12/27 - 12/29, 2020

遠山顕の英会話楽習　　　Monday, January 27

―――――
U R the ★
―――――
CJ: You are succeeding too.
C: All righty, Jeff?
J: Uh-huh.
C: You are the star.
J: Got it.

J: This is my work room.
C: How nice. It's spotless.

(spotless = extremely clean)

J: I try to keep it neat and tidy.
C: You are succeeding.
J: Oh, thank you.
C: You should come to my place.
J: Uh... maybe I will.
C: And clean.

―――
Say It!
―――
K: So Carolyn, are you ready ten times in one breath?
C: I don't know, Ken. I think I might need a hand doing this ten times. Wow!
K: Well, if you need a hand or voice, I will be able to supply it.
C: That would be wonderful.

K: Need a hand. ×10

C: Here's a hand.
K: Thank you.
J: Bravo!

KCJ: Well done. Here's a big hand for you.

(big hand = 大きな［盛大な］拍手　to tell the people who are watching a performance to clap or cheer loudly)

――――
Write It!
――――
★ ある男性がガールフレンドに助けが要るかどうか尋ねます
K: 要るかどうかというのは If she needs a hand でよろしいですか？ 「尋ねる」というのはどうしましょう？
J: Part of this is not in the dialog.
K: Right.
J: But the verb you may need is "ask." It's "ask 誰々 if ..."
J: So "a man asks his girlfriend," in this case. "Asks his girlfriend if she needs a hand."

★ 彼は……であることに感心します
C: Yeah, this wasn't in the dialog either.
K: No.
C: The verb is "impress." I'd suggest using the phrase, "He's impressed that 何々."
K: Uh...
C: It's a very handy phrase to remember and use.
―――

C: A man asks his girlfriend if she needs a hand. He's impressed that her kitchen is so neat and tidy.
J: A man asks his girlfriend if she needs a hand. He's impressed her kitchen is so neat and tidy.

J: Well done.
C: Super.

――――――――――
In Another Situation!
――――――――――
K: So Carolyn...
C: Uh-huh.
K: What's another situation going to be like this time?
C: Well, the woman asks her boyfriend to cook soba.
―――　

B: Need a hand?
W: That'd be nice. Can you cook soba?
B: I'm not so bad. 　 (so bad と蕎麦をかけている)
W: The pots and pans are in that bottom drawer.
B: Got it. Your kitchen is so neat and tidy.
W: Thanks. The soba is in the cupboard above the sink.
B: I see salt and pepper, but no soba.
W: It's on your left.
B: Gotcha. Udon no soba.　　　　(Gotcha. = Got it.)

W: Perfect! So back to work.
B: So back to work. That's a good one.
W: Not too bad, huh?
―――

J: Man! That was fun. （麺とMan をかけて）
K: Oh, man. Yeah.
J: The puns are fast and furious.　　

(furious = 激しい　intense)

C: Yeah. They were flying.
K: Well, look at the time. We gotta (have got to) go.
C: You don't know how time fries.
K: Oh, yeah.
J: So many puns in this show. (so many そうめん)
K: Oh, there you go.
C: Oh, I have to say the time past too quickly.
K: Oh, yeah.
J: Oh, good one.
K: I'll go like uh.... so bye-bye time.
J: So bye.
―――

K: Well, that's about it for today. Let's keep our room neat and tidy and everything.
J: Uh-huh.
K: ... would be nice. Kitchen too. So until next time...
C: Keep listening.
J: Keep practicing.
K: And keep on smiling.

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

遠山顕の英会話楽習　　　Tuesday, January 28

K: Wow, on the double is not enough.
J: No. They've got to do it twice as fast.
C: Yep.

――――――――――
Words & Expressions
――――――――――
★ candles on the birthday cake
K: "In the birthday cake" ではないですよね？
J: No.
C: That wouldn't be very tasty.
J: You stick them in the cake but they're actually on the cake. We say … we say "on the cake."

―――――
U R the ★
―――――
J: All right.
C: Great.
KCJ: You really shine.

C: All right, Jeff.
J: Uh-huh.
C: You are the star.
J: All right.

J: That's a nice pocket watch.
C: Thanks. It's pretty old.
J: But it's shiny -- spick and span!
C: I had it cleaned.
J: Hmm... maybe I'll have mine cleaned. Where did you have it done?
C: Oh, let me just check.

―――
Say It!
―――
K: How about you, Carolyn, are you ready for five times in one breath?
C: Um... I don't know.
J: Oh, come on! Let's get going on the double.
C: Oh, OK. When you put it that way, yes, I am raring to go.

(raring to go = 今か今かと待ち切れない、～したくてうずうずしている very eager to start doing)

K: Let's hear it.

C: Let's get going -- on the double! ×4

K: One more.
C: Let's get going -- on the double!

K: All right. You didn't take a breath.
C: I didn't.
K: That's great.
C: ... just a long pose.
K: All right.

J: Oh, yeah.
C: Nice.
JCJ: You got it.

――――
Write It!
――――
★ しなければなりません
J: Well, there's two ways of saying it.
K: OK.
J: One is "must 何々."
K: All right. Uh-huh.
J: So, "the boy must 何々."
K: Uh-huh.
J: Right? "Must mop the kitchen floor."
K: Uh-huh.
J: And the other one is "have to" or "has to." And we'd like you to use both if you can.
K: OK.
J: In this case, there's a sense of urgency.
K: OK.
J: They're being ordered to do something and they have to do it. They must do it. So you might want to say it a little stronger.

★ サプライズ誕生日パーティー
C: Well, this wasn't in the dialog.
K: Right.
C: In English, the term I would recommend using is "surprise birthday party." Sometimes, you can just say "surprise party," too. But in this case, I would say "surprise birthday party."
K: Right.
―――

The boy must mop the kitchen floor spick and span, and the girl has to fold the laundry nice and neat. It's for their mother's surprise birthday party.

J: Good job!
C: All right.
J: Way to go!

―――――――――
In Another Situation!
―――――――――
K: So, Jeff...
J: Uh-huh.
K: What's another situation going to be like?
J: Well, this time, it's 50 years later.
―――

D: All right, let's get going -- on the double!
B: What should I do, Dad?
D: Mop the dining room floor sick and span before Mom comes home.
B: OK.
G: Hey, what about me?
D: You are in charge of making "somen" and setting the table nice and neat.
G: Oh, Mom just pulled in the driveway.
D: Okay, I'll light the candles on the birthday cake.
B: OK.
M: I'm home.
D: Hello.
B: Hi, Mom.
M: Wow! "Somen," my favorite food. Wasn't it hard to make it?
D: No. Surprisingly it was so manageable.
G: I made it.
B: Yeah, so, she did.
D: So she did.
B: Yeah, she did, Dad.
―――

J: Well, he tried his best.
C: Well, he managed it. He was the manager.

K: You know, what's hard to do?
C: What's that?
K: To keep your kitchen floor spick and span.
C: Oh, yeah.
J: Ah… It is.

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

遠山顕の英会話楽習　　　Wednesday, January 29

K: Is this word "sunshiny" ... Is that sort of a Johnny Nash's creation?
C: It seems like it, doesn't it?
J: Yeah, it does. I would never use it in a regular conversation.
C: No.

J: Good job!
K: All right. That's all about it for today. So until the next sunshiny day...
J: Keep listening.
C: Keep practicing.
K: And keep on smiling and singing.
J: Yeah.

1/20 - 1/22, 2020

遠山顕の英会話楽習　　　Monday, January 20, 2020

―――――
U R the ★
―――――
J: All right, Carolyn.
C: Uh-huh.
J: You are the star.
C: OK.

J: How was the play?
C: The lead guy was not so great.
J: That's too bad.
C: But all in all, it was fun.
J: Hmm... Maybe I'll go see it.
C: You should.

――――
Say It!
――――
K: I love this phrase so much. Can I do it today?
J: Oh!
C: Absolutely.
J: Be our guest.

(be my guest = please do どうぞ)

K: All right.

Way to go! ×5

CJ: Way to go!
K: Thank you.

――――
Write It!
――――
★ メガンと友人たちの教会でのバザープロジェクトは
K: 主語長いですね。
C: It's really long.
K: Megan and her friends' project for church bazaar. これでいいですか？
C: Of course. I mean that's totally fine.
K: Okay.
C: But I think we can make it just a little bit shorter.
K: OK.
C: We could say, "Megan and her friends' church bazaar project."

★ 誇りに思っている
J: Oh, we say this all the time.
K: How do you say it?
J: "Be proud of 誰々 or something. Yes. It's not in the dialog so her father doesn't actually say it.
K: Uh-huh.
J: But we know that he is proud of his daughter. So it goes something like, "Her father is proud of her," something like that.
―――

All in all, Negan and her friends' church bazaar project is a success. It's for a good cause and her father is proud of her.

C: All right.
J: Well done.

――――――――――
In Another Situation!
――――――――――
K: So Carolyn, what's another situation going to be like this time?
C: Well, now, Megan and her friends ran a food stand.
―――

D: How did it go, Megan?
M: All in all, it was a success.
D: Did you meet your goal?
M: Yes. It went beyond our expectations.
D: Way to go.
M: The food and drinks sold out within an hour. We only have two pancakes left.
D: Hmm... Why don't I buy both of them? It's for a good cause.
M: Oh, thanks, Dad.
D: One for you and one for me.
M: Hmm... both for you. I sneaked some and I'm full.

(sneak = こっそり持ち出す, こっそり盗む to go or move in a quiet way / to move, give, take, or put in a quiet, stealthy manner)

D: Good. I'm hungry.
M: Oh, hello Hungry. I'm Megan.
D: Nice to meet you.
M: Ha ha ha ...
D: Let's eat.
M: Oh, just you.
―――

K: Hello hungry. I'm Megan. お父さんに Dad joke を使う
C: Oh, yeah.
J: Very old one.
C: Yap. But a good one.

K: Well, that's all about it for today, so until next time.
J: Keep listening.
C: Keep practicing.
K: I think all in all, the program was fun.
J: I agree.
C: Oh, year.
K: Great.
KCJ: Bye!

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

遠山顕の英会話楽習　　　Tuesday, January 21, 2020

―――――
UR the ★
―――――
C: Nice!
J: All right.
KCJ: You did well.

C: Jeff...
J: Uh-huh.
C: You are the star.
J: All right.

C: This is the first print.
J: It has no wear and tear.
C: Right. And it's for you.
J: Really? I appreciate it.
C: Well, when I saw it, I knew you would love it.
J: Oh, but you shouldn't. It's too much.
C: No.
J: All right. I'll take it.

――――
Say It!
――――
K: Carolyn-san…
C: Yes.
K: Five times in one breath. Are you ready?
C: I think I can do it.
K: OK.

C: When was it published? ×5

K: Yay! You did it!
J: All right.

J: Oh, yeah.
C: Super!
KCJ: You did it again.

――――
Write It!
――――
★ 高額な
J: Well, there's couple of ways we can say this. Either way is fine. One is "pricy," the other one is "expensive."

★ 彼女……するよう勧める
K: Her husband tells her to do something. でよろしいですか？
C: Hmm... Well, it's not wrong, but it can sound like a bit of an order sometimes, especially, depending on how you read it.

C: So I'd suggest using the verb "encourage" here. And it's a good word to remember. So, it'll be "encourage her to 何々."

★ 読み聞かせるために
J: Well, there are also two patterns that we can use.
K: OK.
J: "So that they can 何々," or take out the "that," "so they can 何々."
K: Uh-huh.
J: The full sentence would be something like "so they can read it to their children," or "so that they can read it aloud to their children. There are several ways you can do it.
―――

J: Masako finds a book she loves in a used book store. It’s pricy but her husband encourages her to get it so that they can read it aloud to their children.

C: Masako finds a book she loves in a used book store. It’s expensive but her husband encourages her to get it so they can read it to their children.

J: Fantastic.
C: Good job.

――――――――――
In Another Situation!
――――――――――
K: So Jeff...
J: Uh-huh.
K: What's another situation going to be like?
K: This time, they’re 150 years of age.

K: Oh, way to go.
―――

M: Oh, "Kanashi-Ureshi." Sam, my teacher read this book aloud to us in third grade!
S: No kidding. That's just about 140 years ago.
M: Yes. I loved this story. I don' t know if it's worth 300,000 yen, though.
S: It has quite a bit of wear and tear and inflation. When was it published?
M: In 1948. It's my favorite Children story of all time.
S: Let’s get it, Masako, and read it to our great-great-grandkids.
M: Oh, okay.
―――

K: They seem to be doing well there.
C: Yeah.
J: Seem… they're still healthy.
K: They can still go to a store.
J: Yeah.
K: Oh, my goodness.

K: Well, that's about it for today. So until next time.
J: Keep listening.
C: Keep practicing.
K: And I hope this program doesn't show too much wear and tear and all that.

(and all that　= ～やら何やら、～など)

J: Oh, I think it's fresh every time.
C: Yap.
K: Oh, well. Keep on smiling there.
KCJ: Bye!

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

遠山顕の英会話楽習　　　Wednesday, January 22, 2020

K: In Canada, what's a system like? Do you say "in third grade," for example?
C: Oh, we have a similar system to the States, but as a Canadian, I don't usually say "in third grade." I would say "in grade three."
J: Oh, a little different.
C: Like "My daughter is in grade five."
K: Okay.
C: You wouldn't say that, Jeff?
J: No, I would say "fifth grade, third grade, fourth grade." Yeah.
C: OK.
K: You learn something new every day.

K: Well, how was it today?
CJ: Short and sweet.

1/13 - 1/15, 2020

遠山顕の英会話楽習　　　Monday, January 13

K: Wow! So he had conned tuna.
J: Yeah.
C: Yes. Very fancy.
J: That would be a treat.
C: Uh-huh.
K: Nice.

―――――
U R the ★
―――――
J: Carolyn...
C: Uh-huh.
J: You are the star.
C: Good.

J: Have you ever been to Canarica?
C: No. What are the dos and don'ts of driving there?
J: Drive on the right.
C: Good to know.
J: There are more.
C: Oh, please tell me.

―――
Say It!
―――
K: Are you ready, Carolyn, five times in one breath?
C: Yeah, I feel pretty confident about this.
K: Great. Let's hear it.

I had canned tuna for lunch! ×5

J: Wow!
C: Nice.
KCJ: We can't believe you did it.

このあと「あまりうまくいかなかったようですが……」と言っているのは
can't と　canned をかけようとした

――――
Write It!
――――
★ ……するための注意事項
C: Well, didn't we see a pattern similar to this in the "U R the ★" section?
K: Ah, okay. That was like this, " What are the dos and don'ts of driving there?"
C: Right. So obviously it's a good pattern to remember because we use it a lot. Um, so in English, we start with the phrase we've been using a lot, the "dos and don'ts." And we add "of 何々i-n-g."

★ それは、(1)……、(2)……、というものです
K: 「それは」は It でいいでしょうか？
J: Well, the subject is "dos and don'ts." There is more than one.
J: Right. So it has to be "They are."
K: OK.
J: So they are 1) one何々 and 2) two何々.
―――

A black cat tells a calico cat the dos and don'ts of getting good food. They are 1) don't be too friendly and 2) when you get really good food, purr loudly.

C: Wonderful.
J: Good job.

―――――――――
In Another Situation
―――――――――
K: So Carolyn what's another situation going to be like?
C: Well, the next day, the calico cat tells the black cat what happened to her.
―――

C: I had a tiny dried fish for lunch.
B: Oh. How did that happen?
C: I remembered your dos and don'ts.
B: Yes?
C: So I ignored people when they called out to me, then they all went away.
B: No.
C: Then this lady felt sorry for me, and gave me a lot of dried fish.
B: Wow. Good!
C: But while I was purring loudly, a couple of cats took them away.
B: Sorry about that.
―――

J: So, a lot of ups and downs in this story too.
C: Yeah, but unfortunately it ends on a bit of a down.
J: Hmm...

K: So she listened to the dos and don’ts.
C: Yeah, perfectly.
J: But it didn't turn out so well.
C: Unfortunately.
K: Well, better luck next time.
J: Uh-huh.

K: So until next time...
J: Do keep listening.
C: Do keep practicing.
K: And do keep on smiling.

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

遠山顕の英会話楽習　　　Tuesday, January 14

K: So, get your kicks?
J: Yeah.
C: All right.
CJ: On Rute66.

(get your kicks = ナット・キング・コールが歌う「ルート66」の歌詞)
If you ever plan to motor west,
Travel my way, take the highway that is best.
Get your kicks on route sixty-six.
車で西へいく予定だったら
私のお勧めのハイウェーが最高だよ
ルート66は楽しめるぜ

―――――
U R the ★
―――――
J: Yeah.
C: All right.
CJ: Perfect!

J: Carolyn...
C: Uh-huh.
J: You are the star.
C: Good.

J: Do you need a display?
C: Yes, I'll be using slides here and there.
J: We have a big one.
C: Perfect.
J: We have other things too if you need them.
C: Oh. Let's take a look.

―――
Say It!
―――
K: Carolyn, are you ready?
C: Me?
K: Yes.
C: Really?
K: Yeah.
C: I thought you'd never ask.
J: I knew you were going to say that.
K: Five times in one breath.
C: Allrighty.

C: I thought you'd never ask! ×5

C: All right.
KCJ: We knew you'd make it.

――――
Write It!
――――
★ 大喜びで参加する
K: Be happy to join her でよろしいですか？
J: Yes, that's a common phrase "be happy to 何々."
K: All right.
J: But there's also another common phrase that adds a little bit of emphasis. We're going to use "mora than." The phrase would be "be more than happy to join her."
―――

A blogger is planning to take Route 66 this spring, stopping here and there along the way to take photos. Her friend is more than happy to join her.

C: Yeah!
J: Way to go!

―――――――――
In Another Situation
―――――――――
K: So Jeff...
J: Uh-huh.
K: What's another situation going to be like?
J: It's a little different. They are fleas.
K: It's very different.
J: It is very different.
―――

S: I'm planning to take the Number 66 bus to get my aunt's home.
F: How cool! When are you going?
S: Tomorrow.
F: That'd be a 30-minute ride, give or take 10 minutes.
S: Right. But I'll be jumping off and on along the way to eat and find some souvenirs. Want to come along?
F: I thought you'd never ask! Yes! I'm jumping for joy.
S: Oh, don't jump too high. You might hit your head on the microphone.
F: Ouch!
―――

K: So where do they live?
J: Apparently...
CJ: On a cat.

J: They do live here and there.
K: Right. And everywhere.
C: Sadly.
J: Unfortunately.

====================--

遠山顕の英会話楽習　　　Wednesday, January 15

★ Who Stole the Cookies from the Cookie jar? のチャンツ、早いバージョンが終わったところで……
C: Then who?
K: I did.
J: I think I did too.
C: I might have too.
K: You too? Oh, my goodness. All right.
―――

★ 番組が始まってから 12分45秒くらいのところ

K: Do you have any fond memories?
C: Yeah, but not the cookie that you eat. Hm... My grandmother used to call my sister and me "Cookie."
K: Really!?
C: Yeah.
K: Wow. Oh, that's cute.
C: So she said, "Hey, Cookie, how are you doing?"... and you know ... It was just nice to hear.
K: Wow.
J: A term of endearment.

(term of endearment = 愛情表現、愛情を示す行為［言葉］)
A term of endearment is a word or phrase used to address or describe a person, animal or inanimate object for which the speaker feels love or affection. Terms of endearment are used for a variety of reasons, such as parents addressing their children and lovers addressing each other.
Baby, Sweetheart, Sugar, Honey, Love,

C: So we keep the tradition going. I call my sister "Cookie" sometimes and she calls me "Cookie" sometimes.
K: Really?
C: Yeah. So, I send a message and say, "Hi, Cookie, how are you today?" You know, it brings back nice memories.
J: Ken, I think you and I should start calling Carolyn "Cookie" from now on.
C: Only if you have real cookies with you.
K: She is so sweet, maybe we should call her "Chocolate cookie" or something. That's too long for her name.
―――

K: Well, it's time to go.
J: Well, that's the way the cookie crumbles, right?
C: Yeah.
K: How true.

1/6 - 1/7, 2020

遠山顕の英会話楽習　　　Monday, January 6

――――
U R the ★
――――
J: All right, Carolyn. You are the star.
C: Alrighty.

J: I'll be singing in a jazz club.
C: Nice. When?
J: This Friday night.
C: I'll be there rain or shine!
J: Great. I'll save a place for you.

―――
Say It!
―――
K: Carolyn, are you ready five times in one breath?
C: Yeah, I'll try to do it five times.
K: All right.
C: No promises.
K: That's the split.
J: Take a big breath.

C: Have you read any good books lately? ×5

J: Wow!
C: Whew! That was hard.
J: No problem.
K: You did it.

KCJ: That was fantastic.

――――
Write It!
――――
★ 伝えます
C: Well, in Japanese, it could be something like giving information is that how it would be.
K: That's one of those things. Yeah.
C: Oh, OK. Well, I think, in English, I would recommend using the verb "tell" here. It's short and sweet.

(short and sweet = 簡潔で要を得た pleasantly brief, short and clear)
―――

C: A woman tells a man that this year she will read one book a month rain or shine. Then the man tells her his New Year's resolution.

J: A woman tells a man this year she will read one book a month rain or shine. Then the man tells her his New Year's resolution.

J: Well done.
C: Good job.

―――――――――
In Another Situation
―――――――――
K: So, Carolyn. What's another situation going to be like?
C: Well, now, two cyborgs are chatting.
―――

M: Have you read any good books lately?
W: No. But this year I will read 300 books a moth -- rain or solar flare.

(A solar flare is a sudden flash of increased brightness on the Sun. 太陽フレアとは太陽における爆発現象)

M: Oh! What are you reading today?
W: Ten Gakushu textbooks.
M: Cool.
W: I'm done. What fun.
M: Great! Well, my New Year's resolution is to read "War and Peace."

("War and Peace" is a novel by the Russian author Leo Tolstoy　『戦争と平和』は、帝政ロシア末期の小説家レフ・トルストイが著した長編小説)

W: Didn't you say that last year?
M: Yes. I thought it was a piece of cake. Ha ha ha ... but ...

(a piece of cake = something easily achieved / as easy as pie)

W: You are at war with the novel.
M: Right.
W: Well, I hope you win this year.
M: Right.
M & W: Ha ha ha ....
―――

J: Well, "War and Peace" is a very big book. So it's almost like reading 300 hundred books.
K: OK. Keep on fighting.

==========

遠山顕の英会話楽習　　　Tuesday, January 7

K: Really there were ups and downs there.
J: Yes.

――――
U R the ★
――――
C: Super!
KCJ: You are going up and up.

J: All right, Carolyn. You are the star.
C: Great.

J: How was the concert?
C: We had a good turnout!

(turnout = 参会者数、出席者数、人出、投票者数 the number of people attending or taking part in an event, especially the number of people voting in an election.)

J: Great. So all went well?
C: Well, there were ups and downs.
J: Oh, no. Tell me about it.
C: Where should I start?

―――
Say It!
―――
K: Jeff-san, five times in one breath. Are you ready?
J: Oh, I love to hear this when I'm traveling.
K: Oh, yeah, of course.
C: Do you?
J: I love to be upgraded to first class.
C: Oh .... Have you heard that before?
J: Only once.
C: Oh, wow!
J: All right.

J: I was upgraded to first class. ×5

J: Wow!
C: Hey!
KCJ: That was first class.

――――
Write It!
――――
★ ……から帰ってきたばかりです
K: from her trip でいいと思うのですが
J: Yes, that's right.
J: Right, the normal phrase would be "back from どこどこ." Right. But in this case, we are going to add the word "just" for emphasis. So, it's ... "is just back from どこどこ."

★ スタートは／最後に
C: Well, in English, probably similar to the Japanese. Um... We have set phrases for these two phrases.
K: OK.
C: And they're pretty useful to remember. When we are talking about the beginning, we use the phrase "at the start."
K: OK.
C: And then when we’re wrapping it up, ending it, we can use the phrase "in the end."
―――

A woman is just back from her trip. There were ups and downs at the start, but in the end she got upgraded to first class!

J: Good job.
C: Wow!

―――――――――
In Another Situation
―――――――――
K: So Jeff, what's another situation going to be like?
J: Well, this time, she's just back from a trip to Mars.
―――

M: How was your trip to Mars?
W: Oh, there were ups and downs.
M: What happened?
W: My flight was cancelled due to a space station problem.
M: That's too bad.
W: So I rebooked for the next day.
M: That's good.
W: But when I checked in, they said the moon base was shut down.
M: No!
W: But they put me on a direct flight to Mars.
M: Wow!
W: Right?
―――

K: Happy ending there.
J: Yeah.
C: Sounds like it, yeah.
J: A direct flight, I wonder how long it took.

K: So first, there was a problem at the space station.
C: Yes.
K: And then there was a problem on the moon?
C: Yes.
J: Right.
C: So it was closed.
J: It was closed.
K: Moon base was closed.
C: Yeah.
K: And then, she got ...
CJ: A direct flight.
J: She didn't have to transfer twice.
C: No.
K: Ah, OK.
J: So, a lot of ups and downs in space.
C: Well, I don't know, how can you tell up and down in space.
J: Well, when you take off from the earth and when you land on Mars.
C: Oh, okay.

惑星(planet) は固有名詞扱いで、冠詞を付けないのが一般的
Mercury（水星）, Venus（金星）, Mars（火星）, Jupiter（木星）, Saturn（土星）, Uranus（天王星）, Neptune（海王星）
それに対し、身近でごくありふれた存在である月、太陽、地球は普通名詞扱いになります。また、特定して唯一性を示すために定冠詞 "the" が付きます。

地球◆伝統的には定冠詞を付けてthe earthと呼ぶ。「惑星としての地球」を指す場合、the earthの代わりにthe Earthという表記が多用される。天文学などでは、無冠詞（固有名詞扱い）のEarthが使われることもある。

12/23 - 12/25, 2019

遠山顕の英会話楽習　　　Monday, December 23 & 30

K: Jeff-san, take it away.

(Take it away. = さあ始めてください to start playing or singing music)
―――

K: What a couple.
C: Really.
K: What a wonderful couple.
J: Wow. They don't get angry at anything.
C: No. They seem like they just love spending time together.
J: Uh-huh.
C: Just everything makes them happy.

★ Question 1
J: Right. Question 1: What did the old man put around the sixth jizo's head?

K: Carolyn, the answer?
C: Well, we know it wasn't a sedge hat.
J: That's right.
C: It was his towel.

K: Well, oh, that must keep its head pretty warm there in the snow.
J: Uh-huh.
C: Yeah, but it means he is cold, right? Because there's nothing to keep him warm.
J: Yes. I wonder what he is going to do now, because he has given his towel away.
C: Yeah.

★ Question 2
C: All right. Here's question 2: What did the old couple have for supper?

K: What did they have, Jeff?
J: Oh, unfortunately they don't have any mochi. So, they had some pickles and hot water.
K: Wow. I'm glad to know that they had something to eat.
C: Yes.
J: They did have something, yes.
K: And drink?
J: Uh-huh.
C: Yes. But would they have been nice if they had some mochi? That's all.
J: Yeah.
K: Would have.

C: So, this begins with a problem, right?
K: Yes.
J: Uh-huh.
C: Right there, six jizo statues, right?
K: Yeah.
C: The man only had five hats.
J: Oh, yes, five hats.
K: Right.
C: So...
J: So, he comes up with a kind of clever solution, I think.
C: Uh-huh.
J: He takes his own little towel off his head, and he wraps it around the sixth jizo's head and says, "That's the best I can do. I don't have another hat."
K: Well, such a good thing to do for the jizo.
C: Yeah.
J: Uh-huh.
K: So, he is bear headed now.
CJ: Yes.
C: But satisfied that all the jizo statures have something to keep them warm.
K: Right.
J: Uh-huh.
C: And keep the snow off.
K: Yeah.
C: So, after he does that, he makes his way back home, right?
J: Right.
K: Right.

J: And sometimes, in other stories, the wife kind of gets upset.
C: Oh.
J: But in this particular case, she's happy. She thinks he did a wonderful thing.
K: Right.
J: So, she is very kind as well.
K: Right.
C: Yeah.
K: This is unusual.
C: Yeah, because I guess she was probably expecting to have some mochi.
J: Right.
C: Yeah.
K: This would be an unusual story in any country.
J: Yeah, I think so.
C: Yeah.
J: Yes. So, they just decide to have pickles and hot water for dinner?
C: Well, before that, they come up with a good idea, don't they? Because they don't have real mochi, right?
K: Right.
C: They pretend.
J: They pretend.
C: Right? To make ...
K: They play a game!
C: Yeah.
J: Yes.
K: Where does that sort of energy come from?
J: I don't know.
C: That's funny.
K: I'm really amazed.
C: Yeah, they were both very energetic pretending to make the mochi.
J: And happy and laughing and... very, very childlike. It's ... it's wonderful.

CJ: Now, let's listen to Act 3 again.
―――

J: So, that's the end of the story, right?
K: Ah, not quite.
C: Jeff...
J: Well, still we don't know what the miracle is.
K: Yeah.
J: So, I have no idea what's going to happen next.
C: Hmm...
K: Yeah, we shouldn't forget that he did such a great thing. So, something may come in return for that kindness.
C: That would make sense.
K: Uh-huh.
J: Karma.

(karma = カルマ、業、宿命 the result of a person's actions / the belief that all the good and bad things that you do in this life affect how good or bad your future lives will be, according to the Hindu and Buddhist religions)

K: So, they sleep through the night and the next morning, they wake up and maybe those six jizo statues are standing right in front of their house.
J: Um... maybe ...
K: And they say, "Omedeto gozaimasu," and so on.
J: Say, "Thank you. Happy New Year."
C: Happy New Year! See you later.
J: Bye.
K: Oh, no, Carolyn. Oh, no. That's the biggest wet blanket I have ever seen throw it in.

(今までで一番白けた話だね
wet blanket = 話を白けさせる、雰囲気を壊す
今まで見た中で一番大きな wet blanket [白けたことを言うこと]を投げ入れたね。)

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

遠山顕の英会話楽習　　　Tuesday, December 24 & 31

J: Wow! There is the miracle.
K: There it was.
J: Yes.

★ Question 1
C: All right. Here's question 1 again.
Why did the old man wake up in the middle of the night?

K: Jeff...?
J: Because he heard a sled-pulling chant.

J: And here's question No. 2.
K: OK.
J: What are some of the presents they found outside?

K: Carolyn ... ?
C: Well, there's a lot. So, the answer is some of the following; rice mochi, millet mochi, miso, carrots, burdock roots, big write radishes, pine branches and a big bag of gold.
J: Wow.

K: So, this part of the story starts with ...
C: Sled-pulling chant.
K: Ah, okay.
C: Something that can be heard kind of from far away.
K: Uh-huh.
J: Yeah, and it wakes the old man up.
C: Yes. And it's getting louder because it's getting closer to their house.
J: That's right. It's coming towards their house.
K: Right.
J: And the chant suddenly stops and the old man hears people talking or mumbling and … outside.
K: Yeah. So, they are asking questions.
C: Yes.
J: Right.
K: And they are focusing where the old man lives.
C: Yes.
J: What's kind of unbelievable is that he seems a bit nervous, a little bit, scared. But he opens the door and says, "It's right here. I'm right here. This is the old man's house." If I were that scared, I probably wouldn't say that.
C: Okay. But he opens and he slams it really quickly.
K: That's true.
J: …. is that true.
C: It's not like he stands there. It's like, "It's here." And he slams the door. So, you know....
K: He was scared enough.
C: Yeah.
J: That's kind of fun. Yeah. And then he hears some several thuds.
K: Several thuds.
C: Yes. Both the old man and woman, they quietly open the window, right? And that's when they saw that it was the jizos that were doing this.
J: Wow!
K: And then they find ...
J: All kinds of stuff.
C: Wow.
J: All kinds of presents.
C: Yeah.
K: And then they hear another chant.
C: Yeah, that the jizo statues are saying, "We've delivered the New Year's gifts to these kind people," you know, and "Our mission is accomplished."
K: Oh, yes.
J: Ah, yes. So, it was karma. Kindness begets kindness.

(Kindness begets kindness. = 親切が親切を招く Acts of kindness make us feel good about ourselves, and our lives. An act of kindness is not only a good thing to do, it also makes us happier. Giving also connects us to others and helps to build a happier society for everyone. And it’s not all about money; we can also give our time and energy. So, if you want to feel good, do good! Helping others is a powerful way to boost your own happiness as well as the happiness of those around you.)

C: Hmm...
K: That's a nice one.

CJ: Now, let's listen for Act 4 again.
―――

J: So, Carolyn, you are right after all. They did end up living happily ever after.
K: Here, here!

(Here, here. = そうそう！)

C: Oh, thanks. I'm going to remember you said that.
K: Well, that's about it for the story. I hope you enjoyed it. So, until next time....

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

遠山顕の英会話楽習　　　Wednesday, December 25 & January 1, 2020

C: So, what do think the moral is? Is there a moral to the story?
J: Hmm... maybe uh... "Kindness brings prosperity," or "Kindness brings... uh... What goes around comes around."
K: Right. And they are healthy too.
CJ: Yes.
K: It's incredible.
C: Yeah.
J: I think being healthy has a lot to do with positive attitude.
C: It does. Like being a good person, I guess, being positive and having no stress. It seems like they are not stressed or worried.
K: How true!
C: They seem very relaxed about everything.
J: The only time he was a little stressed was when the jizos showed up his house.
C: Oh, yeah. Oh, yeah, that was the only ...
J: But that was a good stress.
C: Oh, I guess in the market too, he was a little stressed, trying to sell.

J: Oh, in the market. He was a little disappointed. Yeah.
K: So, he had two big moments.
C: Yeah. But generally, yeah, I guess they seem pretty relaxed about life.
J: And pretty happy with ... with there are a lot in life, you know.
K: Yeah. All my respect for those wonderful people.
J: I wish I could be like that all the time.
K: The feeling is mutual.

C: And make that double mutual.
K: Sure.
J: Me three.
C: Yeah, that's it! Me three.

K: We're lucky that we were in that story.
C: Oh, yeah.
J: Yes. The pine branch seller was definitely the best part of the whole story, I thought.
K: Well, I beg to disagree there.

(beg to disagree = 私の意見は違います)

C: Oh? Oh yeah?
K: The rice seller wasn't so bad.
C: Look at you, Jeff.
J: Hmm... he was okay.
C: Sellers, duking it out. I don't know. The head jizo did okay as well.

(duke it out = fight, argue, battle, or compete)

K: Well, I knew you would say that.
C: Of course.

12/16 - 12/18, 2019

遠山顕の英会話学習　　　Monday, December 16

J: Well, you can tell they are a happy couple.
C: Yeah, they don't have much.
J: No?
J: But they ... certainly the love is there between them.
J: Very pleasant.
C: Really.

★ Question 1

K: What was the first question again?
J: All right. What did the old man and woman wish they had for the New Year?

K: Carolyn, what's the answer?
C: Ah! A testy answer -- mochi.

J: So, always good to have mochi on New Year.
C: Absolutely.

K: Usually ... make mochi out of mochi rice?
J: Uh-huh.
C: Oh year. Yeah, That's special rice.
K: Sometimes mill it.

(mill = ～を製粉する)

C: Oh, year.
J: They had milled to it.
C: Oh, year.

J: What do you think these two are going to make? Do you think they are going to add sugar and soy sauce? Or do you think they are going to put it in a soup or what?
C: It seems like they don't have a lot. So, I imagine they'll be...
J: Just plain?
C: Maybe plain.
J: Oh.
C: Maybe… maybe with some... I don't know.
J: Soy souse ….?
C: Pickles...
J: I don't know.

K: Wow. Do you eat mochi yourself? Yeah?
J: Oh, yes.
C: Sure. I love mochi.
J: Yeah.
C: But I eat it year-round.
K: Oh, you do?
J: Yes.
K: Oh, my! You too.
J: Yes. I buy it at a supermarket. We don't make it. But …
C: Oh, yeah.
K: Right. Wow.

C: Do you eat it year-round, Ken? Or do you just eat it on New Year's?
K: I don't eat mochi for the New Year.
C: Oh, Okay.
K: I'm usually outside of Japan.
C: Oh.
J: Ah.
K: So, during that season, wonderful season, I eat hamburgers.
J: Oh.
C: Oh, that makes sense. That's a special tradition. That's, you know...
K: Right. Let's move on to the second question. Carolyn?

★ Question 2

C: Allrighty. What did they make to sell at the market?

K: Jeff?
J: Five sedge hats.

K: They did it so fast.
J: They did.
C: Year, pretty impressive.
K: It was.
J: Is it easy to make sedge hats? I wonder...
K: I've never made one.
J: I've never made one.
C: Me, neither.
K: I wouldn't be able to make one.

K: So, let's go over the story quickly.
C: Sure.
J: All right.
K: So, the story begins as almost any other fairy tale, "A long, long time ago…"
J: Long time ago.
K: I really don't know when this happened.
C: Well, definitely over a hundred years, right?
K: Oh, definitely. Yeah. Or, probably. So, there was an old couple.
J: Uh-huh
C: Yes.
J: That's a very typical way of starting.
C: It's a common.
J: Common thing
K: And they're usually poor.
C: Yeah.
J: Uh-huh.
C: But happy.
K: But happy. That's the important thing here.
C: They have a wonderful life together.
K: Uh-huh.
J: But they do wish that they had a few things. They wish they had some mochi for New Year's.
C: Right. Because this takes place... when?
K: Yeah, on New Year's Eve.
J: On New Year's Eve.
C: Yeah. So that's why they want the mochi, right?
J: That's right.
K: Right.
J: You think they would plan ahead a little bit.

C: Yeah. I guess it is a little last minute but...
K: Seems like that the only time they were able to get some mochi.
C: Yeah.
J: And they come up with the plan. At least the old woman does.
C: Right. To make some money.
J: To make some money so they can buy some mochi. She says she has some sedge or a pile of sedge there.
K: Uh-huh.
J: And she says, "Let's make some hats".
K: There you go. That starts the whole story.
C: Yeah.
J: Right. And they can sell them at the market. And I guess the market is really going at this time of the year.
C: Well, its New Year's. It's greeting up to the New Year's. So, I guess, yeah, it's always crazy even now.
J: Last-minute shopping?
C: Absolutely.
J: For New Year's?
K: So, he is looking at some money and to buy mochi and some vegetables, right?
J: That's right. Carrots and burdock roots.

K: Oh, Yeah. They are both familiar food for New Year.
CJ: Yeah.
J: Do they still use those traditional New Year's celebrations in Japan?
K: Yeah, they are part of the Osechi, I think.
C: Yeah, they are actually. Yeah, I've seen them. Yeah.
J: Okay. So, I know the pine branches. You see those all over the place.
K: Right.
J: But does everyone have their own pestle and mortar?
K: I don't.
J: Oh, okay.
C: I have one.
J: You do.
K: Oh, my goodness
C: I have a set but I don't really use it.
J: I think we have an electric one. I'm not sure.
C: Electric one?
J: Bread maker but it also makes mochi.
K: Right.
C: So, he dresses up really warm, right?
J: Right. Because it's winter obviously.
C: He goes to the market.
J: Goes to the market to sell the hats.

CJ: Now let's listen to Act 1 again!
―――

C: Couple of those sellers sounded very familiar to me.
K: Oh, yeah. I could almost say who they are.
C: Yeah.
J: Uh-huh.
K: Where would Carolyn Mirror be in this story? I was wondering.
C: No, not at the market.
J: Not at the market.
K: No. You're not there?
C: Unfortunately.

J: Uh-huh. I'm sure she has a wonderful part ahead somewhere.
K: I'm sure. Yeah. Just wait and see.
J: Uh-huh.

K: So, what do you think will happen next... In Act 2?
J: Well, they have a great plan so I think he will be able to sell the five hats, buy the mochi, take it home, they'll eat it.
C: And live happily ever after?
J: Hmm.
K: Well, that would be a very short Act 2, wouldn't it?
J: Yes, it would.
C: And even shorter Act 3 and 4.
J: Yeah.
K: If they ever exist in your theory.
―――

K: Well... That's all about it for today. So, until next time...
J: Keep listening.
C: Keep practicing.
K: And look forward to Act 2 and 3 and 4 and keep on smiling.

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

遠山顕の英会話学習　　　Tuesday, December 17

K: What a nice Story.
J: Uh-huh
C: Oh, yeah.
J: Yeah.
K: My goodness.
J: It shows how kind he is and the old woman is probably just as kind.
C: Oh, I'm sure.
J: She sounds sweet.

★ Question 1

C: All righty. Here's the first question. What did the old man walk into on his way home?

K: Jeff what was it?
J: Oh, a snowstorm. I know it well.
C: Snow storms?
J: Uh-huh.
K: Oh, you do.
J: I do. In the mountains the weather can change very quickly and when I was a little boy, we were in a summer camp, in the middle of summer.
C: Like in August?
J: Uh-huh.
K: Oh.
C: That's awful.

J: It was the freak storm that came through and we got three inches of snow.
K: Oh.
C: Is that a lot of snow?
J: It's a lot. Three inches are about ...
K: You know, eight centimeters.
C: Oh, eight centimeters. Wow! Was it scary?
J: Um... No, it just we were in the cutoffs and flip-flops and t-shirts and it was a little cold.

(cutoffs = a pair of jeans with the legs removed at or above the knee)

K: Oh, my goodness. Obviously, you survived that.
J: I did, I'm a stronger man for it.

★ Question 2

J: All right, question 2. What did the old man find half buried in snow?

K: Carolyn, what did the old man find?
C: Well, he found six jizo statues.
K: Wow
J: Uh-huh.
C: Interesting?
K: Very interesting.

C: And is that a common along the road, is that a common sight to see?
J: You do. You see them near country roads and on pathways and different things out of the country.
K: Exactly.
J: And I've seen those.
K: They're very cute, nice and cute.
J: And I was wondered who put them there.

K: Very interesting. Okay so shall we go down the story of Act 2?
C: Oh, yeah.
J: All right.

C: It starts in the market, right?
K: Right.
J: So, he finds a place. He thinks it's a good place to sell his hats and he starts calling out to the people like the other sellers.
K: Right.
J: "Sedge hats, sedge hats!"
C: But he also gets really aggressive. Just he gets really loud and his voice starts to go hoarse and ...
J: Well, that's because he's not selling any. He's kind of feeling anxious about not being able to sell any of these hats.
K: And he's not a pro seller.
J: No, he's not a pro seller.
C: No. Doesn't look like it.
J: He gets more and more hoarse.
K: Right.
J: I know that feeling too.

K: So, he just couldn't sell anything.
J: I wonder why he couldn't sell them. I mean, were the shoppers too busy buying things for New Year's rather than for themselves?
C: Probably it's the time of year where you probably don't need to buy a hat, right?
K: Right.
C: Maybe not.
K: The story says that that the last thing that people wanted to buy in the market.
C: Ah. Yeah.
J: So, he finally gives up.
C: Yeah.
K: Yes.
J: Just decides to take them home and tell his wife that that's it. He wasn't able to do it.
C: But then something happened, right?
K: He walks right into...
J: A snowstorm.

C: Oooh! I feel cold just listening to that.
J: And when the worst is over, what does he see?
C: Six jizo statues.
K: Half buried in snow.
C: Yeah.

J: The amazing thing is that he feels so sorry for them. He wants to take care of them.
C: I know. He cleans off each statue.
J: Yeah.
C: Look, it's so sweet, you know, he wipes the snow off their heads.
J: Very kind. And he picks the icicles off of a couple of them.
K: He must be hungry while he is doing all this.
J: I guess.
K: I don't know. Wonderful scene here.

CJ: Now, let's listen to Act 2 again!
―――

K: Very nice.
CJ: Uh-huh.
K: So far so nice.
J: And you can tell he is very kind because he does these things even when no one else is looking.

K: We're listening.
J: Well, yes, we are listening.
K: He doesn't know that.
C: No.

J: Well, I was wrong about what we talked about last time. I said he was going to sell the hats and they were going to live happily ever after and that did not happen.
K: Well, "Live happily ever after" was a Carolyn's take, I believe.
J: That's true.
K: So, you were both wrong.
C: Wait a minute. I was hoping I wasn't going to be lumped in with Jeff.

(lumped in with be ～ = ～と一緒くたにされる)

K: If my memory serves, but uh ... So, what's going to happen next?

(if memory serves = 記憶が正しければ)

J: I don't know.
C: Well, he doesn't have the hats anymore.
J: No, because he gave them to the jizo statues.
C: He had how many hats?
J: He had five hats.
C: And how many jizos …
K: … were there?
K: Six jizo.
J: Oooh, a twist. The plot thickens.
K: Yeah, that's a very important point, five sedge hats, six jizo statues.

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

遠山顕の英会話学習　　　Wednesday, December 18

CJ: Now let's listen to Act 1 and Act 2 again!
―――

K: What a story.
C: Oh, Yeah.
K: It's not over yet.
C: No.
J: No, not by any means. Because we still don't know what's going to happen when he gets home.
K: What's the miracle about?
J: Yeah
C: Oh, that's a good question.
―――

C: Looking forward to the next Act.
J: I can't wait.

12/9 - 12/11, 2019

遠山顕の英会話楽習　　　Monday, December 9

K: Pick your brain?
C: Ouch!
J: It's a weird expression. Uh? Yeah.

(weird = 奇妙 very strange and unusual, unexpected, or not natural)

―――――
U R the ★
―――――
CJK: When it comes to English, you have a wealth of knowledge.

C: All righty, Jeff...
J: Yap.
C: You are the star.
J: Got it.

C: Is that a soccer magazine you're reading?
J: Yes, it is.
C: It looks interesting.
J: It has a wealth of information for soccer fans.
C: Well, I didn't know you are such a big fan.
J: Oh, I watch it every weekend.

―――
Say It!
―――
K: Jeff, are you ready five times in one breath?
J: Do I get a prize if I do it 100%?
C: You'll get an awesome prize.
J: Yeah?
C: Thumbs-up!

(thumbs-up = an indication of satisfaction or approval)
(thumbs-down = an indication of rejection or failure)

K: Oh, oh, two thumbs-up. I'll join you, Carolyn.
C: Oh, well...
J: That's good to know. All right.
K: Let's hear it.

J: Good to know. ×5

J: Wow!
C: Good.
CJK: We'll give you three thumbs-up.

――――
Write It!
――――
★ AがBにCついての情報を求めます
Well, it's a pattern that's good to know. But I think it's important to pay attention to where the prepositions go in this pattern.
K: Uh-huh.
C: And the prepositions we use are "for" and "about." So, it should be "A asks B for information about C."

★ 彼は彼女に……を教えます
日本語の教えますは teach になりますが、どうでしょう？
J: Well, that's a direct translation, right?
K: Yeah.
J: It's not grammatically incorrect, but it might be a little bit over the top, a little bit too much, a little too dramatic for a regular conversation.
K: Uh-huh.
J: So, we are going to use the word "tells." "He tells her 何々."

★ どこが自分のお気に入りのゲレンデで
K: ダイアログでは What's your favorite slope? ですが
C: That’s right.
K: Where is your favorite slope? と言うと答えが変わってきますか？
C: It has to change because if the question was "Where is your favorite slope?" the answer would change to "It's in Valley Mount."

C: Yeah, I think so.
―――

A woman asks a man for information about skiing. He tells her what his favorite slope is and that she can get a guidebook at gas stations.

J: Well done.
C: Good job.

―――――――――
In Another Situation
―――――――――
K: So, Carolyn...
C: Yes.
K: What's another situation going to be like this time?
C: This time, a woman asks a man about Japanese dance.
―――

W: Mind if I pick your brain about learning Japanese dance?
M: Not at all. Where do you live?
W: Aoishi. 　(Bluestone がダイアログの中に出てきたので)
M: The Katakara Buyo Studio is good. The sensei is great, and her liberally has a wealth of information about Japanese culture.
W: Good to know. What school is she?　　　　(school = 流派)
M: Gakushu-ryu. It's fun to learn there.
W: "Gakushu"... That sounds familiar.
M: It's very famous.
―――

K: Wow! Seems like a nice school.
C: Oh, yeah.
J: And I think this "Gakushu" is a wealth of information too.

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

遠山顕の英会話楽習　　　Tuesday, December 10

―――――
U R the ★
―――――
J: All right.
C: Nice.
CJK: You know what to do.

C: Jeff...
J: Uh-huh.
C: You are the star.
J: I got this.

C: I wish I could learn about the tea ceremony.
J: You can, from Sato-san.
C: Oh. Great, but does she speak English?
J: Yes. And she knows sado inside out.
C: Great! Sounds like she'll be a perfect match (matcha) for me.

K: Match と matcha ...
C: Sorry. I know it was a really ...
K: I know it's a really good one.
C: Ohhhh...
K: Yeah.

―――
Say It!
―――
K: Now, Carolyn, are you ready five times in one breath?
C: Yes. Thanks for going with me.
J: Hmm.
K: Oh. No problem.
C: I don't think there is much choice but anyway... so…

C: Should we go with Yoshiko? ×5

K: Great.
J: All right.

J: All right.
C: Super!
CJK: Glad we went with you too.

――――
Write It!
――――
★ 彼女は……のようです
J: So, there are a few ways that we can say this. Um... "It seems like she is the best fit." "It looks like she is the best fit." We are going to keep it simple. There is the third way of saying for this. For this particular sentence, we are going to use, "She seems to be 何々." "She seems to be the best fit."
K: I see.

★ 部長のポジション
K: The position of manager... ?
C: Well, that's not wrong. It's totally fine. It sounds very not dramatic, but maybe strong. It sounds more natural to me to say "the manager position."
H: Ahh...
C: And the word "position" is a handy little word to remember because you can actually put it with most other job titles and positions. So, you could say "cashier position," "clerk position," so, we can use it lots of different jobs.

K: Sounds great.
―――

Yoshiko Lader has been with her company for ten years and knows their business inside out. She seems to be the best fit for the manager position.

J: Fantastic.
C: All right.
CJ: Good job!

―――――――――
In Another Situation
―――――――――
K: So, Jeff...
J: Huh-huh.
K: What another situation going to be like this time?
J: Well, it happens in an apparel company this time.
―――

M: Satcher Brain has been with us for twenty years.
W: Yes, and I like her attitude. She's a real go-getter.

(go-getter = someone who is very energetic, determined to be successful, and able to deal with new or difficult situations easily)

M: What about Ken Donone.
W: He's well versed in customer service.
M: Right. The thing is, Satchy knows our business inside out.
W: Good point. And I think Ken had a sweater on inside out.
M: Umm... Should we go with Satchy?
W: I believe she's the best fit.
M: Apparently.
W: Oh.
―――

K: So, the other candidate had a sweater ...
CJ: Inside out.
K: This is an apparel company, right?
C: Yeah.
J: Yeah. Can't have your manager walking around with the sweater inside out.
C: Doesn't look great.
J: Apparently you cannot.
K: Yeah, I heard that before... but, nice to hear it again.

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

遠山顕の英会話楽習　　　Wednesday, December 11

a wealth of information = 情報の宝庫
この番組もそうだといいですが……
C: Oh, yeah.
J: It's always a wealth of information.
K: Oh, I have such wonderful partners. Oh, my goodness.
―――

大変ですね、この方たちは
C: Yeah, a little.
J: He doesn't want to go by himself.
K: Do you think they can meet half way?

(meet half way = 折り合う、 妥協、譲り合う　to agree to do part of what someone wants if that person will do part of what you want)

J: Probably not.
C: Doesn't look like it.
K: Oh, well, if you say so...