magic" of makeup.

Reaction to the photo has been mixed, with about 5,000 users "up" voting the picture, while nearly 4,000 have "down" voted it.

As one commentator wrote, "She’s so brave for opening up like that. This photo made me cry because I totally know what she’s feeling. People who don’t have acne don’t know what it’s like to have your self esteem basically plummet every time you look in the mirror. I just want to give her a big hug."

Another user lamented that right or wrong, men often do not have the same cosmetic tools at their disposal as women: "Now imagine you’re a guy and you don’t have that option."

What do you think? Was uploading the picture a brave statement about the sometimes-superficial nature of human behavior? Or does it speak to something else entirely?

-free ~ナシ
  Ex: I like sugur-free cola. (cola with no sugar)
英語ポイント mixed 混合している、異なる種類で形成されている
  Ex: Public opionion to the new tax increase proposals has been mixed.
英語ポイント totally 完全に
  Ex: Ii am totally exhausted after walking 10 miles.
英語ポイント self esteem 自己評価、自信
  Ex: A person with low self esteem usually does not have high confidence.
英語ポイント plummet 急落する
  Ex: The stock market plummeted drastically yesterday.
英語ポイント lament 嘆く
  Ex: People who are not into politics always lament on how all policies are broken.
英語ポイント superficial 表面的
  Ex: She is very superficial because she only judges people on how they look.
 

<ディスカッションポイント!>

Do you feel she was brave in posting this picture online? Do you think it is appropriate for men to wear makeup?

この写真をネットに掲載することで彼女は勇気あったと思いますか?男性が化粧をするのは適切であると思いますか?

<日本語訳>

— 化粧の力–

一人のユーザーが、顔の片方を化粧した状態、もう片方を化粧ナシの状態でとった写真を公開し、世界に化粧の「魔法」を見せた。

写真に対する反応は異なり、約5千のユーザーが写真を「好」評価した一方、4千は「不」評価した。

あるコメンテーター(解説者)はこう書いた:「このように自分を見せるとは、彼女はとても勇気がある。この写真は私を泣きそうにした。だって、彼女が感じていることが完全に分かるのだもの。にきびのない人には、鏡を見るたびに自己評価(自信)が急落することがどんなことが分からないのよ。抱きしめてあげたいわ。」

別のユーザーは良いか悪いか、男性は女性のような化粧道具がないことを嘆いた。「男性で、こんな選択肢がないことを想像してみて。」

貴方はどう思う?写真をアップロードすることは、人間の行動の時々表面的な性質に対して勇気のある申し立てをしているのだろうか?それとも全く別のものに言及しているのだろうか?

 
Japan News

UN toughens North Korea sanctions over rocket launch

The UN Security Council has ordered tightened sanctions on North Korea over its failed rocket launch and warned of new action if the isolated state stages a nuclear test.

The 15-member council — including the North’s closest ally China and nuclear-armed Pakistan — "strongly condemned" the launch in a statement that highlighted "grave security concerns" in Asia.

The move came as Pyongyang reportedly said it would not allow International Atomic Energy Agency inspectors to examine its nuclear programme — a key part of a deal reached with the US in February that would have seen the transfer of thousands of tonnes of much-needed food aid to the impoverished state.

At a meeting in New York on Monday the Security Council ordered new "entities and items" to be added within two weeks to the sanctions committee list created after North Korea staged nuclear tests in 2006 and 2009.

It also ordered the sanctions committee to revise the individuals and North Korean firms subject to asset freezes under the international measures. North Korea’s UN mission made no immediate comment on the Security Council action.

sanctions 制裁
  Ex: Economic sanctions have been lifted on Myanmar. This will allow more free trade to start.
英語ポイント isolated 孤立した
  Ex: This incident is not an isolated occurance. It has happened before.
英語ポイント grave 重大な
  Ex: A person who is in a grave situation usually means they are in a life or death circumstance.
英語ポイント inspectors 検査員
  Ex: The people who visit companies/countries to ensure compliance are inspectors.
英語ポイント revise 改正
  Ex: I need to revise my report because there are many mistakes.
 

<ディスカッションポイント!>

How do you feel about the new leader of North Korea? Do you think a nation should spend money on missiles and nuclear ambitions rather than feeding its own people?

<日本語訳>

ミサイル発射でUNは北朝鮮に対する制裁を強化する

国連安全保障理事会は失敗したミサイル発射によって、北朝鮮に対する制裁の強化を指示し、孤立した国家核実験を計画した場合には新たな行動を警告した。

北朝鮮の最も近い同盟国である中国と核武装したパキスタンを含む15名の理事会は、アジアにおける「重大なセキュリティー上の懸念」を強調する申し立てにおいて発射を「強く非難」した。

この動きは、ピョンヤンが国際原子力機関の検査員たちに核プログラム調査を許可しないと言ってから引き起こされた。貧しい国家に必要とされる数千トンの食料品援助の供給を計らった米国との2月の取引の重要な一部であった。

ニューヨークで月曜日に行われた会議において保障理事会は、北朝鮮が2006年と2009年に図った核実験後に作成された制裁委員会リストに2週間以内に追加する新たな「物や項目」を指示した。

また、国際的な方策のもとで、資産凍結の対照となる個人や北朝鮮企業の改正を制裁委員会に指示した。北朝鮮の連合ミッションは保障理事会の行為に対してすぐにはコメントしなかった。

 

 
 
Internet News:

Sell your kidney for an iPhone?

A teenage high-school student in China sold his kidney for an illicit transplant operation and used the proceeds to buy an Apple iPhone and iPad, state press said on Friday.

The 17-year-old boy, who was paid 22,000 yuan ($3,500), was recruited from an online chat room and is now suffering from kidney failure and in deteriorating health, the Xinhua news agency said.

A surgeon and four others have been arrested and are facing charges of illegal organ trading and intentional injury. The kidney donor, agreed to the operation without his parents’ consent, the report said. Health ministry statistics show that about 1.5 million people in China need transplants, but only around 10,000 transplants are performed annually.The huge gap has led to a thriving illegal market for organs.

Executed prisoners remain the main source of organs used in transplant operations due to the lack of voluntary donations, Vice Health Minister Huang Jiefu was quoted as saying last month.
International human rights groups have long accused China of harvesting organs from executed prisoners for transplant without the consent of the prisoner or their family — charges the government has denied.

illicit 違法
  Ex: The police are looking for an illicit gang that has been secretly distributing drugs.
英語ポイント proceeds 売上高、収益
  Ex: The proceeds received from the charity event totalled 40,000 U.S. dollars.
deteriorate 悪化する
  Ex: That house is deteriorating rapidly since nobody is maintaining it.
英語ポイント consent 同意、承諾
  Ex: Girls in the U.S. under 16 y.o. must obtain their parents consent before performing a major surgury.
英語ポイント thriving 盛んな
  Ex: A country that is experiencing rapid growth is said to be thriving.
英語ポイント executed 処刑にされた
  Ex: In Japan, criminals who commit the worst of crimes may be executed.
英語ポイント transplant 移植
  Ex: Because his kidney is deteriorating, he will need a kidney transplant.
英語ポイント charge 罪状
  Ex: When someone charges that you did something in court, you have to defend yourself.
 

<日本語訳>

IPhoneの代わりに腎臓を売る?

中国にて、十代の高校生が違法な移植手術で腎臓を売り、その収益を使いアップルのIphoneとIpadを購入した、と国の報道機関は金曜日、報告した。 

22,000元(3,500ドル)支払われた17歳の少年はネットのチャット・ルームから募られ、現在は腎不全と健康状態の悪化で苦しんでいる、と新華社は述べた。

外科医とその他4人が逮捕され、違法の臓器売買及び意図的な損傷の罪で問われている。腎臓提供者は保護者の承諾を得ずに手術に同意した、と報告書は述べている。保健省統計には、中国において約150万人が移植を必要とすると示されているが、年間約1万の移植しか行われていない。この大きなギャップが盛んな臓器の違法マーケットへとつながったのだ。

任意の寄付の不足により、移植手術に使われる臓器の主な出所は処刑された囚人であり続ける、と衛生省の副部長である黄潔夫が言っていたことが先月引用されている。

国際的人権団体は長年、処刑された囚人から、囚人やその家族の承諾を得ずに肝臓を収穫していると中国を非難してきたーこれらの罪状を政府は否認している。

 
 
 
   
  New! CNN Student News リスニング力を試そう!
 
 
 
Business English Expression and Phrases <ビジネス英会話フレーズ>
-Learn expressions such as idioms and slang that is unique to culture, age, and business!
新しい英語表現: 文化・時代・ビジネスで使う特有なイディオム表現や俗語を覚えよう!
私見を述べる
If you ask me, I think that…
 

If you ask me, I think that we need to change the dress code. We don’t need to wear a suit if we’re not going to meet with clients.

  私に言わせれば、服装規定の変更が必要です。クライアントに会うのでなければ、スーツを着る必要はないでしょう。
 
If you want my opinion…
  If you want my opinion, the dress code is outdated. If I were in charge, then we’d change the dress code.
  言わせていただければ、その服装規定は時代遅れです。私が責任者の立場なら、服装規定を変更するでしょう。
   
控えめに意見を述べる
My personal opinion is that…
  My personal opinion is that the dress code is too strict. I don’t know why we can’t dress casually when we aren’t going to be meeting with clients.
  私見ですが、服装規定が厳しすぎると思います。クライアントに会いに行かない場合に、カジュアルな服装でいてはいけない理由がわかりません。
 
ビシネス英会話 私見を強く主張する

I strongly believe that…

  I strongly believe that this policy is wrong. It’s wrong for several reasons. One of them is that it hurts employee morale.
  この方針は間違っていると強く思います。それにはいくつかの理由がありますが、1つの理由は従業員の士気が下がってしまうということです。
   

That’s just one of the reasons why I think…

  This policy hurts employee morale. That’s just one of the reasons why I think it’s wrong.
  この方針は従業員の士気を下げてしまいます。これは、方針が間違っていると私が考える理由の1つに過ぎません。
 
ビシネス英会話 減給について通知する

I need to inform you that…

  I need to inform you that, based on your performance last year, your salary is being reduced by three percent. I know you’re disappointed, but we have to follow company policy.
  昨年の業績によって、あなたの給料が3%カットされるこということをお伝えしなければなりません。残念ですが、会社の方針に従わなければなりませんので。
   
 
 

 
–This section will cover a broad range of different grammar rules and explanations to help you understand sentence structure and improve awareness of English grammar.
このコーナーでは文法の規則や英文の構成についてわかりやすく学べます。
Distinguishing the difference between "when" and "if":
Check your understanding by selecting the correct answer below: 
Read each of the following of sentences and select the best answer. Print out this lesson plan and ask your teacher to assist you in understanding the grammar rules.
 
1 Don’t worry (when/if) I am late tonight. You all should start eating without me.
2 Samantha will come for dinner tonight. (When/If) she comes, could you call me?
3 I’m going to France next week. (When/If) I’m there, I will visit my college friend.
4 I am absolutely confident Shinichi will get the job. I will be very surprised (when/if) he doesn’t.
5 I’m going to the store so (when/if) you need anything let me know.
6 I’m going away for the weekend but (when/if) you need to contact me, I left my contact information with my assistant.
7 I would like for you to come to the party, but (when/if) you prefer not to go, I would understand.
8 (When/If) you rather stay in for dinner tonight, I can whip up something really quick.
9 What do you do (when/if) you are upset about something?
10 (When/If) Stacey mentioned that she had a stomache ache, everyone thought she was faking it to avoid attending the meeting.
   
Moderate level exercises:
Read each of the following of sentences and write the correct form of the word in (parenthesis) using the present or past form using if/when. Print out this lesson plan and ask your teacher to assist you in understanding the grammar rules.
 
1 Would they be offended _________________ (we/ not/ go) to their party.
2 _________________ (I/ know) his number, don’t you think I would call him.
3 He will get back to me with the specifics of the time/day of the meeting. _________________, (I / know) you will be the first one I inform..
4 There is abolutely no chance that Sarah and John will get married. I would be totally surprised ________________ . (they/ do)
5 Do you believe alot of people will show up to the party _________________ (it / hold) next week?
6 My wife gave me a beautiful watch for my birthday. She would be very pissed off _________________ (I/ lose) it.
7 Many people would be out of work _________________. (factory/close down).
8 Would Stephen mind _________________ (I/borrow) his
9 Tom’s flight is arriving tomorrow. What are you going to do _________________ (he / come) here tomorrow?
10 _________________ (you/have) only one wish, what would you wish for?
   
Difficult level exercises:
Read each of the following sentences and rewrite the sentence using the past conditional form:
 
1 I woke up late this morning because my alarm didn’t go off.
But if ___________________________________________________________.
 
2 I am going to take a vacation next week because my work is not busy.
But if ___________________________________________________________.
 
3 My boss gave me a promotion so my salary will increase from next month.
But if ___________________________________________________________.
 
4 I need to buy a new TV this week because my TV stopped working this morning.
But if ___________________________________________________________.
 
5 I was not able to attend the conference because my wife was sick.
But if ___________________________________________________________.
 
Check your answers!
 
TOEIC対策(読解&リスニング問題編)Eメールとユーザネームの入力でテストの結果がメールで受け取れます。
 
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NEW! (A foreigner’s perespective – Do you think women are truly "equal" in Japan?

(Isabel 22 y.o): I personally do not feel any discrepancies in treatment at the schools that I have worked for in Japan since arriving here in 2010. To tell the truth, for me as a female from the U.K. teaching English in Japan, I think if anything foreign women in schools get favorable treatment to men!.

For example, most students who come to my school tend to select women over men. I initially thought male students would prefer male teachers and vise versa. Being a woman for me has helped me get more students than my male counterparts.

 

(Eric 32 y.o.): I have always felt that Asian societies tend to favor men to women in almost every aspect of life from careers to the social heirarchy in society. This is evident in China’s one child policy that has resulted in families hoping for sons rather than daughters in hopes that their child as a son would benefit more in making money. However, that is another story which I will touch up on later.

To the question of whether I feel women are treated as "equals" in Japan, I would hesitantly say that women are gaining equality although quite slowly. A case in point (though not factual) would be to see how many women we see in powerful positions such as governmental posts, boardrooms of top companies, etc.. Very low numbers huh?

Also, look at the average salary of women and men when they enter a company. Though most of them are fairly given same positions/salary from the start. How many of them receive equal salaries 5 years on, 10 years, 15 years? You get the point.

I believe however that if the government provides better qualitive support and enforcement to eliminate gender discrimation and to provide women more opportunites that will allow them to shine, they can and will be equal to men. Someday.