実践ビジネス英語 2018/7/26 #実践ビジネス英語
26 木 Lesson8 Seeking Advice (5)
Lyons says Americans tend to resort to lawsuits readily. He also talks about how it’s common now for people to learn that someone has died through social media and says he finds it uncomfortable to express condolences in such forums. McMillan says it’s an acceptable first gesture now but recommends later sending a handwritten note and attending services.
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I got the impression that Americans turn to psychiatrists, counselors and lawyers for issued that seem almost mundane to me.
Americans do have a thing about experts, especially when it comes to lawyers. We're a very litigious society. We have plenty of lawyers and lawsuits in this country. A lot more than in Japan, I believe.
That's for sure. And often people write in to ask about previously unheard-of issues, such as those involving same-sex marriage, I find such columns useful to navigate the sea of new mores.
Another thing I'm no longer confortable with is the way that many people express condolences. You see, these days many people first learn of the death og a freind's loved one via social media. BVut I believe even the most heartfelt gestures in social forums can't replace a written condolence note. What do you say?
I'd say a letter of condolence to a friend is one of the pbligations of friendship Sending such a message via social media or email is an acceptable first gesture today. But you should always follow it up with a handwritten note and, whenever possible, attendance at the funeral or wake.
get the impression that 〜という印象を受ける
This is Ueda’s interpretation of people’s actions and statements, you know, what they make him think. Likewise, I get the impression that Carl is very shy. He doesn’t talk a lot and never comes to company parties. And to use the active form, you could say, “Carl gives the impression
of being very shy.”
psychiatrist 精神科医
mundane ありふれた、平凡な
When it comes to - 〜に関して言えば、〜のこととなると
Lyons says, “Americans do have a thing about experts, especially when it comes to lawyers.” Especially when the situation involves this or regarding this. Things like, I have no talent when it comes to drawing. Or, when it comes to Japanese food, I like eel the best.
litigious 訴訟好きな
Ready to use the courts, to file a lawsuit to deal with something. And the actions taken in court, filing lawsuits with the rest, that is litigation.
litigious society 訴訟好きな社会
I’ll see you in court. 訴えてやる。法廷で会いましょう
And you could say, a particular person is litigious too. Like, say, a businessman who always rushes into court when he has a dispute with someone.
same-sex marriage 同性婚
Marriage between two people of the same gender as opposed to marriage between a man and a woman. We also say a same-sex wedding, ah, referring to the event or ceremony. You could say, I went to a same-sex wedding last night. Both the women getting married wore beautiful white dresses.
navigate the sea of - 無限の、大量の〜にうまく対処する
Ueda uses “navigate” to mean make one’s way through something. And it’s very often used about a complicated or difficult situation. We have to find the right way. You have to manage to get through it. We all need help navigating through tax forms, don’t we? And the sea refers to a lot of things. I have a sea of paperwork to fill out.
sea of paperwork 書類の山に囲まれてる
a sea of clouds 雲海
mores 社会規範、社会的な習慣
The common practices and vales of a certain group. For a long time, I thought this was pronounced [mɔˈr z]. Some countries, for example, have very conservative mores, regarding marriage and the role of women in society.
express condolences お悔やみを言う、哀悼の意を言う
Lyons says, “Another thing I’m no longer comfortable with is the way that many people express condolences.” Condolences are expressions of sympathy when someone has died. We often write letters like, please accept my deepest condolences on the passing of…
Here it’s plural. 複数で
it would be singular, in cases, like, I sent her a letter of condolence about her grandmother.
Or, the mayor released a statement of condolence after the accident.
heartfelt 心からの、誠意のある
obligation of friendship 友情における恩義、義理、義務
acceptable 受け入れられる、許容できる
wake 通夜
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gesture ジェスチャー、気持ちを表す言動
Lyons says, “I believe even the most heartfelt gestures in social forums can’t replace a written condolences note.” In this case, “gesture” is an action or a statement that’s made to express our intentions, our feelings. A store might announce a special sale, for example, as a gesture of appreciation to its customers. Or, national leaders exchange gifts as gestures of friendship.
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have a thing about
～について独特の［特別な］考え方［感情］を持っている。（人）に気がある、～が大好きだ
I have a thing about that song.
私はその歌が大好きだ。
～が大嫌いだ、～に恐怖心がある、～が怖くて仕方ない、～が苦手である
I have a thing about snakes. : 私はヘビが大嫌いだ。
Betty has a thing about height.
Tom had a thing about apple pies.
– Charles Dickens
“I never could have done what I have done, without the habits of punctuality, order, and diligence, without the determination to concentrate myself on one object at a time.”
That’s all for today.
Hope you had fun. Bye.