ニュースで学ぶ「現代英語」 全国の酪農家数 1万下回る
1月17日(金)
JAPAN'S DAIRY FARMERS SLUMP BELOW 10,000
The number of dairy farmers in Japan has fallen to below 10,000 as higher feed costs erode income. The Japan Dairy Council says that as of October this year, the ranks of dairy farmers have fallen almost 6 percent year-on-year. The 9,960 total of such workers is the lowest since 2005, when the data started to be collected. A council survey found almost 60 percent of these farmers were losing money on their operations. The organization queried more than 230 operators in September about their business performance. The agriculture ministry has cited shrinking incomes as the reason for the decline. A survey conducted by the ministry shows production costs that dairy farmers paid in 2022 rose about 18 percent from the average for the preceding 10 years. Dairy farmer income shrank 60 percent compared with the 10-year average, even though revenue has remained flat. The ministry is considering ways to pass on higher farming costs into the prices of dairy products.
（2024年12月11日のニュース）
- dairy[ˈdɛri]
- erodeは「むしばむ、侵食する」
- found[faʊnd]
- lose money on …は「～でお金を失う」「赤字を出す」を簡単に表現したものです。<> make money on …なら「～でお金をもうける、利益を出す」
- query「質問する、尋ねる」
- precedingは「先行する、その前の」
*preceeding[prɪˈsidɪŋ]
the preceding 10 yearsは、現時点から数えた過去１０年間ではなく、酪農家が生産費用を支払った２０２２年から数えた過去１０年 - pass on A to B : 「（費用の増加分を）転嫁する」
preceding「先行する、その前の」
pass on「（費用の増加分を）転嫁する」
weak yen「円安」
lack of successors「後継者不足」
Now that we understand the context, let's look at a phrase from today's story and try to make a sentence with it.
even thoughについて、
Today's phrase is “even though.”
So first, let's check the snetence one more time.
Dairy farmer income shrank 60 percent compared with the 10-year average, even though revenue has remained flat.
I'm sure most of our listeners are already, you know, a little familiar with even though,
but here's the basic pattern: Even though + a fact + an action or result that you wouldn't expect based on that fact.
Here'sanother example of even though: “Even though I've never studied Italian, I'm planning to spend a year in Rome.”
Alright, then everybody. Let's try to make a sentence using even though and how about we also tie in the issue of the weak Yen that Maeshima-san mentioned?
Even though the Yen is weak, I'm trying to buy some equipments for horse riding from Germany.
=> trying to buy: Maybe the better version would be "I'm going to buy."
That makes a stronger contrast between the two.
Even though plus something that's kind of, you know, strong and bold or something that goes directly against that would be best.
And also, this is a point that's good for everyone to know, but equipment is one of those nouns that does not take the s, it's always equipment.
Yeah, we don't say equipments. Equipment is one of those, you know, group nouns. So, the corrected version would be,
Even though the Yen is weak, I'm going to buy some equipment for horse riding from Germany.
*equipment is an uncountable noun.
That's a good one to know.
That's sounds more natural.
Because if you put some in front of it, it makes it sound like there are several pieces because some. More than one piece.
ニュースで学ぶ「現代英語」 コーセー タイの化粧品企業を買収へ
1月16日(木)
JAPAN'S KOSE COSMETICS GROUP TO BUY THAI BEAUTY BRAND
Japanese cosmetics group Kose says it is acquiring a Thai beauty brand to capitalize on growth in Asian markets. Kose announced it will pay about 12 billion yen, or roughly 80 million dollars, for a 79-percent stake in Puri. The company is known for its Panpuri cosmetics brand. Once the deal is completed, Puri will become a Kose subsidiary. Puri has outlets in Thailand and Hong Kong. Kose plans to use Puri as a springboard to enter emerging markets in Southeast Asia and India. The Japanese company is hoping to reduce its reliance on its business in China. What was once one of the firm's main businesses has been struggling due to sluggish consumption and fierce local competition. Kose is also aiming to branch out into emerging markets in what is known as the Global South. The business environment in China is also hurting the performance of another major Japanese cosmetics maker, Shiseido. The company generates a quarter of its sales there.
（2024年12月11日のニュース）
- COSMETICS
[kɑzˈmɛtɪks]
But we don't shorten it either, we don't say cosme, you have to to say cosmetics. - a quarterは「４分の１」
- the Global South「グローバル・サウス」は、国際社会で影響力を増す新興国や途上国を指す言葉です。明確な定義は定まっていませんが、主に東南アジアやアフリカ、中南米といった地域の国々を指します。
-
branch out「木が枝を出す」「手を広げる」
-
what is known as …「～として知られるもの」
Here's part of a sentence from today's story: Kose plans to use Puri as a springboard.
The word “springboard” here comes from athletic events — it refers to the flexible board that a diver or a gymnast jumps on to get a boost.
So, figuratively, we use it to mean something that enables an activity or gets an activity going quickly or strongly.
Here's another example: Her experience in the debate club was a springboard for her career in politics.
And there was another example of figurative language in today's story, wan't there?
Right. Let's go back to that one.
Kose is also aiming to branch out into emerging markets in what is known as the Global South.
Could you elaborate on that a little bit?
-Well, this position is being into enable the Global South to hold what is known as a casting boat in shaping international decisions.
ニュースで学ぶ「現代英語」 TPPにイギリスが正式加盟
1月15日(水)
UK JOINS KEY ASIA-PACIFIC TRADE PACT
The United Kingdom has formally joined a key trade pact centered on the Asia-Pacific region. This expands the bloc's sphere to Europe. The UK's membership has been formalized in the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, or CPTPP. A protocol on the pact came into effect on Sunday to include the country as its 12th member. The UK is the first country to join since the pact was founded in 2018 by 11 signatories including Japan, Australia, Singapore, and Canada. The members have a combined population of about 580 million and a total GDP of around 14.7 trillion dollars, or about 15 percent of the global figure. British whisky and other products will no longer be subject to tariffs when exported to Malaysia, with which the UK didn't have a free trade agreement. Tariffs will also end on Japanese exports to the UK of rice and rice flour, as well as tires for construction vehicles.
（2024年12月15日のニュース）
- the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnershipは「環太平洋パートナーシップに関する包括的及び先進的な協定」CPTPP/ＴＰＰ「環太平洋パートナーシップ協定」
- come into effectは、法律や条約などが「効力を発する、発効する、実施（施行）される」go into effectやtake effect
- protocolには「（外交上などの）儀礼、典礼」「協定、議定書」
- signatoryは「署名者、調印者、（条約などの）加盟国」です。signatory state「調印国、加盟国」
- 14.7 trillion dollars １４兆７０００億ドル
- whisky「ウイスキー」は、アメリカやアイルランド産のものには（一部の銘柄を除いて）whiskeyとeを加えたつづりも使われます。イギリス特産の「スコッチウイスキー」はScotch whisky
- free trade agreementは「自由貿易協定」FTA
- as well asは「さらに（は）」= and also
- construction vehicleは「建設機械用の車両、建設車両」
- pact「協定、条約」
- trade pact「貿易協定」
- bloc「ブロック、（政治・経済上などの特殊な利益で結ばれたいくつかの国や団体の）圏、一団」
British whisky and other products will no longer be subject to tariffs when exported to Malaysia, with which the UK didn't have a free trade agreement.
no longer
I'd like to just talk a little bit about the phrase “no longer,” which can be very useful. It's basically a more sophisticated, formal way of saying “not anymore.”
One other nice thing about “no longer” is that it always stays together as a two-word set. When you use “not anymore,” you often have to split the two words up — and that can lead to confusion.
I vowed to myself not to eat too many sweets any more.
Here's an example with “not anymore”: “I will not allow my children to play video games after dinner anymore.”
See how there are lots of words between “not” and “anymore”? But when you use “no longer,” the set stays together.
Here's that example sentence again, now with “no longer”: “I will no longer allow my children to play video games after dinner.” It's a little more formal, final, and official-sounding, but it's a lot easier to understand.
“I will not allow my children to play video games after dinner anymore.”
“I will no longer allow my children to play video games after dinner.”
Yeah, you know, speaking from American perspective, I think if Americans are even aware of the CPTPP at all right now which is not very likely. Most of them would probably be opposed to joining it. Overall, I would say people today are more focused on domestic issues and watching out for American interests.
Well, in the United States, Mr. Trump has already announced plans to impose a 25 percent of tariff on goods from Mexico and Canada as well as additional ten percent tariff on goods from China. These types of moves go in a completely different direction from free trade agreements.
ニュースで学ぶ「現代英語」 インドの18歳 史上最年少チェス世界王者に
1月14日(火)
In today's news, a teenager makes history in the world of chess.
INDIAN TEEN BECOMES YOUNGEST-EVER WORLD CHESS CHAMPION
And now, check this out: An Indian teenager is the youngest-ever world chess champion after edging out the Chinese titleholder in their showdown in Singapore. Eighteen-year-old Gukesh Dommaraju burst into tears after clinching victory Thursday. He fought 14 intense matches over three weeks against 32-year-old Ding Liren. The series was expected to go to a tiebreaker, but a shock blunder by Ding handed Gukesh the win. The bearded prodigy told reporters he had dreamt about the moment for years.
(Gukesh Dommaraju / World chess champion) “I want to play for as long as I can, and I want to have a very, very long career and to stay at the very, very top.”
Gukesh began playing chess aged 7. He is the second Indian grandmaster to be crowned champion of the world.
（2024年12月13日のニュース）
- edge outは「僅差で押しのける、僅かな差で勝つ」
- showdownは「最終決戦、最後の対決、決着の場」
- clinch victoryは「勝利を収める」
- tiebreakerは「タイブレーク、同点決勝（の手順）」で、試合が同点になって決着がつかない場合などに試合を早く終わらせるために適用される特別ルールや制度
- go to a tiebreakerは「タイブレーク、同点決勝ゲームに持ち込まれる」
- blunderは「大失敗、しくじり」
- hand … the winは「～に勝利を与える」
- prodigyは「（若い）天才」
- 動詞crownは「栄誉を与える、栄冠を与える」
The joy of learning is a wonderful feeling. Recently, I have been learning embroidery. Sometimes I struggle with getting the pattern right or I poke myself with the needle. But as I see my progress, it makes me so happy and my mistakes just make the finished project on my own.
--
ニュースで学ぶ「現代英語」 政府 アフリカと経済面の連携強化へ
1月13日(月)
Hi there, everyone. Today's story is about Africa where cecent economic development has been progressin.
JAPAN PLANNING TO DEEPEN ECONOMIC TIES WITH AFRICA
NHK has learned that Japan's government plans to deepen cooperation with the African Development Bank. The goal is to help Japanese companies boost their investments on the continent. Africa is projected to grow into a major market with a population of two-and-a-half billion by 2050. The continent also has the potential to become a major supplier of mineral resources. Sources say officials from Japan's economy and industry ministry will sign a memorandum with the African Development Bank. More than 80 countries are members of the bank. One initiative the ministry is considering involves NEXI, a government-affiliated trade insurer. It would underwrite loans taken out by Japanese businesses from the bank when they invest in the development of mineral resources, hydrogen, ammonia, and the auto sector.
（2024年12月13日のニュース）
- initiativeは率先して新しい行動を始めることで、ここでは「構想」や「計画」
- 「日本貿易保険」はNippon Export and Investment Insurance
- underwriteは「（保険で）保証責任を負う」
- take out a loanは「資金を借りる、ローンを組む」
Japanese companies boost their investments
on the continent.
The goal is to help Japanese businesses boost their investments on the African continent.
★冠詞のtheの発音「ザ」「ジ」
apple「りんご」
・the(ザ) appleと言うと、途中で音が途切れて言いにくいと感じる場合には、
・the(ジ) appleと言えば、音がスムーズにつながり、なめらかです。
・話すスピード、ほかの単語とのつながり方によっては、theの音が全て消えたり、aのように聞こえたりすることさえあります。
・強調するときには強く長めに「ジー」、あるいは強く「ザ」と発音されます。
この冠詞のスペルは、t、h、「e」ですね。アルファベットをABCD「E」…と言うときの「e」の発音なので、これがtheの正式な発音なのかもしれません。
・時間調整をしたいときにも長く「ジー」と発音されます。
次に何をどう言うべきか１秒でいいから考える時間を作りたい、難しい表現が続くのでペースダウンしたい、といったときにも「ジー」と長く発音されます。これは、日本語で「その」の次が思いつかないときに、「そのーぉ」と音を伸ばすのと似ています。
・半母音の前は「ジ」と言うことがあります。
例えば、the United Statesです。半母音はあくまで母音ではないので、「ザ」とするのが標準ですが、「ジ」と発音するネイティブ・スピーカーも多くいます。また、慣用的な発音として、あるいは敬意を込めて言うこともあります。
・書き言葉で強調したいときは、THEや"the"と表記することがあります。
We don't have this grammar point in the US. Using the or the varies from region to region. And even from person to person. Actually, it is a big struggle for me to use the or the in the way that is taught in Japan. Because it's not what I would naturally say. - Is that so?
The more you learn, the better you become. Don't worry about making mistakes. The important thing is to keep tying and impruving.