もうひとつ行きます。
Interview 2
Kailene Falls
毎週金曜日は各界で活躍するプロフェッショナルのインタビューを取り上げます。関連語彙を習得しながら英語力を向上させ、さまざまな話題に対応できる教養を身につけていきましょう。
Part 8
これまで7回にわたってイラストレーターのケイリーン・フォールズさんのインタビューをお送りしました。最終回の今日はケイリーンさんの話の内容をもとに、ジェニーさんと私とで英語でディスカッションしてみます。
Shibata: The conversation with Kailene was really thought-provoking for me. Listening to her journey, I felt it was evident she faced quite a few challenges, especially when she first arrived in Japan. What stands out to you most about her experiences?
Jenny: I'd say Kaylan's perseverance. It's surprising that despite the initial setbacks, she didn't give up and eventually found a job. I can't imagine the frustration of constantly hearing, "it isn't the hiring season" and feeling like there's no way in.
Shibata: It's incredible how Kailene just kept pushing, isn't it? It must have taken a lot of soul-searching to recognize their own artistic inclinations and capitalize on them to carve out a unique space for herself in the industry. What strikes you about her approach to her career shift?
Jenny: Two things. First, it's the way she found her niche in food illustration by combining her love for drawing with her fascination for Japanese cuisine. Second, it's her transition from digital to traditional art. It's not easy to break away from a skillset you've mastered and start something new, especially in the creative field.
Shibata: I agree. Kailene recognized the importance of finding her unique style and was willing to take that leap. It's a testament to the importance of pursuing work that not only pays the bills but also brings joy and satisfaction. By the way, what do you think of her advice on combining hobbies with language study?
Jenny: Well, I wish I had received that kind of advice when coming to Japan. I sometimes feel like language learning can be tedious, but when you tie it to something you're passionate about, it becomes much more enjoyable and sustainable.
Shibata: Absolutely. I believe Kailene's advice would resonate with the listeners of this program as well. Her story serves as a reminder that with passion and perseverance, you can turn what you love into your job.
WORDS AND PHRASES
thought-provoking 考えさせられる、示唆に富む
Something that makes you think, mentally stimulating. Mr. Shibata said that he found the conversation with Kailene thought-provoking. This means that the conversation was food for thought or generated new ideas and considerations.
soul-searching 自分の心を探ること、自分をよく見つめ直すこと
Thinking deeply about something or self-examining the conscience. Introspection, reexamining tightly held beliefs. Here's an example. "Members of the community did some soul-searching after the tragedy in order to prevent another one". This means that the community members were reflecting on what happened and looked for answers or solutions even if they were difficult to accept.
inclination 傾向
A tendency towards something, a disposition, an urge, or leaning. Mr. Shibata mentioned Kailene's artistic inclinations or what she usually does artistically. Another example would be, "I have no inclination to become an athlete". We can imagine that based on this person's lifestyle and preferences, they have no desire to become an athlete.
carve out (経歴など)を創り上げる、(道)を切り開く
To carve is to cut into something to make a shape or space, such as carving a wooden statue. Using this image to carve out means to make space for something. To work hard to establish something like a career. To forge, or create. Mr. Shibata talked about Kailene carving out space for herself in the industry. This means she had to work hard to make a place for herself in the industry.
strike (人を)感動させる、(人に)印象を与える
In this case, to strike means to leave an impression. Mr. Shibata asked me, "What strikes you about her approach to her career shift"? He's asking about what stands out to me about her approach or what impressions I have about her approach.
break away from ～から逃れる・離れる
To stop using or doing something. To separate from something that is not beneficial. I mentioned that it's not easy to break away from something you've mastered and start doing something new. This means that it's hard to transition away from something you've mastered and start something new. Another example would be, "My doctor says I need to break away from drinking alcohol". This person will have to give up alcohol because it's not for them even though they enjoy it.
testament 証明するもの
A testament is something that serves as proof of something or shows that something is a fact. It can also be a sign of something. An example would be, "Sales of this product are on the rise. It's a testament to its popularity and usefulness". This means that rising sales serve as proof, make it clear, or signify that the product is popular and useful.
pay the bills 生活費を生み出す
In this case, if something like a job pays the bills, it provides enough money to cover basic living expenses such as rent or mortgage, water, power, gas, and so on. Mr. Shibata talked about pursuing work that not only pays the bills, but also brings joy and satisfaction. This means work that provides enough money to get by, enough money to live on or provides enough money for basic expenses in addition to bringing joy and satisfaction.
tedious 面倒な
Something you don't want to do and find boring or dull. Something that takes a long time and isn't enjoyable at all. For example, "The child doesn't want to do his homework because he thinks it's tedious". He doesn't like doing the same kinds of math problems over and over.
KEEP YOUR DIALOGUES GROWING
今日は話の流れを作りながら相手の意見を引き出すスキルについて考えていきましょう。
ポイントは相手に求める意見の範囲を狭めることです。
今回のディスカッションで私はジェニーさんに三つの質問をしています。
最初は冒頭のやり取りです。
まず私が
Listening to her journey, I felt it was evident she faced quite a few challenges, especially when she first arrived in Japan.
と前置きした上で
What stands out to you most about her experiences?
とジェニーさんの意見を聞いています。
もし何の前置きもなくWhat stands out to you most about her experiences?と質問したとしたらどうでしょう?
experiencesの対象の範囲が広すぎて、ジェニーさんは何をどう答えたらいいか戸惑うかもしれませんし、質問する側の私も自分が求めている答えを引き出せないかもしれません。
2つ目は
What strikes you about her approach to her career shift? ですね。
これについてもa unique space for herself in the industryと的を絞った上で質問しています。
最後の質問の
By the way, what do you think of her advice on combining hobbies with language study?
はどうでしょうか?
ここではBy the wayと言って話題を変えた瞬間に質問しているので、前回の説明はありません。しかし質問でadvice on combining hobbies with language studyと的を絞っているので、ジェニーさんも戸惑いません。
ではジェニーさんと私で応用例を紹介しますのでお聞きください。
Jenny: Our office environment survey suggests that many feel background music could enhance the office atmosphere. The workspace is currently very quiet, and voices carry easily, making people reluctant to communicate. What do you think about the survey results?
Shibata: There seemed to be many things to consider. Regarding background music, we could experiment with it for trial period. We need to create an environment suitable for smooth communication.
ここではBGMの話をしてからWhat do you think about the survey results?という質問に移っています。答えにも自然とBGMの話が盛り込まれていますね。
ちなみにBGMは和製英語で、英語では省略せずにback ground musicと言います。