12/25(Wed.) 〜 12/27(Fri.)

実践ビジネス英語

実践ビジネス英語　　　Wednesday, December 25

1) Breakstone says she sometimes takes part of her serving home. And Collins describes getting larger portions at her friends' homes. Breakstone attributes the rise in obesity partly to DNA as people's bodies are designed to store calories when there's lots of food and burn fewer calories when it's scarce. Collins says one theory attributes the obesity epidemic to greater use of computers and other technology.

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Fighting Obesity (4)

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2) be better off: Be in a better situation, be in better condition than in some alternative, something like,"She 'is much better off' in her new job—the pay is lower , but the hours are much shorter." Or if I ask, "Should I take a cab?" You might reply, " You'll 'be better off' taking the train. A cab could get stuck in traffic."

3) insidious: The Latin root of this word means to ambush, and that tells you a lot about the meaning of "insidious." Collins is referring to things that spread or work harmfully in subtle or hidden ways. Computer viruses, malware are often described as "insidious." They sneak into our computers described as legitimate emails or software updates.

4) "Insidious" is also used about things that are attractive but bad,
seductive but harmful, such as the "insidious" appeal of money and fame.

5) helping: This is one serving of food. You'll often hear about second and third "helpings" meaning additional servings for the same person. I try to avoid buffet restaurants, for example. It's hard to resist that second helping of dessert.

Help yourself to another helping. = もうちょっといかがですか？お食べになりませんか？

6) And you can also use this expression with other things that are metaphorically served, dished out. For example, "John got a double 'helping' of good news today. His proposal was accepted and he got a raise."

7) our DNA is partly to blame: Breakstone is referring to human being's genetic makeup. But we also use "in someone's DNA" to mean something is an inherent part of our nature, our personality. Negotiating really isn't "in my DNA." I don't like to do it and I'm not very good at it.

"In one's DNA" can also refer to interests or talents, etc, that run in a family, a nationality, some genetically-connected group. Travel and languages are in my DNA, for example. My family has moved around the world for generations and many of us speak multiple languages.

8) to be had: When something is "to be had," it can be obtained, gotten, such as "There are a lot of bargains 'to be had' among IT stocks lately." Or "There weren't many original suggestions 'to be had' at the meeting.“

9) trouble is: This is the problem in some situation, Breakstone means. She also could have said "the trouble is" or "the problem is" or "problem is," things like, "Mark has some great ideas for expanding the company. 'The trouble is' we can't afford them." Or "Karen had a good excuse for being late. 'The problem' is she was lying."

10) school of thought: One philosophy, one way of thinking. Apparently there's a 'school of thought' in economics that monopolies always fail because they are insulated from competitive forces and new ideas.

11) cyber-task; "Cyber" is a very common prefix these days, meaning things related to computers or computer networks, usually the Internet. You'll hear about "cyber-bullying," for example, and "cyber-crime." Government agencies have been subject to "cyber-attacks" lately.


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実践ビジネス英語　　　Thursday, December 26

1) Umemura says he can consume lots of chocolate while working on a report. And Breakstone and Collins say certain foods are addictive like drugs. Breakstone describes a program that gives people on welfare food-buying credit when they spend part of their welfare payments on fresh produce. Umemura says many people with lower incomes make bad food choices, which can lead to obesity and other problems.

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Fighting Obesity (5)

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2) in the equation: Breakstone means that's another factor, another element among the things that need to be considered in some situation. Imagine you are pondering a job offer. You might say, "Location is a big factor 'in the equation' for me. I don't want a long commute."

3) addictive: Collins is referring to an actual dependence on something where there are physical, mental symptoms of withdrawal if we don't get it. However, we also use "addictive" to refer to things that are habit for me that are so enjoyable we want them over and over, such as, "This smartphone game is 'addictive.' It's hard to stop playing it."

4) enlightened: When something or someone is "enlightened," then it's wise, it's characterized by understanding, reason. An "enlightened" leader would listen to her staff's ideas, for example, not just tell them what to do all the time.

5) affordable: "Affordable" is within the range that people can reasonably pay. The verb "afford" is also very useful. It can mean have enough money, have the financial resources to do something, such as, "Laurie can 'afford' a bigger apartment now that she is a manager."

6) It can also mean be able to do something without disadvantage or risk to yourself, such as, "we can't 'afford' to lose this client. Our company needs the revenue."

7) pilot program: This is a test program, something done experimentally to see how it works out, what the problems may be with it. I've read about "pilot programs" to help keep kids in school and the "pilot program" to test digital license plates.

8) on welfare: When someone is on "welfare," they are receiving financial assistance from the government to support their daily lives. This usage must have been taken from the basic meaning, which is someone's well-being, their happiness, financial situation, etc., such as, "Calvin's boss refused to let him work overtime for his own 'welfare.' He is worried about Calvin's stress levels."

9) break out of: Escape from something, get out of a situation or place, such as, "We are trying to 'break out of' our year-long sales decline." Or, "The economy finally 'broke out of' its deflationary spiral."

10) poverty trap: Here "trap" is a noun. It’s something you can't escape from. You might hear about the "trap" of debt as well.


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実践ビジネス英語 Friday, December 27

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Fighting Obesity (6)

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1[S]: Now, in our current vignette, Alyce Collins says she has repeatedly made New Year's resolutions to go on a diet and then gradually lost interest. Do your new year's resolutions for 2014 involve food or exercise, Heather?

2[H]: Both, but particularly exercise. I am woefully out of shape and really want to start doing some serious exercise again. Unfortunately, I don't think I'll be able to do my favorite, swimming, because the whole process just takes too long. Besides the actual swimming, I'd have to spend time getting to the pool, getting dried off, and then getting to work or back home. So I think I'll try to reintroduce my number two choice, running. Or more accurately walking and running. I'd better ease into it slowly. There is a nice park near my house where I can walk or run, and the ten minutes it takes to get there and back can be part of the workout too. I also have a great smartphone app that will tell me when to switch between running and walking and play different songs to inspire the right pace.

3[S]: And what are your resolutions regarding food?

4[H]: Snack less. This will be a tough one, though. As one man in my office put it, if you figure out how to do that, please let me know. The temptation is constant mainly due to the convenience store we have on the first floor and the souvenirs that people always seem to be bringing from somewhere or other.

At the very least, I want to snack better. The convenience store does offer healthy choices like fruit and edamame. And I've been trying to head for those more often. I've also read the dehydration can cause people to feel more hungry. So I'll try to drink more water as well.

5[S]: Any plans on how to avoid false hope syndrome?

6[H]: Well, I should probably keep my goals very specific, so perhaps I'll start with "run three times a week." Having a reward system can also be very effective, and I've been thinking I'd like to replace my now 20-year-old microwave, so I thought I'd "award" myself 1,000 yen every time I run. I'll put it in a jar -- transparent so I can see my progress and be inspired by it -- and I won't buy the oven I want until enough money accumulates inside.

7[S]: The H&B members in the vignette also discuss a pilot program that gives people on welfare food-buying credit every time they spend a dollar of their welfare payments on fresh produce.

8[H]: That kind of positive reinforcement seems like a very good way to get people to change their habits. I've read about efforts to impose financial penalties on employees who don't take full advantage of company health programs or moves to tax unhealthy foods. But I don't think steps like that would be effective. No one likes to be lectured or criticized. And ultimately whether we follow a healthy lifestyle is our own choice. Positive incentives are much better way to go.

I read a few years ago about a district in the United States that encouraged people to save energy by putting smiley faces on their utility bills if they consumed less power than their neighbors. Originally, they put frowny faces on the bills of people who used more, but that was stopped when some people complained. The district did this with 35,000 randomly selected people and found that people who got the personalized energy report saved 2% more electricity than those who got standard of reports.


【原稿チェック： Cecile】
【ディクテーション： Sanae】