2/5 (Wed.) 〜 2/7 (Fri.)

実践ビジネス英語　　　　Wednesday, February 5

1) Umemura describes how the struggles of the middle class are an important issue in the United States these days. Nissen and Lyons say there are no fixed criteria for defining what the middle class is. And Lyons adds that there is a significant gap between the perception and the reality of a middle class income. He cites an average U.S. income of $50,000 while Collins says the middle 60 percent ranges between $20,000 and $102,000.

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Middle-Class Squeeze (1)

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2) erode: Umemura uses "erode" as an intransitive verb, meaning to diminish or decrease over time as if something is being worn away. For example, "Consumers' trust in that　automaker has 'eroded' over the years due to its numerous recalls."

3) alike: We often use "alike" as Umemura does to mean both, two separate entities are doing the same thing essentially, such as "This new proposal should please management and labor 'alike.'" Or "Republicans and Democrats 'alike' have rejected the new tax plan."

4) It can also be an adverb meaning in the same manner. "People in the same industry tend to dress 'alike,'" for example. Bankers usually wear conservative clothes, designers are more flamboyant.

5) stand up for: This means defend, support, such as "He 'stood up for' his female staff and defended their right to take maternity leave."

6) academic: Nissen is using "academic" as a noun to mean someone who works at an institution of learning or who is involved in scholarly work. In a plural, it can also mean academic subjects, such as "I didn't do any sports in high school or college. I focused exclusively on academics."

7) criteria: "Criteria" is technically the plural of criterium, but it's often used to mean a single standard or rule that a decision, a judgment is based on, such as "Yearly income is the single 'criteria' for this tax break." Or "Product X doesn't meet this 'criteria' for an eco-friendly rating." I very rarely encounter "criterium" in spoken or written English. I think "criteria" is much more natural.

8) set: There's no fixed definition, no established definition, Nissen means. You can say things like, "There's no 'set' deadline for finishing this project but I'd like to complete it this week." Or there's no 'set' path to success. There are many different ways to succeed."

9) a question of: Lyons means it's an issue of perception. This is the issue, the point, the matter. Let's say I turned down a translating job, to explain why, I might say, "It's 'a question of' time. I just can't finish by the deadline." Or you might tell a potential supplier, "It's 'a question of' cost. Unfortunately we can't afford to pay the price you are asking."

10) there's more to something than: We use this to mean something involves more then just X. It's more complex than just X. For example, "'There's more to running a restaurant than' serving good food; location is critical. So is price."

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実戦ビジネス英語　　　Thursday, February 6

1) Collins says attitude is an important criteria for belonging to the middle class. And she and Breakstone comment on a more optimistic atmosphere that existed among the middle class in the 1950s. Breakstone describes how more and more jobs now require very high- or very low-skills. And Collins says many job skills have recently become obsolete. Nissen says many people hold on to the middle-class dream nevertheless.

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Middle-Class Squeeze (2)

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2) make six figures: Earn income that would be written in six digits. So, $120,000 a year would be "making six figures," making $750,000 a year would also be "making six figures." Often to clarify where someone is in that range, we say things like, "Frank's income is in the high 'six figures.'" Or "She makes a low 'six figure' income."

3) stand out from the crowd: Be conspicuously different from most other people or things. I've read articles, for example, about how to make your resume "stand out from the crowd." How to make your resume different, get attention amid all the other ones out there. Or you could say, "Company X 'stands out from the crowed' due to its superlative customer service."

4) date back to: Something's origins extend back to a certain point in time. Breakstone also could have said "go back to," things like, "This company's history 'dates back' to a small shop that opened 500 years ago." Or "The rivalry between these two companies 'goes back' 100 years."

5) get by: Manage so that your financial resources are enough. "It's very difficult to 'get by' on minimum wage," for example, or "He eats a lot of instant ramen to 'get by.'"

6) "Get by" can also mean manage to get along, manage to accomplish what you need to do. I don't own a lot of shoes, for example. I "get by" with two or three basic pairs that go with everything.

7) cling to: This is when we hold tight to something, we refuse to let it go. It can mean actual physical contact, such as "I was 'clinging to my umbrella in the strong wind." Nissen is referring to mentally holding on to something, refusing to let it go, as in "The company is 'clinging to' outdated marketing strategies."

8) bedrock: This can mean the solid rock underneath soil or some other loose material, but Nissen is using it to mean the very basis, the very foundation of something. I did an Internet search for this term and it brought up things like, "America is the 'bedrock' of the global economy." Or "Antibiotics are the 'bedrock' of modern medicine."

9) salt of the earth: This expression comes from the Christian Bible. We use it to mean the very best people, people who embody virtues like kindness, generosity, fairness, honesty. I might say, "He is the 'salt of the earth,' always willing to help out or listen to someone else's problems."

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実践ビジネス英語　　　Friday, February 7

1) Lyons describes how frugality and wanting a better life for one's children are values associated with being middle class but says economic uncertainty is making life difficult for the middle class. Collins says members of the middle class are struggling despite record corporate profits while Breakstone says having a stable job has replaced owning a home as the number one criteria for qualifying as middle class. Collins says having secure health insurance is also considered vital.

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Middle-Class Squeeze (3)

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2) play well with: This means something gets a good reception. It's accepted positively. We also say things "don't play well," meaning they get a bad reception, people respond in a negative way. For example, "Higher taxes usually 'don't play well' with voters."

3) frugality: Lyons is using the noun here. He is talking about being sparing with one's money, not spending unnecessarily, saving where we can. The adjective would be "frugal." I try to be "frugal" by shopping at a 100 yen shop for things like notebooks and sponges.

4) put the squeeze on: It's putting pressure on them, Lyons means. It's making their situation more difficult. You could say things like, "High electricity costs have 'put the squeeze on' small businesses." Or "The sharp drop in letter writing has 'put the squeeze on' the post office."

5) record corporate profits: High profits never before achieved, Collins is saying. For example, "They achieved a 'record' seven billion yen profit." Or "A 'record' 20,000 runners participated in a marathon."

6) disconnect between: Collins is using "disconnect" as a noun to mean a lack of connection or disparity. For example, there's a huge disconnect between management and labor. Management thinks their salary proposal is generous but the employees think it's not nearly enough.

7) roughly: Approximately, Breakstone means, about. "We have 'roughly' 50 people coming to the seminar," for example. Or "They had sales of 'roughly' ten million dollars last quarter."

8) There's also the adjective "rough" in the sense of not fully detailed or perfect. Things like, "I need a 'rough' estimate of what this project will cost." Or "I have a 'rough' idea how to market this product."

9) qualify for: In this case, "qualify means meet the requirements, the standards for something." Things like "People making over $100,000 a year don't 'qualify for' this tax break." Or "Families with more than two children 'qualify for' this subsidy."

10) priority list: I think you can use this term two ways. One like Collins', "It's the list of things that you most want to do, get, etc.," such as "Replacing my laptop and getting a haircut are on my 'priority list' today." Other times, I've seen it focus more on the order of importance. Things like, "This project can wait a while. It's not very high on our 'priority list.'"

【原稿チェック： Hiromi, Cecile, Kodo Ogata】
【ディクテーション： Sanae】