7/31 〜 8/2

実践ビジネス英語　　　Wednesday, July 31

1) Pearson says he and other group executives are being asked to contribute their thoughts on H&B sister company in the pet food business, which is having one of the worst years in its history. According to Pearson, this is a result of the falling pet population in the United States. He says the number of dogs fell by 2 million from 2006 and 2011 while the number of cats dropped by 7.6 million.

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Companion Animals (1)

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2) worlds away: Pearson uses this expression to mean he was deep in thought about something, disconnected from the situation around him. Likewise Lyons could have said, "What are you thinking about, Paul? You are worlds away."

3) 単数にして a world away ということもある。

4) It can also refer to a thing or situation that is completely different from something else, things like, "I had a wonderful time in Hawaii. It felt 'worlds away' from the frantic pace of the city." Or "My new job is 'worlds away' from my last one. The hours and the pay are much better."

5) contribute one's two cents' worth: Executives have been asked to contribute their opinion, their thoughts on the subject, Pearson means. And you can leave off the "worth." Pearson also could have said, "Executive have been asked to 'contribute their two cents.'"

6) like clockwork: Clocks constantly mark the time at the same pace, so Collins is using this expression to mean something happens with great regularity, as in "Jeff invests 200 dollars in his mutual fund every month like clockwork."

7) And when something "goes, runs or works like clockwork," then it runs smoothly with no problems. So "The transfer to our new computers 'went like clockwork,' everything worked just fine."

8) be reflected in: In this case "reflect" means make apparent, show. The company's bottom line shows, illustrates the drop in the pet population.

9) So you can say things like, "The success of company X's new product 'is reflected' in its increased share price." Or "This report 'reflects' her knowledge and experience."

10) bottom line: Pearson uses "bottom line" to refer to a company's net profit. And it's called the bottom line because on a financial report, it's the lowest figure on the page. But since this number is the most important consideration for a company, "bottom line" can also mean the main point, the crucial factor in a situation. Imagine an employee who's always late. They give reasons why, but their boss says, "The 'bottom line' is you are not here when you are supposed to be here."

11) go to the dogs: When something "goes to the dogs," it deteriorates, declines. According to my idiom dictionary, this is based on the idea of dogs as inferior to humans.

12) So you could say, "This hotel used to be very elegant, but it's 'gone to the dogs' under its new management." Or "That company's customer service has 'gone to the dogs' lately."

13) cheesy pun: "Cheesy" is a bit tricky to translate. Basically it's poor quality, cheep and a bit silly, bit stupid. You'll often hear about a "cheesy" love story in a film. You might also say a marketing brochure full of overblown cliches. It's "cheesy."

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実践ビジネス英語　　　Thursday, August 1

1) Pearson says the rise in single--person households has contributed to the fall in the number of pets as has the fragile economy. Lyons expresses regretted the situation saying his dog Rex was an important part of his childhood and kept him from being lonely. Collins and Pearson say that while most people believe pets are beneficial to children only recently has it been studied scientifically.

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Companion Animals (2)

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2) single-person household: This is pretty self-explanatory. It refers to a household that consists of only one person. It's also common to hear about a "shingle-parent household," in which there's more than one person certainty but only one parent. The government might announce tax breaks for single-parent households, for example.

3) scrimp: They are economizing severely, Pearson means. They are cutting back on their spending a great deal. We also say "scrimp on" something, which is to severely economize on that particular something. "I 'scrimp on' shoes," for example. I buy just a few basic pairs and wear them with everything.

4) That's a shame: Another way to say this would be "That's too bad," as in "John can't make it to the good-bye party? Oh, 'that's too bad.'"

5) Lab: This is short for Labrador retriever. And "Labrador" refers to Labrador Newfoundland, the place where the dogs originally come from. Likewise, "Chihuahua" refers to a place in Mexico, and "Dalmatians" are named after Dalmatia, which is a historical region in modern day Croatia.

6) inseparable: Things that are "inseparable," aren't separated. They are always together. My cellphone and I are certainly "inseparable." I also read an article recently that began "Food and travel have always been 'inseparable.'"

7) enrich: Umemura means make something richer, fuller, more meaningful or fulfilling. Travel can enrich our lives or education enriches our lives too.

8) take something as a given: See it as fact, in other words, as certain to happen or be. We also say that "something is a given." Imagine you say, "Kevin will probably be late today." And a colleague replies, "Oh, 'that's a given.' Kevin is always late."

9) in the way of: Collins uses this to mean along the lines of something as a kind of something. Things like, "Company X doesn't do much 'in the way of' customer service." Or "He doesn't have mush 'in a way of' formal clothes."

10) only child: This is someone who doesn't have any brothers or sisters. They were literally the only child the parents had. I'm an only child myself, always wanted an older brother, but, oh well...

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実践ビジネス英語　　　Friday, August 2

1) Collins says some doctors recommend children not have pets due to potential problems like bites and infections. But Lyons and Pearson agree that they are usually more benefits than dangers involved. Pearson and Umemura remark on how pets can help children develop empathy and nonverbal communication skills. Collins adds that having to walk a dog would be an excellent way to ensure children exercise.

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Companion Animals (3)

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2) take into account: Factor in some element when we are making a decision, a judgment on something. A job interviewer, for example, would "take a candidate's experience into account." They'd also "take into account" how well they express themselves during the interview.

3) childhood obesity: "Obesity" is the noun. The adjective is "obese." And both these words refer to being extremely overweight.

4) advise against: These pediatricians recommend that someone not do something, in other words. You might tell a friend, "I'd 'advise against' your quitting before you have a new job." So you'd recommend that that they keep their current job until the next one is decided.

5) the pluses outweigh the negatives: "Outweigh" can literally mean weigh more than, be heavier than. I actually "outweigh" my husband with the same height but he is thinner than I am. However, Lyons is using it metaphorically to mean be more important or valuable than something else, such as "The risks 'outweigh' the potential rewards from this investment." Or "The benefits of having a car 'outweigh' the costs involved.

6) be inclined to: Pearson is using "incline" to mean dispose toward something of a mind to do something as if we are leaning in that direction, such as "'I'm inclined to' believe stocks will rise this quarter." Or "Consumers 'were not inclined to' spend on luxury items last fiscal year.

7) be convinced: This means you firmly believe something. You are sure that something is true, things like, "'I'm not convinced' David is the best candidate for the job." Or "'I'm convinced' Nancy is bad-mouthing me to our boss."

8) pet という単語がビニエットの中で出てきましたが
動物愛護家は pet という言葉を避けて、companion animal あるいは animal companion を使います。

master や owner という単語の代わりに human companion, guardian, steward

9) nonverbal communication: Communication that isn't conducted through words, facial expressions, body language that sort of thing. You'll also hear about "nonverbal cues, signals" that people send as to what they are thinking, what they want. Imagine you are talking to someone and they are constantly sifting in their seat or looking away, those might be "nonverbal cues" that they want to end the conversation.

10) motivational factor: Something that motivates us, spurs us to do something. We also have "motivational speakers," people who give talks about how to change one's behavior, be successful, etc. Their job is to "motivate" people to behave, think a certain way.