In Japan, we can see cards and signs that say "A Happy New Year" written in English. I don't know why so many people use the word "A" before the words "Happy New Year," but I think this might be a good subject to bring up with my students at this time of year.
In English, I would write something like "Happy New Year!" Most of my English students and Japanese friends, however, tend to write "A Happy New Year!"
Interestingly, most of you would never say, "A Happy Birthday!" or "A Merry Christmas!" as the greeting in your email or card. Well, just apply the same logic to a New Year's greeting, too!
A: "It was nice to see you again. Well, I have to go. Have a merry Christmas and a happy new year!"
B: "Thank you! You, too!"
If you are sending similar greetings in a letter, email, or on a Japanese New Year's card, then you might want to use this format as the initial greeting or closing line (note the capitalization):
Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year
Have a Happy New Year!
Seasons Greetings!
Happy New Year!
Have a safe and prosperous New Year!
Happy Holidays!
Have a happy and joyous New Year!
One more small bit of advice: in the U.S., only January 1st is a national holiday. The name of that holiday is "New Year's Day." So, if you have to refer to that day in particular, don't forget the apostrophe after the word "year."
With that, I would like to say to all my friends, students, and colleagues "Happy New Year!"
アンミ英会話教室
〒234-0053神奈川県横浜市港南区日野中央2-6-3
パークサイド日野102号室
2005-12-28
2005-12-14
Product Review: Eijiro 2nd Edition
I ordered this CD-ROM (the special value pack) on the 10th and it arrived today. Deliver was very fast! The CD-ROM came with a hardbound cover user manual with a nice clear plastic book cover/CD-ROM protector.
This manual (and software) is marketed for the Japanese user, so don't look for any English language support whatsoever.
Installation was very easy and quick. Although the readme.txt file says you cannot install the program from a copied version of the CD-ROM, there is a very simple way to get around this that does not require any special skills. This is useful if you damaged your original disk or the CD-Drive does not work on one of your computers on your home network. Networks with multiple users will have to buy a CD-ROM for each user.
After looking up a word or phrase, you can double click the term and a popup appears where you can add/change/correct/delete the meaning of the term you were looking up. You can also add the pronunciation of the term you were looking up.
You can create your own personal dictionaries as well. This will be great for me as a translator/rewriter. Many terms I work with daily are not in any dictionary at all. Currently I have over 8,000 line entries in Excel, which can be daunting and difficult to edit at times. I hope to eventually get my Excel word list over into Eijiro over the next year or so.
After you install it, the shareware provider asks for a 1,000 yen donation, though it is not mandatory to pay in order to use the software. The user manual also states that you can ignore the request. Maybe part of the 2,600 yen I paid goes to the shareware author?
If you use the free online version of this software at www.alc.co.jp and type an English word, the Japanese results include hiragana after the key kanji term. This is great for me since I can't read the kanji correctly in a compound. Eijiro 2nd Edition does NOT have this function. It seems that you have to add the pronunciation yourself. I was really disappointed about this. I wish SPACE ALC would have offered this function for the paid user.
In the CD-ROM version, a big, fat, obnoxious, and visually distracting full em-size black dot is used to separate the results of the search term. A simple and clean slash or vertical line would have been sufficient. The format of the definitions given for the online version are much better.
Overall Impression?
Well, on a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 being best, I give Eijiro 2nd Edition a score of 4. They could have included the hiragana for the kanji readings as they do online. The use of that obnoxious dot between definitions is distracting (the online version uses a less distracting diamond). The basic function of looking up an English phrase or a Japanese phrase without using a printed dictionary is quick, simple, and mostly accurate. Although I am not 100% satisfied with this product, I recommend you add it to your library of language tools. In fact, I order two copies. One for me and the other will be a Christmas gift.
アンミ英会話教室
〒234-0053神奈川県横浜市港南区日野中央2-6-3
パークサイド日野102号室
tel 045-841-4218
fax 045-841-4288
cell 070-5084-9592
http://www.anmi-eikaiwa.com/
This manual (and software) is marketed for the Japanese user, so don't look for any English language support whatsoever.
Installation was very easy and quick. Although the readme.txt file says you cannot install the program from a copied version of the CD-ROM, there is a very simple way to get around this that does not require any special skills. This is useful if you damaged your original disk or the CD-Drive does not work on one of your computers on your home network. Networks with multiple users will have to buy a CD-ROM for each user.
After looking up a word or phrase, you can double click the term and a popup appears where you can add/change/correct/delete the meaning of the term you were looking up. You can also add the pronunciation of the term you were looking up.
You can create your own personal dictionaries as well. This will be great for me as a translator/rewriter. Many terms I work with daily are not in any dictionary at all. Currently I have over 8,000 line entries in Excel, which can be daunting and difficult to edit at times. I hope to eventually get my Excel word list over into Eijiro over the next year or so.
After you install it, the shareware provider asks for a 1,000 yen donation, though it is not mandatory to pay in order to use the software. The user manual also states that you can ignore the request. Maybe part of the 2,600 yen I paid goes to the shareware author?
If you use the free online version of this software at www.alc.co.jp and type an English word, the Japanese results include hiragana after the key kanji term. This is great for me since I can't read the kanji correctly in a compound. Eijiro 2nd Edition does NOT have this function. It seems that you have to add the pronunciation yourself. I was really disappointed about this. I wish SPACE ALC would have offered this function for the paid user.
In the CD-ROM version, a big, fat, obnoxious, and visually distracting full em-size black dot is used to separate the results of the search term. A simple and clean slash or vertical line would have been sufficient. The format of the definitions given for the online version are much better.
Overall Impression?
Well, on a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 being best, I give Eijiro 2nd Edition a score of 4. They could have included the hiragana for the kanji readings as they do online. The use of that obnoxious dot between definitions is distracting (the online version uses a less distracting diamond). The basic function of looking up an English phrase or a Japanese phrase without using a printed dictionary is quick, simple, and mostly accurate. Although I am not 100% satisfied with this product, I recommend you add it to your library of language tools. In fact, I order two copies. One for me and the other will be a Christmas gift.
アンミ英会話教室
〒234-0053神奈川県横浜市港南区日野中央2-6-3
パークサイド日野102号室
tel 045-841-4218
fax 045-841-4288
cell 070-5084-9592
http://www.anmi-eikaiwa.com/
2005-12-11
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
Two students from a Friday class asked that I recommend some books as gifts. They were especially interested in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. I did a quick search on Amazon and came up with the following suggestions:
1. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (Puffin Novels) (Paperback)
This is the original story. This publication has simple black and white illustrations. The font size is large and easy to read. On average, there are only 280 words per page, and the book is about 155 pages long at a reading level of ages 9 to 12.
Order through Amazon.co.jp (Japan)
2. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (Hardcover)
This version was revised in September 2001 and is a 176-page hardcover edition.
The font size seems a bit larger with the same illustrations as the paperback version.
Order through Amazon.co.jp (Japan)
3. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (Hardcover)
According to the product details at Amazon, this full-color 40th anniversary edition features vibrant spot art by Quentin Blake on candy-colored pages enhanced by candy-filled borders. This version might be more visually appealing than No. 2 above.
Order through Amazon.com (USA)
4. Roald Dahl's Charlie and The Chocolate Factory Color and Draw (Charlie & the Chocolate Factory) (Paperback)
This is a 24-page coloring and activity book that includes lots of pictures to color, dot-to-dot puzzles, and other drawing games!
Order through Amazon.co.jp (Japan)
5. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Picture Book (PICTURE BOOK)
This 40-page paperback is as the title says, a picture book. There were no product reviews at Amazon's U.S. site, but I did find one review in Japanese at the Japanese site:
大型の薄いペーパーバックで、各見開きは、来月公開予定の映画の写真とカラ フルなイラストで構成されています。英語は原作の抜粋版で字も小さいので、幼児にはとても無理ですが、映画に行く前の予習用としてちょうどいい感じです。 これと日本語訳の本、映画予告編で、5歳の息子は封切りが待ち遠しい毎日です。
Order through Amazon.co.jp (Japan)
6. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Sticker Book
This is a 16-page sticker book and about the same size a A4 size paper. This sticker book is largely based on the film version. So if your child has seen the movie, they may like this book even more.
Order through Amazon.co.jp (Japan)
アンミ英会話教室
〒234-0053神奈川県横浜市港南区日野中央2-6-3
パークサイド日野102号室
tel 045-841-4218
fax 045-841-4288
cell 070-5084-9592
http://www.anmi-eikaiwa.com/
1. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (Puffin Novels) (Paperback)
This is the original story. This publication has simple black and white illustrations. The font size is large and easy to read. On average, there are only 280 words per page, and the book is about 155 pages long at a reading level of ages 9 to 12.
Order through Amazon.co.jp (Japan)
2. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (Hardcover)
This version was revised in September 2001 and is a 176-page hardcover edition.
The font size seems a bit larger with the same illustrations as the paperback version.
Order through Amazon.co.jp (Japan)
3. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (Hardcover)
According to the product details at Amazon, this full-color 40th anniversary edition features vibrant spot art by Quentin Blake on candy-colored pages enhanced by candy-filled borders. This version might be more visually appealing than No. 2 above.
Order through Amazon.com (USA)
4. Roald Dahl's Charlie and The Chocolate Factory Color and Draw (Charlie & the Chocolate Factory) (Paperback)
This is a 24-page coloring and activity book that includes lots of pictures to color, dot-to-dot puzzles, and other drawing games!
Order through Amazon.co.jp (Japan)
5. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Picture Book (PICTURE BOOK)
This 40-page paperback is as the title says, a picture book. There were no product reviews at Amazon's U.S. site, but I did find one review in Japanese at the Japanese site:
大型の薄いペーパーバックで、各見開きは、来月公開予定の映画の写真とカラ フルなイラストで構成されています。英語は原作の抜粋版で字も小さいので、幼児にはとても無理ですが、映画に行く前の予習用としてちょうどいい感じです。 これと日本語訳の本、映画予告編で、5歳の息子は封切りが待ち遠しい毎日です。
Order through Amazon.co.jp (Japan)
6. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Sticker Book
This is a 16-page sticker book and about the same size a A4 size paper. This sticker book is largely based on the film version. So if your child has seen the movie, they may like this book even more.
Order through Amazon.co.jp (Japan)
アンミ英会話教室
〒234-0053神奈川県横浜市港南区日野中央2-6-3
パークサイド日野102号室
tel 045-841-4218
fax 045-841-4288
cell 070-5084-9592
http://www.anmi-eikaiwa.com/
ICD-MX50
I have been checking into various IC recorders and I think I found just the right one for professional use.
トリプルマイク構造＆“メモリースティック PRO デュオ”対応。高音質かつ長時間録音を実現したフラッグシップモデル
ステレオICレコーダー： ICD-MX50
ヨドバシ・ドット・コム：特価：￥33,800 (税込)
Amazon.co.jp：￥28,500 (税込)
付属：単4形アルカリ乾電池×2、ステレオイヤーレシーバー、パソコン用アプリケーションソフトウェア “Digital Voice Editor Ver.2.3”（CD-ROM）、USB接続ケーブル、ACアダプター、キャリングケース
●ステレオ/指向性録音に合わせマイクが変わるトリプルマイク（＊1）内蔵
●記録メディア“メモリースティック PRO デュオ”（＊2）対応
●パソコン上の画像やテキストデータなども記録可煤怺ｿ字表示対応液晶ディスプレイ＆ジョグレバーで快適検索
●ステレオ長時間（ステレオLP）モード搭載
●高音質で聞き取りやすい大出力スピーカー内蔵（実用最大出力350mW）
●大きな音の再生レベルはキープしたまま、小さな音だけを大きく再生するデジタルボイスアップ機煤恪ﾄ生スピードを変えても自然に近い音程で速聞き・遅聞きができるデジタルピッチコントロール機煤怎pソコン接続キット付属
●AC電源対応
＜最大録音時間＞
ステレオ：約11時間30分
ステレオLP（ステレオ長時間）：約22時間10分（＊3）
SP（モノラル）：約35時間05分（＊3）
LP（モノラル）：約93時間30分（＊3）
＊1 SP/LP（モノラル）モード時は、左右のマイクを使ったモノラル録音になります
＊2 “メモリースティック デュオ”でも使用できます
＊3 乾電池ご使用での連続録音/再生の場合、途中、電池の交換が必要です
大きさ：幅36.6×高さ107.5×奥行16.9mm
質量：約96g（乾電池含む）
Sony Catalog
アンミ英会話教室
〒234-0053神奈川県横浜市港南区日野中央2-6-3
パークサイド日野102号室
tel 045-841-4218
fax 045-841-4288
cell 070-5084-9592
http://www.anmi-eikaiwa.com/
トリプルマイク構造＆“メモリースティック PRO デュオ”対応。高音質かつ長時間録音を実現したフラッグシップモデル
ステレオICレコーダー： ICD-MX50
ヨドバシ・ドット・コム：特価：￥33,800 (税込)
Amazon.co.jp：￥28,500 (税込)
付属：単4形アルカリ乾電池×2、ステレオイヤーレシーバー、パソコン用アプリケーションソフトウェア “Digital Voice Editor Ver.2.3”（CD-ROM）、USB接続ケーブル、ACアダプター、キャリングケース
●ステレオ/指向性録音に合わせマイクが変わるトリプルマイク（＊1）内蔵
●記録メディア“メモリースティック PRO デュオ”（＊2）対応
●パソコン上の画像やテキストデータなども記録可煤怺ｿ字表示対応液晶ディスプレイ＆ジョグレバーで快適検索
●ステレオ長時間（ステレオLP）モード搭載
●高音質で聞き取りやすい大出力スピーカー内蔵（実用最大出力350mW）
●大きな音の再生レベルはキープしたまま、小さな音だけを大きく再生するデジタルボイスアップ機煤恪ﾄ生スピードを変えても自然に近い音程で速聞き・遅聞きができるデジタルピッチコントロール機煤怎pソコン接続キット付属
●AC電源対応
＜最大録音時間＞
ステレオ：約11時間30分
ステレオLP（ステレオ長時間）：約22時間10分（＊3）
SP（モノラル）：約35時間05分（＊3）
LP（モノラル）：約93時間30分（＊3）
＊1 SP/LP（モノラル）モード時は、左右のマイクを使ったモノラル録音になります
＊2 “メモリースティック デュオ”でも使用できます
＊3 乾電池ご使用での連続録音/再生の場合、途中、電池の交換が必要です
大きさ：幅36.6×高さ107.5×奥行16.9mm
質量：約96g（乾電池含む）
Sony Catalog
アンミ英会話教室
〒234-0053神奈川県横浜市港南区日野中央2-6-3
パークサイド日野102号室
tel 045-841-4218
fax 045-841-4288
cell 070-5084-9592
http://www.anmi-eikaiwa.com/
2005-12-10
英辞郎 第二版
See my review at this link.
I have decided to buy this CD-ROM--I am hoping that it will a little bit user friendly than the online version.
Here is the information from Amazon:
出版社 / 著者からの内容紹介
130万項目突破！進化を続ける英和・和英データベース
「英辞郎」の第二版がついに登場！
＊自作されたパソコン、標準インストール品から他のOSに変更したパソコンに対する動作保証はいたしません。
＊推奨動作環境すべてのパソコンについて動作を保証するものではありません。
I have order a copy from Amazon. I will provide some feedback after I get it.
See my review at this link.
アンミ英会話教室
〒234-0053神奈川県横浜市港南区日野中央2-6-3
パークサイド日野102号室
tel 045-841-4218
fax 045-841-4288
cell 070-5084-9592
http://www.anmi-eikaiwa.com/
I have decided to buy this CD-ROM--I am hoping that it will a little bit user friendly than the online version.
Here is the information from Amazon:
出版社 / 著者からの内容紹介
130万項目突破！進化を続ける英和・和英データベース
「英辞郎」の第二版がついに登場！
第二版では、ここがグレードアップ！
- 収録項目が130万を突破！
最新のIT用語をはじめ、政治・経済・理工・医学・科学・文学・芸術・スポーツまであらゆる分野がさらに充実。 - 文例4万を追加！
英文メールやビジネス文書にそのまま使える文例を豊富に追加収録。TOEFLライティング対策にも役立ちます。 - 知りたい単語がすぐに見つかる、検索ソフトの新機能。
複数の単語をキーに、多様なフレーズや例文を検索できる「A and B/A or B検索」メニュー
文章を書きながら、同時に語義の確認もできる「どこでも検索」機能（Win用検索ソフト PDICのみ） - 類義語、語源など、英語学習に有益な解説を多数収録
- パソコン初級者も安心の使いやすさ図版を多用した、親切・丁寧なマニュアルで、誰でも簡単に使いこなせます。
- MACユーザに朗報！高機能検索ソフト PDIC Viewerを収録。「ファイルリンク機能」、「ポップアップ検索」などの便利な機能が、ご利用いただけます。
※「英辞郎」は道端早知子の登録商標です。
- 動作環境
＜Windows＞
OS : Windows98SE/2000/XP 日本語版
CPU : Intel Pentium または完全互換プロセッサ（Pentium II 600MHz 以上推奨）
メモリ : 64MB以上の空きメモリ（128MB以上推奨）
ハードディスク: 250MB以上の空き容量
ディスプレイ：256色、800??600ピクセル以上の解像度
CD-ROMドライブ：2倍速以上
＜Macintosh＞
OS : Mac OS 9.2.2/10.2.8/10.3.6 日本語版
CPU : PowerPC（G4推奨）
メモリ：64MB以上の空きメモリ（128MB以上推奨）
ハードディスク：250MB以上の空き容量
ディスプレイ：256色、800??600ピクセル以上の解像度
CD-ROMドライブ：2倍速以上 - 同梱データ及びソフトのバージョン
英辞郎データ：Ver.81（131万項目収録）
Windows用 検索ソフト： PDIC Ver.4.73
Macintosh用 検索ソフト：PDIC Viewer Ver.1.0EE
＊自作されたパソコン、標準インストール品から他のOSに変更したパソコンに対する動作保証はいたしません。
＊推奨動作環境すべてのパソコンについて動作を保証するものではありません。
I have order a copy from Amazon. I will provide some feedback after I get it.
See my review at this link.
アンミ英会話教室
〒234-0053神奈川県横浜市港南区日野中央2-6-3
パークサイド日野102号室
tel 045-841-4218
fax 045-841-4288
cell 070-5084-9592
http://www.anmi-eikaiwa.com/
Business English-Japanese Dictionary on CD-ROM
I have ordered the following material and have added product reviews from Amazon.
ビジネス技術 実用英語大辞典 英和・和英/用例・文例 第4版 CD-ROM
価格: ￥11,550（税込）
Here are some reviews and information from Amazon:
Here are some user review from Amazon.co.jp
After I get my copy, I will post my own review as well. I should get the CD-ROM in about 4 to 6 weeks. I'll keep you posted.
保存されたブログ
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アンミ英会話教室
〒234-0053横浜市港南区日野中央2-6-3
パークサイド日野102号室
tel 045-841-4218
fax 045-841-4288
cell 070-5084-9592
http://www.anmi-eikaiwa.com/
┘┘┘┘┘┘┘┘┘┘┘┘┘┘┘┘┘┘┘┘┘┘┘┘┘┘
ビジネス技術 実用英語大辞典 英和・和英/用例・文例 第4版 CD-ROM
価格: ￥11,550（税込）
Here are some reviews and information from Amazon:
- 紹 介(「丸紅インフォテック」データベースより)ネイティブによる16万件以上の用例・文例を収録した英語表現集。英和19900語、和英22500語、用 例 168800件(英和・和英)収録し、英文作成や英語翻訳に活用することができる。また、見出し語を入力すると「英和」「和英」を区別せず検索できるほ か、用例のみを抽出・再編成した「用例ファイル」により英語実例・用法だけを確認することも可能。EPWING対応検索ソフト「Viewing (Windows版)」を収録。EPWING規格で収録。
- 商品紹介： 翻訳の即戦力。最新の時事英語、ビジネス英語、技術英語を収録した実用英語表現の宝庫です。英和1万9千語・和英2万語、英語圏の新聞・雑誌に基づいた、そのまま使える実用性の高い用例15万件を収録しました。EPWING版CD-ROM(検索ソフト付属)。
Here are some user review from Amazon.co.jp
- ひ くたびに思わず膝を打つ訳語に満ちている, 2005/08/25 （レビュアー： オムリン） ： こ の辞書は翻訳者の定番だそうだ．DDWINに入れて使っているが，ふつうの英和辞典の訳語に違和感があるときに，この辞書を見ると，ぴったりの訳語が見つ かる率はかなり高い．また，英語と日本語の直接のおきかえではなく文脈の中での英語の意味を自然な日本語にしているので，その英語のニュアンスを学ぶため にも役立てている．集団で編集する辞書とひと味違うこの辞書の訳語を見るたびに，本当の職人の技に触れた感動を味わうことができる．
- ビ ジネス技術実用英語大辞典CDrom, 2004/08/22 （レビュアー： いずみ）： このビジネス技術実用英語大辞典を購入してから、学校や辞書では教えてくれない、言い回しなどたくさん掲載されていて、すごく助かってます。 CDROM版は英和も和英も両方入っているので、パソコンが使える環境の方には本当に便利だと思います。これから翻訳を勉強するという人にも、既に翻訳の 仕事をしている人にもお勧めです！！
After I get my copy, I will post my own review as well. I should get the CD-ROM in about 4 to 6 weeks. I'll keep you posted.
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アンミ英会話教室
〒234-0053横浜市港南区日野中央2-6-3
パークサイド日野102号室
tel 045-841-4218
fax 045-841-4288
cell 070-5084-9592
http://www.anmi-eikaiwa.com/
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2005-12-06
Apostrophe and Numbers: 1990s or 1990's
Some people still use an apostrophe before the "s" in such cases as three A's However, this apostrophe is functionally unnecessary (機能上不要) except in cases where it might cause confusion (混乱をもたらす).
The Gregg Reference Manual gives the following example
Some more examples and references are given below.
1. Interinstitutional Style Guide Committee of the European Union
Some highly recommended literature regarding this topic:
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アンミ英会話教室
〒234-0053横浜市港南区日野中央2-6-3
パークサイド日野102号室
tel 045-841-4218
fax 045-841-4288
cell 070-5084-9592
http://www.anmi-eikaiwa.com/
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The Gregg Reference Manual gives the following example
- His report card showed three As, two Bs, and one C.
- Write numbers such as 6s and 8s as words.
- Dot your i's and cross your t's.
Some more examples and references are given below.
1. Interinstitutional Style Guide Committee of the European Union
- The 1990s
- Plurals of abbreviations. Plurals of abbreviations (MEPs, OCTs, SMEs, UFOs, VDUs) do not take an apostrophe.
- Plurals of figures. Plurals of figures do not take an apostrophe: 22/115 4 July 2005
- Pilots of 747s undergo special training.
- Plurals of single letters. The plurals of single lower-case letters may, however, take an apostrophe to avoid misunderstanding: Dot your i's. Mind your p's and q's.
- Plurals almost never take an apostrophe. Chicago style uses an apostrophe for the plural of lowercase single letters (x's and o's), but for little else (for instance, we write "dos and don'ts"). Of course, if you come across a plural that would be misunderstood without an apostrophe, you should use one: for instance, in A's and B's, the first term would be mistaken for "As" without an apostrophe, and the second term uses the apostrophe because it would look inconsistent to style them in different ways.
- Use 1990s, not 1990's (i.e., no apostrophe). Use the shortened form (e.g., '90s) sparingly (and with a single closing quote).
- Use numerals to designate decades, with no apostrophe, as in "the 1980s" (not "the 1980's" or "the eighties").
While an apostrophe is used to indicate possession and contractions, it is not generally necessary to use an apostrophe simply to show the plural form of most acronyms, initialisms, or abbreviations, except where clarity and sense demand such inclusion.- RIFs
- YWCAs
- ABCs
- 1920s
- IOUs
- 10s (thread)
- 412s (bonds)
- 3s (golf)
- 2 by 4s
- IQs
- in her '70s (age)
- during the '20s
- during the 1920s
U.S. and International Locations Eats, Shoots and Leaves: The Zero Tolerance Approach to Punctuation by Lynne Truss
Japan Eats, Shoots and Leaves: The Zero Tolerance Approach to Punctuation by Lynne Truss (Japan)
- U.S. and International Locations
The Chicago Manual of Style by University of Chicago Press Staff (U.S.)
Japan The Chicago Manual of Style by University of Chicago Press Staff
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アンミ英会話教室
〒234-0053横浜市港南区日野中央2-6-3
パークサイド日野102号室
tel 045-841-4218
fax 045-841-4288
cell 070-5084-9592
http://www.anmi-eikaiwa.com/
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2005-11-30
English Biz Letters V - Body
英文ビジネス・レターの書き方 Part V
(Continued from Part IV)
Introductory paragraph 手紙の書き出し
1. Example of typical introductory paragraph 一般的な書き出し
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アンミ英会話教室
〒234-0053横浜市港南区日野中央2-6-3
パークサイド日野102号室
tel 045-841-4218
fax 045-841-4288
cell 070-5084-9592
http://www.anmi-eikaiwa.com/
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(Continued from Part IV)
Introductory paragraph 手紙の書き出し
1. Example of typical introductory paragraph 一般的な書き出し
- We have received your letter (fax; email; telex) of November 28 regarding (concerning)…
…に関する１１月２８日付け手紙（ファックス、Eメール、テレックス）を受け取りました - Thank you for your letter (fax; email; telex) of November 28 regarding (concerning)…
…に関する１１月２８日付け手紙（ファックス、Eメール、テレックス）有難う御座いました - In response to your letter (fax; email; telex) of November 28 regarding (concerning)…, we will let you know the results within a week.
…に関する１１月２８日付け手紙（ファックス、Eメール、テレックス）へのご返事として結果は１週間以内にお知らせします.
2. Referring to previous correspondence 重ねて手紙を出すとき
- In addition to my November 28 letter regarding XYZ, I …
１１月２８日付けで*上記に関する手紙を差し上げましたが、さらに…のことをお知らせ致します
*上記に関する…を差し上げましたが→ in regards to the … mentioned above
- Avoid this phrase in English.
ビジネス英語では、このような表現を使わない方が良い。 - Don't sacrifice clarity for convenience
簡単な表現（上記に関する）より文章の明確さが重要 - Tell exactly what you are referring to.
文章ははっきりと簡潔でならなければならない。
Examples 例
- In regards to the defective parts discussed in my November 28 letter, …
１１月２８日付けで欠陥部品に関する手紙を差し上げましたが、 - In regards to my purchase order faxed to you on November 28, …
１１月２８日付けで注文に関するファックスを差し上げましたが、 - Regarding my November 28 email requesting a cost estimate,
１１月２８日付けで見積書に関するメールを差し上げましたが、 - As I informed you in my letter of November 28, …
１１月２８日付け弊書でお知らせしましたように
3. 好ましい手紙を出すとき
- I am pleased to inform you that …
- I would like to take this opportunity to inform you that …
- I am glad to inform you that …
- It’s my pleasure to inform you that …
…のことを（喜んで）お知らせ致します
4. 遺憾な手紙を出すとき
- I am sorry to inform you that …
…のことをお知らせするのは残念です - I regret to report that …
…のことをご報告するのを遺憾に存じます - I regret that …
…のことを遺憾に思います
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アンミ英会話教室
〒234-0053横浜市港南区日野中央2-6-3
パークサイド日野102号室
tel 045-841-4218
fax 045-841-4288
cell 070-5084-9592
http://www.anmi-eikaiwa.com/
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2005-11-28
English Biz Letters IV - Time
英文ビジネス・レターの書き方 Part IV
(Continued from Part III)
Writing Time
時間の書き方
Expressing terms related to months and years
年月の初め、中程、終わりの表現
1. Beginning of the Month 月初めに
Go to Part V
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アンミ英会話教室
〒234-0053横浜市港南区日野中央2-6-3
パークサイド日野102号室
tel 045-841-4218
fax 045-841-4288
cell 070-5084-9592
http://www.anmi-eikaiwa.com/
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(Continued from Part III)
Writing Time
時間の書き方
Expressing terms related to months and years
年月の初め、中程、終わりの表現
1. Beginning of the Month 月初めに
- at the beginning of November
- 「１１月初めに」
- early November
- 「１１月初めに」
- in early November
- 「１１月初めに」
- early in November
- 「１１月初めに」
- at the start of November
- 「１１月初めに」
- at around the beginning/start of November
- 「１１月初めに」
- in the early days of November
- 「１１月初めに」
- in the middle of November
- 「１１月半ばに」
- around the middle of November
- 「１１月半ばに」
- about the middle of November
- 「１１月半ばに」
- at the end of November
- 「１１月末に」
- late November
- 「１１月末に」
- in late November
- 「１１月末に」
- late in November
- 「１１月末に」
- at the end of November
- 「１１月末に」
- at the close of November
- 「１１月末に」
- around the end/close of November
- 「１１月末に」
- toward the close of November
- 「１１月末に」
Go to Part V
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アンミ英会話教室
〒234-0053横浜市港南区日野中央2-6-3
パークサイド日野102号室
tel 045-841-4218
fax 045-841-4288
cell 070-5084-9592
http://www.anmi-eikaiwa.com/
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English Biz Letters III - Time
英文ビジネス・レターの書き方 Part III
(Continued from Part II)
Writing Time・時間の書き方
下記の例に注意して下さい：
Good Examples
良い例
1. 11:30 a.m. 又 11:30
誤り例
1. 11:30a.m.
2. 11:30am
3. 11:30A.M.
4. 11:30AM
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アンミ英会話教室
〒234-0053横浜市港南区日野中央2-6-3
パークサイド日野102号室
tel 045-841-4218
fax 045-841-4288
cell 070-5084-9592
http://www.anmi-eikaiwa.com/
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(Continued from Part II)
Writing Time・時間の書き方
- The abbreviation a.m. comes from the Latin phrase “ante meridiem,” which means before midday. The abbreviation p.m. comes from the Latin phrase “post meridiem,” which means after midday.
- a.m.はラテン語のante meridiemの略語で「午前」を意味し、p.m.はpost meridiemの略語で「午後」を意味します。
下記の例に注意して下さい：
Good Examples
良い例
1. 11:30 a.m. 又 11:30
- Use periods with “a.m.”
- 「.」半角の点を使います。
- The periods can be eliminated when using small capitals.
- 小型英大文字を使う場合「.」半角の点不要。
誤り例
1. 11:30a.m.
2. 11:30am
3. 11:30A.M.
4. 11:30AM
- All four examples are missing a space between the time and the abbreviation.
- 例１?４は半角ｽﾍﾟｰｽが足りない。
- Don’t use em-size colon.
- 全角ｺﾛﾝ「：」は誤り。
- Don’t use em-size space.
- 全角ｽﾍﾟｰｽは誤り。
- Don’t use the capitalized "AM"—it has a different meaning.
- 英大文字の「AM」は別意味（略語）なので、注意して下さい。
- AM means anno mundi or amplitude modulation.
- AMはラテン語のanno mundiとラジオのamplitude modulationを意味します。
- This style may be common in Japan, but avoid using when writing in English.
- 日本では「A.M.11:30」という書き方をよく見かけるが、英文ビジネス・レターには、A.M./P.M.を時間の前に置くのは誤 りです。
- There is sufficient confusion over the meanings of a.m. and p.m. when the hour is 12 to make it advisable to use 12 noon and 12 midnight where clarity is required.
- １２時丁度の時刻は、a.m. や p.m. を使わないで、12 midnight/12 noon を使います。
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アンミ英会話教室
〒234-0053横浜市港南区日野中央2-6-3
パークサイド日野102号室
tel 045-841-4218
fax 045-841-4288
cell 070-5084-9592
http://www.anmi-eikaiwa.com/
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2005-10-24
English Email - The Subject Line
Use an effective Subject Line in your email.
1. Don't leave it blank.
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アンミ英会話教室
〒234-0053横浜市港南区日野中央2-6-3
パークサイド日野102号室
tel 045-841-4218
fax 045-841-4288
cell 070-5084-9592
www.anmi-eikaiwa.com
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1. Don't leave it blank.
- A blank subject line might get deleted by antivirus software.
- A blank subject line wastes your recipient's time.
- A good subject line help the recipient identify and determine how important your email is.
- Capitalize all important words in the subject line (See examples).
- Follow the same capitalization and punctuation rules that you would follow in any other document.
- Request Catalog for Fall Purchase
- Hotel Reservations on Sept. 23
- Just Returned to Japan. Call Me.
- Hanako's Homework from Oct. 3 Class
- Resend Your Last Email Dated Oct. 23
- Do not use any em-size characters (2-bit/全角) in your subject line.
- Use en-size characters (1-bit/半角)
- Avoid symbols like: #, %, ~, |, \, {, }, etc.
- Catalog Request
- Request for Additional Copier Maintenance Information
- Request for Concert Ticket Information for September 2005
- Symposium Schedule Confirmation for Tokyo and Seoul
- Questions Regarding Organization History and Future Goals
- In the 21st Century, treat emails as you would a phone call.
- Provide your correct email address on your business cards and official correspondence.
- Include your email address in your email signature. This is especially useful if your recipient is using Outlook. (Firefox users are OK).
- This is hard on the readers and wasteful of resources.
- Select only the parts that you are responding to.
- Bull's Eye Business Writing: 10 Easy Guides for Getting to Your Writing Target, by Gloria Pincu, M.A. , President of Basic Learning Systems, Inc.
- Chip Sorensen, www.anmi-eikaiwa.com
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アンミ英会話教室
〒234-0053横浜市港南区日野中央2-6-3
パークサイド日野102号室
tel 045-841-4218
fax 045-841-4288
cell 070-5084-9592
www.anmi-eikaiwa.com
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10 Tips on Writing
Getting Started
進出方法
1. Think about the end. 最終結果に目を向ける。
4. Say it plainly. 簡潔に伝え。
8. Never write in anger. 怒って手紙を書かないように。
The Writing Center. Arizona State University, 2005.
http://www.asu.edu/duas/wcenter/, accessed September 15, 2005.
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アンミ英会話教室
〒234-0053横浜市港南区日野中央2-6-3
パークサイド日野102号室
tel 045-841-4218
fax 045-841-4288
cell 070-5084-9592
www.anmi-eikaiwa.com
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進出方法
1. Think about the end. 最終結果に目を向ける。
- What should the result of your letter be? どういう経過がほしい？
- Are you providing information? 情報を提供するか？
- Are you asking for information? 情報を求めるか？
- Are you making a recommendation? ｱﾄﾞﾊﾞｲｽをするか？
- Are you arguing a point? 議論するか？
- List what you want to say or ask. 言いたい事・聞きたい質問はすべて書く。
- Good letters have a strong sense of purpose. 手紙を書く時は目的意識を持って。
- Don’t delay. 遅滞なく履行する事。
- State your question, comment, and argument in the first paragraph. 最初の段落で疑問・コメント・反論・などを述べる。
- If the letter came to you, how would you respond? この手紙を受け取った時、どう思う？
- Be pleasant. 感じ良く接するよう努力する。
- If you are addressing a difficult situation, be firm but courteous. 力強く心を込めて、丁寧に困難な状況に対応する。
4. Say it plainly. 簡潔に伝え。
- Avoid stilted phrases. 大げさな言葉を使わない。
- Cut words, sentences, and even paragraphs that don’t contribute. 無駄な言葉・文書・文節･等を取り除く。
- Simplify your reader’s job. 手紙をもっと単純化するように。
- Avoid passive language. 受動態を使わない。
- Passive language suggests evasiveness or suggests blame is being placed elsewhere. 受動態を使うと、あやふやなことを感じさせる。
- Use personal pronouns of I, we, and you. 人称代名詞を使う事。
8. Never write in anger. 怒って手紙を書かないように。
- Anger will evaporate; a letter won’t. 怒りが解けるが、手紙はずっと残る。
- Handle problems in an upbeat manner. 問題に積極的に取り組む。
- The end of a letter should suggest the reader’s next move, or your own. 手紙の最後に次の一手を示唆する。
- A simple “Sincerely,” and your name is the perfect closing. 締めくくりのメッセージに「Sincerely, 」と自分の名前を記入する。
- The best-written letter will not survive a bad presentation. 見掛けが中身と同じほど重要なことが多い。
- Use a clean, logical format for your letter. きちんと整頓して、論理的なフォーマットを使う。
- Don’t change fonts. フォント設定（サイズ・スタイル・タイプ･等）を変えず。
- Don’t be concerned about going to a second page if the first becomes crowded. 無理に１ﾍﾟｰｼﾞに収めず、ﾍﾟｰｼﾞ数を無視する。
The Writing Center. Arizona State University, 2005.
http://www.asu.edu/duas/wcenter/, accessed September 15, 2005.
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アンミ英会話教室
〒234-0053横浜市港南区日野中央2-6-3
パークサイド日野102号室
tel 045-841-4218
fax 045-841-4288
cell 070-5084-9592
www.anmi-eikaiwa.com
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2005-10-09
Contractions in Business Writing
As a rule, contractions are used only in informal writing or in tabular matter where space is limited. However, contractions of verb phrases such as "can't" for "cannot" are commonly used in business writing where the writer is striving for an easy, friendly tone.
Certain contractions can have more than one meaning. Can you explain the meaning of the following sentences?
For example: What's her name? (What is her name?)
1. What's he do for a living? (________________)
2. What's been happening? (________________)
3. When's the last time you saw her? (________________)
4. Let's find out. (________________)
(Answers Below)
1. What's he do for a living? (What does he do for a living?)
2. What's been happening? (What has been happening?)
3. When's the last time you saw her? (When was the last time you saw her?)
4. Let's find out. (Let us find out.)
Be aware of these common problems: the misuse of "its" and "it's" and "your" and "you're."
Use "its" when you want to communicate possession.
"It's" is used as a contraction for "it is."
"Your" also shows possession, and "you're" is a contraction of "you are."
Examples:
Its bark kept us awake.
It's too soon for celebrating.
Your desk is sloppy.
You're a silly person.
Source: Bull's Eye Business Writing: 10 Easy Guides for Getting to Your Writing Target, by Gloria Pincu, M.A. , President of Basic Learning Systems, Inc.
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アンミ英会話教室
〒234-0053横浜市港南区日野中央2-6-3
パークサイド日野102号室
tel 045-841-4218
fax 045-841-4288
cell 070-5084-9592
www.anmi-eikaiwa.com
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Certain contractions can have more than one meaning. Can you explain the meaning of the following sentences?
For example: What's her name? (What is her name?)
1. What's he do for a living? (________________)
2. What's been happening? (________________)
3. When's the last time you saw her? (________________)
4. Let's find out. (________________)
(Answers Below)
1. What's he do for a living? (What does he do for a living?)
2. What's been happening? (What has been happening?)
3. When's the last time you saw her? (When was the last time you saw her?)
4. Let's find out. (Let us find out.)
Be aware of these common problems: the misuse of "its" and "it's" and "your" and "you're."
Use "its" when you want to communicate possession.
"It's" is used as a contraction for "it is."
"Your" also shows possession, and "you're" is a contraction of "you are."
Examples:
Its bark kept us awake.
It's too soon for celebrating.
Your desk is sloppy.
You're a silly person.
Source: Bull's Eye Business Writing: 10 Easy Guides for Getting to Your Writing Target, by Gloria Pincu, M.A. , President of Basic Learning Systems, Inc.
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アンミ英会話教室
〒234-0053横浜市港南区日野中央2-6-3
パークサイド日野102号室
tel 045-841-4218
fax 045-841-4288
cell 070-5084-9592
www.anmi-eikaiwa.com
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2005-09-19
English Biz Letters II - Dates
英文ビジネス・レターの書き方 Part II
(Continued from Part I)
Make Use of Simple and Clear Phrases
簡明な表現と丁寧な表現を利用する
When writing English letters, faxes, email, etc., it is best to use clear and concise words and phrases. Avoid using difficult vocabulary or phrases that require you to constantly refer to a dictionary. Former generations were more likely to use formal phrases, business jargon, and hackneyed expressions. These days, however, a more conversational style that is lively and more natural is the preferred style.
英語の 手紙、ﾌｧｯｸｽ、メール等を書く時、簡単でｼﾝﾌﾟﾙな文が良いとされ、辞書を引かなければ分からないような難しい言葉を使うのは、避けたいもの です。分かりやすいな言葉を使う方がずっと良いのです。以前は堅苦しい、商業英語の決まり文句などが用いられていましたが、今では会話的な表現の方が、よ り生き生きとした文章として好まれます。
Writing dates
日時の書き方
Each country has its own way of writing dates. In the U.S., we write dates in the same manner as we speak the date. For example, we say "September fifth, two-thousand five." When writing, the date follows the same pattern.
日付の書き方は国によって違いますが、ｱﾒﾘｶでは、口語英語と同じく、September 5, 2005と書きます。
Be careful about abbreviating dates to numbers however. Writing a date as 9-5-05 or 9/5/05 may be interpreted as September 5th or May 9th depending on who is reading it. In some countries, a date can be abbreviated as 2005/09/05, which might be easier to understand only for some people. One drawback to this style is that it may appear to be a military style of writing the date, which would seem awkward to civilians.
一般に書き順が異なるため、例えば、9-5-05または、9/5/05 と書くと、９月５日なのか５月９日なのか解釈上問題を生じますので、避けるべきです。書き順が「年･月･日」（例：2005/09/05 または 2005-09-05）と書くと、軍隊様式と見られますので、これも避けるべきです。
Let's use these styles:
September 5, 2005
Sept. 5, 2005
Sept. 5th
September 5th
Month Abbreviations:
January...........Jan.
February.........Feb.
March..............Mar.
April.................Apr.
May..................May
June.................Jun.
July...................Jul.
August.............Aug.
September.......Sept.*
October............Oct.
November........Nov.
December.........Dec.
Note: September is abbreviated as Sept. (four letters) not Sep. (three letters)
*September. The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition, Houghton Mifflin Company, 2004.
How to Use Prepositions with Dates
前置詞の使い方
Please note the following differences when using prepositions in a sentence:
文章に前置詞を使う時、下記のように変化がありますので注意して下さい：
My flight will depart on September 19, 2005, for Los Angeles.
一般に「朝に」は、"in the morning" と "in" を使いますが、ある特定の日の朝または午前を言う場合には、"on the morning of" を使って下さい。
**Kenneth Beare. "Preposition Use. English as a 2nd Language. 2004 About, Inc.
**Dates. The Chicago Manual of Style, 15th Edition, The University of Chicago Press, 2003.
Additional tips regarding the use of prepositions can be found here:
http://anmienglishtools.blogspot.com
Go to Part III
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アンミ英会話教室
〒234-0053横浜市港南区日野中央2-6-3
パークサイド日野102号室
tel 045-841-4218
fax 045-841-4288
cell 070-5084-9592
www.anmi-eikaiwa.com
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(Continued from Part I)
Make Use of Simple and Clear Phrases
簡明な表現と丁寧な表現を利用する
When writing English letters, faxes, email, etc., it is best to use clear and concise words and phrases. Avoid using difficult vocabulary or phrases that require you to constantly refer to a dictionary. Former generations were more likely to use formal phrases, business jargon, and hackneyed expressions. These days, however, a more conversational style that is lively and more natural is the preferred style.
英語の 手紙、ﾌｧｯｸｽ、メール等を書く時、簡単でｼﾝﾌﾟﾙな文が良いとされ、辞書を引かなければ分からないような難しい言葉を使うのは、避けたいもの です。分かりやすいな言葉を使う方がずっと良いのです。以前は堅苦しい、商業英語の決まり文句などが用いられていましたが、今では会話的な表現の方が、よ り生き生きとした文章として好まれます。
Writing dates
日時の書き方
Each country has its own way of writing dates. In the U.S., we write dates in the same manner as we speak the date. For example, we say "September fifth, two-thousand five." When writing, the date follows the same pattern.
日付の書き方は国によって違いますが、ｱﾒﾘｶでは、口語英語と同じく、September 5, 2005と書きます。
Be careful about abbreviating dates to numbers however. Writing a date as 9-5-05 or 9/5/05 may be interpreted as September 5th or May 9th depending on who is reading it. In some countries, a date can be abbreviated as 2005/09/05, which might be easier to understand only for some people. One drawback to this style is that it may appear to be a military style of writing the date, which would seem awkward to civilians.
一般に書き順が異なるため、例えば、9-5-05または、9/5/05 と書くと、９月５日なのか５月９日なのか解釈上問題を生じますので、避けるべきです。書き順が「年･月･日」（例：2005/09/05 または 2005-09-05）と書くと、軍隊様式と見られますので、これも避けるべきです。
Let's use these styles:
September 5, 2005
Sept. 5, 2005
Sept. 5th
September 5th
Month Abbreviations:
January...........Jan.
February.........Feb.
March..............Mar.
April.................Apr.
May..................May
June.................Jun.
July...................Jul.
August.............Aug.
September.......Sept.*
October............Oct.
November........Nov.
December.........Dec.
Note: September is abbreviated as Sept. (four letters) not Sep. (three letters)
*September. The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition, Houghton Mifflin Company, 2004.
How to Use Prepositions with Dates
前置詞の使い方
Please note the following differences when using prepositions in a sentence:
文章に前置詞を使う時、下記のように変化がありますので注意して下さい：
My flight will depart on September 19, 2005, for Los Angeles.
- (Two commas in the date.)
- (One comma in the date.)
- (No comma in the date.)
- (No comma in the date.)
- (One comma in the date.)
一般に「朝に」は、"in the morning" と "in" を使いますが、ある特定の日の朝または午前を言う場合には、"on the morning of" を使って下さい。
**Kenneth Beare. "Preposition Use. English as a 2nd Language. 2004 About, Inc.
**Dates. The Chicago Manual of Style, 15th Edition, The University of Chicago Press, 2003.
Additional tips regarding the use of prepositions can be found here:
http://anmienglishtools.blogspot.com
Go to Part III
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アンミ英会話教室
〒234-0053横浜市港南区日野中央2-6-3
パークサイド日野102号室
tel 045-841-4218
fax 045-841-4288
cell 070-5084-9592
www.anmi-eikaiwa.com
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2005-08-13
Comma Before the Word Because
Can I use a comma with the word "because"? For example:
Example 1 (with comma):
*Visit http://www.anmiweb.com/anmi-eikaiwa/archives.htm for a complete index of other blog entries.
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アンミ英会話教室
〒234-0053横浜市港南区日野中央2-6-3
パークサイド日野102号室
tel 045-841-4218
fax 045-841-4288
cell 070-5084-9592
www.anmi-eikaiwa.com
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Example 1 (with comma):
- I didn't go to work, because I was sick.
Example 2 (without comma):
- I didn't go to work because I was sick.
Most Japanese learn at school that they should follow the style shown in Example 1.
An anmi-eikaiwa, we teach students to follow Example 2. Let's take a look at the two sentences and their structures to understand why.
1. The word "because" is a dependent marker. A dependent marker is a word that helps connect a dependent clause with an independent clause. There are two ways to use dependent markers: At the very beginning of the sentence or in the middle (these types of sentences are called "complex sentences").
Dependent marker at the beginning:
- [Dependent marker + dependent clause] + [comma] + [independent clause]
- Because I was sick, I didn't go to work.
Dependent marker in the middle:
- [Independent clause] + [dependent marker + dependent clause]
- I didn't go to work because I was sick.
Other dependent markers that serve the same function include:
- before
- since
- while
- although
- if
- until
- when
- then
- after
- as
- as if
Remember: dependent markers tell us which part of the sentence is the dependent clause, which helps us to find the independent clause. In the examples above, "I didn't go to work" is the main point we are trying to say (independent clause). The part about being sick is only extra information to support the main point (dependent clause).
So to keep things simple, when we use the word because in the middle of a sentence (using the word because as the dependent marker before the dependent clause), don't add a comma.
Now, why do most English students want to add a comma before because? In fact, why do many native English speakers (at least in North America) have a similar habit? My guess is that most everyone is confusing because (a dependent marker) with the word so, which is not a dependent marker, but rather a coordinating conjunction. In daily English conversation, many speakers will freely use the word so interchangeably with the word because. As far as anmi-eikaiwa is concerned, this is perfectly OK. In speaking, do whatever you have to do to get the point across. Therefore, it is only natural that most people will want to treat because as a coordinating junction, which does require a preceding comma!
Today's post is concentrating on the written side of English, which is extremely hard and confusing not only for ESL students, but also native English speakers as well. So, if you learn anything at all, please just try to remember to drop the comma before because because you don't need one. (Pun intended.)
More examples and references:
Cambridge Dictionary of American English:
- We can't go to Julia's party because we're going away that weekend.
- The flight was delayed because the weather was bad.
English 2200 with Writing Applications : A Programmed Course in Grammar and Usage:
- English 2200 looks so different because it is built upon some modern learning principles.
The Great Grammar Challenge : Test Yourself on Punctuation, Usage, Grammar-And More
- In this sentence the singular is appropriate because there is only one scholarship to be won.
Complete Idiot's Guide to Grammar and Style 2E (The Complete Idiot's Guide)
- The largest mammals are to be found in the sea because there's nowhere else to put them.
Writing: Grammar, Usage, and Style (Cliffs Quick Review)
- This sentence is correct because both can and will are correct with the base verb.
- Some readers study grammar because they wish to improve their use of the language.
The Cambridge Grammar of the English Language
- "At least two other dictionaries have been of considerable assistance because of their excellent collections of examples from actual corpora: the Cambridge International Dictionary of English edited by Paul Procter . . . "
*Visit http://www.anmiweb.com/anmi-eikaiwa/archives.htm for a complete index of other blog entries.
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アンミ英会話教室
〒234-0053横浜市港南区日野中央2-6-3
パークサイド日野102号室
tel 045-841-4218
fax 045-841-4288
cell 070-5084-9592
www.anmi-eikaiwa.com
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2005-08-12
Change the settings for Track Changes in Microsoft Word
Have you noticed that some of my corrections to your homework have red letters, red underlining, and red words crossed out with red lines? Kind of hard to understand isn't it? The primary reason for this are the default settings in the Japanese version of Microsoft Word.
Open this PDF document to see how to change your settings in Word to the U.S. version. You'll be surprised how much easier it is to see what changes I made to your homework.
Let me know in class if you still have some problems.
Track Changes settings in Microsoft Word.pdf
(Firefox & Netscape Users: Right-click and select Save Link As...)
(Internet Explorer Users: Right-click and select Save Target As...)
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アンミ英会話教室
〒234-0053横浜市港南区日野中央2-6-3
パークサイド日野102号室
tel 045-841-4218
fax 045-841-4288
cell 070-5084-9592
www.anmi-eikaiwa.com
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Open this PDF document to see how to change your settings in Word to the U.S. version. You'll be surprised how much easier it is to see what changes I made to your homework.
Let me know in class if you still have some problems.
Track Changes settings in Microsoft Word.pdf(Firefox & Netscape Users: Right-click and select Save Link As...)
(Internet Explorer Users: Right-click and select Save Target As...)
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アンミ英会話教室
〒234-0053横浜市港南区日野中央2-6-3
パークサイド日野102号室
tel 045-841-4218
fax 045-841-4288
cell 070-5084-9592
www.anmi-eikaiwa.com
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2005-08-09
Send & Receive Attachments in Gmail
Click on this link to download a PDF file with screenshot on using Gmail for your receiving and sending your homework to アンミ英会話.
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アンミ英会話教室
〒234-0053横浜市港南区日野中央2-6-3
パークサイド日野102号室
tel 045-841-4218
fax 045-841-4288
cell 070-5084-9592
http://www.anmi-eikaiwa.com/
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2005-08-07
英文ビジネス・レターの書き方 Part I
良い例文を参考にしましょう。英文を書くときには、良い参考資料を準備しましょう。例えば：
Go to Part II
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アンミ英会話教室
〒234-0053横浜市港南区日野中央2-6-3
パークサイド日野102号室
tel 045-841-4218
fax 045-841-4288
cell 070-5084-9592
www.anmi-eikaiwa.com
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- 辞書の例文
- 海外から届いた手紙･メモの中でのきれいな表現
- 海外から届いたＥメール*
- ライティングの教科書
- オンライン語学実習教室 (Online Writing Laboratory: OWL)
- 学校･会社などの外国人
*注意：社内の英語を母国語とする人から受け取ったメールで、非常に注意してください。あまりに多くの英語をネイティブが、時々不注意であり、メールで標準英語を使用するのを忘れます。
The first thing you need to do is to start collecting useful information. For example:
- Sample sentences from a good dictionary or reference book
- Copies of letters that you have received from overseas that have useful expressions
- Copies of email that you have received from overseas that have useful expressions*
- Writing manuals and textbooks
- Online writing labs
- Native English speakers at your school or office
*NOTE: Be very careful when using phrases found in email that you receive from colleagues from within your company. Too many native English speakers are sometimes careless and neglect to use standard English in email.
Some good reference books are:
One of the best online writing labs can be found at Purdue University:
Purdue University Online Writing Lab
General Business Writing Issues
- Adding Emphasis
- The Basic Business Letter
- Email Etiquette
- Higher Order and Lower Order Concerns in Business Writing
- Parallel Structure in Professional Writing
- Research Report Workshop
- Revision in Business Writing
- Tailoring Employment Documents for a Specific Audience
- Terms & Tips for the International Student’s Job Search
- Tone in Business Writing
- Writing for A North American Business Audience
Letters, Memos, and Reports
- The Basic Business Letter
- Business Letters: Subordinating Negatives in Good News and Neutral Messages
- Email Etiquette
- Memo Writing
- Research Report Workshop
- Sales Letters: Four Point Action Closing
- Writing Report Abstracts
Samples and Models
- Acceptance Letter Model
- Academic Cover Letters: Sample Letter
- Cover Letter Model
- Follow-up to an Interview Letter Model
- Model for Writing an Inquiry about a Cover Letter and Resume
- Model for Writing a Rejection of a Job Offer
- Model for Writing a Reference Request Letter
- Request for Further Negotiations Letter
- Sample Resume
- Reply to When You Receive a Rejection Model Letter
Go to Part II
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アンミ英会話教室
〒234-0053横浜市港南区日野中央2-6-3
パークサイド日野102号室
tel 045-841-4218
fax 045-841-4288
cell 070-5084-9592
www.anmi-eikaiwa.com
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2005-08-06
em dash ダッシュ
The Chicago Manual of Style (15th Edition) defines an em dash as a short typographical rule measuring the width of an em.
The manual further states on page 263 that the em dash, or simply called the dash, is the most commonly used and most versatile of dashes. Some suggested rules that are easy to remember include: One easy rule for English students to learn is that there are no more than two em dashes per sentence: Using more than two em dashes may cause confusion for your reader. For example:
Example 1. Using only two em dashes:
* Prime Minister Koizumi--he had been playing golf--spoke to the reporters with sweat dripping from his face.
* My cat--not really mine, but my wife’s--ran out of the house again.
In the above examples, we can clearly see the sudden change.
Example 2. Using more than two em dashes:
* Prime Minister Koizumi--he had been playing golf--spoke to the reporters--they had been waiting for hours--with sweat dripping from his face.
* My cat--not really mine--it’s actually my wife’s--ran out of the house again.
In these examples, it is confusing and hard to tell where the break in thought occurs. The Chicago Manual of Style has eight more useful references on how to use the em dash in writing. Check them out! (The style guide of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign also has useful information about the em dash. )
3.9.3 Dash There are two types of dashes, the em dash and the en dash. These get their names from the length of the dash. The em dash is the length of the letter m; the en dash is the length of the letter n. Em dash The em dash, which is formed with two hyphens in typewriter fonts as shown below, is used in sentences instead of a comma, a colon, or parentheses to set off information. The dash generally indicates a sudden break in thought that disrupts the sentence structure:
* Dr. Frankenstein--to put it mildly--regretted ever creating the monster.
Dashes can place more emphasis on the enclosed material than would commas or parentheses.
A handbook for technical writers and editors at NASA titled "Grammar, Punctuation, and Capitalization" (ref. NASA SP-7084) has this to say:
Like the comma, the em dash is used both to enclose and to separate, and like the comma, an enclosing dash needs a partner. In fact, enclosing dashes are replacements for enclosing commas in order to add emphasis. Ebbitt and Ebbitt (1982) suggest a useful philosophy toward using the dash:
* If used sparingly, the dash suggests a definite tone, often a note of surprise or an emphasis equivalent to a mild exclamation.
* If used regularly in place of commas, colons, and semicolons, it loses all its distinctiveness and becomes a sloppy substitute for conventional punctuation. At its best the dash is a lively, emphatic mark.
Some examples from this manual include:
3.6.1. Dashes That Enclose
Dashes may replace commas in enclosing interrupting elements and non-restrictive modifiers and appositives. Dashes are appropriate when a comma might be misread, for example, as a serial comma:
* Wrong: The lasant gas, argon, and 3He were allowed to mix for 45 minutes.
* Better: The lasant gas--argon--and 3He were allowed to mix for 45 minutes.
Dashes are also appropriate when the enclosed element contains internal commas:
* Of the lasant gases studied--argon, xenon, krypton, and neon--argon offers the most promise.
* The most promising lasant gas--argon, which is the lightest gas studied--produced laser output power of 4 W.
Use dashes when the enclosed element needs emphasis. Enclose by dashes a complete sentence that interrupts another:
* Wrong: The one-sided spectrum, engineers call it simply "spectrum," is the output of most spectral analyzers.
* Correct: The one-sided spectrum--engineers call it simply "spectrum"--is the output of most spectral analyzers.
Commas are insufficient to enclose an interrupting sentence; dashes or parentheses are required. The choice of commas, dashes, or parentheses to enclose a nonrestrictive or interrupting element depends on the relation of the element to the rest of the sentence and on the emphasis it requires ( Effective Revenue Writing 1, IRS 1962):
* Commas (most frequently used) indicate only a slight separation in thought from the rest of the sentence.
* Dashes emphasize the element enclosed and clarify meaning when the element contains internal commas.
* Parentheses indicate that the enclosed element is only loosely connected to the rest of the sentence and therefore tend to de-emphasize it.
3.6.2. Dashes That Separate
A dash separates a group of antecedents from their pronoun that is the subject of the sentence:
* Argon, xenon, krypton, and neon--these are the possible choices of noble gases for use in nuclear pumped lasers.
In a displayed list, a dash may separate the item from an explanatory statement:
* Support systems for the facility supply the following:
1. Air--The 600-psi system can deliver a flow rate of 300 lb/sec for 3 min.
2. Cooling water--The closed-loop system delivers 450 gal/min at 550 psig.
3. Gaseous propellants--Hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen are supplied from tanks at 2400 psia.
A dash may separate two clauses when the second amplifies or restates the first:
* The toughness of pseudo-maraging steel degrades at cryogenic temperatures--at -320 deg F, its Charpy impact energy is 6 ft-lb.
The colon (section 3.4.1) or semicolon (3.15.1) may also be used for this purpose. The dash is less formal than the colon and more emphatic than the semicolon. A dash may precede a phrase like that is, namely, and for example when it introduces a summarizing or explanatory phrase or clause at the end of a sentence, but a comma or semicolon may also be used (Rowland 1962).
If an explanatory clause follows the sentence, a semicolon is necessary; if an explanatory phrase follows, a comma is sufficient. If the explanatory phrase or clause receives enough emphasis by being at the end of the sentence, use a comma or semicolon, whichever is appropriate:
Moderate emphasis:
* Other random processes have average properties that vary appreciably with time, for example, the load demand on an electric power generating system.
* Some random processes are reasonably independent of the precise time; that is, measurements made at different times are similar in their average properties.
A dash would further emphasize the explanatory material:
Emphatic:
* Other random processes have average properties that vary appreciably with time--for example, the load demand on an electric power generating system.
* Some random processes are reasonably independent of the precise time-that is, measurements made at different times are similar in their average properties.
3.6.3. Conventional Uses of the Dash
The dash is used by convention as follows:
To separate a title and subtitle
* Large Space Systems Technology --1984
* Energy Efficient Transport Technology --Program Summary and Bibliography
In vague or open-ended dates
* 1974-- 1980 to 19--
3.6.4. Use With Other Marks
A semicolon, colon, question mark, period, or exclamation point --but not a comma-- supercede and replace a dash; that is, a semicolon, colon, or period may be the "partner" of an enclosing dash.
ダッシュ
ダッ シュ（または「ダーシ」）は、コンマ、セミコロン、コロンの代用としてまったく自由に使うことができる。したがって、その用法を明確に規定することは むずかしいが、主として文中で「思考の一時的中断を示したり別の新たな考え（語句）を注釈的に挿入する場合、あるいはそのような挿入語句を特に強調したい 場合に使う」と考えておくとよい。コンマが無声のポーズに相当するとすれば、おおざっぱに言って、文中のダッシュは「あー」とか「えー」などの間投詞に相 当する。たとえば次のような例である。
If you don’t finish the report by tomorrow -- I mean by 8:00 a.m. tomorrow--then you are fired!
She told me for the first time ever -- that she loved me!
The book was of no use for the exam-- although I enjoyed reading it.
上 例 b) は She told me, for the first time ever, that she loved me! のように、コンマを使った挿入句とすることもできる。これはいわば英文の「普通」の形で、その分だけ挿入句の強調度合いがダッシュを使った場合と比較して 弱くなる（She told meの後に無声の短いポーズを入れてfor the first time everと続けた場合と、She told me の後に uh . . . という「思考の一時的中断」を示す意味不明の音を入れた場合を比較すると、その感じがわかる）。
例文 c) は The book was of no use for the exam, although I enjoyed reading it.（「コンマ」の項目7参照）とするのが普通だが、コンマの代わりにダッシュを使うとalthough以下にほぼ独立文と同じような強さを与える効果 がある。
もっとも、実用文でこういう微妙なニュアンスを出したり、修辞的な効果を狙う必要があるとも思えない。そもそも実用文において「思考を一時的に中断」したり、ある文中に「別の新たな考え（語句）を挿入する」などということが適当だとも思えない。
なお、ダーシには長いダーシ (—) と短いダーシ (-) があり、前者を
“M (= em) dash” と呼び、後者を N (= en) dash と呼ぶ。通常、英文で使われるのは後者のほうである。ただし、タイプライターや一般的なパソコンのキーボードではダーシをダブルハイフン (--) で代用する。この場合、読みやすくするために前後に1文字分ずつスペースを加えることが多い（通常のダーシでは前後にスペースを加えないのが普通）。
More Examples of Usage:
That's Norika Fujiwara—the Queen of Commercials.
あれは、藤原紀香?CMの女王よ。
Yeah, and you know what they say—as Tokyo goes, so goes Japan.
うん。それに何て言われているか知ってるだろう?東京の行く道、日本も行く。
References:
1. Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Style Guide
2. Handbook for Technical Writers and Editors, "Grammar, Punctuation, and Capitalization" (ref. NASA SP-7084)
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The manual further states on page 263 that the em dash, or simply called the dash, is the most commonly used and most versatile of dashes. Some suggested rules that are easy to remember include: One easy rule for English students to learn is that there are no more than two em dashes per sentence: Using more than two em dashes may cause confusion for your reader. For example:
Example 1. Using only two em dashes:
* Prime Minister Koizumi--he had been playing golf--spoke to the reporters with sweat dripping from his face.
* My cat--not really mine, but my wife’s--ran out of the house again.
In the above examples, we can clearly see the sudden change.
Example 2. Using more than two em dashes:
* Prime Minister Koizumi--he had been playing golf--spoke to the reporters--they had been waiting for hours--with sweat dripping from his face.
* My cat--not really mine--it’s actually my wife’s--ran out of the house again.
In these examples, it is confusing and hard to tell where the break in thought occurs. The Chicago Manual of Style has eight more useful references on how to use the em dash in writing. Check them out! (The style guide of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign also has useful information about the em dash. )
3.9.3 Dash There are two types of dashes, the em dash and the en dash. These get their names from the length of the dash. The em dash is the length of the letter m; the en dash is the length of the letter n. Em dash The em dash, which is formed with two hyphens in typewriter fonts as shown below, is used in sentences instead of a comma, a colon, or parentheses to set off information. The dash generally indicates a sudden break in thought that disrupts the sentence structure:
* Dr. Frankenstein--to put it mildly--regretted ever creating the monster.
Dashes can place more emphasis on the enclosed material than would commas or parentheses.
A handbook for technical writers and editors at NASA titled "Grammar, Punctuation, and Capitalization" (ref. NASA SP-7084) has this to say:
Like the comma, the em dash is used both to enclose and to separate, and like the comma, an enclosing dash needs a partner. In fact, enclosing dashes are replacements for enclosing commas in order to add emphasis. Ebbitt and Ebbitt (1982) suggest a useful philosophy toward using the dash:
* If used sparingly, the dash suggests a definite tone, often a note of surprise or an emphasis equivalent to a mild exclamation.
* If used regularly in place of commas, colons, and semicolons, it loses all its distinctiveness and becomes a sloppy substitute for conventional punctuation. At its best the dash is a lively, emphatic mark.
Some examples from this manual include:
3.6.1. Dashes That Enclose
Dashes may replace commas in enclosing interrupting elements and non-restrictive modifiers and appositives. Dashes are appropriate when a comma might be misread, for example, as a serial comma:
* Wrong: The lasant gas, argon, and 3He were allowed to mix for 45 minutes.
* Better: The lasant gas--argon--and 3He were allowed to mix for 45 minutes.
Dashes are also appropriate when the enclosed element contains internal commas:
* Of the lasant gases studied--argon, xenon, krypton, and neon--argon offers the most promise.
* The most promising lasant gas--argon, which is the lightest gas studied--produced laser output power of 4 W.
Use dashes when the enclosed element needs emphasis. Enclose by dashes a complete sentence that interrupts another:
* Wrong: The one-sided spectrum, engineers call it simply "spectrum," is the output of most spectral analyzers.
* Correct: The one-sided spectrum--engineers call it simply "spectrum"--is the output of most spectral analyzers.
Commas are insufficient to enclose an interrupting sentence; dashes or parentheses are required. The choice of commas, dashes, or parentheses to enclose a nonrestrictive or interrupting element depends on the relation of the element to the rest of the sentence and on the emphasis it requires ( Effective Revenue Writing 1, IRS 1962):
* Commas (most frequently used) indicate only a slight separation in thought from the rest of the sentence.
* Dashes emphasize the element enclosed and clarify meaning when the element contains internal commas.
* Parentheses indicate that the enclosed element is only loosely connected to the rest of the sentence and therefore tend to de-emphasize it.
3.6.2. Dashes That Separate
A dash separates a group of antecedents from their pronoun that is the subject of the sentence:
* Argon, xenon, krypton, and neon--these are the possible choices of noble gases for use in nuclear pumped lasers.
In a displayed list, a dash may separate the item from an explanatory statement:
* Support systems for the facility supply the following:
1. Air--The 600-psi system can deliver a flow rate of 300 lb/sec for 3 min.
2. Cooling water--The closed-loop system delivers 450 gal/min at 550 psig.
3. Gaseous propellants--Hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen are supplied from tanks at 2400 psia.
A dash may separate two clauses when the second amplifies or restates the first:
* The toughness of pseudo-maraging steel degrades at cryogenic temperatures--at -320 deg F, its Charpy impact energy is 6 ft-lb.
The colon (section 3.4.1) or semicolon (3.15.1) may also be used for this purpose. The dash is less formal than the colon and more emphatic than the semicolon. A dash may precede a phrase like that is, namely, and for example when it introduces a summarizing or explanatory phrase or clause at the end of a sentence, but a comma or semicolon may also be used (Rowland 1962).
If an explanatory clause follows the sentence, a semicolon is necessary; if an explanatory phrase follows, a comma is sufficient. If the explanatory phrase or clause receives enough emphasis by being at the end of the sentence, use a comma or semicolon, whichever is appropriate:
Moderate emphasis:
* Other random processes have average properties that vary appreciably with time, for example, the load demand on an electric power generating system.
* Some random processes are reasonably independent of the precise time; that is, measurements made at different times are similar in their average properties.
A dash would further emphasize the explanatory material:
Emphatic:
* Other random processes have average properties that vary appreciably with time--for example, the load demand on an electric power generating system.
* Some random processes are reasonably independent of the precise time-that is, measurements made at different times are similar in their average properties.
3.6.3. Conventional Uses of the Dash
The dash is used by convention as follows:
To separate a title and subtitle
* Large Space Systems Technology --1984
* Energy Efficient Transport Technology --Program Summary and Bibliography
In vague or open-ended dates
* 1974-- 1980 to 19--
3.6.4. Use With Other Marks
A semicolon, colon, question mark, period, or exclamation point --but not a comma-- supercede and replace a dash; that is, a semicolon, colon, or period may be the "partner" of an enclosing dash.
ダッシュ
ダッ シュ（または「ダーシ」）は、コンマ、セミコロン、コロンの代用としてまったく自由に使うことができる。したがって、その用法を明確に規定することは むずかしいが、主として文中で「思考の一時的中断を示したり別の新たな考え（語句）を注釈的に挿入する場合、あるいはそのような挿入語句を特に強調したい 場合に使う」と考えておくとよい。コンマが無声のポーズに相当するとすれば、おおざっぱに言って、文中のダッシュは「あー」とか「えー」などの間投詞に相 当する。たとえば次のような例である。
If you don’t finish the report by tomorrow -- I mean by 8:00 a.m. tomorrow--then you are fired!
She told me for the first time ever -- that she loved me!
The book was of no use for the exam-- although I enjoyed reading it.
上 例 b) は She told me, for the first time ever, that she loved me! のように、コンマを使った挿入句とすることもできる。これはいわば英文の「普通」の形で、その分だけ挿入句の強調度合いがダッシュを使った場合と比較して 弱くなる（She told meの後に無声の短いポーズを入れてfor the first time everと続けた場合と、She told me の後に uh . . . という「思考の一時的中断」を示す意味不明の音を入れた場合を比較すると、その感じがわかる）。
例文 c) は The book was of no use for the exam, although I enjoyed reading it.（「コンマ」の項目7参照）とするのが普通だが、コンマの代わりにダッシュを使うとalthough以下にほぼ独立文と同じような強さを与える効果 がある。
もっとも、実用文でこういう微妙なニュアンスを出したり、修辞的な効果を狙う必要があるとも思えない。そもそも実用文において「思考を一時的に中断」したり、ある文中に「別の新たな考え（語句）を挿入する」などということが適当だとも思えない。
なお、ダーシには長いダーシ (—) と短いダーシ (-) があり、前者を
“M (= em) dash” と呼び、後者を N (= en) dash と呼ぶ。通常、英文で使われるのは後者のほうである。ただし、タイプライターや一般的なパソコンのキーボードではダーシをダブルハイフン (--) で代用する。この場合、読みやすくするために前後に1文字分ずつスペースを加えることが多い（通常のダーシでは前後にスペースを加えないのが普通）。
More Examples of Usage:
That's Norika Fujiwara—the Queen of Commercials.
あれは、藤原紀香?CMの女王よ。
Yeah, and you know what they say—as Tokyo goes, so goes Japan.
うん。それに何て言われているか知ってるだろう?東京の行く道、日本も行く。
References:
1. Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Style Guide
2. Handbook for Technical Writers and Editors, "Grammar, Punctuation, and Capitalization" (ref. NASA SP-7084)
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How to Use Ellipsis Marks 省略記号（エリプシス）
The American Heritage Dictionary defines an ellipsis as a row of three dots (...) or a row of three asterisks (***) that shows an intentional ommission.
The Chicago Manual of Style suggests the use of an ellipsis for any omitted word, phrase, line, or paragraph from within a quoted passage.
Examples
Omitted material with ellipsis in a quotation:
The book titled "英文ビジネス文書完全マニュアル" states the following:
エリプシスは、3つの連続したドット (three spaced dots) で表し、
a) 語句の「省略」を示す。また、これは suspension points とも呼ばれ、
b) 思考（つまりセンテンス）の中断や、
c) 発言の中の長いポーズを示すためにも使われる。
それぞれの例は以下のとおり。
a) He said: "We should all rush to the front . . . for the sake of our victory.”
b) "Well, I don't know if . . ." he said. "If what?" she asked.
c) "I . . . I love you," he replied.
エリプシスの各ドット間およびその前後のスペーシングについてはいくつかのバリエーション
がみられるものの、一般には上記の例に見られるとおりそれぞれ1文字分（半角）のスペースを
加えるのが普通である。ただし、例b) のようにエリプシスのすぐ後（またすぐ前）に引用符がある場合は、通例、エリプシスと引用符の間にはスペースを加えない。
なお、タイプ原稿では各ドットはそれぞれ英字1文字分に相当するが、一般の書籍や新聞・雑誌などのようにプロポーショナル印字される印刷物では各行の長さが一定の範囲で自動調整されるために、エリプシスのドット間隔がかならずしも一定とはかぎらない。
また、エリプシスでセンテンスを完結する場合は、一般にthree spaced dots ( . . . ) に続けて文末ピリオドを加える。
たとえば He said: "We should all rush to the front . . . ." のようにする。ただし、これも出版社や編集者によって異なり、エリプシスでセンテンスが完結する場合も3つのドットだけにしている例もある。
Bibliography:
1. The American Heritageﾂｮ Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition, Houghton Mifflin Company, 2004.(Includes CD-ROM)
2. The Chicago Manual of Style, 15th Edition, University of Chicago Press Staff, 2004.
3. 英文ビジネス文書完全マニュアル, 新企画社；小学館 [発売], 染谷 泰正【著】
4. Daniel Kies and Sandra Penrose; Department of English, College of DuPage; Modern English Grammar (English 2126) March 6, 1997
5. Dr. Dennis Clausen & Tom Haglund, Department of English, University of San Diego; 1989
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The Chicago Manual of Style suggests the use of an ellipsis for any omitted word, phrase, line, or paragraph from within a quoted passage.
Examples
Omitted material with ellipsis in a quotation:
- The secretary said, "I couldn't contact every client . . . because I don't have their complete addresses."
- "The true test of civilization is. . . the kind of man that the country turns out." (Ralph Waldo Emerson)
- K--g for king; c****d, for coward; d....d, for damned
- ". . . into that good night."
- He agreed that prices were . . . reasonable.
- She disagreed with the decision . . . .
- "Absolute governments (though the disgrace of human nature) have this advantage with them, they are simple. . . ." (Thomas Paine)
- Clutching at his throat, he gasped, " Help. . .help me."
- Education is a social process. . . Education is growth. . .Education is, not a preparation for life; education is life itself. (John Dewey)
- The witness answered, "They sped away in a. . . Chevy. . .yes, it was a Chevy."
The book titled "英文ビジネス文書完全マニュアル" states the following:
エリプシスは、3つの連続したドット (three spaced dots) で表し、
a) 語句の「省略」を示す。また、これは suspension points とも呼ばれ、
b) 思考（つまりセンテンス）の中断や、
c) 発言の中の長いポーズを示すためにも使われる。
それぞれの例は以下のとおり。
a) He said: "We should all rush to the front . . . for the sake of our victory.”
b) "Well, I don't know if . . ." he said. "If what?" she asked.
c) "I . . . I love you," he replied.
エリプシスの各ドット間およびその前後のスペーシングについてはいくつかのバリエーション
がみられるものの、一般には上記の例に見られるとおりそれぞれ1文字分（半角）のスペースを
加えるのが普通である。ただし、例b) のようにエリプシスのすぐ後（またすぐ前）に引用符がある場合は、通例、エリプシスと引用符の間にはスペースを加えない。
なお、タイプ原稿では各ドットはそれぞれ英字1文字分に相当するが、一般の書籍や新聞・雑誌などのようにプロポーショナル印字される印刷物では各行の長さが一定の範囲で自動調整されるために、エリプシスのドット間隔がかならずしも一定とはかぎらない。
また、エリプシスでセンテンスを完結する場合は、一般にthree spaced dots ( . . . ) に続けて文末ピリオドを加える。
たとえば He said: "We should all rush to the front . . . ." のようにする。ただし、これも出版社や編集者によって異なり、エリプシスでセンテンスが完結する場合も3つのドットだけにしている例もある。
Bibliography:
1. The American Heritageﾂｮ Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition, Houghton Mifflin Company, 2004.(Includes CD-ROM)
2. The Chicago Manual of Style, 15th Edition, University of Chicago Press Staff, 2004.
3. 英文ビジネス文書完全マニュアル, 新企画社；小学館 [発売], 染谷 泰正【著】
4. Daniel Kies and Sandra Penrose; Department of English, College of DuPage; Modern English Grammar (English 2126) March 6, 1997
5. Dr. Dennis Clausen & Tom Haglund, Department of English, University of San Diego; 1989
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〒234-0053横浜市港南区日野中央2-6-3
パークサイド日野102号室
tel 045-841-4218
fax 045-841-4288
cell 070-5084-9592
www.anmi-eikaiwa.com
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Could or Was Able?
How to use: can and be able to
Can is used to express ability (の能力) or possibility (可能性あり). It is a modal verb (法動詞) so there is no conjugation (動詞の語形変化がない).
Example 1: Can
- I can speak English.
- I can drive a car.
- He can speak English and Chinese.
- They can't come to the party.
Could is the past tense* (動詞の過去形) of can. And therefore it also is not conjugated.
*Note:
Could is almost never used in the affirmative (ほとんど肯定的に使わない) in the past tense unless talking about an ability once performed in the past.過去の一貫した能力を表す。瞬時の能力は was [were] able toになります。
Example 2: Could
- I couldn't go to work because I was sick.
- I couldn't understand what my teacher said.
- I couldn't enjoy the party.
(If speaking in the affirmative (肯定的に), we would usually use the simple past tense (単純過去時制). For example: "I called you yesterday." If you said "I couldn't call you yesterday," that would be OK, too. It sounds strange if you said "I could call you yesterday.")
Example 3: Could ? when ?
- I could play the piano when I was younger.
- I could swim across the river when I was twelve.
"Be able to" is basically another way of expressing "ability" and "possibility" in the past in the affirmative (肯定的に).
Example 4: Be Able to
- We were able to catch the ferry on time.
- They were able to give me directions.
- I was able to go on vacation during Golden Week.
- She was able to vote.
Hope this helps. Any questions or comments? Click on comments below.
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アンミ英会話教室
〒234-0053横浜市港南区日野中央2-6-3
パークサイド日野102号室
tel 045-841-4218
fax 045-841-4288
cell 070-5084-9592
www.anmi-eikaiwa.com
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Can is used to express ability (の能力) or possibility (可能性あり). It is a modal verb (法動詞) so there is no conjugation (動詞の語形変化がない).
Example 1: Can
- I can speak English.
- I can drive a car.
- He can speak English and Chinese.
- They can't come to the party.
Could is the past tense* (動詞の過去形) of can. And therefore it also is not conjugated.
*Note:
Could is almost never used in the affirmative (ほとんど肯定的に使わない) in the past tense unless talking about an ability once performed in the past.過去の一貫した能力を表す。瞬時の能力は was [were] able toになります。
Example 2: Could
- I couldn't go to work because I was sick.
- I couldn't understand what my teacher said.
- I couldn't enjoy the party.
(If speaking in the affirmative (肯定的に), we would usually use the simple past tense (単純過去時制). For example: "I called you yesterday." If you said "I couldn't call you yesterday," that would be OK, too. It sounds strange if you said "I could call you yesterday.")
Example 3: Could ? when ?
- I could play the piano when I was younger.
- I could swim across the river when I was twelve.
"Be able to" is basically another way of expressing "ability" and "possibility" in the past in the affirmative (肯定的に).
Example 4: Be Able to
- We were able to catch the ferry on time.
- They were able to give me directions.
- I was able to go on vacation during Golden Week.
- She was able to vote.
Hope this helps. Any questions or comments? Click on comments below.
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アンミ英会話教室
〒234-0053横浜市港南区日野中央2-6-3
パークサイド日野102号室
tel 045-841-4218
fax 045-841-4288
cell 070-5084-9592
www.anmi-eikaiwa.com
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対策 Countermeasure or Measure
The Japanese word 対策 (taisaku) is often mistranslated as "countermeasure" even by the best translators in Japan. Furthermore, this word (countermeasure) is often misused by native English speakers.
Countermeasure is defined as "a measure or action taken to counter or offset another measure."
For example, in many Japanese contexts, the Japanese word "taisaku" should be more appropriately translated as "measure" or "policy in response to." The English word "countermeasure" has a negative connotation not conveyed by the Japanese original. For example, an expression such as "shou-enerugi (energy-saving) taisaku" is quite common in Japanese, and it would be awkward to translate it into "energy saving countermeasure," which would mean to take a measure against energy-saving actions.
The key point here lies in the prefix counter, which means opposite or opposing. Some quick examples here:
1. David made a proposal regarding the budget. Bob challenged David's proposal and made a counterproposal (a proposal against the first proposal).
2. The Elbonians developed missiles to attack the Okapis. The Okapis then developed armed satellites to counterattack (attack against the first attack) the Elbonian missiles.
3. Suzuki took a measure to fix the leak. However, this measure caused excessive corrosion. So, he developed a countermeasure (a measure against the first measure) to prevent corrosion when fixing leaks.
We can see that a measure is first taken against a problem, and then a countermeasure is taken against the first measure if the first measure didn't work or created a new problem.
If countermeasure is used incorrectly, most everyone would probably understand what you mean, but you really should be careful when dealing with technical documents.
The World Trade Organization felt such incorrect usage was worth noting to help avoid miscommunication regarding trade between Japan and the United States. You can see their comments in an "ANNEX ON TRANSLATION PROBLEMS
" published by the WTO.
So, next time you get the urge to say or write countermeasure for 対策, think twice! Chances are that you should probably be using measure instead.
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アンミ英会話教室
〒234-0053横浜市港南区日野中央2-6-3
パークサイド日野102号室
tel 045-841-4218
fax 045-841-4288
cell 070-5084-9592
www.anmi-eikaiwa.com
┘┘┘┘┘┘┘┘┘┘┘┘┘┘┘┘┘┘┘┘┘┘┘┘┘┘
Countermeasure is defined as "a measure or action taken to counter or offset another measure."
For example, in many Japanese contexts, the Japanese word "taisaku" should be more appropriately translated as "measure" or "policy in response to." The English word "countermeasure" has a negative connotation not conveyed by the Japanese original. For example, an expression such as "shou-enerugi (energy-saving) taisaku" is quite common in Japanese, and it would be awkward to translate it into "energy saving countermeasure," which would mean to take a measure against energy-saving actions.
The key point here lies in the prefix counter, which means opposite or opposing. Some quick examples here:
1. David made a proposal regarding the budget. Bob challenged David's proposal and made a counterproposal (a proposal against the first proposal).
2. The Elbonians developed missiles to attack the Okapis. The Okapis then developed armed satellites to counterattack (attack against the first attack) the Elbonian missiles.
3. Suzuki took a measure to fix the leak. However, this measure caused excessive corrosion. So, he developed a countermeasure (a measure against the first measure) to prevent corrosion when fixing leaks.
We can see that a measure is first taken against a problem, and then a countermeasure is taken against the first measure if the first measure didn't work or created a new problem.
If countermeasure is used incorrectly, most everyone would probably understand what you mean, but you really should be careful when dealing with technical documents.
The World Trade Organization felt such incorrect usage was worth noting to help avoid miscommunication regarding trade between Japan and the United States. You can see their comments in an "ANNEX ON TRANSLATION PROBLEMS
" published by the WTO.So, next time you get the urge to say or write countermeasure for 対策, think twice! Chances are that you should probably be using measure instead.
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アンミ英会話教室
〒234-0053横浜市港南区日野中央2-6-3
パークサイド日野102号室
tel 045-841-4218
fax 045-841-4288
cell 070-5084-9592
www.anmi-eikaiwa.com
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Chip's One-Point Lesson: "Overrun" or "Overshoot"
According to Western media reports, the train that crashed on the Fukuchiyama Line on April 25, 2005, overshot the stop position by 40 meters at Itami Station. Japanese media reports used the term 行き過ぎた or オーバーラン.
Western media used the terms overran or overshot, both of which are just fine. However, I would probably tend to use the term overshoot instead of overrun.
The American Heritageﾂｮ Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition, defines overshoot as to shoot or pass over or beyond. It also defines the word as flying beyond or past a certain point; to overrun. In fact, they give an example as such: The plane overshot the runway.
If we look up the word , however, we get slightly different usages. Some definitions given are
1. to defeat,
2. to overflow,
3. to overproduce something, and finally
4. to overshoot.
For ease of understanding and clarity, I would have chosen overshoot instead of overrun. What about you?
Beginner Student Section (A big "Thanks" to A.I. for her help here!)
JR福知山線脱線事故のニュースで、｢オーバーラン｣という言葉が使われているのを頻繁に耳にしました。英語にも｢オーバーラン｣という単語がありますが、実は、結構意味が広いのです。例えば、｢過剰生産｣｢溢れる｣なども含まれます。ですから、｢手前の駅で行き過ぎて戻ったために遅れが出て｣と言う場合の｢行き過ぎた｣という意味を表すには、overrunよりもovershootの方が適切です。Overshootには｢行き過ぎた｣という意味しかありませんので、より明確な表現となります。
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アンミ英会話教室
〒234-0053横浜市港南区日野中央2-6-3
パークサイド日野102号室
tel 045-841-4218
fax 045-841-4288
cell 070-5084-9592
www.anmi-eikaiwa.com
┘┘┘┘┘┘┘┘┘┘┘┘┘┘┘┘┘┘┘┘┘┘┘┘┘┘
Western media used the terms overran or overshot, both of which are just fine. However, I would probably tend to use the term overshoot instead of overrun.
The American Heritageﾂｮ Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition, defines overshoot as to shoot or pass over or beyond. It also defines the word as flying beyond or past a certain point; to overrun. In fact, they give an example as such: The plane overshot the runway.
If we look up the word , however, we get slightly different usages. Some definitions given are
1. to defeat,
2. to overflow,
3. to overproduce something, and finally
4. to overshoot.
For ease of understanding and clarity, I would have chosen overshoot instead of overrun. What about you?
Beginner Student Section (A big "Thanks" to A.I. for her help here!)
JR福知山線脱線事故のニュースで、｢オーバーラン｣という言葉が使われているのを頻繁に耳にしました。英語にも｢オーバーラン｣という単語がありますが、実は、結構意味が広いのです。例えば、｢過剰生産｣｢溢れる｣なども含まれます。ですから、｢手前の駅で行き過ぎて戻ったために遅れが出て｣と言う場合の｢行き過ぎた｣という意味を表すには、overrunよりもovershootの方が適切です。Overshootには｢行き過ぎた｣という意味しかありませんので、より明確な表現となります。
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アンミ英会話教室
〒234-0053横浜市港南区日野中央2-6-3
パークサイド日野102号室
tel 045-841-4218
fax 045-841-4288
cell 070-5084-9592
www.anmi-eikaiwa.com
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Baseball and English?
What does "at bat" mean? According to the American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms, it means to take your turn.
Did you know that it also means to take an opportunity for success? Think about it...you can't get on base if you don't go up to the plate and swing at the ball. It is also safe to say that the people who get the most hits also tend to get the most strike-outs.
There is no guaranteed formula for success; the more you try, the more you will fail. However, the more you try, the more you will also succeed! So go up to the plate and swing for all you're worth. You won't be penalized if you fail to get a base hit.
Learning English is no different. The more you try to speak and write, the more mistakes you will make. However, the more you try, the more you will also succeed! You won't be penalized if you fail to get it right.
So, my advice to you is to go up to the "plate" and "swing for all your're worth!" Don't get discouraged and belittle yourself. All of you are improving little by little. You just don't realize it yet! Have faith in yourself and swing hard!
According to popular legend, it took Thomas Edison more than 10,000 tries to perfect the light bulb. When asked by a reporter, half way through the process, how he could keep going when he had failed 5,000 times, Edison replied, "I haven't failed 5,000 times. I've successfully discovered 5,000 ways that don't work!"
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アンミ英会話教室
〒234-0053横浜市港南区日野中央2-6-3
パークサイド日野102号室
tel 045-841-4218
fax 045-841-4288
cell 070-5084-9592
www.anmi-eikaiwa.com
┘┘┘┘┘┘┘┘┘┘┘┘┘┘┘┘┘┘┘┘┘┘┘┘┘┘
Did you know that it also means to take an opportunity for success? Think about it...you can't get on base if you don't go up to the plate and swing at the ball. It is also safe to say that the people who get the most hits also tend to get the most strike-outs.
There is no guaranteed formula for success; the more you try, the more you will fail. However, the more you try, the more you will also succeed! So go up to the plate and swing for all you're worth. You won't be penalized if you fail to get a base hit.
Learning English is no different. The more you try to speak and write, the more mistakes you will make. However, the more you try, the more you will also succeed! You won't be penalized if you fail to get it right.
So, my advice to you is to go up to the "plate" and "swing for all your're worth!" Don't get discouraged and belittle yourself. All of you are improving little by little. You just don't realize it yet! Have faith in yourself and swing hard!
According to popular legend, it took Thomas Edison more than 10,000 tries to perfect the light bulb. When asked by a reporter, half way through the process, how he could keep going when he had failed 5,000 times, Edison replied, "I haven't failed 5,000 times. I've successfully discovered 5,000 ways that don't work!"
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アンミ英会話教室
〒234-0053横浜市港南区日野中央2-6-3
パークサイド日野102号室
tel 045-841-4218
fax 045-841-4288
cell 070-5084-9592
www.anmi-eikaiwa.com
┘┘┘┘┘┘┘┘┘┘┘┘┘┘┘┘┘┘┘┘┘┘┘┘┘┘
Typhoon #22 or Ma-on?
Tyhpoon Names
In Japan, the media uses numbers when referring to typhoons; typhoon #22, for example. But when communicating with your non-Japanese friends or colleagues, they may not know which typhoon you are talking about. Are you talking about #22 in 2004? #22 in 1998, or #22 in Heisei 9? The reason they may not know what you are talking about is that the international media has adopted the practice of using typhoon names as published by the Sweden-based World Meteorological Organization (WMO). The WMO is a special agency of the United Nations. They don't use numbers, but rather use names. The purpose is to hopefully raise awareness and prompt people to listen to warnings about typhoons.
Confusion can arise when numbering typhoons because different international, government, and military agencies use different numbering systems for different kinds of storms. This can be very confusing if you are at sea on a ship, or in a location with limited access to information. To help avoid confusion, the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Air Force started using names of the typhoons from their bases in Hawaii (since 1945). The purpose was to help save lives, and to avoid confusion. However, the names the U.S. chose were meaningless and foreign to the residents of Asia. Maybe that is why Japan developed a numbering system for domestic (in-country) purposes?
Fortunately, from the year 2000, it was changed and now all the Asian countries that are members of the WMO's Typhoon Committee (including Japan) use names. The new Asian names are easier for people in Asia to remember and will hopefully help people to be better aware of the status of each typhoon and how it might affect their region.
When a new storm is developing into a typhoon, the Tokyo Typhoon Centre of the Japanese Meteorological Agency will assign the next name from the WMO list. You can see a list of the names at this link: Tokyo Typhoon Centre
Do you know what the name of the next typhoon will be? Do you know how to spell the name of the typhoon correctly? This list shows the names of typhoons submitted by each country, the correct spelling, and the English meaning of each name. I like the fact that the spelling is also decided by the country that submitted the name of the typhoon. Truly, these names are of Asian origin, which is the way it should be, don't you think?
The list at this link in Hong Kong tells the meaning and spelling of the typhoon names submitted by each country: United Nations' ESCAP/WMO Typhoon Committee
It is also very interesting to see what kinds of names the different countries decided on. Japan has chosen names for many different things. I wonder if some of the names have a historical meaning for Japan. If you know how Japan chose her 10 names, please let me know. I am curious to know!
Let's hope that the WMO will be successful in helping people to become more aware of the a storm's status and make preparations to protect themselves and their families! Also, next time you start up a conversation with your non-Japanese friend, ask them if they know what Ma-on (#22?) means or what Tokage (#23?) means. This is a great way to start up a conversation in English!
┘┘┘┘┘┘┘┘┘┘┘┘┘┘┘┘┘┘┘┘┘┘┘┘┘┘
アンミ英会話教室
〒234-0053横浜市港南区日野中央2-6-3
パークサイド日野102号室
tel 045-841-4218
fax 045-841-4288
cell 070-5084-9592
www.anmi-eikaiwa.com
┘┘┘┘┘┘┘┘┘┘┘┘┘┘┘┘┘┘┘┘┘┘┘┘┘┘
In Japan, the media uses numbers when referring to typhoons; typhoon #22, for example. But when communicating with your non-Japanese friends or colleagues, they may not know which typhoon you are talking about. Are you talking about #22 in 2004? #22 in 1998, or #22 in Heisei 9? The reason they may not know what you are talking about is that the international media has adopted the practice of using typhoon names as published by the Sweden-based World Meteorological Organization (WMO). The WMO is a special agency of the United Nations. They don't use numbers, but rather use names. The purpose is to hopefully raise awareness and prompt people to listen to warnings about typhoons.
Confusion can arise when numbering typhoons because different international, government, and military agencies use different numbering systems for different kinds of storms. This can be very confusing if you are at sea on a ship, or in a location with limited access to information. To help avoid confusion, the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Air Force started using names of the typhoons from their bases in Hawaii (since 1945). The purpose was to help save lives, and to avoid confusion. However, the names the U.S. chose were meaningless and foreign to the residents of Asia. Maybe that is why Japan developed a numbering system for domestic (in-country) purposes?
Fortunately, from the year 2000, it was changed and now all the Asian countries that are members of the WMO's Typhoon Committee (including Japan) use names. The new Asian names are easier for people in Asia to remember and will hopefully help people to be better aware of the status of each typhoon and how it might affect their region.
When a new storm is developing into a typhoon, the Tokyo Typhoon Centre of the Japanese Meteorological Agency will assign the next name from the WMO list. You can see a list of the names at this link: Tokyo Typhoon Centre
Do you know what the name of the next typhoon will be? Do you know how to spell the name of the typhoon correctly? This list shows the names of typhoons submitted by each country, the correct spelling, and the English meaning of each name. I like the fact that the spelling is also decided by the country that submitted the name of the typhoon. Truly, these names are of Asian origin, which is the way it should be, don't you think?
The list at this link in Hong Kong tells the meaning and spelling of the typhoon names submitted by each country: United Nations' ESCAP/WMO Typhoon Committee
It is also very interesting to see what kinds of names the different countries decided on. Japan has chosen names for many different things. I wonder if some of the names have a historical meaning for Japan. If you know how Japan chose her 10 names, please let me know. I am curious to know!
Let's hope that the WMO will be successful in helping people to become more aware of the a storm's status and make preparations to protect themselves and their families! Also, next time you start up a conversation with your non-Japanese friend, ask them if they know what Ma-on (#22?) means or what Tokage (#23?) means. This is a great way to start up a conversation in English!
┘┘┘┘┘┘┘┘┘┘┘┘┘┘┘┘┘┘┘┘┘┘┘┘┘┘
アンミ英会話教室
〒234-0053横浜市港南区日野中央2-6-3
パークサイド日野102号室
tel 045-841-4218
fax 045-841-4288
cell 070-5084-9592
www.anmi-eikaiwa.com
┘┘┘┘┘┘┘┘┘┘┘┘┘┘┘┘┘┘┘┘┘┘┘┘┘┘
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