2/4 〜 2/13

実践ビジネス英語　　　Wednesday, February 4

1) Umemura tells his H&B colleagues that he spent the weekend showing his parents around and that his father was surprised to see a lot of Japanese restaurants in New York. Breakstone confirms that many Americans regularly eat Japanese food. And Umemura describes a sign at a sushi restaurant urging people to tip. Tipping isn't customary in Japan, Umemura says. So people visiting from that country would need
the reminder.

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Honing Conversational skills (1)

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2) hone
Right. Here, it means improve, perfect some skill from the image of sharpening a blade. You could say, "She’s 'honed' her writing skills over 15 years as a journalist." Or "The only way to 'hone' your public speaking skills is to practice over and over."

3) big apple
This is a famous nickname for New York. We also say "upset the applecart" meaning disrupt some situation, cause turmoil in some situation as if we turned over a cart and send apples scattering all over. Things like "No one pointed out the problems with that product. They were afraid to 'upset the applecart.'"

4) surprised
A common expression using "surprise" is "take by surprise." We use this when something happens that we didn't expect, we weren't prepared for it. Things like, "Our new product's success took everyone by 'surprise.' We didn't know it would be such a big hit." Or "Ted's transfer took him by complete 'surprise.' The company never indicated they might transfer him."

5) fad
Something that is very popular for a short time. The origin of the word is unknown, according to my dictionary. I remember a quirky "fad" from the 1970s. Actual rocks were marketed as pets and lots of people bought them.

6) develop a taste
In this case, "taste" means the desire for something. We also say "have a taste" for something. Such as, "She 'has a real taste' for the spotlight. She loves being the center of attention." Or "He 'has no taste' for designer items. He thinks they are waste of money."

7) any 〜 you'd care to mention
Any kind of a particular thing you can think of. You can also say "any 〜 you care to mention." Things like, "Company X has been more successful than 'any manufacturer you'd care to mention.'"

8) be sure to
Don't fail to do this. Make certain you do this. As in "'Be sure to' reconfirm your seat reservations a few days before departure." Or "'Be sure to' back up all your important files."

9) in-your-face
Aggressively direct, intrusive. Imagine someone standing very close to you and speaking right into your face. My dictionary dates this expression only back to 1982. So you might say something like, "What a terrible salesman! He was so 'in-you-face,' you know, demanding a decision immediately."

10) gratuity
A tip. We also have the word "gratuitous," which can mean unnecessary or superfluous. Things like, "His presentation included a lot of 'gratuitous' facts about the company's history." Or "She 'gratuitously' mentioned she was single during our business meeting."

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実践ビジネス英語　　　Thursday, February 5

1) Umemura says he's going to more networking events as part of his effort to be more social and improve his communication skills. He praises Americans' ability to start with small talk and then move on, but says it can be hard to join a group conversation when everybody is trying to outtalk each other. McMillan says it's simple courtesy to let other people have a chance to speak to.

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Honing Conversational Skills (2)

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2) judging from
Making a decision based on, interpreting the situation based on. So you could say, "'Judging from' your smile, I guess the negotiation went well." Or "'Judging from' his body language, I don't think he liked the idea."

3) small talk
Light, casual conversation. We also have the expression "big talk," but this doesn't mean weighty conversation. "Big talk" is boastful, extravagant talk, which the speaker often can't live up to, such as "Company X promised a groundbreaking new tablet. But it was just a lot of 'big talk.' The product was so-so."

4) tough
We also have the phrasal verb "tough it out." This means endure through some hardship. Imagine you really don't like your boss, you might say, "My boss will be transferred in six months. I can 'tough it out' until then." Or "We are really busy due to the staff shortage. But we can 'tough it out' until the new hire's coming."

5) That's for sure.
That's definitely true. That’s certainly true. If you said, "This new advertisement campaign is going to be expensive." Someone else could say, "'That's for sure.' All those prime time television commercials, the big event in Roppongi."

6) colleague = 同僚、仕事仲間
他に良く使われるのは、 cohort, co-worker, fellow worker, workmate, teammateなどがある。最近では、associate という言葉を、社員、同僚の意味で使う企業も多くなってきている

7) outspeak each other
Speak more or better than each other. Many verbs use "out" to mean go beyond in some way or do better, such as "We've got to 'outthink' our competition or 'outmaneuver' our competitors."

8) in the verbiage department
"Verbiage" has two meanings. One is an excess of words, such as, "Editors trim writer's 'verbiage' when necessary. It can also mean the way something is expressed in words, the manner of expressing oneself, things like, "I can't understand this legal 'verbiage.'"

9) get a word in
Manage to speak, find a chance to say something. I've always imagined someone trying to shove their words into a block of other people's conversation. So you could say things like, "Don't let Susan talk the whole time. Make sure you 'get a word in.'"

10) We also say "get a word in edgewise." For example, "Terry completely dominated the meeting. No one else could 'get a word in edgewise.'"

Don't hog the conversation. などとも言う。

11) come down to basic politeness
"Basic politeness" is the essential point, the key factor in a situation or an issue. McMillan also could have said "it boils down to." For example, "Efficiency 'boils down to' time management." Or "Learning a foreign language 'comes down to' practice in the end."

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実践ビジネス英語　　　Friday, February 6

1) Umemura describes a mistake he made soon after arriving in the States, handing out his business card during a lull in the group conversation at a reception. According to Umemura, the other people seemed put off, and Breakstone says it's usual in the States to develop a basic rapport before giving someone your card. Collins tells him not to worry that not bringing cards at all would be worse.

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Honing Conversational Skills (3)

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2) faux pas （フォーパー）
A social blunder or a mistake. It's French, literally meaning false step. The plural is "faux pas（フォーポーズ）," but the spelling is the same. In Japan, for example, putting someone's business card in your pocket is a faux pas. And in the United States, wearing white to wedding as a guest is a faux pas, only the bride can wear white.

3) customary
Commonly done or used, usually done or used. In Japan, it's customary to bring souvenirs back for your co-workers when you go on vacation.

4) time-honored ritual
A respected ritual that's been around for a long time. Umemura also could have said "long- standing." But that doesn't always mean a good thing. You can have a "long-standing" problem, but not a "time-honored" problem. For example, "Throwing beans outside on 'Setsubun' is a 'long-standing' tradition in Japan."

5) lull in a conversation
Here, "lull" is a temporary pause or decline in activity, such as, "There was a brief 'lull' in laptop sales last year.” Or "There was a 'lull' in a storm around noon." "Lull" can also be a verb. It can mean soothe someone to sleep or rest. For example, "The sound of the ocean 'lulled' him to sleep."

6) Another meaning is cause to relax vigilance, as in, "'Lull' into a false sense of security." That's a very common expression. You might say, "Company X was 'lulled' into a false sense of security by its many years of success. It didn't adapt to the changing market."

7) off-putting
Repulsive, repellent, think of something that makes you want to step away. For example, "Her breath is terrible. It's very 'off-putting.'" Or "I wish he wouldn't swear so much. It's really 'off-putting.'"

8) snake oil
This expression comes from the worthless concoction that used to be sold as medicines. And it can still refer to a fake medicine. But it also means bunk, humbug speech or writing that's meant to trick people. So you could say, "Don't fall for these promises of high returns. It's just a lot of 'snake oil.'"

9) rapport
This is a loanword from French. And we use it to mean a relationship of affinity, accord. When you interview someone, for example, you get better answers if you develop a rapport with them. They are relaxed, opened up to you.

10) don't sweat it
Another way to say, "don't worry about it." We also say someone is or isn't sweating something. A foreigner might say, "I'm really 'sweating' my proposal. I have to do the whole thing in Japanese.” Or "I'm not 'sweating' my proposal. Content is more important than delivery."

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実践ビジネス英語　　　Wednesday, February 11

1) Breakstone recommends such steps as dressing well at networking events and repeating people's names back to them when being introduced. Umemura says he usually starts conversations by asking what brought the other persons to the party but then he sometimes doesn't know what to say after initial pleasantries. McMillan recommends disclosing information about oneself before asking others questions.

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Honing Conversational Skills (4)

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2) dress sharply
Dress stylishly, elegantly. We also have the expression "dress down." This can mean "wear informal clothes," especially about wearing them at work, such as, "I always 'dress down' when I work on the weekends." But it can also mean, bawl a person out, scold them for what they've done. For example, "Our boss 'dressed Fred down' in front of the entire office for being late."

3) for one thing
We use this in a lot of situations. This is one thing among others to do, consider. It can also be one reason for something. For example, "We should choose supplier X. They are much cheaper 'for one thing.'" Or "This office needs a design overhaul. We've got to repaint the wall 'for one thing.'"

4) limp-fish = 弱々しい握手

5) stare
One common expression using "stare" is "be 'staring' someone in the face," which means the answer is obvious as if it's right in front of them, looking at them. You could say, "The solution to our work delays is 'staring' them in the face. We need better computers."

6) We also say "stare something in the face," which means deal directly with some bad thing, be very close to it. For example, "Company X 'stared bankruptcy in the face' last year, but they managed to survive.

7) demonstration of courtesy
We also say "pay someone the courtesy of," which means show them the polite respect they deserve. Imagine somebody is told through email that they are being fired. You could say, "The company should 'pay them the courtesy of' telling them face to face."

8) opening line
The first sentence of a conversation, presentation, movie, whatever. The "opening lines" of a speech are very important, of course, so are the "opening lines" of a book.

9) get stumped
When we are "stumped," we don't know what to do. We are baffled. Things like, "Do you know what this sentence means? 'I'm stumped.'" Or "I'm absolutely 'stumped' where that folder went. It was right here."

10) pleasantries
Polite, pleasant social remarks. We use them when writing and speaking. For example, I could start a conversation with a pleasantry like, "Isn't the buffet delicious?" Or email with "I hope you've been enjoying this nice weather."

Hello.というのも典型的な pleasantries

11) conversationalist
A person who likes conversation or is good at. The suffix "-ist" is used in many words this way. For example, a "diarist" is someone who keeps a diary. I used to be a "somnambulist." I walked in my sleep when I was a kid.

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実践ビジネス英語　　　Thursday, February 12

1) Umemura agrees that revealing information about oneself would make the other person feel more comfortable than a barrage of questions, and asks how to respond when someone says they are from a place he has never been. McMillan advises listening for information that the other person volunteers on their own because that’s what they are interested in talking about and conversing on that subject.

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Honing Conversational Skills (5)

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2) hail from
"Where do you come from?" in other words. Things like, "Everyone! This is our new colleague, John. He 'hails from' the West Coast of the United States." "Hail" can also mean "praise, tout." For example, "Fred Jones is being 'hailed' as the most innovated entrepreneur in the country."

Where do you hail from? = Where are you from?

3) put someone at their ease
If we "put someone at their ease," we cause them to relax. If I "feel at ease," I'm relaxed, as in, "I always 'feel at ease' talking to Helen. I can really trust her." Another common expression is "put someone's mind at ease" or "set someone's mind at ease." In other words, free them from worry, reassure them. Let's say, I'm worried about getting fired. I talked to my boss. And he "set my mind at ease." He said, "Don't worry. You are not in danger."

4) shoot off questions
Another expression using "shoot off" is "shoot off one's mouth" or "shoot one's mouth off." This means speak indiscreetly or brag, such as, "Ted 'shot his mouth off' while he was drinking and gave away a company secret." Or "He has been 'shooting his mouth off' all week about his promotion."

5) so to speak
In a manner of speaking, one could say it this way. I saw an article about a climate change conference the other day, and it said, "The conference was tasked with taking the temperature of the global environment, 'so to speak.'" In other words, its job was to gauge the state of the global environment, to assess the state of the global environment.

6) serious
A common expression using "serious" is "dead serious," meaning absolutely serious, not joking at all. For example, “Mary is ‘dead serious’ about quitting if she doesn't get that promotion.”

7) of one's own free will
This is when we do something at our own choice. We are not manipulated, forced by outside elements. For example, he chose to leave the company of his own free will. Nobody pushed him out.

8) keep one's ears open
Listen carefully, be watchful for that kind of statement. We also say, "keep one's eyes open." Things like, "'Keep your eyes open' for exit A4. It should be coming soon. Or "'Keep your eyes open' for stock market trends that might affect us."

9) something along the lines of
Something like this. For example, "He said 'something along the lines of' I want the logo to be more dramatic."

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実践ビジネス英語 Friday, February 13

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Honing Conversational Skills (6)

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1[S]: At the beginning of our current vignette, we hear that Umemura's parents are visiting New York. Heather, what have your parents particularly enjoyed during their trip to Japan?

2[H]: My mother was an immediate fan of "onsen" hot springs. She loved soaking in the outdoor bath and sipping hot sake over dinner in our room.

My father liked the bath too. But he absolutely refused to go in naked with people he didn't know. So he would wait until there was no one else in the bath and then make me stand outside the entrance so I could warn him in case anyone else headed in.

3[S]: Any other humorous moments during their visits?

4[H]:Yes. A lot of them, food related. My dad picked up a bottle of soy sauce at the onsen we went to, and poured a liberal amount over his white rice. I could see the server startle in surprise and then struggle not to laugh.

And when my mother and I ate ramen together, she scolded me for slurping my noodles. I had to explain that it isn't bad manners in Japan. My mother also let the water out of the communal bath at the inn where we stayed in Kyoto. She was so embarrassed when the proprietress came to our room to ask us very politely to please not do that again.

5[S]: The vignette also touches on Umemura's effort to be a more effective networker. Are there any particular things you think are important in this area, Heather?

6[H]: I'd say using a network properly is just as important as building one. Specifically, we shouldn't network or communicate with our contacts only when we want something.

This is an extreme example, but years ago I got a call from an acquaintance, who actually opened the conversation with, “Do you want to go through the motions of making small talk or should I get right to the point?"

I gaped at the receiver for a few seconds and then said, "Fine, what do you want?" He asked me to help him find a job. I said I didn't have time and I pretty much hung up on him.

Now I think most people wouldn't be that crude, but if we only contact people when we want something from them, we probably end up making a similar impression. So I'd say network well in advance and stay in touch over the long term.

7[S]:Breakstone offers Umemura advice about what to do at networking events, such as dressing sharply. What do you take care to do, Heather?

8[H]:Clothes are definitely important. I would also say take a special care with one's hair. Male or female, the good impression made by a stylish outfit can be completely lost if our hair isn't neatly done. Messy hair makes us look careless and sloppy, like we are not good on following through to the end of things.

I'd also recommend investing in a nice purse for women, and a nice wallet for both women and men. Even if we only have one that we use every time, a quality bag and wallet help us look professional and successful.

9[S]: The vignette also touches on conversational tactics at networking events. Do you have a go-to line like Umemura does?

10[H]: More than a go-to line, I have a go-to approach. I like to drift up to a small group and listen to their conversation for a while. I wait until someone says something that piques my interest and then ask a few questions about it. After we've conversed for a bit, I introduce myself to everyone and shake hands.

At that point, someone usually asks me about myself and the conversation goes from there. If the conversation flags a bit, I'd like to mention a good book I've read recently and ask if anyone can recommend another one for my next read.

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