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昨日はGuy Fawkes Night (ガイ・フォークス・ナイト)でした。聞いたことがありますか？　これを読んだらわかります！

リーディング

Guy Fawkes Night is an event celebrated in Britain on the 5th of November.

In 1605 a group of men plotted to kill the King of England using gunpowder. The person in charge of guarding the gunpowder was called Guy Fawkes.

Early in the morning of the 5th of November, Guy Fawkes was caught with the gunpowder and arrested. At their trial on 27 January 1606, eight of the group, including Fawkes, were sentenced to be hanged, drawn and quartered. On the 31st of January Fawkes and the other men were executed. Luckily for Fawkes, he jumped from the stage just before his execution and broke his neck, thus avoiding a more painful death.

Every year in Britain on the 5th of November many towns and villages have a fireworks display to remember this day. There is usually a large bonfire in the middle of the town. People gather at it to watch the fireworks. A “guy”, a doll dressed like Guy Fawkes, is put on the bonfire and burnt.

単語

Plot (v/n) – 企む
Gunpowder (n) – 火薬
Person in charge of (something) – 受け持つ者
Guard (v) – 警備する
Trial (n) – 審理
Hanged, drawn and quartered – 首吊り・内臓抉り・四つ裂きの刑
Sentence to ~ (v) – 〜宣告する 例：”Be sentenced to death”. 死刑を宣告された。
Execute (v) / execution (n) – 処刑(する)
Fireworks (n) – 花火
Bonfire (n) – 焚火
Gather (v) – 集まる

Guy Fawkes Night in England. Photo by Heather Buckley.

The other day I noticed a large advertisement in the Hankyu Umeda train station for a new film in theaters now. I was surprised to see the title had changed but I recognized the movie right away. It was the new action-fantasy thriller movie Sucker Punch; the Japanese title is Angel Wars.

I can tell you in all honesty it is one of the most visually stunning and stylized films I have recently seen. The film uses a lot of CGI as much of it was filmed against a green screen. You won’t be disappointed as the visual imagery is astounding!

Here is a short synopsis of what you can expect…

The film was written, produced and directed by Zack Snyder, well known for previous films like 300 and Watchmen.

The central character in the film is Babydoll, played by Emily Browning. The film begins with her being put into an institution for mentally insane people by her stepfather. She is blamed for the death of her younger sister. The film takes place in the institution which Babydoll imagines as a fantastical brothel. She befriends other patients she views as dancers in her fantasy brothel.

When she is first made to dance by the institution’s doctor, she fantasizes a picturesque scene of Feudal Japan where she is encouraged to “escape” by a character she imagines. She then has to battle three giant samurai to proceed. The story becomes a mixture of fantasy and reality from that point on in which every time Babydoll and her friends dance they are immersed in the midst of a fantasy world where they must fight to survive and escape the institution.

I hope you enjoy this visually spectacular film!

Vocabulary:

• visually…….視覚的
• stunning…….素晴らしい・驚くべき
• stylized……..型にはまった・定型化された
• CGI / Computer-generated imagery……コンピュータ ジェネレイテッド イメージリー
• green screen………ブルーバック
• astounding……….驚くべき・気が遠くなるような
• synopsis……….概要・一覧
• institution……….施設
• mentally insane……精神的に正気じゃない
• fantastical………空想的
• brothel………売春宿・汚い場所
• immersed…….没頭している
• midst…….～の中で
• spectacular…….超大作

Recently, many students here at Sala have mentioned seeing the film The King’s Speech. Have you heard of it? If not, here’s a quick little review on what you can expect!

The film is about King George the 6th, played by the British actor Colin Firth. King George the 6th was born Albert Frederick Arthur George to King George the 5th in 1895. He was also the younger brother of Edward the 8th. He reigned from 1936 to 1952 when he passed away.

The other main character in the film’s plot is Lionel Logue, played by the Australian actor Geoffrey Rush. Lionel Logue was an Australian speech therapist born in 1880 who migrated to England from Australia in 1924. Soon after he began teaching elocution in London schools.

The story focuses on the speech impediment that King George VI had. His speaking disorder stemmed from a considerable stutter, also called a stammer. Can you imagine trying to talk and not being able to get the words out of your mouth? For a king this is unthinkable when he must address his public.

The film lives up to its hype in delivering an excellent story with equally excellent acting. It’s well deserving of the many awards it received and we highly recommend it to you!

Vocabulary:

• passed away………亡くなった
• reigned…………….支配される
• plot(film’s plot)……..(物語の、作品の、）構想
• speech therapist…….言語療法士
• elocution……………..演説法
• migrated……………..移住した
• speech impediment….発話障害
• stemmed…………..起因、始まり
• stutter……………口ごもる
• stammer…………..スタマー（言葉が詰まること)
• lives up to its hype….とても有名でおもしろいこと

（E.g. – not live up to its hype…..有名だけど、おもしろくないこと）

As the situation here in Japan with the nuclear power plant has lessened of late, the world and major news sources have refocused their cameras and attention on the unfolding civil war of sorts in Libya. To bring you up to speed, the country of Libya is in the midst of strong internal strife between its people and the government. In a nut shell, the situation is similar to that of Egypt, with the exception of violence and now seeing the country split into two. On one side there’s the pro-Gaddafi camp and the other the anti-Gaddafi dissenters.

To date, the UN Security Council has voted in favor of enforcing a no-fly zone to protect civilian lives. However, five nations abstained from voting including heavyweights like Russia and China. The resolution and subsequent action taken has arguably helped the anti-Gaddafi dissenters. However, this will by no means deliver them a victory over Col. Gaddafi.

Think about it… What’s your view?

BBC News reported this week, defiant Gaddafi pledges victory.

• Do you think there is a peaceful resolution to this situation? If yes, what?
• Should the UN Security Council have intervened?
• What should the Council’s next move be if any?
• Do other countries have the right to intervene in a country’s internal affairs? …Why?

Vocabulary:

lessened→少なくなった
refocused→再び集中させる
of sorts→いわば、一種の
in the midst of→～の最中
strife→紛争
dissenters→非国教徒
abstained→棄権する
subsequent→後に起こる
defiant→反抗的な
pledges→固く約束する
intervened→介入する、仲裁する

So what is St. Patrick’s Day all about? Well besides the obvious homage to Saint Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, the day originated as a Catholic holiday and gradually transformed from there into what it is today. Ironically it became an official “feast day” in the early 17th century, and it’s internationally celebrated on the 17th of March every year.

However, St. Patrick’s Day nowadays is known less for its namesake and more for a day to simply celebrate being Irish… or even if you’re not, just celebrate! Some famous celebrations include the Chicago river getting dyed green, Birmingham’s 3km long parade route, championship sports events, and others as well. The most commonly well known customs are that of wearing green and drinking green Irish beer or whiskey.

Other associations with St. Patrick’s is the image of the leprechaun. The little fairy like character popularized by Irish folklore.

So, wear some green and have yourself of pint of Guinness. As they say, “Everyone’s Irish on March 17th!”

Vocabulary

homage →忠順
patron saint →保護聖人
originated →始まった、端を発した
gradually transformed →徐々に変化した
Ironically →皮肉にも
namesake →同名の人
associations →協会
folklore →民話

As you know, following last Friday’s 8.9 magnitude earthquake, there have been multiple explosions at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant. The immediate concern is of course, for radiation leakage and the residents in the surrounding area.

Experts are saying the current levels of radiation can be harmful to human health, so people have been evacuated within a 20km radius. Since engineers have not been able to cool the radioactive material for the power plant, a meltdown could be likely if the cooling system problems continue. However, currently they are combating the situation by flooding the chambers with sea water.

There is immense concern for the health of those living near the effected area, and the brave individuals who continue to work tirelessly to resolve the situation.

**Did you know that experts have said the quake actually moved Japan by approximately four meters to the east?

Vocabulary

nuclear power plant → 原子力発電所
radiation leakage → 放射能もれ
radiation → 放射能
radioactive material →放射性物質　
meltdown → 炉心溶融

皆さん、今日の大地震の揺れを感じました？
ご家族や友人の方々が全員ご無事であるよう願っています。
もし、英語でこの地震について話したければ、次の言葉を覚えましょう！

A magnitude 8.9 earthquake hit the north-east of Japan today, triggering a tsunami that has caused massive damage. Buildings and cars were swept away by huge waves.

Even though Osaka is quite far from the epicentre, I felt the tremors in the Umeda school too. The building shook for a few minutes before we decided to evacuate. After about 10 minutes everything seemed OK so we went back inside. A little later the aftershock hit and we evacuated again. The news reported that there were fires in Tokyo so everyone was worried about friends and family there and in the North of Japan. Unfortunately the phone lines were down so we couldn’t get through. I hope everyone is OK!

Vocabulary:

Earthquake / quake (n) : 地震
Magnitude: マグニチュード
Massive (adj) – 巨大
Tremor (n) – 震動
Aftershock (n) – 余震
Shake (v) – 揺れる
Evacuation (n) – 避難
Evacuate (v) – 避難する
Be swept away – 流される
Get through (v) – 電話が通じる “We couldn’t get through.” = つながらない

Pancake day was celebrated yesterday in the United Kingdom and many other countries. In Christianity it is the last day before Lent, a 40 long day fast. Sugar fat and eggs are forbidden during lent so pancake day is the final feast before the fast begins.

Although most people don’t fast these days, many people still eat pancakes. Typical toppings include lemon juice and sugar or golden syrup.

Volcabulary

• Christianity (名詞) – キリスト教
• Fast / fasting (名詞)Fast (動詞)　= 断食
  例：
  All healthy adults fast during Ramadan.
  ラマダンの期間中、健康な大人は全員断食します。
• Forbidden (動詞) = 禁じられた
• Feast (名詞) = 祝宴
• Lent = 四旬節
• These days = この頃

Today I will explain some idioms regularly seen in the English-speaking press.

I have picked out 3 examples:

From BBC news

1. Huge outburst of joy – 急にたくさんの幸せがあふれた。

   ‘Outburst’ is used to describe sudden and overflowing emotions.  For Example:

   急に気持ちが溢れ出すときに「outburst」を使います。

   例:

   • Outburst of joy – 　急に幸せがあふれた。
   • Outburst of sadness/depression – 急に悲しみがあふれた。
   • Outburst of anger – 急に怒り出した。

   Recently it was reported in England that Stephen Fry, a famous British comedian, was not allowed to come to Japan to film a documentary, because he made a joke about the Hiroshima nuclear bomb disaster.  His jokes created an outburst of anger.

2. Heart of the demonstration – デモの中心地

   ‘Heart’ is used to describe areas as being the centre or origin of an activity.
   中心に表すときに「Heart of」を使います。

   例:

   • Tokyo is the heart of politics in Japan.  日本の政治家の中心は東京である。
   • Osaka is the traditional heart of trade in Japan.　日本の昔の貿易の中心場所は大阪である。
   • Kyoto is the spiritual heart of Japan.　日本の聖教地は京都である。

   
   From BBC News

3. Abuse of Power – 権力を悪用する

   ‘Abuse’ is used to describe things being wrongly used.

   悪用することは『abuse』と言います。

   例:

   • My boss abused his powers.  社長は権力を悪用しました。
   • That was an abuse of his responsibility　それは無責任だ!

昨日大阪で雪がすごい降りましたので、雪に関係ある言葉を勉強するいい時期ですね！

Did you see the snow in Osaka yesterday? I went out before work to take some photos of Osaka castle surrounded by snow-covered trees. It has stopped snowing now the snow has melted, but I’m still snowed under with work!

Snow (名詞) – 雪 ／ (動詞) – 雪が降る
Snowy (形容詞) – 雪の多い
Blizzard (名詞) – ブリザード
Melt (動詞) – 溶かす

Snow covered – 雪で覆われた
Snow covered tree. 雪をかぶった木

Be snowed under (句動詞) – 雪に埋もれる
Our house was snowed under. 私たちの家は雪に埋もれた。

Be snowed under [with something] (成句) – に追われている
I’m snowed under with work! 仕事に追われているよ。
「仕事の山に埋もれて押しつぶされる」ような感じ。