ラジオ英会話 Lesson 204 英語のクセ：結論は最初に
Today’s dialog
外国語学習の専門家として登壇したジョナサンが、ミユキの質問に答え、外国語学習の意義について意見を述べています。
Miyuki: What’s so good about learning a foreign language?
Jonathan: Well, learning a foreign language has many advantages. It allows you to communicate more effectively with culturally diverse people. I think it also sharpens the mind and improves memory. As a result, your employment opportunities are increased. Being able to speak more than one language has become an essential skill in today’s global society. I recommend that everybody learn a foreign language and start enjoying all the benefits.
Miyuki: Thank you, Jonathan.
WORDS & PHRASES
effectively 効果的に
sharpen （知性などを）鋭くする
employment opportunity 就職の機会
benefit 便益、恩恵
英訳練習
本日のテキストを英訳してみましょう。文章をクリックすると英文例が表示されます。
What’s so good about learning a foreign language?
Well, learning a foreign language has many advantages.
It allows you to communicate more effectively with culturally diverse people.
I think it also sharpens the mind and improves memory. As a result, your employment opportunities are increased.
Being able to speak more than one language has become an essential skill in today’s global society.
I recommend that everybody learn a foreign language and start enjoying all the benefits.
Thank you, Jonathan.
CHECK YOUR GRAMMAR! ～文法のポイントを確認しましょう～
①主語の位置にポン
Being able to speak more than one language has become an essential skill in today’s global society.
②recommend に続く節の動詞原形
I recommend that everybody learn a foreign language and start enjoying all the benefits.
BUILD UP YOUR VOCABULARY～語彙のハートを身につけましょう～
Learning a foreign language has many advantages.
learning a foreign language（外国語を学ぶ）のカタマリが主語の位置にポンと置かれた文。文としては難しくはありませんが、この文を意見表明の冒頭に使う「意識」は学ばなければなりません。それは「結論は最初に」の意識。
EXPRESS YOURSELF IN ENGLISH! ～英語で表現しましょう～
He promised me I would be promoted, but that hasn’t happened.
You didn’t get promoted because your overall performance was not good enough.
get promoted は「昇進する」。overall は「全体をひっくるめた・総合的な」。
Obesity has become widespread because people eat too much.
obesity は「極端な・病的な肥満」。has become は「～となっている」。