2014-12-14

Practice for the Next Class -- Inviting a Friend (December 15th)

An Invitation -- 招待

[Scene: Andy Adams and Jun Tanaka are at work.
 -- アンディー・アダムズと田中ジュンは仕事中です。]

Andy: Hey, Jun, gotta minute?
[Hey, Jun, have you got a minute?
 -- な、ジュン、ちょっと一分、いい?]

Jun: Wacha got?
[What have you got?
 -- なにがある? => どうした?]

Andy: Gotta draft v'th plan here, 'd like yer opinion.
[I've got a draft of the plan here. I'd like your opinion.
 -- 計画の下書きよ。みてもらえる?]

Jun: M'kay, lemme see it.
[Hmm. Okay, let me see it.
 -- いいよ。見せて。]
  Say, are you and the family busy next weekend?
[ --話かわるけど、アダムズ家の皆は来週の週末、予定開いていない?]

Andy: Busy 'nuff probly. You 'n yours got plans?
[We're busy enough, probably. Have you and yours got plans?
 -- まあまあ忙しいと思うけど、田中家は何か計画たてている?]

Jun: Barb wan'sta hava barbeque Saturday evnin,
  sort'va pre-Christmas thing.
[Barbara wants to have a barbeque Saturday evening,
  it's a sort of a pre-Christmas thing.
 -- バーバラさんは土曜日夕方バーベキューを考えている。
  クリスマス前何とか(の祝い)です。]

Andy: Barbeque?
[ -- バーベキューって?]

Jun: Puta grill out'n th'balconey.
[We'll put a grill out on the balconey.
 -- グリルをベランダに設置してやる。]

Andy: Sounds fun.
[It sounds fun.
 -- おもしろそう。]

Jun: Watch n'old Gene Kelly movie after th'food.
[We'll watch an old Gene Kelly movie after (eating) the food.
 -- 食べてから、ジーンケリーの昔の映画を見ようと。]

Andy: Gene Kelly?
  M'kids'r morinta, uhm, Psycho-pass, wazit?
[Gene Kelly?
  My kids are more into (the movie), uhm, Psycho-pass was it called?
 -- ジーンケリーって?
  内の子と言えば、映画の何といってたか?「サイコ・パス」と言うものにはまっている。]

Jun: So, can you guys come?.
[ -- どう?来れる?]


Andy: I'll ask. What do you want us to bring?
[ -- 聞いてみる。何か持ってきてほしいものある?]

Jun: Anything you feel like sharing would be fine.
 [-- 分けてもらってもいいものなら、任せるよ。]

2014-12-11

Topic for the Next Class -- Parties (December 15th)

I think parties are an appropriate topic for this time of year.
この季節ではパーティーのお話をするのが適していません?

This post from last year is not quite on topic, but it might be interesting.
去年の投稿の一つがちょっと違いますが面白いかもしれません。

Here are some of the kinds of food at parties:
パーティーに出すよう食べ物の種類のいくつかはあります。
  • snacks おやつ
  • finger food 軽く、手で食べれる食べ物投稿の一つ
  • sandwiches サンドウィッチ
  • pizza ピッツァ!
  • cakes ケーキ
  • barbeque バーベキュー
And here are some kinds of parties:
パーティーの種類のいくつかあります。
  • mingles 気軽交流
  • picnics ピクニック
  • barbeques -- outdoor and indoor 野外も校内もバーベキューできる。
  • breakfasts, luncheons, dinners 食事会
  • bring-your-own parties 持ちより
  • self-catered parties 開催人が素の食事を用意する
  • catered parties 業者に食べ物を用意してもらう
  • pot luck parties 計画なし持ちより食事会
  • informal dinners 気軽食事会
  • formal dinners 公式?食事会
And we could talk about inviting people, and/or about planning a party, socializing and talking at parties, and even cleaning up.
それに招待すること、計画すること、社交的関係作りや話話、それとも片付けについて話してもいいでしょう。

But that's too much to cover in one lesson.
いや、一回分に多すぎるでしょう、ね。

Think about some things you want to say at a party and write them down. And we can look at them together.
パーティーで話したいかも知れないことについて考えてきてください。そして一緒に考えてみしましょう。

November 17th Vocabulary and Phrases

I plan on finishing the annotations, but for now I'll post what I've got. Sorry this is taking so long.
後に終わりまで注釈を入れるつもりですが、途中のまま投稿します。申し訳ありません。

We talked some more about hobbies and favorite things.

[趣味やいろんなお気に入りのものについてまた話しました。]
Asahi Beer (company)
アサヒビール (会社)
villa
大邸宅、屋敷、別荘、郊外住宅など
Oyamazaki Villa (Asahi Beer Oyamazaki Villa Museum of Art)
大山崎山荘 (アサヒビール大山崎山荘美術館
museum
博物館
museum of art, art museum
美術館
visit
訪れる、伺う (見に行く)
atmosphere
大気圏、空気、雰囲気
century
世紀
19th century (year 1801 ~ year 1900)
十九世紀 (1801年〜1900年)
year 200 BCE ~ 101 BCE (BC)2nd century BCE (BC)
year 100 BCE ~ 1 BCE (BC)1st century BCE (BC)
No year zero. 零年無し0th century
year 1-100 CE (AD)1st century CE (AD)
year 101-200 CE (AD)2nd century CE (AD)
feel the atmosphere of 19th century Japan
十九世紀日本の雰囲気を肌に感じる
era
時代
Taisho Era
大正時代
mood
気分、機嫌、心構え、情調、雰囲気
air
空気、上空、態度、風貌、雰囲気
flavor
味、香味、味わい、趣、雰囲気
that
それほど
It's that big.
それほど大きいです。
It's not that big/large.
それほど大きくありません。
lots of ○○
○○ の沢山
many ○○
数の多い ○○
much ○○
量の多い ○○
art
美術、美術品
lots of art
沢山の美術品
many paintings
多くの絵画
Monet (Claude)
クロード・モネ
water lilies
睡蓮
lotus
lotus flower
ハスの花
water lily (nymphaea)
スイレン
I saw five paintings by Monet
admission
入る許可、入場、入場料
admission price/fee
入場料
free admission
入場無料
paid admission
入場有料
donate
寄付する、寄贈する
donated to Japan Natioal ?Archives?

I saw five paintings by Monet

donated to whom?

It's hard to tell what's true and false on the internet.

ジェーラ italian chef

I like the idea of cooking

jean ダルク arimura kazumi

new actress

breaking bad

aria from figuero

across the universe by the beetles

a room with a nice mood

playing music with my friends

too busy to watch much TV

I'm into cooking Italian food.

outdoor cooking / barbeque picnic

making music with my friends

into cleaning soda

naoto inkiraimi The world is ours

diet

cooking, hot springs, and vitamins

flavor -- fragrance, smell

chocolate has melted

Armand Hammer -- washing sodawatch plays with daughter

Sanskrit

fancy

cuisine

2014-11-12

Topic for the Next Class -- More Hobbies? or Movies That We Like?

Well, I thought people might want to continue talking about hobbies and things we like.

But I also thought some might like to focus on Movies.

Other suggestions are of course also welcome, as always.

2014-11-09

Yet Another Version of Click-Scratch Mountain

(This is my westernized interpretation of the classic Japanese fairy tale/legend of revenge against a crop-destroying racoon-dog. I've mixed several versions with which I am familiar, and chosen a somewhat western-style ending.)

(Audio here. 音声はここです。)

A long, long time ago on Mount Tenjou, which is a little south of Edo and west of Mount Fuji, an old man lived with his wife.

They worked hard together, to make enough food to eat. But they had a problem.

A tanuki lived nearby.

Tanukis are like dogs, but with faces like raccoons. They are cute, but mischievous.

This tanuki was not just mischievous, he was mean.

The old man would go out every day to work in his fields and garden, and every day the tanuki would come to play.

First, he would stand on a tree stump and taunt the old man. The old man didn't mind that so much.

Then he would jump off the stump and run around the old man's gardens and fields, making a mess of things.

He would dig up the vegetables, steal the best daikon radishes and satsuma-imo
sweet potatoes, and leave the rest to wither in the soil.

A rabbit who lived nearby tried to talk the tanuki into being nice to the old man.
If you destroy all the old man's food, both he and his wife will die of hunger.
But the tanuki just laughed.
Silly, stupid old man. Be nice? Why bother?
Finally, the old man had had enough. One morning, he set a trap for the tanuki.

He hung a cage over the stump where the tanuki would stand and taunt him.

Then he mixed up some thick rice glue and spread it on the stump.

When the tanuki came, the old man scolded him.
You are rude. And you steal my food. And you destroy what you don't take.

You shouldn't be so bad.
The tanuki pretended to be insulted.
Me, bad? You're just a stupid old man! Stupid gets what stupid deserves!
And the tanuki tried to jump off the stump to run through the garden again.

But he was stuck in the glue.

While he struggled to get loose, the old man dropped the cage on him.

Now the tanuki was sorry.
Let me go! I promise I'll be good! I'll quit messing up your garden!
He cried and whimpered, but the old man tied him up and took him back to the house.

He showed the tanuki to his wife and said,
Now we shall have a treat for our stew tonight.
This made the tanuki really scared.

The old man hung the tanuki up by his feet from a rafter, and then went back to his fields.

The old woman happily started making millet dumplings.

The tanuki thought miserably about ways to escape.

He started whimpering and crying. But the old woman didn't pay any attention.

Then she started pounding rice to make mochi. It was hard work.

When she stopped to rest, the tanuki called to her and said,

That's hard work. You need a rest. If you untie me, I'll pound the mochi for you.
The old woman was tired, and without thinking, said,

Oh, that would be such a big help.
and untied the tanuki.

Now, most tanukis would have just run away, but this tanuki was really mean.

He took the mallet and, instead of pounding rice, hit the old woman over the head with it.

Then he stole the millet dumplings and ran away.

He ran past where the old man was working and stopped and shouted,
Hey, stupid old man! Your stupid wife untied me. So I killed her.
The old man screamed in panic and ran back to the house.

And then the tanuki stole more daikons and satsuma-imos and ran away.

When the old man got to the house, his wife was lying on the dirt floor, moaning in pain.

His neighbor, the rabbit, heard his screams and came running, too.

Together, they took care of her wounds and put her to bed.

When they had made sure that she would be okay, the rabbit said,
This time he has gone too far. He might actually have killed her. You take care of your wife, and I'll take care of that tanuki.
The old man thanked the rabbit and turned his attention to his wife.

The rabbit thought about how to stop the tanuki, and made some plans.

The next day he visited the tanuki, as if nothing had happened, and said,
You know, there is lots of kindling wood and grass on the mountain. If we go gather it, we can sell it in the village.
Making money sounded good to the tanuki, so he agreed to go gather grass and kindling with the rabbit the next day.

But he got up early, and went before the rabbit, and gathered all the good kindling wood and grass.

When the rabbit arrived, the tanuki was carrying it all back down, tied on his back. He said,
Sorry, there's no more good wood or grass.
And the rabbit said, 
Oh, well, I guess I'll head back down, too, then.
The rabbit walked behind and, while they talked, struck flint against a blade.
Click. Scratch.
The tanuki was surprised.
What's that click-scratch sound?
And the rabbit answered.
Well, you know, they call this mountain, "Click-Scratch Mountain."
The tanuki didn't know any such thing, but he was embarrassed to admit it.
Oh, yeah. That's right.
And the rabbit continued,
It's for the call of the click-scratch birds that live on this mountain.
After they had walked a little further, some sparks from the flint had taken hold in the grass in the tanuki's bundle.
Crackle. Pop.
Again, the tanuki was surprised.
Did you hear crackling and popping?
And the rabbit answered.
Well, you know, they also call this mountain, "Crackle-Pop Mountain," for the call of the crackle-pop birds that also live here.
The tanuki didn't know whether to believe this, but, before he could ask more questions, he felt the heat on his back.
Oow! Ooh! Hot! Hot! Ouch! Owwwwww!
And he ran all the way down the mountain, which only fanned the flames and made the fire burn hotter.

By the time he reached the river and jumped in, he was very badly burnt.

The rabbit followed behind. He called from the bank,
Are you hurt? I'm sorry I couldn't keep the crackle-pop birds out of your wood.
The tanuki crawled back to the bank, and the rabbit helped him back home.

He had a suggestion.
I have some salve that should help that burn.
And the tanuki said,
Oh, thank you.
But what the rabbit had prepared was a paste of cayenne pepper and salt.

On his way to get the paste, he stopped by the old couple's house.
How is she doing?
The old man said,
She's feeling better today. I think she'll be okay, if I don't have to keep that tanuki out of our food.
So the rabbit told him,
I don't think you'll have to worry about him for a while.
And he explained how the tanuki was going to need time to heal from his burns.
Oh, dear.
said the old woman from her bedroll.
You could have died.
the rabbit said.

The old woman answered,
But we were going to eat him. Don't hurt him any more, please.
So the old man took some real salve and visited the tanuki with the rabbit.

When the tanuki saw the old man, he got scared. But he couldn't move.
Hello.
Uhm. Hello. I'm sorry I hurt your wife.
She's feeling better today. Maybe she'll be okay. You're hurt.
The tanuki thought for a moment and then said,
I'm sorry I stole your vegetables and destroyed your garden.
Are you, now? Well, we have some salve that should help your burns.
The tanuki didn't know what to think.

The old man continued as he dressed the tanuki's burns.
If I don't have to keep you out of my vegetables for a few weeks, I should be able to nurse her back to health.
And the tanuki said,
You won't have to worry about me any more.
So the rabbit took care of the tanuki, and the old man took care of his wife.

After a while, when everyone was healthy, they all got together for some soy bean soup.

Then they became friends.

And the tanuki started helping the old man with his gardens and crops instead of destroying them.

And the old man and woman shared their vegetables with their friends, the rabbit and the tanuki.

And the tanuki was no longer mean. He was still mischievous, but he was no longer mean.


2014-11-03

October 27th Vocabulary And Phrases -- 単語および表現

We talked about hobbies and favorite things.
[趣味や大好きなものについて話しました。]
hobby (・ビー)
趣味、お稽古
favorite (フェー・ヴォ・リット)
一番お気に入り、大好き
[Examples below may or may not have come up in the lesson.
以下はレッスンからの例文とそうでもない例文が混在しています。]


[趣味を聞きましょう。]
[途中のままです。]

**********************
What are your hobbies?

May I ask, what kind of hobbies do you have?
[ご趣味(の種類)について聞いてもいいですか?]

What do you like to do in your spare time?
[暇の時、どんなことをやるのが好きですか?(つまり、どんなことやりますか?)]
spare time
自由に過ごせる時間、暇ある時
What's your favorite thing to do?
[どんなのをやるのが一番好きですか?]

** 例えば
spring (スプリング)
バネ、泉、春、跳ねる、湧き出る
movie (ムー・ヴィー)
映画、動画 ( "move" + "-y"、「動きそうなもの」)

********************
[趣味を言いましょう]

I like to go to (the) hot springs.
[温泉に行くのが好きです。]

I like to watch movies. [映画を見るのが好きです。]
I like watching movies. [映画を見ている状が面白いです。]
I like to go to the movies. [映画に行くのが好きです。]
I like going to the movies. [映画に行ったりするのが好きです。]

I like to golf. [ゴルフをやるのが好きです。]
I like golfing. [ゴルフしている状態が面白いです。]
I like to go golfing. [ゴルフしに行くのが好きです。]
I like going golfing. [ゴルフに行ったりするのが好きです。]

I like to cook. [お料理するのが好きです。]
I like cooking. [お料理の状態が面白いです。]
I like to cook okonomiyaki. [お好み焼きをお料理するのが好きです。]

I like to bake cookies and cakes. [クッキーやケーキを焼くのが好きです。]
I like baking.  [焼いている状態が面白いです。]

I like to run. [マラソンすること]
I like running.
I like to listen to music. [音楽を聴くこと]
I like listening to music.
I like to take naps. [昼寝・一眠りすること]
I like taking a nap.

I like fashion. [ファッションが好きです。]
I like making fashionable clothes.
[ファッショナブルな衣服を作るのが好きです。]
make
作る、作り上げる
fashionable
ファッショナブルな、お流行りの
I like books and music. [本と音楽が好きです。]
I like reading books and listening to music.
[本を読んだりすることも、音楽を聞いたりすることも好きです。]

I like cars and movies. [車も映画もすきです。]
I like driving cars and watching movies, but not at the same time.
[車を運転するのも映画を見るのもすきですが、同時にするのではありません。]

I like popular culture.
[流行している文化てきなものが面白いです。]

My favorite thing to do is write computer programs.
[やるのに一番台好きなのはコンピュータプログラムを作ることです。]

My favorite thing is to make clothes.
[「make clothes」の代わりに「sew」でも「sew clothes」と言ってもかまいません。]

My favorite thing is to lie on the grass and watch the clouds go by.
[芝生に横になって雲が流れていくのを眺めるのが大好きです。]

My favorite clothes are all natural cotton.
[私のお気に入りの服はすべて天然綿でできています。]
natural
自然の、天然の、自然のままの
clothes, clothing
服、衣類
[同音異字:clothes (服), close (閉める) →クローズ]
[同音ではない:clothing (服), closing (閉めている最中の状態)]
[同音ではない:close→クローズ (閉める), close→クロース (近い)]

I like to make my own clothes.
[自分の服を作るのが好きです。]
~ own A
自分自身の A
my own A
私自身の A
your own A
あなた自身の A
I like to get into a hot bath.
I like to soak in a hot bath.
[入浴が好きです。(お湯の場合)]
[現在の英語では、「bath」と「tub」を自由に置き換えるのが多い。] 
soak
浸す、浸かる
bath
入浴、浴びる事とその施設、浴場
tub
おけ、お風呂、お風呂すること
bathtub
浴槽
hot springs
温泉
take a bath
体を洗うために入浴する
I don't like mosquitoes. Mosquito bites itch.
[蚊は好きではない。刺されたところが痒い。]
mosquito (モ・スキー・ト)
mosquito bite (モ・スキー・ト バイト)
蚊に刺されたところ及び刺されること

****************************
[詳しいことを聞きましょう。]

Let's find out more.

Do you like movies?
[映画が好きですか?]

What's your favorite movie?
[第一のお気に入りの映画はなんですか?]

What's your son's favorite movie?
[相手の息子の好みを聞く文です。]

[いきなり「Who do you like?」と聞かれたら、どいう誰かがわからないのです。]

Do you like listening to music?
[音楽を聞くのが好きですか?]

Who's your favorite singer?
[大好きな歌手はだれですか?]

Does your daughter like music?
[お娘さんは音楽が好きですか?]

Who's her favorite singer?
[彼女の一番お気に入りの歌手はどなたですか?]

Do you like reading books?
本を読むのがお好きですか?

Who is your favorite author? [作家、著作者]

Does your teacher like books?
[あなたの先生は本が好きですか>」]

Who is your teacher's favorite author?

What singers do you like these days?
[今のお気に入りの歌手はどなたですか?]

What authors do you read?
[誰の本をよく読みますか?]

Where's your favorite place to visit?
Were do you like to go?
[よく行くところはどこですか?(大好きと好きの違い。)]

What kind of cakes do you like?
[好きなケーキの種類が好きですか。]

What kind of cakes do you like to bake?
[どんなケーキの種類を焼くのが好きですか?]

**************************
[人のことを言いましょう。]

Talking about other people.

[息子娘の大好きな映画を言いあげましょう:]

My son's favorite movie is Frozen.

My daughter's favorite movies are the Harry Potter series movies.
series (セィ・リーズ)
連続の映画など(「列挙」の意味)
My mother likes to sew clothes. [服を縫うこと]

I have many clothes that my mother made.
[お母さんが作ってくれた服を沢山持っています。]
have A
A を持つ、 A が有る
many
多くの(一個一個で数をとる物に対して)
much
沢山の(量で測る物に対して)
My sister likes to look for cloth to make clothes with.
[姉は服を縫うための生地を見るのが趣味です。]
cloth (klアth〜"cloth" の最後の "th" は濁っていません。)
布地(生地)
My uncle likes to wear Hawaiian shirts.
wear (過去: wore, 過去分詞: worn)  
着る、身に着いたままにする
put A on B (過去: put, 過去分詞: put)
AB に取り付ける
put {clothes} on, put on {clothes}
{clothes} を着る、{clothes} を身に着ける
[つまり、]

I put my favorite shirt on this morning.
[今朝、大気に入りのシャツを身に着けた。(今でも着ている確率が多い。)]

I wore my favorite short this morning.
[今朝、大気に入りのシャツを着た。(今は違うシャツを着ているかも知れません。)]


******************************
[趣味の関連の話をしましょう。]

Talking about hobbies and interests.

[「この映画は本間に長すぎる」と言いましょう。]

This movie's just too long.
[この場合、 "movie's" は "movie is" の省略です。]
just (ジャスト)
只々、ただ単に、ちょうど
The Incedible Hulk is a movie about a famous comic book superhero, Hulk.
famous (フェー・マス)
有名な
comic book
漫画(アメリア風)
superhero
超英雄

I make a lot of the clothes for my family.
I make many of my family's clothes.
[家族の服を結構多く作っています。]
lot
(同一の様式の物の)区切りの分、分け前
a lot of A, lots of A
A の沢山
Do you use nuts in your cookies and cakes?
[クッキーやケーキ(を作るとき)に、ナッツ類を使いますか?]

Adding nuts to my cookies and cakes makes them more nutritious.
[ナッツ類をクッキーやケーキに入れると栄養を向上する。("make"には「状態を作り出す」意味もあります。)]
add
追加する(料理の場合は「入れる」と考えていいです。)
make A
A の状態を作り出す、A になるようにする(A にさせる)
nutritious
栄養になる、滋養分の多い、栄養たっぷり
make nutritious
栄養にする、滋養分を付け加える
nutritive
栄養上の
nutrient
栄養素、栄養分
nutrition
栄養、栄養学
These donuts are good! [このドーナッツ、おいしい!]

I make them myself. [自作です。]

You put chopped walnuts in your donuts. [クルミを入れています、ね。]

It adds to the nutritional value. [栄養分を増す]
chopped, minced
細かく切った
Donuts that you buy at the store are not nutritious.
[お店で買うドーナッツは栄養があんまりない。]

My wife often adds walnuts to her salads.
[妻はよくクルミをサラダに入れてくれます。(ここで、"her"というのは彼女自身が作ってくれるサラダを指摘するためです。)]

Have you ever made yakisoba with almonds or walnuts?
[焼きそばにアーモンドやクルミを入れて作ったことがありますか?]

No, I haven't. [(そんなのをやったことが)無い。]

How about broccoli?

Sometimes I make yakisoba with broccoli. Sometimes I do that.
[ブロコリを入れることはある。たまにします。]

Are nuts nutritious? [栄養ある?]

Nuts are full of nutrients. [栄養たっぷり。]

How do you make your yakisoba sauce?
[あなたの(独特な)焼きそばソースをどうやって作りますか?(「ソース」よりも「サース」)]

I make my own yakisoba sauce with plums, apples, persimmons, prunes, raisins, tomatoes, shredded daikon radish, minced ginger root, minced onions, finely minced garlic, cinnamon, nutmeg, black pepper, and cumin.
I make my own A.
自分独特の A を私が作ります。
with B
B を使って
I don't believe you. [そんなのは信じられない。]

I make the sauce fresh in the frying pan.
[フライパンでソースを当たらし作って、]

Then I just stir-fry the rest of the ingredients in with the sauce as I go.
[他の材料をソースが入ったまま炒めていきます。]

What else do you put in your yakisoba? [それ以外は?]
else
その他
Well, cabbage, of course.
[まあ、キャベツはもちろん。(キャ・ベッジ)]

Do you ever go to a hot springs?
[温泉へ行くことない?]

I'd like to, but I don't have time.
[行きたいけど暇が無い。]

Sometimes I go to the public baths to relax.
[時々気を楽にするため、お銭湯に行きます。]

Public baths are kind of like hot springs, but you are not in the middle of nature.
[銭湯はなんとか温泉に似ているが、大自然の真中ではない。]
nature
大自然、自然界、世界の性質
Soaking in a hot springs is very relaxing.
[温泉に浸かるのは(とても)気が楽ですね。]

The minerals in the water make your skin smooth.
[湯のミネラルの所為、つるつるした肌になってしまう。]
skin
皮膚、肌
smooth
なめらかな、つやつやした、すべすべした、つるつるした
But if you soak too long, your skin becomes wrinkled.
[長すぎに浸かるとシワシワですね。]
wrinkle
しわ、しわを寄せる
become (=be+come) A
A になる
[become wrinkled == get wrinkled]

2014-10-25

Topic for the Next Class -- Hobbies and Other Things We Like

Last time, we talked a little bit about hobbies and other things we like while talking about cleaning up after summer vacation.

I thought, this month we could explore hobbies and such things in more depth.

(As always, if you have other suggestions, send me an e-mail, please.)

(My hobbies? Writing my blogs is one. Writing computer programs is another. Hmm.)

2014-10-24

Yet another Version of 桃太郎 (Momotaro, or Peach Boy)

(This is my westernized interpretation of the classic Japanese fairy tale/legend of the boy who was born from a peach. I'm mixing at least three versions with which I am familiar, and adding a thoroughly western-style ending.)

(Audio here. 音声はここです。)

Once upon a time in a small village near the Seto Inland Sea, an old man lived with his wife. Because they had no children, they lived by themselves.

Every day, they worked hard. The old man would go to the fields. And the old woman would do the housework, and then go to the river to do the laundry.

One day, while doing the laundry, the old woman saw something strange bobbing up and down as it floated down the river. As it drew closer, she saw that it was a giant peach.

So she called out to the peach, "Peach! Oh, Peach. Come here." And the peach came toward her, bobbing and dancing in the stream.

When it got close, she reached out into the water and pulled it to shore. It was very large, and she said to herself, "This will make us a nice dessert."

When she finished with the laundry, she took her load back to the house and set the peach on the table to show her husband.

When he finally returned after sundown, he was pleased to see the peach. "This peach looks delicious." he said to his wife, "Let's have some."

"Yes, let's." she said. And she got out a large knife to cut the peach with.

But, before she could put the knife to the peach, it popped open, and out popped a lively baby boy.

"Hello, Grandma!", "Hello, Grandpa!" he said.

The old man and the old woman were very surprised. "Where did you come from?" they asked the boy.

And he replied "From heaven, of course."

And the old woman said to her husband, "The gods have blessed us for all our years of hard work and patience."

So they named the boy "Momotaro", which means "Son of the Peach," and raised him as their own son.

They took good care of him, and Momotaro was a good boy.

He ate all his food, and grew big and strong. And as he grew up, he helped in the fields and around the house.
 
And he played with the other children in the village, made lots of friends, and became a brave, strong young man.

He worked hard and grew stronger than any man in the village.

One day as he was working in the fields, he saw a kite circling overhead.

He called to the bird, "Hello, Kite, do you have any news?" 

And the bird called back, "Momotaro, the villagers around here need your help!"

"Why? Is something wrong?"

"The demons from Devils' Island are raiding the villages, destroying their houses, and taking their food and treasures."

So he went home and told his adopted parents, "I must go to Devils' Island and defeat the demons."

They were very surprised. "But you are just a young man!" the old man said.

"I am stronger than any man in the village."

"It will be very dangerous!" cried the old woman.

"I am very brave, and it is the right thing to do." he replied.

So the old man helped him make a very strong sword.

And the old woman helped him prepare special nutritious millet dumplings.

"We have put our hearts into this sword. It will help you defeat the demons," the old man said.

"We have put our hearts into these dumplings. Eat one, and you will be stronger than one hundred men," said the old woman.

So the old man put the sword in its sheath and Momotaro tied the sheath to his belt.

And the old woman put the millet dumplings in a bag and Momotaro tied the bag to his belt.

"Thank you, Grandmother. Thank you, Grandfather. I will do my best, and I shall prevail."

So Momotaro set off over the mountains and through the valleys.

While he was walking, he met a dog.

"Hello, Momotaro. Where are you going?" the dog asked.

"Hello, Dog. I am going to Devils' Island to defeat the demons," Momotaro replied.

"That is a good thing to do. What is in that bag on your belt?"

"These are special nutritious dumplings. They can make you very strong. If I give you one, will you join me in my quest?"

"Yes, I will join you in your quest."

So Momotaro gave him a dumpling, and the dog joined him. And then they set off again, over the mountains and through the valleys.

While they were walking, they met a monkey. 

"Hello, Momotaro. Hello, Dog. Where are you going?" the monkey asked.

"Hello, Monkey. We are going to Devils' Island to defeat the demons," they replied.

"That is a good thing to do. What is in that bag on your belt, Momotaro?"

"These are special nutritious dumplings. They can make you very strong. If I give you one, will you join us in our quest?"

"Yes, I will join you in your quest."

So Momotaro gave him a dumpling, and the monkey joined them. And they set off again, over the mountains and through the valleys.

While they were walking, they met a pheasant. 

"Hello, Momotaro. Hello, Dog. Hello, Monkey. Where are you going?" the pheasant asked.

"Hello, Pheasant. We are going to Devils' Island to defeat the demons," they replied.

"That is a good thing to do. What is in that bag on your belt, Momotaro?"

"These are special nutritious dumplings. They can make you very strong. If I give you one, will you join us in our quest?"

"Yes, I will join you in your quest."

So Momotaro gave her a dumpling, and the pheasant joined them. And they set off over the mountains and through the valleys.

When they came to the sea, they could see Devils' Island across the water.

Momotaro made a boat, and the dog and the monkey and the pheasant helped him in whatever way they could.

Then they sailed across the water to Devils' Island.

The pheasant flew ahead, as their scout, to find the way. She showed them where to land the boat, and how to get to the demons' lair.

When they got to the lair, they each ate one millet dumpling. They felt strong, with the power of Momotaro's adopted grandmother's love.

Then the pheasant flew over the wall and looked around. When she came back, she called down, "The demons are all taking a nap inside the walls."

So the monkey climbed over the wall and lifted the bolt on the gate.

Momotaro and the dog pushed the gate open and charged inside.

The monkey squealed and screamed. The dog barked and howled. The pheasant crowed and screeched.

And Momotaro cried, "Momotaro has come to avenge the villagers! Surrender now or prepare to fight!"

The demons woke up in confusion. But Momotaro waited. Then the demons attacked.

The dog charged and bit the demons' legs.

The monkey charged and jumped on the demons' heads.

The pheasant dove and pecked at their necks and arms.

Momotaro felt the power of his adopted grandfather's love as he swung his sword and beat the demons back.

Soon the demons were all on the run. They ran into the castle to the big demon.

"Momotaro has come!"

"Momotaro is too strong!"

"We can't beat him!"

The big demon burst out laughing. "Bwaaah hah hah hah! You weak cowards! Who is Momotaro?"

Just then Momotaro and the dog and the monkey and the pheasant burst through the door.

"I am Momotaro. I have come to avenge the villagers! Surrender now or prepare to fight!"

"You are an insolent worm! You insult me!" yelled the big demon as he charged.

Then the dog bit his heels, and the monkey jumped on his head, and the pheasant dove and pecked his neck and arms.

And Momotaro felt the power of his adopted grandfather's love as he swung his sword and beat him back.

Soon the big demon was cowering in the corner. "I give! I give!"

"Do you all give up?" Momotaro asked them in a loud voice.

"Yes, we give up!" all the demons cried out in fear.

"Will you go raiding and attack the villagers again?" he asked.

"No! We will never go raiding again! We will never attack the villagers again!"

"Will you come with me and give all their treasures back?"

"Yes! We will go with you and give all their treasures back!"

"What about the food?"

"We will give everything we haven't eaten back!"

"What will you do then?"

Silence.

Then the big demon said, "We don't know what to do. We only know how to do bad things."

Momotaro thought for a moment. "Then you must come back with me and my grandparents will teach you how to work."

So the demons promised.

Then they collected the stolen things and went back to the villages and gave everything back.

When they were done, they went to Momotaro's village and Momotaro and his adopted grandprents taught them how to work.

Then some of the demons went back to their island to work, and others stayed in the villages to work.

And everyone lived happily ever after, or, at least, for a long time.

2014-10-14

September 29th -- Coming Home from Vacation

[The family has come home from their vacation trip.
一家は休暇の旅行から戻ってきています。
See here for vocabulary. 単語はここを参照。]

Amy: I don't want to go back to school!

Alex: Well, school starts tomorrow, so we have to get ready. I kinda missed school.

Anne: Can you two help me sort the laundry and put it away?

Alex: Do I have to, Mom?

Anne: What are you doing now?

Amy: He's playing with his PS Vita.

Anne: Don't play with that while I'm home! I hate that.

Alex: Okay, Mom, I'll help. Just let me finish this fight. I'm in a good rhythm.

Anne: Finish it quick.

Andy: How did you manage to get a load of laundry already washed and dried? Aren't you tired?

Anne: Best medicine for jet lag is getting back to work. How is your résumé coming, Alex?

Alex: Why do I have to get a job?

Andy: I'm not paying your full tuition, fees, books, and allowance. You've got to earn some of your money for school.

Alex: Argghh! She got me.

Andy: Good. Now put that game machine down and help your mom and your sister.

Amy: Who got you?

Alex: Pietra. Her user name is Rocky. Pass me my shirt there.

Amy: Here's your socks and shorts, too. Is she a friend from school or from your social network site?

Alex: Twitter. She does kendo, too.

Amy: Ooh. She sounds dangerous. Pass me my socks, would you?

Alex: Here.

Amy: Thanks. I'm done, Mom. Can I go now? I need to practice for the piano recital.

Anne: Of course.

Alex: I'm done too. I'm going to go to go practice the drums for my recital.

Andy: Don't play them too loud, okay? The neighbors will complain again.

Anne: Just the two of us now. Any word from the alumni association on your reunion, Honey?

Andy: Not yet. I'll have to give Roger a call. Have you called Mary about the turtle yet?

Anne: She said we could take our time about going to get Max.

Andy: That's nice of her.

September 29th Vocabulary And Phrases

[See here for examples. 例文をここでご参照できます。]
put things away
物々を片付ける(元の場所に直す)
lot
一組、一区画、一山、一口、など
a lot of A
A のたくさん、 A いっぱい
sort
分類・仕分けする、並べ替える
sort laundry
洗濯物を分類する
kind
類、種類、親族
sort
種、類、種類、タイプ
kind-of (kinda) A
いくぶん A、 ある程度 A、 ちょっと A、 A のようで
sort-of (sorta) A
いくぶん A、 多少 A、 かなり A、 なんだか A
game
遊び、娯楽、遊戯、ゲーム、球技、試合など
game machine
ゲーム機
play
遊ぶ、遊び感覚でやる
Don't play that!
そんなもので遊ぶな!そんな遊びをするな!
... while I'm home/here
(家に)居るあいだは
college
大学の学部、短期大学
university
大学、大学院
elementary
基礎の、要素の
elementary school
小学校
school
学校
reunion
同窓会(会合)
alumni/alumnae association
同窓会(団体)
practice
練習、習わし、行う、実施、開業
drum(s)
太鼓(のセット)
network
網状組織、網状通信
social network
社交的交流のための網状組織
social networking sites (facebook, linkedin)
社交的に交流できるインターネット通信設備
work/job history
職務経歴
résumé
履歴書
vita
命、生命、生涯(ラテン語の life)
curriculum vitae (course of life)
業績書
vitamin
ビタミン(life-mineral からできたと言われるが、無機鉱物ではない)
I don't do music.
音楽の稽古はしません。
I do Japanese Noh.
能の稽古はします。
I do practice kendo.
剣道の稽古をします。(主張する表現)
recite
暗唱する
recital
演奏会、発表会
hot springs
温泉
get used to A
A に慣れる
just the two of us/you/them
二人きり(自分ら二人/相手二人/他人二人)
Just the Two of Us (Grover Washington Jr.)
30年前のジャズ系のポップソング
There are six in my family.
家族は六人です。
I have one brother.
兄もしくは弟一人がいます。
I have two sisters.
自分を含まず、姉妹二人がいます。
I have three siblings.
四人兄弟です。

2014-08-25

Topic for the Next Class - Cleaning Up after a Trip?

Again, I'm not sure what to prepare for the next class.

Listening to song lyrics? Maybe not yet.

Then I looked at what we did last time.

I'm thinking we should talk a little about where we've been and what we did and how we get back to normal life after a trip.

(Where have I been? Hmm, ... a land called openbsd, some time out to Cosmo Square, and a little visit with The Little Prince, I guess.)

Bring your questions, of course.

2014-07-15

Romeo and Juliet Excerpt 6 -- Mercutio and Tybalt Die = ロミオとジュリエット抜粋6〜マーキュシオもティボルトも殺される

[Intended to be presented by junior high or high-school level students of English as a foreign language. Continuing from here. Sans annotation here.]

Narrator: Benvolio and Mercutio have been out on business.
〔be out => お出かけ中〕
〔business => 用事〕

Benvolio: Mercutio, let's go home. It's too hot.
  In weather like this, it's easy to get into an argument.
〔weather => 天気、気温〕
〔in ~ like this => こんな~に〕
〔easy to ~ => ~しやすい〕
〔get into ~ => (~に入る→)~の状態になる〕
〔argument => 言い合い、言い争う、喧嘩〕

Mercutio: What do you have against a good argument?
  Speaking of which, here come some Capulets.
〔against => 対抗に、対立に、反対に〕
〔have A against B => A のことで B に反対する〕
〔What do you have against ~? => 何の訳で~に反対する?〕
〔Speaking of which => (話しているところの)偶然ですが〕
〔here come (some) ~ => ~(の何人か)が只今寄りかかってくる〕

Benvolio: I definitely do not want to argue with them.
〔definitely => 確実に、まったく〕

Tybalt: Good evening. Could we talk?
〔could we ~ => ~してもいいですか?〕

Mercutio: I think you want to do more than talk.
〔more than talk => 話以外のこと、話だけではないもの〕

Tybalt: Ready any time you are.
  Mercutio, you hang around with Romeo, ...
〔any time => いつでも〕
〔I'm ready any time you are. => お前の用意次第。〕
〔hang around with ~ => ~と一緒に過ごす、と付き合う〕

Mercutio: And what if I do?
  Is there some problem with that?
〔what if ~? => ~だったらどう?〕

Benvolio: This is a public place.
  We could discuss things more freely in some private place.
〔public => 公の〕
〔discuss => 話し合う〕
〔freely => 自由に〕
〔private => 内輪の〕

Mercutio: I see no need to go anywhere.
〔see => 認める〕
〔need => 必要〕
〔I see no need to ~. => ~(する)必要ないでしょう。〕
〔anywhere => どこでも〕

Narrator: Tybalt sees Romeo approaching.
〔approach => 近づく、寄ってくる〕

Tybalt: Well, we have nothing to discuss.
  There is the man I want to talk with.
〔have nothing to ~ => ~(する)ことがない〕
〔There is ~. => ~はあそこにいる。〕

Mercutio: And he's a better man than you.
〔a better ~ than you => お前よりましな~〕

Tybalt: Romeo, I hate you. You are scum!
  Die!
〔hate => 憎む〕
〔scum => 浮きかす、くず〕
〔Die! => 死ね!〕

Romeo: Oh, Tybalt, we should be friends.
  Let's not talk about hate.
〔should be ~ => ~になるべき〕
〔take about ~ => ~について話する〕
〔hate => 憎み〕

Tybalt: You have injured me! Draw your sword!
〔injure => 傷つける〕
〔draw => 引っ張り出す〕

Romeo: But how could I injure you?
  You are a Capulet, and I love all Capulets.
〔how could I ~? => ~(する)わけはありますか?〕

Mercutio: You are being a coward, Romeo!
  Tybalt, do you want to fight?
〔being ~ => ~になること〕
〔coward => ひきょう者〕
〔being a coward => ひきょうな振る舞い〕
〔fight => 喧嘩する、戦う〕

Tybalt: Ready when you are.

Romeo: My friend, Mercutio, put your sword away.
〔put ~ away => ~を片づける〕

Mercutio: Come on Tybalt.
〔Come on! => かかってこい!〕

Romeo: Benvolio, help me stop them!
  Fighting in the streets is against the law!
  Stop, Tybalt! Stop, Mercutio!
〔stop => 止める〕
〔against the law => 違法〕

Narrator: Tybalt's thrust under Romeo's arm has fatally wounded Mercutio.
〔thrust => 突き、突っ込み〕
〔under ~ => ~の下に〕〔 => 〕
〔fatally => 死命的に〕
〔wound => 刺し傷を負わせる〕

Mercutio: I'm going to die.
  Did he get away without a scratch?
  I hate you both!
〔get away => (よそを得る→)逃げる〕
〔without ~ => ~無し〕
〔scratch => 擦り傷〕
〔both => 二人とも〕

Benvolio: Are you wounded?

Mercutio: Call a doctor!
〔医師を呼べ!〕

Romeo: Please hang on!
  It's not too bad, is it?
〔Hang on! => (しっかりつかまる→)しっかり!〕

Mercutio: Maybe it's not too bad, but it's bad enough.
  If you look for me tomorrow, you'll find me in the graveyard.
  Why did you try to stop us?
〔bad enough => 充分にひどい〕
〔look for => 求める、探す〕
〔find A in B => A を B に見つける〕
〔graveyard => 墓地〕
〔try to ~ => ~をやろうとする〕

Romeo: I meant it for the best!
〔mean => 意図する〕
〔for the best => 一番良い結果〕

Mercutio: I'm dead meat.
  Benvolio, help me to some shelter.
  I hate you both! And your families, too!
〔dead meat => 生きていない肉〕
〔help A to B => A が B まで行くのを助ける〕
〔shelter => 避難所、よりどころ〕

Romeo: My new cousin Tybalt has fatally wounded my friend Mercutio!
  And it's my fault for trying to stop the fight.
  Oh, Juliet, my love for you makes me think like a girl.
〔new cousin => 新しくいとこになった人〕
〔fault => 責任、原因、違反〕
〔It's my fault. => 俺が悪い。俺の所為。〕
〔for trying to ~ => ~の試みに〕
〔love for you => あなたへの愛情〕
〔make me ~ => 俺に~させる〕
〔think like a girl => 少女のように考える〕

Benvolio: He's dead. Brave Mercutio is dead!
  Here comes Tybalt, now.
〔brave => 勇ましい〕

Romeo: Tybalt, you are a dead man.
〔dead => (形容詞)死んだ〕

Tybalt: It's your fault for hanging around with him.

Narrator: So Romeo and Tybalt fight.

Benvolio: And now Tybalt's dead.
  If the prince catches you, you're dead, too.
  Romeo., you must go away.
〔catch => 捕まえる〕
〔go away => よそへ行く〕

Romeo: Why does fate play games with me?
〔fate => 運〕
〔play games with ~ => ~でもてあそぶ〕

[End of excerpts.]



Romeo and Juliet Excerpt 5 -- the Wedding = ロミオとジュリエット抜粋5〜その結婚

[Intended to be presented by junior high or high-school level students of English as a foreign language. Continuing from here. Sans annotation here.]  

Narrator: Romeo and Juliet have agreed to meet at Friar Laurence's room,
  to be married in secret.
  Friar Laurence is having second thoughts
  about the pace with which the romance has developed.
〔agree => 一致する、同意する〕
〔agree to meet => 会うように約束する〕
〔Friar => 修道士、会士〕
〔be married => 結婚させられる〕
〔in secret => 秘密に〕
〔second thoughts => (再考→)疑問〕
〔have second thoughts => 考え直す〕
〔pace => 拍子、ペース〕
〔romance => (特に恋愛の)冒険〕
〔develop => 発達、発展〕

Friar Laurence: Marriage is a holy thing,
  so we must pray for the blessings of heaven
  on your marriage with Juliet.
  What starts out happily should not end up unhappily.
〔holy => 神聖な〕
〔pray => 祈る、願う〕
〔blessings of heaven => 天の恵み〕
〔happily => 幸福に、幸いに〕
〔start out => (start) 始める〕
〔end up => (end) 終わる〕
〔unhappily => 不幸に、運悪く〕

Romeo: Oh, I want this to be a happy marriage,
  but once she and I are married,
  no sorrow can hold any fear for me.
〔want A to be B => A が B になってほしい〕
〔once ~ => (一旦→)~さえなれば〕
〔sorrow => 悲しみ、悲嘆〕
〔hold ~ => ~を持つ、~がある〕〔 => 〕
〔any => なんでも〕
〔fear => 恐怖(感)〕
〔no A can hold any B => 何の A にもなんの B が無い〕

Friar Laurence: That is a rash brag.
  I am concerned that your passion is too uncontrolled.
  Uncontrolled passion tends to cause unhappiness.
  Juliet is here.
  She seems quite happy, too.
〔rash => 向こう見ずな、無分別な、思慮足りない〕
〔brag => 自慢〕
〔be concerned => 心配する〕
〔passion => 感情、情熱〕
〔uncontrolled => (制御されていない→)自制無し〕
〔tend to ~ => ~の傾向がある〕
〔cause ~ => ~の原因になる、~を引き起こす〕
〔quite => すっかり、完全に、とても〕

Juliet: Good evening, my spiritual friend.
〔spiritual => 霊的な、精神的な〕

Friar Laurence: Good evening, and Romeo is as glad to see you as I am.
〔glad to ~ => ~にうれしい〕
〔see => 見る、(目にかかる→)会う〕

Juliet: And I am glad to see him.

Romeo: Juliet, if you are as happy as I am,
  this is truly a happy occasion.
〔as ~ as I am => 私が~ほど~〕
〔truly => 正に〕
〔occasion => とき、機会〕

Juliet: No words can match how happy I am.
〔match => (合う→)適う〕
〔how happy ~ => ~の幸せほど〕
〔私の喜びに適う言葉がございません。〕

Friar Laurence: Well, come with me to the chapel
  and the church shall marry you.
〔come with me => 一緒にいらっしゃい〕
〔chapel => 礼拝室〕
〔church => 教会〕
〔marry => 結婚させる〕

[Continues here.]

Romeo and Juliet Excerpt 4 -- in the Capulet's Garden = ロミオとジュリエット抜粋4〜キャピュレット家の内庭

[Intended to be presented by junior high or high-school level students of English as a foreign language. Continuing from here. Sans annotation here.]  

Narrator: Romeo listens as Benvolio and Mercutio leave.
〔listen => (念入れて)聞く、盗聴する〕
〔A as B => A と同時に B〕

Romeo: I don't think Mercutio has ever been in love.
〔A has ever been B => A は B になったことはいつまでもある〕

Narrator: When Romeo looks around, he sees Juliet come out on her balcony.
〔look around => 見回す、周りを確認する〕
〔see ~ => ~が見える〕
〔come out => 外に出てくる〕
〔balcony => バルコニー、(2階の)ベランダ〕

Romeo: Am I facing east? Does the sun rise in the sky?
  Juliet shines much brighter than the moon.
〔sun, moon => 太陽、月〕
〔face => 向かう〕
〔rise => 昇る〕
〔shine => 輝く〕
〔brighter than ~ => ~よりも眩しい〕

Juliet: Oh, what shall I do?

Romeo: How wonderful it is to hear her voice!
〔wonderful => 素晴らしい〕
〔hear => 耳にする、聞く〕
〔voice => 声〕

Juliet: Oh, Romeo, why do you have to be Romeo?
  Say you're not a Montague!
  Or I'll say I'm not a Capulet.
〔have to be ~ => ~でなくてならない〕
〔Say ~! => ~と言え!〕
〔or => さもなければ、でないと〕

Romeo: Should I just listen, or should I answer?
〔Should I ~? => ~してもいい?〕
〔just => ただ〕
〔answer => 答える、返事する〕

Juliet: If you called a rose by any other name,
  it would still smell just as sweet.
  Oh, Romeo, change your name and I'll be all yours.
〔if A, B => もし A ならば B〕
〔call => 呼ぶ、名づける〕
〔call A by name B => B という名前で A を言う〕
〔any other => なんでも他の〕
〔smell => 匂いがする、香る〕
〔still => (それにしても)まだ〕
〔just as => ちょど同じほど〕
〔sweet => 甘い(味でも香でも感情でも)〕
〔change ~ => ~を変える〕
〔A and B => A にすると B〕
〔be all ~ => 全て~になる〕
〔yours => あなたの(もの)〕

Romeo: If you call me your love,
  I'll change my name and never be called Romeo again!
〔call A B => A を B と呼ぶ、A を B とする〕
〔love => 愛の充て、愛の相棒〕
〔never be ~ => 一切~にならない〕
〔again => またもう一度〕

Juliet: What?
  Who are you, hiding in the dark and listening to me?
〔hide => 隠れる〕
〔dark => 暗い(ところ)〕
〔A and B => A して B〕

Romeo: I cannot say my name because you hate it.
〔cannot (→can't) => できない〕
〔A because B => B がゆえに A、 B ですから A〕
〔hate => 嫌う、嫌がる〕

Juliet: I recognize your voice. Aren't you Romeo Montague?
〔recognize => (見たり聞いたりして)わかる〕
〔Aren't you ~? => あなたは~ではないですか?〕

Romeo: If you don't like that name, it isn't mine any more.
〔it isn't mine. => 私のものではない。〕

〔any more => これ以上、これからずっと〕

Juliet: How did you get in here, and why?
  It's dangerous for you here.
〔get in => 入る〕
〔how and why? => どうやって、なぜ?〕
〔dangerous => 危ない、危険な〕
〔for ~ => ~に〕

Romeo: If I see in your eyes that you love me,
  nothing is too dangerous.
〔see that ~ => ~がわかったら〕
〔nothing is too ~ => ~過ぎることがない〕

Juliet: You've heard too much.
〔~ too much => ~過ぎる〕

Romeo: How can I prove my love?
〔prove => 照明する、見せる〕

Juliet: Not tonight. We can meet again.
  Good night.
〔tonight => 今夜、今晩〕

Romeo: I can't leave unless you tell me you love me.
〔unless ~ => ~なしに〕
〔tell A B => A に B を言う〕

Juliet: It has already been said.
  But tell me you mean what you say.
  Do you intend to ask me to marry you?
〔say, said, said => 話されてしまった状態〕
〔tell => 教える、告げる、言う〕
〔tell me ~ => ~を教えて、~だたと言ってて〕
〔mean => 意図する、本気で言う〕
〔what you say => あなたが言うことば〕
〔intend to ~ => ~(する)つもり〕
〔ask me ~ => 私に~を頼む〕
〔marry ~ => ~と結婚する〕

Romeo: Yes, I do.

Nurse: Juliet?

Juliet: Wait there. Yes, Nurse?
〔wait there => あそこに待ってて〕

Romeo: I am afraid I am dreaming.
〔afraid (that) ~ => 恐らく~〕
〔dreaming => 夢見ている状態〕
〔夢見ていると違う?〕

Juliet: I'm back. How shall we meet tomorrow?
〔back => 戻った状態〕
〔How shall we ~? => ~(する)にはどうしましょう?〕

Romeo: Send a messenger to me in the morning.
〔send => 送る、使わす〕
〔messenger => 使者〕
〔in the morning => (明日の)朝に〕

Juliet: I'll send you my nurse.
〔nurse => (看護婦→)養育係、保母、など〕

Nurse: Juliet?

Juliet: I'm coming.
  Good night.

Romeo: Until tomorrow, good night.
〔until ~ => ~まで〕

[Continues here.]

Romeo and Juliet Excerpt 3 -- the Wall by the Garden = ロミオとジュリエット抜粋3〜庭の外壁

[Intended to be presented by junior high or high-school level students of English as a foreign language. Continuing from here. Sans annotations here.] 

Romeo: But how can I leave?
〔(どうして去ることできようか?→)彼女を後にするもんか? 〕

Narrator: Romeo climbs over the fence and returns to the Capulets' garden.
〔climb => 登る〕
〔over => (上に)わたって、越えて〕
〔fence => 塀〕
〔return to ~ => ~へ戻る〕

Benvolio: Where are you, Romeo?
〔where => どこ〕

Mercutio: I think he's gone to bed.
〔he's => (この場合は)「he has」の省略〕
〔go, went, gone => 行ってしまった状態〕

Benvolio: I think he has gone into the woods to be unhappy all by himself.
〔woods => 森、林〕
〔to be ~ => ~になるように〕
〔all by himself => 独りっきり〕

Mercutio: That's a typical young boy trick.
〔typical => 典型的な〕
〔trick => (計略、手品→)行為〕

Benvolio: Anyway, he doesn't want to be found.
〔want to be ~ => ~になりたい〕
〔find, found, found => 発見された状態〕

Narrator: So Benvolio and Mercutio go home.
〔go home => 自分の家へ戻る〕

[Continues here.]

2014-07-14

Romeo and Juliet Excerpt 2 -- at the Party = ロミオとジュリエット抜粋2〜パーティーに行って

[Intended to be presented by junior high or high-school level students of English as a foreign language. Continuing from here. Sans annotation here.]

Narrator: Capulet and Lady Capulet have arranged this party
  so that Juliet can meet Count Paris.
〔Lady 〜 => 〜婦人〕
〔arrange 〜 => (手配・準備する→)〜の計画を立てる〕
〔so that 〜 => 〜ができるように〕
 Capulet: Welcome, guests! Let everyone dance!
〔Let everyone 〜. => 皆様、〜しましょう。〕

Narrator: Romeo, Benvolio, and Mercutio arrive among the guests.
〔arrive => 到着する、着く〕
〔among 〜 => (〜の間に→)〜と一緒に〕

Romeo: Who is that girl standing with that man over there?
〔that 〜 => あの〜〕
〔A standing with B => B と一緒に立っている A 〕
〔over there => あそこに、向こうに〕

Servant: I don't know.

Romeo: She is so beautiful!
   Maybe I should try to meet her.
〔so => (それほど→)とても〕
〔maybe 〜 => もしかして〜〕
〔should 〜 => 〜したほうが良い〕
〔try to 〜 => 〜してみる〕

Tybalt: This guy sounds like a Montague!
  What's he doing here? 
  Servant, bring me my sword!
〔guy => 奴、人〕
〔sound like 〜 => 〜のように聞こえる、〜そうです〕
〔bring me 〜 => 〜を持って来い〕
〔sword => 剣〕

Capulet: What makes you so angry, nephew?
〔make A B => A を B にさせる〕
〔nephew => 甥(おい)〕

Tybalt: He insults us by coming to our party!
〔insult => 侮辱する〕
〔by 〜 => 〜によって〕

Capulet: Calm yourself. It's the Montague boy Romeo, isn't it?
〔calm => (静か→)抑える〕
〔yourself => 自分自身を〕
〔〜, isn't it? => 〜ではありませんか?〕

Tybalt: That bad boy Romeo, himself!
〔himself => (彼自身→)本人〕

Capulet: Well, he's behaving himself.
  Why spoil our party? Let him alone.
〔behave => (行儀良く)振る舞う〕
〔spoil => 汚す、台無しにする〕
〔let 〜 alone => 〜をそのままにしておく、〜に手を付けない〕

Tybalt: Uncle, why should we put up with it?
〔why should 〜 => 〜はどうして(あるべきですか?)〕

〔put up with 〜 => 〜を我慢する〕

Capulet: You'll cause a riot and get us all sent to jail. 
  Be a man and be patient!
〔cause => (原因となる→)起こす〕
〔riot => 騒動、暴動〕
〔get us (all) 〜 => 私達(皆)を〜にしてもらう(→〜させる)〕
〔send => 送る〕
〔jail => 獄、刑務所〕

Tybalt: It's hard to be angry and patient, but I'll be patient for now.
  They can have their fun, but I'll make them regret it.
〔hard to be 〜 => 〜し難い〕
〔patient => 忍耐強く〕
〔A and B => A と B 同時に〕
〔for now => 今には〕
〔have fun => 楽しむ、楽しくする〕
〔make 〜 => 〜させる〕
〔regret => 後悔する〕

Narrator: So Tybalt leaves, bearing his grudge,
  and Romeo goes to meet Juliet.
〔bear => 担う、負う〕
〔grudge => 恨み〕
〔bearing a grudge => 恨んで、恨みをもって〕

Romeo: It embarrasses me to offer my rough hand to one so beautiful as yourself.
〔embarrass 〜 => 〜を恥ずかしく思わせる〕
〔it embarrasses me to 〜 => 〜で恥ずかしい〕
〔offer => 差し出す〕
〔rough => 荒っぽい〕
〔one so beautiful as yourself => (あなたほど美しい人→)とても美しいあなた〕

Juliet: Your hand is not so rough that I mind our hands' meeting.
〔rough => ザラザラした〕
〔mind => 気にする、迷惑に思う〕
〔not so A that I mind B => B を気にするほど A ではない〕

Romeo: My lips would be very happy if they could meet your hand as well.
〔lips => 唇〕
〔A would be happy if B => B になったら、A は幸せになるであろう〕
〔「lips meet hand」とは、紳士が礼儀正しく女性に挨拶する風習です〕
〔〜 as well => 〜もあって〕

Juliet: I guess my hand wouldn't think it was a crime.
  You are quite a gentleman.
〔guess => (推測→)思う〕
〔A wouldn't think B => A は B と思わないでしょう。〕
〔crime => (犯罪→)不快な出来事〕
〔quite => とても〕

Nurse: Your mother wants to speak with you.
〔want to 〜 => (〜したい→)〜の要求がある〕

Narrator: So Juliet leaves.

Romeo: Who is her mother?

Nurse: Her mother is the lady of the house.
〔lady of the house => この家の婦人〕

Romeo: She is a Capulet! I've lost my heart to the enemy!
〔lose my heart => 心が奪われる、恋に落ちる〕
〔to the enemy => 敵に〕

Benvolio: Romeo, let's leave before anything bad happens.
〔let's 〜 => (「let us 〜」→私に〜させる→)〜しましょう〕
〔before 〜 => 〜の前に〕
〔anything => いずれのもの、何か〕
〔anything bad => 悪い何も〕
〔happen => 起こる〕

Romeo: Something bad has already happened!
〔already => もう既に〕
〔something bad => 悪い何か〕

Narrator: Romeo leaves ahead of Benvolio and Mercutio.
〔ahead of 〜 => 〜の前に〕

Juliet: Who was the boy that would not dance?
〔would not 〜 => 〜しようとしなかった〕

Nurse: I'll find out.
〔find out => 調べる〕

Juliet: I hope he's not married!
〔hope 〜 => 〜を希望する、〜だといいと思う〕
〔be married => 結婚している〕

Nurse: He is the Montague boy, Romeo.

Juliet: I wish I had known who he was before I met him.
  I think I'm in love with my enemy.
〔wish 〜 => 〜を望む、〜だといいと思う〕
〔wish I had known 〜 => 〜を知っておけばよかったのに〕
〔who 〜 is => 〜はだれであるか〕

Nurse: Watch what you say!
〔watch 〜 => 〜を気をつける〕
〔what you say => あなたが言うこと〕

[Continues, here.]

Romeo and Juliet Excerpt 1 -- before the Party = ロミオとジュリエット抜粋1〜パーティーの前

[Intended to be presented by junior high or high-school level students of English as a foreign language. Sans annotations here.]
〔intend => 意図する〕
〔present => 発表する (または、差し上げる)〕

Narrator: Romeo, Benvolio, and Mercutio are talking in a street.
  Romeo is sad because Rosaline does not return his feelings.
  Benvolio and Mercutio try to cheer him up.
〔return => (返す→)答える〕
〔feelings => 感情、愛情〕
〔return feelings => 同じ気持ちになる〕 
〔cheer up => 元気づける〕

Benvolio: Let's go to the Capulets' party.

Romeo: But I don't feel like going to a party.
〔feel like 〜 => (〜のように感じる→)〜の気分になる〕

Mercutio: It'll be fun! We can dance!
〔It'll be 〜 => 〜になるでしょう〕
〔we can 〜 => 〜(でも)できる〕

Romeo: How can I go to a party when Rosaline doesn't love me?
〔How can I 〜 => どうして〜ができようか?〕
〔when 〜 => 〜の場合、〜のとき〕

Benvolio: There are prettier girls than Rosaline!
〔there are 〜 => 〜がいる、〜がある〕
〔prettier girl than B => Bさんよりも可愛い女の子〕

Romeo: Not for me. I have a bad feeling about this.
〔not for 誰々 => 誰々には(参照のものが)無い〕
〔bad feeling => (悪い感→)悪予感〕

Benvolio: We'll be wearing masks, they won't know who we are.
〔wearing 〜 => 〜を着けている状態〕
〔won't know 〜 => 〜はわからないでしょう〕
〔who 〜 are => 〜はだれであるか〕

Mercutio: We can have a dance and leave.
〔we can have 〜 => 〜にしたらいい〕
〔〜 and leave => 〜して去る〕

Romeo: You can dance. My heart is too heavy.
〔heavy (heart) => 気分が盛り上がらない〕

Benvolio: Rosaline will be at the party, too.
〔(will be) at the party => パーティー(にいるでしょう)〕
〔〜 too => 〜もある〕

Mercutio: And you can compare her to the other girls. We're wasting time talking.
〔compare A to B => A を B に見比べる〕
〔(are) wasting time 〜 => 〜に時間の無駄遣い(している)〕

Benvolio: You'll see. She's not the prettiest girl in the city.
〔You'll see. => (見たら)わかるでしょう。〕
〔not the prettiest 〜 => 一番きれいな〜では無い〕

Narrator: So the three young men decide to attend the Capulet's party.
〔so 〜 => ゆえに〜〕
〔decide to 〜 => 〜に決める〕
〔attend 〜 => 〜に参加する、〜に行く〕

[Continues here.]

2014-07-13

June 30th -- Travel, part 3, Packing

[Several days after getting their passports, the family continues to prepare for the family trip.
 パスポートをとりに行ってから数日後、家族旅行のために未だ用意しています。
 Continues from here. ここからの続きです。
 See here for vocabulary. 単語についてはここを参照。]

Anne: Kids! It's time to pack up!

Amy: Mom, you've been saying that every morning this whole past week.

Alex: With all this packing and re-packing, we're going to wear out the luggage before we even get on the plane.

Anne: We have to get ready for the trip.

Alex: No offense, Mom, but I think we are ready, already.

Anne: But are you sure you have everything?

Amy: If I don't have it now, I don't care!

Anne: Do you have your swimming suits and towels?

Alex: Yes.

Anne: Toothbrush, soap, comb, brush?

Amy: Yes.

Anne: Three changes of clothes?

Alex: Yes.

Anne: Underwear, too?

Amy: Mom! We went through this list yesterday and the day before and ...

Anne: We want to be sure we don't forget anything.
  If you actually opened your suitcases and looked, you might decide you wanted a different shirt or skirt or something.

Alex: I think I'll risk it.

Amy: Me, too.

Anne: Open those suitcases or else!

Amy: Mooooom!

Alex: Okay, okay.
  My suitcase is open.
  Everything is there.
  See, the checklist is even there.

Anne: Look at these shorts.
  Do they go well with that shirt?
  And those socks?

Alex: I don't care.

Anne: What if you meet a good looking girl?

Alex: And you are the one who tells me that if a girl doesn't like me for who I am, she doesn't matter.

Anne: And look at your skirts and blouses, Amy.
  That's three nice sets, but can you mix and match them?

Amy: Mom, we looked at the combinations yesterday and decided each one goes well enough with the others.

Anne: These socks do not go together well with those socks.

Amy: I'm not planning on wearing two pair of socks at any point on this trip.

Anne: Well, okay.
  How are your summer studies coming?

Amy: I'm finished with everything but the report on the summer vacation.

Anne: Really?

Amy: Okay, I have a little bit of math and Japanese review left.

Anne: Is that all?

Amy: Well, maybe there's the science experiment, but I don't have time for that before the trip.

Anne: Is everything ready so you can do it when we get home?

Amy: Well, ....

Anne: Then maybe you should prepare for the trip by getting ready for the experiment. 
  How about you, Alex?

Alex: See, I have room in my carry-on bags for my science and Japanese homework.
  And I have a notebook for my summer vacation report, too.
  I'll finish the math today.

Anne: Can you help Amy get ready for her experiment?

Alex: That's the other thing I was planning to do today.

Anne: Okay, well, let's get ready by, uhm, getting ready!

[Continues つづき]

2014-07-12

June 30th -- Travel, part 2, Passports

[Anne and Andy and their children are preparing for their upcoming family trip.
 アンとアンディと二人の子供たちが予定の家族旅行のために用意しています。
 Continues from here. ここからの続きです。
 See here for vocabulary. 単語についてはここを参照。]
 
Alex: Mom, that 'do looks scary.

Amy: I like it! Can I get my hair done, too?

Anne: Hmm. Well, Sweetheart, what do you think of my new hairdo?

Andy: I always like you just the way you are, new hairstyle or not.
  I do see some of the beautician's ideas.
  But the result is just fine.

Anne: I had him adjust the color a bit.

Andy: He did. Highlights here, tints there.
  Let's go get the passport pictures taken and see how they turn out.

Anne: What if I don't like the pictures?

Andy: Let's not worry about that now.

Anne: Does it look cheap?

Amy: No way, Mom!

Alex: How can something look expensive and cheap at the same time?

Andy: I think it looks just fine. Let's go.

================
[Later that afternoon, at the consulate. 
 その後、領事館にて。]
 
Amy: The passport pictures look great, Mom!

Alex: Mom, I'm sorry for teasing you about your hair.

Anne: The Frankenstein comment told me you were joking.

Alex: I'm glad you can read my mind sometimes.

Andy: First passport picture I've seen that looks like a movie star.

Anne: Thanks for your encouragement.
  I hope I didn't overdo it, though.

Agent: Next, please.

Andy: That's us.

Agent: Okay, let's look at your paperwork.
  Pictures in here too?

Andy: Right here.

Agent: Oh, who is this?

Anne: Oh, dear.

Andy: That's my wife, of course.

Agent: Just kidding. These pictures are just fine.

Anne: Oh, thank you.

Agent: Let me check the paperwork, and we'll call you back up.

Andy: Great. Thanks.

[Continues. 続き。]

June 30th -- Travel, part 1, Planning

[Anne and Andy are talking about their upcoming family trip.
 アンとアンディが予定の家族旅行について考えています。
 See here for vocabulary. 単語についてはここを参照。]

Andy: Honey! That was the beauty parlor.
  They say your beautician is available tomorrow morning.

Anne: Oh, good.
  I do want to get my hair done
  before we go get the passport pictures taken.
  Did you take the appointment?

Andy: Yeah, but I like you just the way you are.

Anne: This isn't for you. It's for me.
  What time?

Andy: Ten thirty.

Anne: Thanks.

Andy: I know it's for you, Babe.
  I'm just reminding you that I like you just the way you are.

Anne: I know you.
  You're just trying to save the beautician's fees.
  Gotta keep them out of the welfare line, you know.

Andy: Hey, that's my line!
  But it's a good thing we thought to check the passports.

Anne: I'm the one who thought to check them.

Andy: Well, I knew ours were expired.

Anne: But you had forgotten the children's, hadn't you.

Andy: (Sighing.) It's always my fault.

Anne: Now, Sweetie, I'm not blaming you, just saying.

Andy: Yeah, yeah.
  Anyway, what else do we need to do to get ready for this trip?

Anne: Mary said she'd take the turtle while we're gone.

Andy: She has so many pets.
  Shouldn't we ask somebody else?

Anne: She already has turtle food and a pond for her turtles.
  And she feeds them every morning, so it won't be a change to her schedule.
  And Max will enjoy having some friends around for a change.

Andy: Hmm. He might get lonely when he comes back.
  Okay, so we'll need to take Max over to Mary's place the day before we leave.

Anne: I told her I'd take Max over on the 27th.
  She said that would be fine.

Andy: Two days early?

Anne: She'll be off work that day.

Andy: That's sure nice of her.
  What do the kids think of the itinerary?

Anne: Amy said, "Too much culture!"

Andy: Oh?

Anne: And Alex said, "Too busy! Can't we just do the culture stuff on the 'net?"

Andy: Oh, dear. What do you think?

Anne: I think we should ask the kids where they want to go.

Andy: But they'll just want to play and eat.

Anne: And shop?

Andy: Not Alex.

Anne: Well, let's discuss it with them, and let them choose some of the destinations.

Andy: I guess that sounds like a good idea.

[Continues. 続き。]

2014-07-07

June 30th Vocabulary

[See here for examples. 例文はこちらです。]
 
passport
旅券、パスポート
itinerary
旅行日程表、日程
pack
詰める、包む
bags
(「袋」の複数⇒)荷物 (baggage, luggage)
pack bags
荷造りをする
get ready
準備する、用意をする
every morning
毎朝に
some mornings
日によっての朝に
pet
ペット、愛玩の動物
chat
おしゃべりする
worry
心配、心配する、患う
defense
防御、守備、防備、守る姿勢
shy
恥ずかしがるさま、内気な
information
情報、案内
expensive
高価な
inexpensive
定価
cheap
安い
inflame
火をつける
hairdo
スタイルができている頭髪
hairstyle
髪型、ヘアスタイル
'do
⇒hairdo
do (hair, face, etc.) (up)
スタイルに合わせる、飾る
beautician
美容師
get A to do B
BにAをやってもらう
tint
(特に淡い)色合い・色調、色を調整する
adjust
調整する、調節する
go (with/together)
ともに行く、伴う⇒似合う
go well (with/together)
よく合う、似合う

2014-06-30

Romeo and Juliet Excerpt 6 -- Mercutio and Tybalt Die

[Intended to be presented by junior high or high-school level students of English as a foreign language. Continuing from here.]

Narrator: Benvolio and Mercutio have been out on business.

Benvolio: Mercutio, let's go home. It's too hot.
  In weather like this, it's easy to get into an argument.

Mercutio: What do you have against a good argument?
  Speaking of which, here come some Capulets.

Benvolio: I definitely do not want to argue with them.

Tybalt: Good evening. Could we talk?

Mercutio: I think you want to do more than talk.

Tybalt: Ready any time you are.
  Mercutio, you hang around with Romeo, ...

Mercutio: And what if I do?
  Is there some problem with that?

Benvolio: This is a public place.
  We could discuss things more freely in some private place.

Mercutio: I see no need to go anywhere.

Narrator: Tybalt sees Romeo approaching.

Tybalt: Well, we have nothing to discuss.
  There is the man I want to talk with.

Mercutio: And he's a better man than you.

Tybalt: Romeo, I hate you. You are scum!
  Die!

Romeo: Oh, Tybalt, we should be friends.
  Let's not talk about hate.

Tybalt: You have injured me! Draw your sword!

Romeo: But how could I injure you?
  You are a Capulet, and I love all Capulets.

Mercutio: You are being a coward, Romeo!
  Tybalt, do you want to fight?

Tybalt: Ready when you are.

Romeo: My friend, Mercutio, put your sword away.

Mercutio: Come on Tybalt.

Romeo: Benvolio, help me stop them!
  Fighting in the streets is against the law!
  Stop, Tybalt! Stop, Mercutio!

Narrator: Tybalt's thrust under Romeo's arm has fatally wounded Mercutio.

Mercutio: I'm going to die.
  Did he get away without a scratch?
  I hate you both!

Benvolio: Are you wounded?

Mercutio: Call a doctor!

Romeo: Please hang on!
  It's not too bad, is it?

Mercutio: Maybe it's not too bad, but it's bad enough.
  If you look for me tomorrow, you'll find me in the graveyard.
  Why did you try to stop us?

Romeo: I meant it for the best!

Mercutio: I'm dead meat.
  Benvolio, help me to some shelter.
  I hate you both! And your families, too!

Romeo: My new cousin Tybalt has fatally wounded my friend Mercutio!
  And it's my fault for trying to stop the fight.
  Oh, Juliet, my love for you makes me think like a girl.


Benvolio: He's dead. Brave Mercutio is dead!
  Here comes Tybalt, now.

Romeo: Tybalt, you are a dead man.

Tybalt: It's your fault for hanging around with him.

Narrator: So Romeo and Tybalt fight.

Benvolio: And now Tybalt's dead.
  If the prince catches you, you're dead, too.
  Romeo., you must go away.

Romeo: Why does fate play games with me?

[End of excerpts.]



Romeo and Juliet Excerpt 5 -- the Wedding

[Intended to be presented by junior high or high-school level students of English as a foreign language. Continuing from here.]  

Narrator: Romeo and Juliet have agreed to meet at Friar Laurence's room,
  to be married in secret.
  Friar Laurence is having second thoughts
  about the pace with which the romance has developed.

Friar Laurence: Marriage is a holy thing,
  so we must pray for the blessings of heaven
  on your marriage with Juliet.
  What starts out happily should not end up unhappily.

Romeo: Oh, I want this to be a happy marriage,
  but once she and I are married,
  no sorrow can hold any fear for me.

Friar Laurence: That is a rash brag.
  I am concerned that your passion is too uncontrolled.
  Uncontrolled passion tends to cause unhappiness.
  Juliet is here.
  She seems quite happy, too.

Juliet: Good evening, my spiritual friend.

Friar Laurence: Good evening, and Romeo is as glad to see you as I am.

Juliet: And I am glad to see him.

Romeo: Juliet, if you are as happy as I am,
  this is truly a happy occasion.

Juliet: No words can match how happy I am.

Friar Laurence: Well, come with me to the chapel
  and the church shall marry you.

[Continues here.]

2014-06-28

Romeo and Juliet Excerpt 4 -- in the Capulet's Garden

[Intended to be presented by junior high or high-school level students of English as a foreign language. Continuing from here.]  

Narrator: Romeo listens as Benvolio and Mercutio leave.

Romeo: I don't think Mercutio has ever been in love.

Narrator: When Romeo looks around, he sees Juliet come out on her balcony.

Romeo: Am I facing east? Does the sun rise in the sky?
  Juliet shines much brighter than the moon.

Juliet: Oh, what shall I do?

Romeo: How wonderful it is to hear her voice!

Juliet: Oh, Romeo, why do you have to be Romeo?
  Say you're not a Montague!
  Or I'll say I'm not a Capulet.

Romeo: Should I just listen, or should I answer?

Juliet: If you called a rose by any other name,
  it would still smell just as sweet.
  Oh, Romeo, change your name and I'll be all yours.

Romeo: If you call me your love,
  I'll change my name and never be called Romeo again!

Juliet: What?
  Who are you, hiding in the dark and listening to me?

Romeo: I cannot say my name because you hate it.

Juliet: I recognize your voice. Aren't you Romeo Montague?

Romeo: If you don't like that name, it isn't mine any more.

Juliet: How did you get in here, and why?
  It's dangerous for you here.

Romeo: If I see in your eyes that you love me,
  nothing is too dangerous.

Juliet: You've heard too much.

Romeo: How can I prove my love?

Juliet: Not tonight. We can meet again.
  Good night.

Romeo: I can't leave unless you tell me you love me.

Juliet: It has already been said.
  But tell me you mean what you say.
  Do you intend to ask me to marry you?

Romeo: Yes, I do.

Nurse: Juliet?

Juliet: Wait there. Yes, Nurse?

Romeo: I am afraid I am dreaming.

Juliet: I'm back. How shall we meet tomorrow?

Romeo: Send a messenger to me in the morning.

Juliet: I'll send you my nurse.

Nurse: Juliet?

Juliet: I'm coming.
  Good night.

Romeo: Until tomorrow, good night.

[Continues here.]

2014-06-27

Romeo and Juliet Excerpt 3 -- the Wall by the Garden

[Intended to be presented by junior high or high-school level students of English as a foreign language. Continuing from here.] 

Romeo: But how can I leave?

Narrator: Romeo climbs over the fence and returns to the Capulets' garden.

Benvolio: Where are you, Romeo?

Mercutio: I think he's gone to bed.

Benvolio: I think he has gone into the woods to be unhappy all by himself.

Mercutio: That's a typical young boy trick.

Benvolio: Anyway, he doesn't want to be found.

Narrator: So Benvolio and Mercutio go home.

[Continues here.]

Doughnuts Are Scary! -- ドーナツ怖い

[This is my American retelling of the famous traditional Japanese comedy sketch "Manjuu Kowai" (饅頭怖い)。 In addition to using American confections, I've shortened it a bit, not playing the usual absurd concern for "Jack's" wellbeing, and not invoking the separate room where he naps, that allows the concern to be be played. It's intended to be comprehensible to Japanese jr. high students familiar with the Japanese story in one of its many versions.]


Betty: I hate frogs.

Rick: Oh, why?

Betty: Frogs jump. And their mouths open wide and their tongues shoot out. And they eat flies! They are gross, and scary. What scares you, Rick?

Rick: I don’t like elephants. Elephants are too big. I think they would crush me. Does anything scare you Jack?

Jack: Scare? Me? Nothing scares me.

Betty: I don’t believe you.

Jack: I’m not afraid of anything. I eat frogs for lunch. And I ride an elephant to school.

Rick: Snakes?

Jack: I wear a snake for a belt. See?

Betty: OH!

Rick: Scary!

Betty: Isn’t there something that you don’t like? Anything you think is scary?

Jack: Hmm. Well, I shouldn’t tell you this, but I don’t like doughnuts.

Betty: Doughnuts!

Rick: I don’t believe you.

Jack: No. It’s true. Doughnuts are too sweet. Yuck.

Betty: You’re teasing us.

Jack: And they crumble in your mouth. I hate that.

Rick: No way! They’re supposed to do that.

Jack: But the worst thing is the hole in the middle. I’m afraid of that hole. If my head got through that hole, I’d choke to death.

Betty: I think you’re just joking around.

Jack: Thinking about it makes me faint. I think I’ll go lie down.

Rick: Huh?

Jack: Zzzzzzzz.

Betty: Huh? Hmm. It looks like he’s asleep.

Rick: I have a good idea!

Betty: Oh?

Rick: Let’s see if he is really afraid of doughnuts.

Betty: I know a doughnut store.

Jack: Zzzzzzzzz. Oh. Now where did they go? Hmm. Zzzzzz.

Rick: Okay, here we are. Lot’s of doughnuts. We’ll put them beside where he is sleeping.

Jack: Aaaaggggghhhh! Doughnuts! Where did they come from?

Rick: Are you okay?

Jack: Chocolate doughnut! Yuck! Cherry glazed doughnut! Help! And the worst thing of all, a jelly-filled doughnut! I must get rid of them all, now! Munch munch munch.

Betty: Huh?

Jack: Yum! I mean, YUCK! Don’t help me get rid of them. Gulp. Munch munch munch.

Betty: Oh. You’re not scared of doughnuts after all.

Rick: You tricked us.

Jack: Munch munch munch. Okay, you help me with this sugar doughnut, Rick. And how about helping me with this almond frosted doughnut, Betty? Munch munch munch.

Betty: Is there nothing you are afraid of?

Jack: Well, let me think. I know! I’m deathly afraid of ice cream!

2014-06-23

Romeo and Juliet Excerpt 2 -- at the Party

[Intended to be presented by junior high or high-school level students of English as a foreign language. Continuing from here.]

Narrator: Capulet and Lady Capulet have arranged this party
  so that Juliet can meet Count Paris.

Capulet: Welcome, guests! Let everyone dance!

Narrator: Romeo, Benvolio, and Mercutio arrive among the guests.

Romeo: Who is that girl standing with that man over there?

Servant: I don't know.

Romeo: She is so beautiful!
   Maybe I should try to meet her.

Tybalt: This guy sounds like a Montague!
  What's he doing here? 
  Servant, bring me my sword!

Capulet: What makes you so angry, nephew?

Tybalt: He insults us by coming to our party!

Capulet: Calm yourself. It's the Montague boy Romeo, isn't it?

Tybalt: That bad boy Romeo, himself!

Capulet: Well, he's behaving himself.
  Why spoil our party? Let him alone.

Tybalt: Uncle, why should we put up with it?

Capulet: You'll cause a riot and get us all sent to jail. 
  Be a man and be patient!

Tybalt: It's hard to be angry and patient, but I'll be patient for now.
  They can have their fun, but I'll make them regret it.

Narrator: So Tybalt leaves, bearing his grudge,
  and Romeo goes to meet Juliet.

Romeo: It embarrasses me to offer my rough hand to one so beautiful as yourself.

Juliet: Your hand is not so rough that I mind our hands' meeting.

Romeo: My lips would be very happy if they could meet your hand as well.

Juliet: I guess my hand wouldn't think it was a crime.
  You are quite a gentleman.

Nurse: Your mother wants to speak with you.

Narrator: So Juliet leaves.

Romeo: Who is her mother?

Nurse: Her mother is the lady of the house.

Romeo: She is a Capulet! I've lost my heart to the enemy!

Benvolio: Romeo, let's leave before anything bad happens.

Romeo: Something bad has already happened!

Narrator: Romeo leaves ahead of Benvolio and Mercutio.

Juliet: Who was the boy that would not dance?

Nurse: I'll find out.

Juliet: I hope he's not married!

Nurse: He is the Montague boy, Romeo.

Juliet: I wish I had known who he was before I met him.
  I think I'm in love with my enemy.

Nurse: Watch what you say!

[Continues here.]