6/10-6/12, 2019

遠山顕の英会話楽習   Monday, June 10

How are you guys doing?
Great! Wonderful!
You've turned young.
We've drunk from fountain of youth.
You must be kidding me.
We are.
―――

Oh, that was a convincing statement.
Convincing argument, for sure.
Yeah.
―――

Where do you go for that water?
Well, they found it ...
It was in Florida.
Right? Somewhere in Florida?

―――――
U R the ★
―――――
All right, Carolyn. You are the star.
Great!

You love doing crosswords, don't you?
Yes, it's a big part of my life.
When did you start doing them?
When I was three.
Wow! That's young!

―――
Say It!
―――
Carolyn, are you ready, five times in one breath?
I'll try, but what if I fail?
I have never thought of that.
No, I don't think so.
OK. I'll give it my best shot.
You bet!

What if you fall? ×5

You're flying high!.

――――
Write It!
――――
★ マギーの生活の大切な部分
Yeah, in the dialog we heard Maggie said, "Ballet is a big part of my life."
Uh-huh.
But now we want to report what Maggie said in an indirect way.
So it would be "a big part of Maggie's life.”

★ クラスのあと
after the class, the はなくても大丈夫ですか?
Nope. We don't need "the." We say after class, after school, after work. No need for "the."

★ 脚が震えていますが
the legs are shaky, but...
Yeah, we could use "but" here, because we're contrasting two different ideas. But wouldn't that mean using two sentences?
Right.
So I think it would be easier to make one sentence.
Okay.
And also if we do use "but," it doesn't really prepare us that contrast is coming up.

So we could use "even though" or "although." And these two phrases show us that something is coming up, or that we can expect that something of the contrast is coming up.

★ やめる気持ちはありません
Very simplified "won't quit." "She won't quit."
―――

Ballet is a big part of Maggie's life. Even though her legs are shaky after class, she loves ballet and she won't quit.

Ballet is a big part of Maggie's life. Although her legs are shaky after class, she loves ballet and she won't quit.

―――――――――
In Another Situation!
―――――――――
So Carolyn, what's another situation going to be like?
Well, this time, the woman is learning something else.
―――

How was class?
Good! I need to sit down for a minute. My legs are shaky.
Ginger Dodgers! I think you should quit.
Why? Tap dance is a big part of my life!
What if you fall?
I won't! That's the whole point of taking tap dance. It strengthens your legs. It improves balance.
Maybe I should take up tap dance.
Never too old to learn. Fred, upstairs.

(Fred Astaire & Ginger Rogers [famous tap dancers])

Shall we?
Hmm... let's.
―――

Well, to finish it up, I hope Eikaiwa Gakushu is a big part of your life, listeners.
Yes, of course.


==================


遠山顕の英会話楽習  Tuesday, June 11

It's a pretty straightforward conversation.
Uh-huh.
Yeah.
But sounds painful.
Yes, it is. I've had it before.
Oh, wow!.

――――
Apply It!
――――
I hope to get back to work.
I hope to get back to school.
I hope to get back to jogging.
I hope to get back to the stage.
I hope to get back to a normal life

―――――
U R the ★
―――――
Jeff, you are the star.
All right.

How are you feeling?
Much better, thanks.
That's great!
I hope to get back to work as soon as possible.
Well, easy does it.
Thank you.

―――
Say It!
―――
Jeff-san, are you ready, five times in one breath?
What happened to my self-confidence?
Weren't you ... very confident?
You are full of self-confident. Are you kidding?
Yeah, come on, Jeff.
I am kidding. OK, all right. Let's try this.

What happened to your arm. ×5

Music to our ears.

――――
Write It!
――――
★ ……したいと思っています
Think of doing...
I think you're over thinking it.
Okay.
It's very simple. "Want to 何々." or "He wants to 何々." Very simple.

★ 彼の友だちのミオナ
Well, there are two ways we can say this.
OK.
The first way, we can follow the order in Japanese. So in that case, it will be "his friend, Miona."
Got it.
And the second way is if we start the sentence with Miona, and in that case, it'll be "Miona, his friend." Either is fine.

★ Commaはつけますか?
Yeah, so if it's "his friend Miona" it would be "his friend,(comma) Miona,(comma)."
OK.
And for the other variation, it would be "Miona,(comma) his friend,(comma)."
Got it.
―――

Rogers has tennis elbow. He wants to get back to tennis as soon as possible. His friend, Miona, says, "Easy does it."

Rogers has tennis elbow. He wants to get back to tennis as soon as possible. Miona, his friend, says, "Easy does it."

―――――――――
In Another Situation!
―――――――――
So Jeff...
Uh-huh.
What's another situation going to have?

Well, the man has "grandkid elbow."
Are there such things?
I don't know. Evidently so.
―――

What happened to your arms, Johnny McKenna?
I have grand-kid elbow, Chris Everest.
Oh! Is it painful?
Yeah. It hurts when I lift my grandkids.
My, my! How many do you have?
Ten.
That's really tough!
Oh, well. It comes with the territory. It's grandkids slam. (grand-slam とかけている) I hope to get back to tennis as soon as possible.
Well, as they say, "Easy does it."
Well, as others say, "Easier said than done."
Easy, you know.
―――

Ten grandchildren?
That's a lot.
Well, their names are familiar.
The two characters?

Yeah. They sound like, John McEnroe,
Uh-huh. John McEnroe and ...
Chris Evert.
Famous tennis players.
Very famous.
That was Chris Everest, though. Yeah.
Yes.

Jeff, what happened to your tennis elbow?
Well, it took a few days, but I got back to tennis as soon as possible.
You're lucky.
Very good.


================


遠山顕の英会話楽習  Wednesday, June 12

★ Question 1
What is this commercial about?

Once again, the question, Jeff?
Right. What is this commercial about?

Carolyn, did you happen to catch the right answer for this?
Yeah, I think so.
Let's hear it. What is the commercial about?
It's about "The Ohana Music Store." It gives group ukulele lessons every Wednesday and Saturday.

Ohana...
Uh-huh. So, ohana is Hawaiian for family.
Yeah. Isn't that right, Carolyn?
Yeah.
All right.
Yeah, I agree. Sounds good to me.
We are all aloha people here.
Yes.

So, we can go on to the next question, right?
Yes.
Sounds good.
All right.

★ Question 2
What's the lesson fee?

Sounds like a fun school there.
Oh, yeah.
Uh-huh.
Sounds like a place I'd like to go.
So back to the question, Carolyn?
Right. What's the lesson fee?

Jeff, did you happen to catch the right answer for this?
Uh-huh
Let's hear it.
Very economical, $10 per lesson.

Now.
Yeah.
My big question here is what if you don't have the musical instrument, ukulele?
Well, if you don't have a ukulele, the store will let you borrow a used one.
Oh, good.
Yeah. Problem solved. Or you can buy a new one for as little as $35.
Oh, that's a good price.
Uh-huh
That's going for $35?
Yes. I'm sure there are more expensive ones, but you can buy them for $35. Yeah. And evidently they also sell songbooks.
Oh, yeah, that's right, because he got one on sale.
How much was it? It was...?
Twelves dollars, I think.
Yeah, another good price.
Yeah, so they probably sell sheet music and songbooks and chord books.

(sheet music = シートミュージック、とじられていない数枚の楽譜)

★ Question 3
Right. Question 3
What else does this store do?

So back to the 3rd question.
All right. What else does this store do?

Carolyn, what else do they do?
Ah! They sell new and used musical instruments.
Oh, I see.

That could be their main thing or...
Probably, isn't it? The lessons are...
Yeah, I would think so. Yeah, since the lessons are not very expensive. So... I'm sure...
Yeah. Kind of a bonus.
Yeah!
I see.
To get people to come in.

I wonder if I could get a Hawaiian made guitar there, maybe a used one.
Hawaiian made guitar?
Uh-huh.
Is it special? Is it…
I think they're a little smaller and many of them are made of Koa wood, because you can only get Koa wood.
Koa wood is so expensive there.
Oh, really?
Yeah, it would probably be more than $35.

I wonder when their school hours or business hours.
They are not open that early in the morning. They don't open until 11.
Okay.
No, but they don't close until 9 ... which is... you know.
Yeah.
And open every day.
Every day.
Sounds great.
Yeah.

So, Ken, Jeff, do you have a ukulele? Do you own one?
I don't have one now, but I started on the ukulele before I started the guitar.
Oh, interesting.
Oh, you're just like me.
Really?
That was my first instrument. Uh-huh.
Yeah, my sister used to play the ukulele.
Oh?
So I borrowed it and I had a good time.
Nice!
Sure!
My fourth-grade teacher was from Hawaii, and she taught us how to play the ukulele.
Was she? Oh, interesting.

How about you, Carolyn?
No.
OK.
But I love to listen to the music. It is beautiful.
Oh, yeah.
I mean, I played one, but not well.
Oh, you did?
Yeah, when I was little, but don't think I had made any notes. Just, they're fun, 'cause they're just so small and, you know.
Yeah.
Maybe you should take it up again.
I know a good school.
That's right.
Well, that's about it for today. So before we say, aloha, here are three things we'd like you to do. The first one is ...
Keep listening.
And then?
Keep practicing.
And keep on smiling.
Aloha!

6/3-6/5, 2019

遠山顕の英会話楽習   Monday, June 3

―――――
U R the ★
―――――
How about a game of go?
Go isn't for me.
What about checkers?
Now that's my game.
OK. I'll get the board.
All right.

―――
Say It!
―――
Are you ready, Carolyn?
Zzzz...
Hello?
Oh, Sorry. I was just having a (nap)....
Were you napping?
Well, yeah. I heard a nap increases performance and alertness.
That's what they say.
You're right.
Well, let's hear it five times in one breath.
All righty.

A nap increases performance and alertness. ×5

You did it.
It worked.

Nice!
Great performance!

――――
Write It!
――――
★ ある宇宙飛行士
Yeah, we did. We are familiar. We know the astronaut in the story.
Uh-huh.
But in this case, since the Japanese is directing you to use "an" here. I'd recommend using "an astronaut." It sounds like it's a fresh story, a fresh take, and kind of, draws people's attention.

★ 同僚が彼に……と言う

同僚 
Well, this is not in the dialog. So this is a new word for everyone. We'd like you to learn "colleague."

彼に言う
Right, you can say "colleague says to him," but that's a little bit unnatural. So we're going to use "tells him" or "tells him that 何々." That's more conversational. That's more natural.

★ すぐに
ダイアログでは right now と使っていますが
Oh, yeah, that's right. In the dialog, it was "right now." But I think we should use "right away” here. I think "right now" feels like it's referring to something that is presently happening at this very moment.
―――

An astronaut dozes off on the job. His colleague tells him that napping increases performance and alertness. He goes back to sleep right away

An astronaut dozes off on the job. His colleague tells him napping increases performance and alertness. He goes back to sleep right away

―――――――――
In Another Situation!
―――――――――
So Carolyn, what's another situation going to be like?
Well, Ken, now, they are both exhausted.
―――

Hey, Han Toro!
Huh?
You dozed off.

(doze off = to fall asleep especially for a short period of time)

Oh, sorry. Luke Spaceflier. I haven't slept much since liftoff.

(liftoff = the vertical take-off of a spacecraft, rocket, or helicopter)
(take off = If an aircraft, bird, or insect takes off, it leaves the ground and begins to fly)

I know. Same here. A nap would do you some good.
Well, napping isn't for me. This never happened before.
Well, according to a Galaxtic Space Agency study, a nap increases performance and alertness.
Oh, it's hard to believe.
It's the truth. I was the leader of that team.
Good to know. I'll take one right now.
Roger that.
―――

Wow!
Hmm...
They’re both sound asleep.

(be sound asleep = ぐっすり眠っている)

Yeah.
They should listen to Gakushu. It increases performance and alertness.
Oh, good point.
You didn't know?


=======================


遠山顕の英会話楽習   Tuesday, June 4

How are you guys doing?
Good.
Great!
―――

Do you think they'll get along?
I don't know.
Maybe.
Hope so.

―――――
U R the ★
―――――
All right, Carolyn. You are the star.
Allrighty.

How's Netaro?
Netaro is still Netaro.
Oh, he's hopeless.
Well, it depends on how you look at it.
I guess if he is in a sleeping contest.
Oh.

―――
Say It!
―――
Jeff, are you ready, five times in one breath?
This is actually a pretty easy one, because I actually bike to the market.
You do?
I do.
Great. What a coincidence. Same here.

I bike to the market. ×5

Ready, set, go!
Twice, thrice, fourth time, the last time.

Right on!

――――
Write It!
――――
★ ジム/家でトレーニングする
Well, we say "works out at the gym."
OK.
And the other one is "works out at home."
You don't need to say "’the’ home." "The" is not necessary. So "works out at home" or "works out at the gym."

★ 彼はそれは家事だと言います
言いますは says でいいのですよね?
Well, in the dialog, we heard the man said, "That's house work." Right?
Right.
So, now we're just talking about what he said, and so we're going to use "says" here. And it's going to be "He says that's housework." And we can also say, "He says that that's housework."
Oh!
The first "that" is optional.

(mandatory = 義務的な、強制的な、必須の)
―――

The man works out at the gym. The woman works out at home. He says that's housework. She says it depends on how you look at it.

The man works out at the gym. The woman works out at home. He says that that’s housework. She says that it depends on how you look at it.

―――――――――
In Another Situation!
―――――――――
So Jeff...
Uh-huh
What's another situation going to be like?
Well, this time, the woman has a unique way to exercise.
―――

The first thing I do is walk on the treadmill.

(treadmill = a device used for exercise, consisting of a continuous moving belt on which to walk or run.)

I walk a tightrope all the time.

(walk a tightrope = 綱渡りをする、危ない橋を渡る)

Then I ride the stationary bicycle.

(stationary bicycle = an exercise bike)

I jump on a crowded train.
After that, I do dumbbells.
To finish it up I run to my office.
That's not exercise!
It depends on how you look at it
Come to think of it, you may be right.

I walk a tightrope.
All the time.
All the time.
―――

Well, how was the program today? Was it Okay?
Well. It depends on how you look at it.
Oh, Carolyn! You know, it was great. We had fun today as always.
Well, thanks very much, Carolyn.
You're welcome.
Thank you, Jeff.
―――

And keep on smiling and laughing.


====================


遠山顕の英会話楽習 Wednesday, June 5

It makes you want to take one. (昼寝をしたくなる)
Yeah.

★ Question 1
What is this announcement about?

Jeff, did you happen to catch the right answer?
I did. It came at the very beginning.
Let's hear it.

The Newtown Animal Shelter.
It encourages people to take their rescue dogs on outings.

Now, my very first question is… what's a rescue dog?
Oh, that's the question.
Well, there's a couple of meanings.
Yes.
One rescue dog is a dog that rescues people.
I thought it was that kind of dog.
No. This kind of dog is a dog that actually needs rescuing.
For a variety of reasons, probably,
Oh.
Abandoned, some of them.
Yeah.

What about outing? What is this?
An outing is, where you're able to take one of their dogs, one of the rescue dogs out to a park or out in nature.
Yeah, anywhere... beach.
Anywhere, beach, maybe
Mountains.
Mountains.
Oh.
Somewhere outside.

So you don't get it, but you sort of take it out.
Yes.
... of the shelter.
You could kind of borrow it for the day.
I see.
You could play with them.
Yeah, spend time together.
Interaction with them.
It's fun.

★ Question 2
What is provided free of charge?

Well, back to the second question.
Uh-huh. What is provided free of charge?

Carolyn, did you catch the right answer?
Yeah, I think so. There were three things.
Okay.
A leash, a water bottle and a water bowl.

This water bowl is for not the person who takes out the dog.
No, it's for the dog.
For the dog, of course.
I guess a person could drink out of it. But it'd be weird.

(weird = strange, mysterious, abnormal, unusual)

Okay. 

So can anybody take a dog on an outing any sort of way?
Well...
There is an age restriction. You have to be 18 years or older to take a dog out.
I see.
And you also have to transport them in an enclosed vehicle, which means you can take a convertible car, but it has to have a top on it.
So like a jeep, or...
Yeah, but a jeep also has to have a top.
Oh, yeah... good point.
Open jeep ... yeah, is not good.
So it has to have sort of a roof.
Yes.
A roof.
Must to be covered.
Yes. And windows are up, probably.
Yeah.
OK.

Imagine because it's dangerous, probably.
Yeah, the dogs could jump out.
Yeah.
Right.

★ Question 3
When do you have to return the dog?

So, back to the question, Carolyn.
All righty. When do you have to return the dog?

Jeff, did you catch the right one this time too?
I did. By 4:30 on the same day.

There's probably a good reason for that. And that's if it gets too dark...
Yeah.
The dogs might get lost or whatever, and they might have to be rescued again.
Oh.
Oh, no.

So what are the shelter hours?
Oh, it's almost like a regular business, the hours are 9 to 5.
OK. Those are the hours that shelter's open.
Right.
That's probably another reason why you have to return the dog by 4:30.
That's the other reason.
Because they close at 5.
They close at 5 o'clock.
Naturally.
―――

Jeff...
Uh-huh.
Do you like dogs?
I love dogs. I have one.
Oh, you do.
And I love all animals, more than a dog person, I'm an animal person. I like animals.
All right. Animal person.
Any kind of animal.

All right. How about you, Carolyn? Are you a cat person or a dog person?
I'm both. I love dogs and I love cats. But I've never had a dog. I would love to have a dog.
Oh.
I've only ever had a cat. So, I... it'd be nice to have a dog.

You should get the dogs. I think they’re a little more loyal.
Yeah, what about you, Ken? Are you a cat or a dog person?
I'm both, but I used to keep a dog...
Oh!
... as a kid.
But now, you kind of lean towards cats. Isn't that right?
Yeah, you're right. Yeah, I'm a cat person now. But, well, dogs are not bad.

5/27-5/28, 2019

遠山顕の英会話楽習   Monday, May 27

―――――
U R the ★
―――――
You're amazing.

All right, Carolyn.
Yeah.
You are the star.
Great!

Look at the floor.
Shh, you're not supposed to talk.
But look. There's a centipede.

(centipede = a very small insect with a long narrow body and many pairs of legs)

I think I'm going to scream.
Shh! You're not supposed to scream, either.

―――
Say It!
―――
Are you ready, Jeff?
Umm... Good practice for my own dog.
Yeah.
Let's try this.
All right.

Elvis, here boy! Good boy! ×3
Priscilla, here girl! Good girl! ×3

You've got to take a big breath.

Nice.
All right.
Good job.

――――
Write It!
――――
★ 彼らは……してはいけないことになっています
Yeah, in the dialog, it was "You're not supposed to 何々." But now we're just changing the subject to "they," so it's going to be, "They're not supposed to 何々."

★ 彼らは〜する必要があります
We're goona (going to) use the word "need." "Need" conveys a purpose, in order to achieve a goal, and it's objective. So it's going to be, "They need to give Elvis a calm response."

★ その効果が出てきました
Well, I would suggest doing it one of these two ways. The first way, we can say, "It's starting to work."
And the second way is, I think, a little bit closer to the Japanese, using the word "results." So it would be, "They'e seeing the results."
―――

They are not supposed to shout. They need to give Elvis a calm response. It's starting to work.

They are not supposed to shout. They need to give Elvis a calm response. They are seeing the results.

―――――――――
In Another Situation!
―――――――――
So Carolyn...
Yeah.
What's another situation going to be like?
Well, they sing their lines to the tune of "Oh! Susanna."

―――

Are we going to teach Elvis tricks?
Not exactly. We're going to practice using positive reinforcement.

I can do that! Elvis, here boy! Good boy!
Hold on! We need to give Elvis a calm response!
Sam! We all need to get on board with this!
You're not supposed to shout! Be calm!
Sit, Elvis.
Wow!
He obeyed you!

(obey = to do what a law or a person says that you must do)
―――

Well, you know, I have a story to tell you.
Oh.
Ken, you're ...
You're not supposed to go overtime.
Well, you're right.


===========


遠山顕の英会話楽習   Tuesday, May 28

―――――
U R the ★
―――――
You get the best learner's award.

Jeff...
Uh-huh.
You are the star.
All right.

Is everything okay?
Yes. We're all listening to Gakushu.
Oh, that's great!
Are you joining us?
Can I?
Of course.
Yeah!
Pull up a chair.

―――
Say It!
―――
Carolyn, are you ready?
I hope we're all doing this together.
Umm...
You know... what do you ….
I'm kind of busy listening to you, I guess.
Really? But, the more the merrier, right?
Oh, that's right. Maybe we should do that together.
Yes!
How about that?
Uh, OK.
All right.
The more the merrier.
Great!
OK. Ready, set, go!

The more the merrier! ×5

Carolyn was right. The more the merrier!

You get the super learner's award.

――――
Write It!
――――
エルビスはもう〜しません
Right. So in this case, Elvis doesn't bark when the Smiths leave. But we also have the Japanese "もう" here.
Uh-huh.
"もう"
So, we're going to use the word "anymore." So "Elvis doesn't bark when the Smiths leave anymore."

★ さて
Well, here, I would suggest using the word "now." And it's a nice word to use when you want to introduce a new development in a story.

★ より多ければより楽し、です
Right from the dialog, "The more the merrier!"

★ 「です」はどうしましょう?
Umm... this phrase, kind of, works by itself. It stands on its own. So that's all you need to say.
―――

Elvis doesn't bark when the Smiths leave anymore. Now their neighbors got a shelter dog. The more the merrier.

―――――――――
In Another Situation!
―――――――――
So Jeff...
Uh-huh.
What's another situation going to be like?
Well, this time, the dogs "sing."
―――

Hi. Is everything okay?
Oh, yes. I don't hear a peep out of Elvis when you leave.
Good. That's nice to know.
But he sings instead. And he's pretty good.
I didn't know.
Oh, I wanted to tell you that we got a shelter dog.
You did?
He's over there with Pam.
Hi, there! We were wondering if you'd be open to letting Simon sing with Elvis.
Sure. The more the merrier!
Simon, sing!
I'm a dog.
Elvis, sing!
I can't. I'm nothing but a pet dog.
―――

Oh, they sang. Is everything okay?
Yeah.
They did a pretty good job.
They sounded great!

5/20-5/22, 2019

遠山顕の英会話楽習   Monday, May 20

(K9 = イヌ (Canine) 米国での警察犬の呼称。
A police dog, known in some English-speaking countries as a "K-9" or "K9" (a homophone of "canine"), force that is meant to sniff out drugs, and bad guys.)

Such noisy creatures.
Lots of dogs.

―――――
U R the ★
―――――
Nice.
You are a top cat.

(top cat = the most powerful or important person)

OK, Jeff...
Uh-huh.
You are the star.
OK. I got this.

My new cat Sue is all over the place.
When did you get her?
Last week.
It'll take time for her to settle down.
Oh, I hope you're right.

―――
Say It!
―――
Carolyn, are you ready, five times in one breath?
OK! I'm ready!!
It's best not to shout.
Oh, sorry. I mean, yes, I'm ready to do this.
Oh, let's hear it then. Thank you.

It's best not to shout at him

Wow!
Yeah!
That's something to shout about.

――――
Write It!
――――
★ トレーナーはベッツィーに……と彼女に伝えます
Well, here, we have someone saying something to someone else. In this situation, it's the trainer that is saying something to Betsy. So, we'll use the verb "tell" here. So it's going to be, "The trainer tells Betsy that 何々."

Oh, and also the word "that" is optional. You don't have to use it, but you can if you would like.

★ また、……しないようと彼女にアドバイスします
Well, we are going to say, "He advises her to 何々."
He advises her not to 何々.
Right.

「また」というのは、againではないですよね?
No.
Well, we're going to use the word "also."
OK.
So it will be, "He also advises her not to 何々."
――

The trainer tells Betsy that it'll take time for Elvis to settle down at the school. He also advises her not to shout at him.

The trainer tells Betsy it'll take time for Elvis to settle down at the school. He also advises her not to shout at him.

―――――――――
In Another Situation!
―――――――――
So Carolyn...
Yeah.
What's another situation going to be like this time?
Well, now, they sing their lines to the tune of "Are You Sleeping?"
―――

I'm exhausted! Elvis was all over the place!
That happens. It'll take time for him to settle down.
Elvis, don't bark! Bad boy!
It's best not to shout at him. Seeing all his canine friends makes him really excited.
That's for sure.
Shouting increases his anxiety and makes him bark more.
Okay. I see what you mean.
―――

You know what?
Yeah?
Uh-huh.
I really think we should change those words which we end our program?
No.
It's best not to change anything.
Yes.
All right, well... That's about it for today. So until next time.
Keep listening.
Keep practicing.
And keep on smiling. Yeah, yeah, that's not so bad.
Yeah.
It's great.


========================


遠山顕の英会話楽習   Tuesday, May 21

So Elvis has a problem.
Yes. Sounds like he has separation anxiety.

(separation anxiety = fear or worry about separation from home or an attachment figure)

―――――
U R the ★
―――――
Jeff, you are the star.
All right.

My cat Sue vomits quite often.
Hairballs?
Oh, maybe you're right!
That's a common problem.
I'm glad it's probably nothing serious.
Nothing to worry about.

―――
Say It!
―――
Carolyn, are ready, five times in one breath?
All right. But I never get it right.
Never say never.
Never say never.
Oh, my.
Okay.
I'll give it a shot.

Never say never.

Never say never, Carolyn.
OK.

Great.
Never better.

――――
Write It!
――――
★ それで
Well, here we'll use the word "so." It's a convenient word to use to start a phrase to show how something is happened as a result of something.
Okay. So... so....
That sounds familiar.
Okay.
So, first you say, "Elvis has separation anxiety."
Right. So as a result of the separation anxiety he barks all day.
Uh-huh.
So, so we would use the word "so" to connect ...
So.
... to connect the two. So it would be, Elvis has separation anxiety. So, he barks all day 何々.
Thank you so much.
You're so welcome.

★ 彼は一人残されると
when they leave him alone でいいですかね?
Yes, you can use that. That would be fine. But we're going to obviously borrow the phrase from the dialog and say "when he's left alone." That way, we don't have to specify who left him alone.
―――

Elvis has separation anxiety, so he barks all day when he's left alone. That's a common problem.

―――――――――
In Another Situation!
―――――――――
So, Jeff...
Uh-huh.
What's another situation going to be like?
Well, this time, the trainer talks passionately.
―――

Elvis barks all day when he's left alone in his doghouse. He's such a bad dog.
No, no, no, no. That's a common problem. It's okay, boy.
And when we leave him inside, he tears the house apart. Bad boy!
I think Elvis has separation anxiety.
He does? I'm afraid you can't teach an old dog new tricks, can you?
Elvis isn't that old. He's very intelligent too. Never say never!
Oh, thanks, man.
Don't talk like Elvis. Be a good dog.
Got it. Bowwow.
―――

So Elvis is talking like his namesake, "Thank you very much."

(namesake = 特に有名人と同名の人 a person or thing that has the same name as another)

Well, time to go. We don't seem to have enough time.
Yeah, that's a common problem.
Time flies when you're having fun.
Yeah.
Well, that's a good one.


=================


遠山顕の英会話楽習   Wednesday, May 22

★ Joke 1
OK. I've got one.
Uh-huh.

How do flowers greet each other?

I don't know.
Beats me.

How's it going (growing)?

Get it?
So what goes into the blank?
Growing, g-r-o-w-i-n-g.
So this is a pun?
Yeah, it is. Usually, when we greet each other we say, "How's it going?" But because it's a flower and flowers grow, we're using the word "growing."
It's a play on words. Yeah.
It's cute.

Well, shall we go on to the next one?
Alrighty.
Right.

★ Joke 2
Here's a good one.
What kind of wine do flowers drink?

No idea.
Rose. (ロゼ)

Oh, I see. That's a good one, good one.
That's OK.
That's a kind of wine.
Yes, it is.
Yes.

So what goes in the blank again?
Rose or Rose. (ローズ or ロゼ)

★ Joke 3
OK. Here's one.
What do you ask a broken bunch of flowers?

No idea.
Oh, no.
You're gonna (going to) like this.
Uh-huh.

Are you OK (bouquet)?

Oh, that's a ....
That hurts.
That's a kind of... kind of cleaver.
Right.
And slain.

(slain =《俗語》〈人を〉笑いころげさせる)

So what goes in the blank?
Bouquet, b-o-u-q-u-e-t.
Meaning?
Well, doesn't it sound like "Okay"?
Oh, yeah.
Right? So if something is wrong, you would say, "Are you OK?"
What's a bouquet, anyway?
It's a big group of flowers.

We're bouquet (Okay).
We're all bouquet (Okay).
Yap, feeling bouquet (Okay).

Shall we go on to the next one?
All right.
All right.

★ Joke 4
I've got a good one.
OK.
Why is the letter A like a flower?

I don't know.
I have no idea.
No.
Because it's followed by the "B."

The bee.
Ohhhh....yeah...
OK. Maybe that wasn't such a good one ... no reaction.
I got it.
No. It makes sense.

So what goes in the blank?
The B (bee).

"Follow" means sometimes chase?
Yes.
That's right.

★ Joke 5
All right. Here's one.
Uh-huh.

What do you call a country where everyone drives a pink-colored vehicle?

Think ... think what it is...
Hmm... I don't know.
Think.
Think! What could it be?
I don't know where to begin. But uh... (どこから言い始めたらいいかわからないよ)
Fair enough. (でしょうね)

(fair enough = 十分に公平な、君の言うとおりだ、同意するよ、文句はないよ、この取引条件で結構、取引成立)

What's the answer?
It's a pink car nation. Get it? Car nation (carnation).

Car nation, carnation ... Ah! That's cleaver. I like that one.
So what goes in the blank?

Car nation.
Carnation is a name of flower.
Yes, it is, carnation.
A very famous flower, but we get those ones.
And it also, it could mean ...
A country with cars, I guess. A car nation.
Oh, I see.
Car nation, I got it.

★ Joke 6
This one is for you, Ken.
Oh, thank you. I'm honored. Here you go.

A teacher askes a student, "How do you spell chrysanthemum?"
OK.
And the student replies, "Don't worry, sir. I don't know how to spell it, either."

Okay.
Yeah, that's cleaver.

OK.
Yeah.
I get it.
Yeah.
So, what? He's worried about the teacher?
Well, I think he thinks the teacher is asking because he doesn't know how to spell it.
Oh, I see.
When the teacher actually asking him if he knows.
Yeah.
So the student in this case, kind of wins.
Yeah, it's kind of a miscommunication.
Yeah, actually...
He's pretending that he is misunderstanding the question.
Right.
Yeah.
But actually he is winning here.
Yeah.
Uh-huh.

What goes in the blank?
How to spell it.
Okay.

Alrighty. So, here's one for you guys.

5/13-5/15, 2019

遠山顕の英会話楽習    Monday, May 13

Happy belated Mother's day.

(belated = coming or happening later than should have been the case)
―――

Hmm...
Uh-oh
There is a problem.
Yes.
―――

Sounds familiar.
Really does, doesn't it?
Sounds really familiar.

―――――
U R the ★
―――――
Jeff, you are the star now.
Got it.

The AC is too loud in that cafe.
Yes, I noticed.
I complained to them about it today.
Good. They'll do something about it.
Let's hope so.
Hmm...

―――
Say It!
―――
Jeff, are you ready, five times in one breath?
I think so.
All right. Let's hear it

Your dog is keeping me awake!

Great!
Ta-da!
Yeah!
Keep it up.

――――
Write It!
――――
★ マイクの妻のパムが
Ah! In English, there are two ways we can do this.
Okay.
We can either start with the person's name and here it's Pam, so it can be "Pam, Mike's wife." And we need to put commas after Pam.
So it goes like "Pam, (comma) Mike's wife, (comma)"
Yeah, that's the first way. The second way, we can reverse the order and start with "Mike's wife." So in that case, it would be "Mike's wife, (comma) Pam, (comma)"
I got it.

★ ジャックに苦情を言います
Well, this isn't in the dialog, but we did hear it in the "Words and Expressions."
Okay.
And it's a very useful word, the word "complain."
Okay.
And you need to add a preposition, the preposition "to." So it would be "I complain to 誰々." or "She complains to 誰々." In this case, it's "complains to Jack.”
―――

Pam, Mike's wife complains to Jack that Elvis barks all day. Jack tells her they'll do something about it.

Mike's wife, Pam complains to Jack that Elvis barks all day. Jack tells her they'll do something about it.

―――――――――
Another Situation!
―――――――――
So Carolyn …
Yeah. 
What another situation going to be like?
Well, Ken, the conversation takes place in the distant future.
―――

Hi. I’m your neighbor, Pam Hanson.
Hi! Come on in!
Actually, I’m on my way to Mars.

(Mars = the 4th planet from the sun)

Did you know your dog barks all month while your family was gone to the moon?
Really?
I'm a nurse and I work the night shift. Your dog is keeping me awake!
Oh, sorry about that. We'll do something about it.
Might I recommend a fine robo-pet shop in the Mariana Trench?

(Mariana Trench = マリアナ海溝 The Mariana Trench is a crescent-shaped trench in the Western Pacific, just east of the Mariana Islands near Guam. In 2010, the Challenger Deep was pegged at 36,070 feet (10,994 m)

Thanks, but, no thanks.
No, no, Mariana, no.
―――

The dog is still alive.
Yes.
Still alive and he talks.
You too.
Amazing!
Wow!
Well, I hope they'll do something about it in the end.
Yeah.
I hope so too.


======================


遠山顕の英会話楽習   Tuesday, May 14

Sounds like a western movie with Elvis Presley in it.

―――――
U R the ★
―――――
That's exactly what we wanted.
Jeff…
Uh-huh.
You are the star.
I got it.

The wisteria must be beautiful now.

(wisteria = a large climbing plant that has purple or white flowers that hang down)

That's exactly what I was thinking.
Can we go see them this weekend?
Yes, let's.
Great! Maybe we can pack a lunch with us.
Great! Picnic time.
Yay!

―――
Say It!
―――
Carolyn, are you ready for this uh… five times in one breath thingy?

(thingy = 例のあれ、名前を思い出せないもの、名前が分からないもの、名前を出したくないもの、言わなくても通じるもの a person or thing whose name one has forgotten, does not know, or does not wish to mention.)

Yeah, it is just five times, right? Not ten.
Not ten.
Okay.
Right.
So I think we're on the same page.
You got it.

We're on the same page.

Great!
You are on fire.

――――
Write It!
――――
★ ジャックはだと言います
Well, if there is another name of a person in that sentence that Jack is talking to, then we would use "tells." But in this sentence, there isn't a person he is speaking to.
So we're going to use the word "says." So "Jack says that 何々. " or "Jack
says 何々. "
I see.
Either one.

★ 二人は
Oh, I mean, we could say "the two of them," it's okay. But I think it would be easier just to use the word "they" here. It's short and sweet. 

★ 〜であることを何よりだと思っています
Well, there's a couple of words we can use. One is "happy." But "happy" might be a little too bright, a little too over-the-top. So we’re going to use the word "glad." "Be glad that 何々." or "be glad 何々." "Glad" shows appreciation. It's a little common nuance. "Glad" is short, short word goes a long way.
Oh, well put. My goodness.

(over-the-top = too much, exaggerated)
(go a long way = 大変役に立つ If you say that someone will go a long way, you mean that they will be very successful.)
(well put = skillfully explained and/or argued)

―――

Jack says that it's time for Elvis to go to obedience school. That's exactly what Betsy was thinking. They're glad that they're on the same page.

Jack says it's time for Elvis to go to obedience school. That's exactly what Betsy was thinking. They're glad they're on the same page.

―――――――――
In Another Situation
―――――――――
So Jeff…
Uh-huh.
What's another situation going to be like?
Kind of fun. Two cats are talking about what they have just seen.
―――

Bata, that was Pam Hanson, their new neighbor. She told them that Elvis barks all day. Apparently they didn't know.
Oh, that's two strikes against them.
It's time for Elvis to go to obedience school.
That’s exactly what I was thinking.
Good. We’re on the same page.
In the meantime, they're going to keep him in the house (ネコ語でhouseミャウス) when they leave.
I'm all for that. Anything for a safe then quiet neighborhood.
―――

We're running out of time. Let's make it short.
Oh, that's exactly what we were thinking.
We're on the same page.


=========================


遠山顕の英会話楽習   Wednesday. May 15

Well, I'm sorry we're out of time.
Oh, we're sorry too.
Sorry about that.

5/6-5/8, 2019

遠山顕の英会話楽習   Monday, May 6

―――――
U R the ★
―――――
Jeff, you are the star.
Got it.

I'm thinking of going to Lovelia.
When?
In July. What do you think?
Sounds good. It's nice there in summer.
Really? Okay, then it's settled. I'm going.
Great.

―――
Say It!
―――
Jeff, are you ready, five times in one breath?
Well, I thought Carolyn volunteered to do this one, by all means. It's ....
No, no, no, no. You should do it, by all means. I don't want to take this opportunity away from you.
Well, okay.
Is it settled?
I think so.
Are you done?
I think so, I think so. I think we're OK.
OK. Let's hear it.

By all means.

All right.

――――
Write It!
――――
★ ジャックは……と提案します
Well, the word we want to use here is "propose."
OK.
But we're not using it in the marriage sense, of course.
Right. We're using it to show that Jack is offering or suggesting something. So it'll be "Jack proposes 何々."

★ ……に挨拶に行く
Well, there's actually a couple of ways we can say this. One is same way as in the dialog, "go and introduce themselves to 誰々." Or the other way is "Go and meet 誰々."

(same way as = ~と同じ方法で、~と同じように)

That's shorter.
Uh-huh. It's "go" and plus another verb, it's a good way to connect the two verbs together.

★ ……も同様です
Well, this is actually going to be short and sweet. The verb we want to use here is "is." And it's going to be "so is 誰々." And it's an easy way to show agreement with something that was just said.
So Betsy and Sam are up for it.
Right.
And then, "So is Elvis."

★ 飼い犬のエルビス
Uh-huh. There's two ways of doing this as well. We're going to use a "comma," so "Elvis, (comma) their dog." Or the reverse, "Their dog, (comma) Elvis." Either way is fine.
―――

Jack proposes to go and introduce themselves to the new neighbors. Betsy and Sam are up for it. So is Elvis, their dog.

Jack proposes to go and meet the new neighbors. Betsy and Sam are up for it. So is their dog, Elvis.

――――――――――
In Another Situation!
――――――――――
So Carolyn.
Yeah?
What's another situation going to be like?
Well now, they all, even Elvis, like to joke around.
―――

I waved at the new neighbors yesterday, but they didn't wave back.
Maybe they didn't want to. Just kidding.
That happens. Why don't we walk over there and introduce ourselves?
I'm not up for that, but if you insist. Just kidding.

(if you insist = To agree after the other person demands it. This expression is often used humorously.)
(similar expression ⇒ if you twist my arm)

I do. Betsy, what do you think?
Not by any means. Just kidding.
Can I bring Elvis?
Elvis, what do you say?
I say no.
That means yes!
Absolutely. But I need a brushing before I go.
I'll do it for you. Just kidding.
Thank you, sir. Just kidding. Oh! I have to listen to Gakushu.
Just kidding.
―――

Wow! What a family!
Oh, yeah.
What do you think of them?
Well, they really like to joke around.
I hope they stay that way, a good sense of humor.
You think so?
Uh-huh.
OK.


=========================


遠山顕の英会話楽習   Tuesday, May 7

Wow!
That was not a good first meeting.
Maybe he was just excited.
Hmm...

―――――
U R the ★
―――――
OK, Jeff.
Uh-huh.
You are the star.
I'm on top of it.

(be on top of it = まかせてください you are doing, you are dealing with it successfully)

Hello. I'm Carolyn Miller.
Jeff Manning. Pleasure to meet you.
This is my brother, Ken.
Hello, Ken. I'm Jeff.
Hi, Jeff.
Nice to meet you.
Nice to meet you too.

―――
Say It!
―――
Are you ready, Jeff, five times in one breath?
Yeah, I'm terribly sorry, Carolyn. I know how much you wanted to do this one, but I'm ... I'm going to do it.
You have my full support.
Yeah, mine too.
All right.
All right.

We're terribly sorry!

Oh, yeah.
Nice.
Nothing terrible about that.

―――
Writ It!
―――
★ スミスさん一家
It's pretty simple. We're going to take the family name which is "Smith." Put an "s" on the end, and put a "the" in front of it. So it becomes "The Smiths."

★ 新しい隣人のマイク・ハンソン
Well, Ken, there are two ways we can do this.
OK.
We can follow the order in the Japanese. So it'll be "the new neighbor, (comma) Mike Hanson."
Uh-huh.
And we can also reverse the order. So in that case, it'll be "Mike Hanson, (comma) the new neighbor."

★ サムはマイクに……だと言います
Say to 誰々でよろしいですか?
Well, we can use that as in "Sam says to Mike that 何々..." But it's actually more natural, more conversational to use the word "tell." So it'll be, "Sam tells Mike 何々." Or "Sam tells Mike that 何々." You can use "that" or not use it, either way.

エルビスは人畜無害です
Well, I think we saw this in the dialog, right?
We did, yeah.
So here we'd say "Elvis wouldn't hurt a flea." But this idiom has a couple of variations, so we can also say, "Elvis wouldn't hurt a fly."
―――

The Smiths meet the new neighbor, Mike Hanson. Their dog, Elvis jumps up on him. Sam tells Mike that Elvis wouldn't hurt a flea.

The Smiths meet Mike Hanson, the new neighbor. Their dog, Elvis jumps up on him. Sam tells Mike Elvis wouldn't hurt a fly.

――――――――――
In Another Situation!
――――――――――
So Jeff...
Uh-huh.
What's another situation going to be like?
Well, I know people like this. Mike loves dogs more than people.
―――

Hello! I'm Jack Smith. This is my wife, Betsy. That's Sam, with our dog, Elvis.
Mike Hanson.
I brought some homemade cookies.
Gluten-free?

(gluten-free = [of food or a diet] not containing gluten.
gluten = a protein that is contained in wheat and some other grains)

Um... no.
Oh, well.
Elvis, down!
He almost knocked me over! He got my jacket dirty!
We're terribly sorry!
No problemo. Does he bite?
Oh, no. Elvis wouldn't hurt a flea!
Good dog!
Well, we have to go. Nice to meet you, Mike.
Pleasure's all yours.
―――

Wow!
Wow! He really does like dogs more than people.
普通は Pleasure's all mine.ですが……
Yes.
Pleasure's all yours. Wow!

Oh, no! It's time to go.
Oh, no!
We're terribly sorry.
We're terribly sorry.
But we hope you'll join us next time.


========================


遠山顕の英会話楽習   Wednesday, May 8

Nothing in one breath though.
So, what if we make a mistake?
Well...
That's a possibility.
Yeah. Well, let's pretend that we didn't.
Okay.
How about that?
I can do that.
Great. How about you, Jeff?
I'm pretty good at that as well.
Oh, yeah.
――――

Yay! Y-A-Y.
They all lived happily ever after.

4/22-4/24, 2019

遠山顕の英会話楽習   Monday, April 22

Wow, is that a good solution?
Probably not.
Yeah.
I don't know.
―――

How long does this punishment tend to last?
I think it depends how bad you were.
That's right.
If you're really bad, you could be grounded for weeks or months, right?
My dad told me that I was grounded till I was dead, once.
You must have been really bad.
So you must be still grounded there.
Oh, yeah, welcome to Japan.
That's right.
If you really slipped out of that bad situation.
Usually it's a week or something, maybe ground for about a week.
Yeah, for a week.
All right.

――――
U R the ★
――――
All right, Carolyn.
Yeah.
You are the star.
OK.

I haven't seen the Smith kid recently.
He's grounded.
What did he do?
His mom won’t tell me.
She must be really angry.
Yeah.

―――
Say It!
―――
Carolyn, are you ready?
Yeah, I mean, because this will be quite an adventure to see if I can do it.
I hope you go on a wonderful adventure with it.
Let's see.

I went on an adventure.

That was quite an adventure. Great job!
―――

What is the story, about Peter, right? That's a rabbit, right?
Oh, yes! Yes.
He's always bothering that farmer.
Who was the farmer?
McGregor.
Oh, McGregor, OK. Oh!
I feel sorry for Makuragawa-san too.
Yeah. He's growing those vegetables. Rabbits keep eating them.

――――
Write It!
――――
★ かいつまんで言うと
Well, Ken, there's a fun idiom we can use here.
OK.
It's "in a nutshell."
Oh.
And it's a nice phrase to use when you want to, not just summarize something, but summarize something in as few words as possible.

★ 彼がそうした
Well, the simplest way to say this, "He did it."
Uh-huh.
But you can also say, "He did." without the "it." And that kind of emphasizes a little bit more, a little bit more dramatic.

★ ので
Well, there're two conjunctions we can use here.
OK.
The first one is "so," which is, kind of, closer meaning to "therefore,” and it clearly shows the conclusion.
And the second one is "and." And this also shows the conclusion, but it might not be as strong as using "so."
―――

In a nutshell, Usakichi's mother told him never to go back to Mr. Makuragawa's garden, but he did, so he was grounded.

In a nutshell, Usakichi's mother told him never to go back to Mr. Makuragawa's garden, but he did and he was grounded.

――――――――――
In Another Situation!
――――――――――
So, Carolyn...
Yeah.
What's another situation going to be like?
Well, this time, old Taro Urashima has taken up diving.
―――

Taro Urashima, where have you been?
I went on an adventure.
Did you go back to Otohime's garden?
I didn't stay long.
I told you never to go back there!
I couldn't help it. Her kelp and other seaweed are so nice and fresh.

(kelp = a large brown type of seaweed (=a plant that grows in the ocean)
(seaweed = a green, brown, or dark red plant that grows in the sea or on land very close to the sea)

You're asking for trouble!
Don't worry, mother. Oto was a good friend of mine. Anyhow, she’d let me go if she caught me, because she never recognize me.
You're grounded!
―――

Here is a riddle.
OK.
What's the severest punishment for a radio personality?
Hmm...
Radio personality?
Yeah.
Sever punishment.
Well, He's grounded. He can't be on the air.
Ohhh...
I get it.


==============


遠山顕の英会話楽習 Tuesday, April 23

Wow! Nice ending there.
Yeah.
All's well that ends well.

(All's well that ends well. = if the outcome of a situation is happy, this compensates for any previous difficulty or unpleasantness)

―――――
U R the ★
―――――
All right, Jeff.
Uh-huh.
You are the star.
I got this.

Have you seen my cellphone?
No. Did you check your desk?
Yes. Will you call me?
Sure. Here goes.
Oh, I think I can hear my ringtone.
Uh... I don't hear anything.

―――
Say It!
―――
Carolyn, are you ready, five times in one breath?
Yeah, I was gonna (going to) say I can't really do it without my lucky pen. I can't find it but...
Oh, you know it'll turn up.
OK. I guess.
What color is it?
Black.
OK.

I'll try my hardest without it.
Thank you.

It'll turn up.

Wow! Here it is.
Oh, you found it.
Oh, there it is.
Yay!
Magic words. It'll turn up.

Everything's coming up roses.
(Everything's coming up roses = turning out to be good)

―――
Writ It!
―――
★ 家中をひっくり返して
Well, in the dialog, we use "turn the house upside down."
Yeah.
The couple already know whose house it is. So they use the word "the." In this instance we're talking about a woman, we're telling her story. So we want to be more clear, more specific. We're going to use "her house" rather than "the house." So "turned her house upside down."
I see.

★ 彼女は「……」と言って彼に感謝します
Well, first, we want to say what happened.
OK.
So it'll be "She thanks him."
Oh, I see.
So then we want to add some extra information.
Yes?
We want to say how she thanked him.
So it'll be saying you're a lifesaver. Altogether it's going to be, "She thanks him, saying you're a lifesaver."
I see.
―――

A woman has turned her house upside down looking for her wallet, but can't find it. Her husband finds it in the kitchen. She thanks him, saying "You're a lifesaver!"

―――――――――
In Another Situation!
―――――――――
So Jeff...
Uh-huh.
What's another situation going to be like this time?
Well, this time, they sing their lines to the tune of "Are You Sleeping?"
OK, great. Let's hear it.
―――

We're back.
Have you seen my wallet?
No. Did you check your bag?
Yes. I've turned the house upside down looking for it, looking for it.
Where did you last see it?
I don't know!
It'll turn up. Here it is, on the kitchen counter.
Oh! Thanks! You're a lifesaver!
No problem.
―――

You know, I've lost my Broadway ticket to the Jeff and Carolyn's concert.
Oh, did you check your wallet?
I can't find my wallet.
Well, I'm sure it'll turn up.
Yes!
It's easy for you to say.


===================


遠山顕の英会話楽習    Wednesday, April 24

There's no place like home.
Thank you, Judy.

We're not in Kansas anymore

This left such an impression on me when I was a kid.
Oh, really?
Yes.
You really went over the rainbow.
I did, for Judy Garland.
Yes.
I see. And you did for yourself. You're now in here.
Wow!
Yeah. You too, Carolyn.
Yes, of course.


Here, they rhyme beautifully.
Oh, yeah.
And we hope you find your pot of gold while listening to Gakushu.