イギリス生活15週目ふりかえり
イギリス生活15週目のふりかえり。
マンチェスターでの生活も終わりが近い。
友人たちともしばしお別れのため、久しぶりに週末は一緒に遠出してみた。
これまでのふりかえりはこちら↓
1週間のスケジュール
◯土〜日
前日はかなり夜が遅かったのだが、この日はアルゼンチン人の友人などとスコットランドのエディンバラに出かけることにした。
行った誰しもがオススメする場所なので、一度は行っておきたかったのだ。
友人はお昼の電車に乗るとのことなのだが、自分は朝8時台の電車に乗って現地に向かった。
マンチェスターからは電車で3時間ほど。イギリス特有ののどかな景色を眺めながら、現地に到着。
駅を降りた瞬間から、まるで中世の世界に迷い込んだかのよう。
ハリーポッターの舞台やアイデアの元になった場所も数多くあり、ハリポタファンの人は見逃せないはず。
参考までに以下にAIが生成した二日間の観光プランを載せておきます。(加えて膨大な写真)
エディンバラはハリー・ポッターのファンにとっても魅力的な場所です。以下のスポットを訪れることで、ハリー・ポッターの世界に浸ることができます。
＜1日目＞
12:00 - 昼食
ザ・エレファント・ハウス (The Elephant House) でランチ。このカフェは、J.K.ローリングがハリー・ポッターシリーズを書いた場所として有名。
13:30 - エディンバラ城 (Edinburgh Castle)
16:00 - ロイヤルマイル (Royal Mile) 散策
ロイヤルマイルの散策中に、ヴィクトリア・ストリート (Victoria Street) に立ち寄ります。この通りはダイアゴン横丁のインスピレーションを受けた場所として知られています。
17:30 - セント・ジャイルズ大聖堂 (St Giles' Cathedral)
19:00 - ディナー
「ザ・ウィッチリー・ツアー (The Witchery by the Castle)」でのディナー。
＜2日目＞
9:00 - アーサーの玉座 (Arthur's Seat)
11:00 - ホリールード宮殿 (Palace of Holyroodhouse)
12:30 - 昼食
トム・リドルの墓を訪れる前に、近くで軽食を取りましょう。
13:30 - グレイフライアーズ・カーク (Greyfriars Kirkyard)
この墓地には、トム・リドル（ヴォルデモート卿の本名）の名前が刻まれた墓石があります。J.K.ローリングはここから名前を取ったと言われています。
14:30 - スコットランド国立博物館 (National Museum of Scotland)
16:00 - プリンセス・ストリート・ガーデンズ (Princes Street Gardens)17:30 - 駅へ移動
エディンバラ・ウェイヴァリー駅から帰りの電車に乗ります。
このプランにより、エディンバラの主要観光スポットに加えて、ハリー・ポッター関連のスポットも効率的に回ることができます。楽しんでください！
機会があれば、エディンバラに一度は行ってみることをオススメします！
今日の英語フレーズ
| English Expression | Explanation | Example Sentence |
|----------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| **That's a lot of heat** | A phrase used to comment on a high temperature or a heated situation (metaphorically). | "That's a lot of heat for a debate, let's try to keep the discussion cool and collected." |
| **This is linked to Japanese Buddhism, traditional beliefs, etc. Is that okay?** | A query confirming the relevance or appropriateness of a topic related to cultural or religious elements. | "This ceremony is linked to Japanese Buddhism, traditional beliefs, etc. Is that okay with everyone here?" |
| **oh dear** | An exclamation used to express dismay, concern, or surprise about a situation, often mildly. | "Oh dear, I just realized I left my keys at home." |
| **Dictated** | Something that was spoken aloud and then transcribed by another person or a machine. | "The letter was dictated but not read, leading to some errors." |
| **Equitable** | Fair and impartial; ensuring equal treatment for all involved. | "The resources were distributed in an equitable manner among all departments." |
| **Skyscraper** | A very tall and continuously habitable building. | "The city's skyline is dominated by skyscrapers." |
| **What a shame** | An expression of disappointment or regret over a situation. | "What a shame that the festival was canceled due to rain." |
| **What a pity** | Similar to "what a shame," used to express sympathy or disappointment. | "What a pity he couldn't join us for dinner." |
| **Alleviate** | To make something less severe, such as pain or problems. | "Taking a walk might alleviate some of the stress from work." |
| **Demolished** | Completely destroyed, often used in the context of buildings. | "The old factory was demolished to make way for a new park." |
| **Neighborhood** | A district or community within a town or city. | "He grew up in a quiet neighborhood on the outskirts of the city." |
| **Revitalize** | To imbue something with new life and vitality, often used in the context of urban renewal. | "The city council hopes to revitalize the downtown area by adding new public spaces." |
| **Aesthetics** | A set of principles concerned with the nature and appreciation of beauty, especially in art. | "The aesthetics of the new museum have attracted art lovers from around the country." |
| **Implementing measures** | The act of putting specific actions into effect to achieve certain outcomes. | "Implementing measures to reduce traffic congestion has improved air quality in the city." |
| **Enforce** | To compel observance of or obedience to a law, rule, or obligation. | "The police are here to enforce the new parking regulations." |
| **Vibrant** | Full of energy and enthusiasm; often used to describe dynamic communities and places. | "The market was vibrant with the colorful stalls and bustling crowds." |
| **Facelift** | A procedure or action to make something look newer or fresher, often used metaphorically for buildings and public spaces. | "The old hotel got a facelift to attract more guests." |
| **Neglected** | Suffering a lack of proper care; often used to describe places or objects in disrepair. | "The neglected park became overgrown and littered with trash." |
| **Intensive** | Concentrated and comprehensive, often referring to actions that are thorough and detailed. | "The course offers an intensive introduction to Spanish language and culture." |◯月曜
午前中は仕事関連の作業、お昼からは英語の授業（先週の復習テスト中心）、授業後は自習、夜にブログを書くという1日だった。
ちなみに、先週英語の授業に苦戦したと以下の記事に書いた。
ただし苦戦したからこそ、先週の復習テストで、初めて100%のスコアを達成することができた。
何事も地道にやるしかありませんね。。
今週の授業テーマは「Kindness」について。
上記テーマに関する名言集を読み込み、自分のお気に入りの一節を選んで、それについてプレゼンしたりもした。
自分が選んだフレーズは以下だ。
I have found that it is the small everyday deed of ordinary folks that keep the darkness at bay. Small acts of kindness and love.” ― J.R.R. Tolkien, “The Hobbit”
「暗闇を遠ざけるのは、普通の人々の小さな日々の行いであることに気づきました。小さな親切や愛の行いです。」 - J.R.R.トールキン、『ホビットの冒険』
引用元の『ホビットの冒険』は個人的に好きな作品で、イギリスの風景などもインスピレーションの源泉となっているそう。
有名でご存じだとは思いますが、関連作と共に映画化などもされている。
エディンバラに向かう風景やイギリスの景色がホビットの世界観を思い起こさせたし、エディンバラのお土産屋さんでもグッズを見かけて頭に引っかかっていたのだ。
以下にイギリスの風景がどのように関係しているのかまとめてみたので、興味のある方は見てみてください。
『指輪物語』の舞台は、架空の世界「中つ国（Middle-earth）」です。この広大な世界にはさまざまな地形や地域があり、物語の重要な舞台となる場所がいくつかあります。以下はその一部です
・シャイア（The Shire） - ホビットたちが住む平和で緑豊かな地方。
・リヴェンデル（Rivendell） - エルフの隠れ里で、エルロンドの家。
・ローハン（Rohan） - 馬を愛する人々が住む広大な草原地帯。
・ゴンドール（Gondor） - 人間の王国で、白い都ミナス・ティリスがある。
・モリア（Moria） - ドワーフの古代地下王国。
・ロスロリアン（Lothlórien） - ガラドリエルとケレボルンが治める美しいエルフの森。
・モルドール（Mordor） - 暗黒の地で、冥王サウロンの本拠地。滅びの山（Mount Doom）がある。
これらの場所は、『指輪物語』の壮大な冒険と物語の重要な舞台となっています。
『指輪物語』の舞台である中つ国は、J.R.R.トールキンの想像力によって創造された架空の世界ですが、その多くの要素は実際の場所や文化に影響を受けています。以下は、そのモチーフになったと言われるいくつかの場所です。
・イングランドの田園風景
シャイアは特にイングランドの田園風景、特にオックスフォードシャーやウォリックシャーの田園地帯からインスピレーションを受けています。
・オックスフォード
トールキンが多くの時間を過ごしたオックスフォード大学の風景や建築は、中つ国の都市や建物に影響を与えています。
・スイス・アルプス
トールキンが1911年に訪れたスイス・アルプスの風景は、霧ふり山脈（Misty Mountains）やエレボール（Erebor）の描写に影響を与えています。
・第一次世界大戦の戦場
トールキンが従軍したソンムの戦いなど、第一次世界大戦の戦場経験は、中つ国の戦争や荒廃した風景に影響を与えています。
・北欧神話とケルト神話
中つ国の神話や文化は、北欧神話やケルト神話から多くの影響を受けています。これには、エルフやドワーフ、その他の神話的存在が含まれます。
これらの場所や文化的背景が、『指輪物語』の豊かな世界観を形成する基盤となっているそうだ。
ハリーポッターやシャーロックホームズ、『指輪物語』など、自分が魅了された作品はイギリスゆかりのものが多いことに今更ながら気づいたのだった。
今日の英語フレーズ
| English Expression | Explanation | Example Sentence |
|-------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| **Dismay** | A feeling of unhappiness and disappointment. | "She could not hide her dismay when she lost the championship game." |
| **Banter** | Playful and friendly exchange of teasing remarks. | "There was a lot of banter at the family reunion." |
| **Litter** | Trash left on the ground in public places. | "Please don't litter in the park." |
| **Compliment** | A polite expression of praise or admiration. | "He received a compliment on his excellent presentation." |
| **Benefactor** | A person who gives money or other help to a person or cause. | "The library was renovated with the help of a generous benefactor." |
| **Philanthropist** | Someone who promotes the welfare of others, especially by donating money. | "The philanthropist donated millions to cancer research." |
| **Benevolence** | The quality of being well meaning; kindness. | "Her benevolence towards her employees was evident in her fair policies." |
| **Benefit society** | Activities or policies designed to promote the well-being of the community. | "The new public park will greatly benefit society by providing a safe place for recreation." |
| **Provide comfort** | To offer solace or reassurance. | "She provided comfort to her friend during a difficult time." |
| **Seek solace** | To look for comfort in a time of distress. | "Many seek solace in music or art." |
| **Give out** | To distribute something. | "The teacher will give out the exam papers shortly." |
| **Distribute** | To give items out to a number of people. | "The company will distribute the new policies via email." |
| **Chuffed** | British slang for being very pleased or happy. | "I was chuffed to hear that I got the job." |
| **Pleased** | Feeling or showing happiness and satisfaction. | "She was pleased with the feedback on her project." |
| **Ellipsis** | A series of dots (typically three) used to indicate an omission in text. | "When quoting someone, an ellipsis can be used to skip parts of the quote..." |
| **Contractions** | Shortened forms of words or phrases, used often in informal writing or speech. | "Don't, can't, and won't are examples of contractions." |
| **Contraction of muscles** | The process of muscles becoming tighter, leading to movement. | "A contraction of the bicep muscle pulls the forearm up." |
| **Merged words** | Words that are formed by combining two words into one, often seen in casual language. | "Brunch is a merged word combining breakfast and lunch." |
| **Stuff** | Informal term for items, things, or matter. | "We need to clean up all this stuff before the guests arrive." |
| **Stuff like that** | Informal way of referring to things of a similar kind without being specific. | "She's into hiking, camping, and stuff like that." |
| **Loads of** | Informal term indicating a large quantity of something. | "He's got loads of books in his collection." |
| **Loads of research** | A substantial amount of study or investigation. | "She did loads of research for her thesis on climate change." |
| **Tendency** | An inclination towards a particular characteristic or type of behavior. | "He has a tendency to forget appointments." |
| **Such as** | Used to introduce an example or series of examples. | "You should try activities that relieve stress, such as yoga or meditation." |
| **Such as rushing headlong into burning building** | An example phrase showing extreme or heroic action. | "Firefighters are known for brave acts, such as rushing headlong into burning buildings to save others." |
| **Associate** | To connect something with something else in one's mind. | "People often associate dark clouds with impending rain." |
| **Heroic deeds** | Actions that are admirable and often involve courage. | "Tales of heroic deeds from firefighters fill the pages of the community newspaper." |
| **To associate kindness with heroic deeds** | To link the concept of being kind with acts of heroism. | "We should teach children to associate kindness with heroic deeds." |
| **Undivided attention** | Complete and total focus on something or someone. | "Please give me your undivided attention while I explain the instructions." |
| **Permanently** | For all time; for always. | "The scar remained permanently on his hand." |
| **Distracted** | Unable to concentrate because one's mind is preoccupied. | "He was too distracted by the noise to complete his work." |
| **Permanently distracted world** | A phrase suggesting that modern life continuously diverts attention. | "In our permanently distracted world, it's a challenge to focus on a single task for long." |◯火曜〜水曜
この二日間は先週同様に終日授業を行う。
例のごとく難易度が上がったため、知らない単語や表現が増え、苦戦する日々が続いた。。
来た当初より、英語を身につけるための道のりがより長くなっているような気がするのだが、それは自分が少なからず成長したからとも言えるのかもしれない。
とにかく続けていくしかないですね。。
今日の英語フレーズ
| English Expression | Explanation | Example Sentence |
|-------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| **I sacrificed my sleep lol.** | Informally stating that one gave up sleep, possibly for something important or enjoyable. | "I sacrificed my sleep to watch the lunar eclipse last night, lol." |
| **Their defense was full of physical toughness and passion 🔥** | Describing a team's defensive play in sports as being vigorous and spirited. | "Their defense was full of physical toughness and passion, holding the opponents to zero goals." |
| **Move on** | To proceed from one part or topic to another. | "After discussing our current budget, let's move on to the projected expenses for next year." |
| **Go on** | Continue or proceed, especially after a pause or interruption. | "Please, go on with your story, I'm eager to hear the end." |
| **All in a day's work** | A phrase used to indicate that something is normal and not out of the ordinary for someone's routine. | "Dealing with emergencies is all in a day's work for a firefighter." |
| **Big fish in a small pond** | Someone who is important or influential in a small or restricted context but may not be elsewhere. | "He was a big fish in a small pond at his last job, but now he has to prove himself in a larger company." |
| **Nuns** | Members of a religious community of women, typically living under vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience. | "The nuns run a local charity that helps the homeless." |
| **Tailor** | To make or adapt something for a particular purpose, person, or need. | "The program is tailored to meet the needs of adult learners." |
| **Afterwards** | At a later time; following an event that has already taken place. | "We went for a walk, and afterwards we had some tea." |
| **Roll out pilot** | To introduce a preliminary version of a program or product to test a concept or process before wider implementation. | "The company will roll out a pilot of the new software next month." |
| **How does this sound?** | Asking for feedback or approval on a suggestion or plan. | "We could meet at the cafe for lunch; how does this sound?" |
| **Eligible for free meal** | Qualifying to receive a meal at no cost based on certain criteria. | "Children from low-income families are eligible for free meals at school." |
| **Ever wasted** | Used to emphasize that something is not wasted at any time. | "No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted." |
| **Altruistic** | Showing a selfless concern for the well-being of others; unselfish. | "His decision to donate his lottery winnings was truly altruistic." |
| **Champion** | To fight or speak publicly in support of a person, belief, cause, etc. | "She has long been a champion of environmental causes." |
| **Champion the underdog** | To support or advocate for those who are in a position of disadvantage or who are not expected to win. | "He is known to champion the underdog, always supporting emerging artists." |
| **Humanitarian aid** | Assistance given to people in distress, especially during natural disasters and conflicts, to save lives and alleviate suffering. | "The organization provides humanitarian aid to war-torn regions." |
| **Reach out to “name”** | To contact or attempt to contact someone typically to offer help or get information. | "I'll reach out to Maria and see if she can help with the project." |
| **Reach out** | To make an effort to communicate and establish connections with others. | "If you need assistance, don't hesitate to reach out to our support team." |
| **Wholesome** | Conducive to or suggestive of good health and physical well-being. | "The movie was wholesome and suitable for all ages." |
| **Worthwhile** | Worth the time, money, or effort spent; of value or importance. | "Volunteering at the animal shelter is a worthwhile activity that I love." |
| **Done a bit of fundraising** | Have participated in activities to collect money for a particular purpose. | "I've done a bit of fundraising for the new library project." |
| **Put myself forward** | To volunteer oneself for a task or position. | "I put myself forward as the team leader for this project." |
| **Got a lot out of it** | To derive great benefit or learning from an experience. | "I attended a workshop last weekend and really got a lot out of it." |
| **Paying it forward** | Responding to a person's kindness by being kind to someone else. | "After he helped me get my job, I'm paying it forward by mentoring a new graduate." |
| **Offer my services** | To volunteer one's help or assistance. | "I will offer my services to anyone who needs help with their taxes." |
| **Auxiliary do** | Used to add emphasis to a verb, usually in questions or negatives in English. | "Do you really think I should go ahead with the plan?" |
| **Imperative** | Giving an authoritative command; crucial. | "It's imperative that we finish the project by the deadline." |
| **Indirect question** | A question embedded within a statement or another question. | "Could you tell me where the station is?" |
| **Repetition** | The action of repeating something that has already been said or written. | "His speeches are full of repetition to emphasize his points." |
| **Rhetorical question** | A question asked to create a dramatic effect or to make a point rather than to get an answer. | "Isn't it obvious why we need to change?" |
| **Short sentences** | Concise sentences typically used for clarity or impact in writing or speech. | "Fire burns. Ice freezes." |
| **Inversion** | A reversal of the normal order of words, typically for rhetorical effect or to maintain meter in poetry. | "Seldom have I seen such bravery." |
| **Indeed** | Used to emphasize a statement or response confirming something already suggested. | "It was indeed a remarkable performance." |
| **Do matter** | Emphasize the importance or relevance of something. | "Small details do matter when planning a wedding." |
| **You know** | A filler phrase often used in conversation to engage the listener, imply shared knowledge, or allow the speaker to collect thoughts. | "You know, it might actually work if we try it your way." |
| **Anyway** | Used to indicate a return to an earlier subject or to move on to a different point. | "Anyway, as I was saying before, we need to reconsider our options." |◯木曜
この日は授業後、ロンドンに向かう。明日からの三日間、日本文化や日本の商品を紹介する、イギリス最大規模のフェスがあるからだ。
バスに揺られて夜21時頃にロンドンに到着。今まであまり行ったことがなかったエリアに宿泊したので、街並み含め新鮮だった。
だいぶ体の疲れがあるが、明日に備えて就寝。
今日の英語フレーズ
| English Expression | Explanation | Example Sentence |
|----------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| **Check your articles** | Reminder to review the use of 'a', 'an', and 'the' in writing. | "Before submitting your essay, check your articles to ensure they are used correctly." |
| **Check your plurals on nouns** | Reminder to ensure nouns have the correct singular or plural form as needed. | "When editing your document, check your plurals on nouns to avoid any grammatical errors." |
| **Freight** | Goods transported in bulk by truck, train, ship, or aircraft. | "The freight train was loaded with goods headed to the west coast." |
| **Freer** | Comparative form of free; more free. | "With the new regulations, we are freer to conduct our research without as many restrictions." |
| **Sphere** | A round solid figure, or its surface, with every point on its surface equidistant from its center. | "The Earth is not a perfect sphere due to its slightly flattened poles." |
| **Sequence** | A particular order in which related events, movements, or things follow each other. | "The sequence of DNA nucleotides determines genetic information." |
| **Renovate** | To restore something old, especially a building, to a good state of repair. | "The community center was renovated to include new, modern facilities." |
| **Conservative** | Holding to traditional attitudes and values and cautious about change or innovation. | "Her conservative approach to investment has preserved her savings through economic downturns." |
| **Conservation** | Prevention of wasteful use of a resource. | "Wildlife conservation efforts have helped to preserve numerous endangered species." |
| **Coherence and cohesion** | Logical connection and consistency along with the quality of being united as a whole. | "Your essay lacks coherence and cohesion; the ideas seem disjointed and randomly organized." |
| **Lexical resource** | Refers to the range of vocabulary a person uses. | "Improving your lexical resource will help you express ideas more clearly and effectively." |
| **Grammatical range and accuracy** | The variety and correctness of grammar used by a speaker or writer. | "To score higher in language tests, focus on expanding your grammatical range and accuracy." |
| **Robbery** | The action of robbing a person or place. | "The robbery at the bank was carried out in broad daylight." |
| **Comparison** | The act of comparing two or more people or things. | "The comparison between the two studies shows some interesting discrepancies." |
| **Noticeable trend** | A trend that is clearly noticeable or that can be clearly observed. | "There is a noticeable trend towards healthier eating habits in urban areas." |
| **Fell dramatically over the period** | Describes a significant decline within a specific timeframe. | "Car sales fell dramatically over the period due to the economic crisis." |
| **Car theft fluctuated until 2008** | Car theft rates varied or changed irregularly until 2008. | "Car theft fluctuated until 2008 when new security technology became widespread." |
| **Steadily** | At an even and regular pace or rate. | "Her performance improved steadily throughout the season." |
| **Whereas** | Used to contrast or compare two facts. | "She likes to travel, whereas her brother prefers to stay home." |
| **Remained relatively** | Stayed at a level that is comparatively unchanged. | "The prices remained relatively stable during the fiscal year." |
| **Capability** | The ability or qualities necessary to do something. | "The new software has the capability to process data much faster than before." |
| **Feasible** | Possible to do easily or conveniently. | "It is not feasible to finish the entire project in one week without additional resources." |
| **Possibility** | A thing that may happen or be the case. | "There's a strong possibility of rain tomorrow." |
| **Radiation** | The emission of energy as electromagnetic waves or as moving subatomic particles. | "Protection against solar radiation is crucial for astronauts on a spacewalk." |
| **Microgravity** | Very weak gravity, typically experienced in orbit around the Earth. | "Experiments in microgravity can help us understand how space travel affects the human body." |
| **Projected** | Estimated or forecasted based on current trends or data. | "The projected costs for the project have risen due to unexpected expenses." |
| **Savior** | A person who saves someone or something from danger or difficulty. | "The firefighter was hailed as a savior after rescuing three children from the burning building." |
| **Simulate** | Imitate the appearance or character of. | "Pilots train in flight simulators to simulate actual flying conditions." |
| **Mind-blowing** | Overwhelmingly impressive. | "The finale of the show was absolutely mind-blowing." |
| **Blow up** | To destroy or be destroyed by explosion. | "The old bridge was blown up to make way for a new one." |
| **Atmosphere and proximity to the sun** | Refers to the layer of gases surrounding a planet and its closeness to the sun. | "The atmosphere and proximity to the sun play crucial roles in a planet's climate and conditions." |
| **Ozone layer** | A layer in the earth's stratosphere containing a high concentration of ozone, which absorbs UV radiation. | "The depletion of the ozone layer has serious consequences for the environment." |
◯金曜
この日は朝から晩まで、イベントのお手伝い。
会場は中々に大きく、日本酒、日本の食品に加え、アニメや漫画のグッズ、ゲーム、二次創作やアクセサリーなど、さまざまな商品が揃っている。
どのブースも個性的で見ていて面白い。
会場では、とにかく明るい安村さんや有名アーティストなど、イギリスで知名度のある様々なゲストがイベントを常時繰り広げていた。
自分は日本の食品などの試食、アンケート調査などを担当したりしていたのだが、現地の人たちと会話する機会が多くあり、三日間で最低でも6000人以上の人に食品配布をしたことになった。（事前に準備していた6000人分の在庫が切れたため）
イギリスの方が日本の文化のどこに魅力を感じているのか、目の前で見ることができたのは良かったし、総じて貴重な経験となった。
今日の英語フレーズ
| English Expression | Explanation | Example Sentence |
|---------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| **Frozen water** | Water that has turned solid due to low temperatures. | "Be careful walking on the frozen water; it might be slippery." |
| **Ice** | Water frozen into a solid state, typically seen in cubes, sheets, or other forms. | "We need more ice for the drinks at the party." |
| **Wheat** | A cereal plant that is the most important kind grown in temperate countries, the grain of which is ground to make flour for bread, pasta, etc. | "Wheat fields stretch far into the horizon here." |
| **Mess up** | To make a mistake or do something incorrectly. | "I really messed up the directions and got us lost." |
| **Linking words** | Words used to connect clauses or sentences or to coordinate words in the same clause. | "Use linking words like 'however' and 'therefore' to improve the flow of your essay." |
| **Proactive** | Taking action by causing change and not only reacting to change when it happens. | "Being proactive in your work can lead to better outcomes and fewer problems." |
| **All hands on deck** | A phrase used to indicate that everyone's help is needed, especially in a difficult situation. | "We need all hands on deck to prepare for the upcoming event." |
| **What do you call someone with no body and no nose?** | A setup for a joke, often introducing a play on words or a pun. | "What do you call someone with no body and no nose? Nobody knows!" |
| **Allergy** | A condition in which the immune system reacts abnormally to a foreign substance. | "He has a severe allergy to peanuts." |
| **Assembly point** | A designated safe place where people should gather in the event of an emergency. | "In case of fire, everyone should meet at the assembly point located in the parking lot." |
| **Assembly** | A group of people gathered together for a common purpose, often for a formal meeting. | "The annual school assembly is scheduled for next Monday." |
| **Crunchiness** | The quality of being firm and crisp, often used to describe the texture of food. | "I love the crunchiness of fresh celery." |
| **Essence** | The intrinsic nature or indispensable quality of something, especially something abstract, that determines its character. | "Freedom is the very essence of our democracy." |
| **The song is music to my ears** | An idiomatic way of saying that something is very pleasing to hear. | "Your news about the promotion is music to my ears!" |印象的だったこと
・ネイティブ男性の発音
英語でやり取りする際に、ネイティブの特に男性の方の英語のヒアリングに苦戦した。映画だと、ハリーポッターのハリーやロンの会話が聞き取りにくい。
これは慣れるしかないのかもしれないが、体感としては全く別の言語を話されているように感じる。。
・ベジタリアンの方
イベントで食品関連の商材を紹介している時に、ベジタリアンの方やヴィーガンの方が想像以上に多かった。
日本ではあまり馴染みがなかったのだが、体感としては10%〜20%くらいの確率でそうした方に出会った。
お弁当もベジタリアンの方向けのものが整備されていたり、食品に注意書きが書かれていたり、そうした方へのサポートも日本以上に充実している印象。
現地の方に聞くと、ここ数年のトレンドなのだそうだ。
・英語力の波
なぜかわからないが、英語力やアウトプットの質が上がったり下がったりする。
それはまだまだ学習途上だからということなのだろうが、時々ストレスを感じたりもする。ただ、継続するしかない。
・物語と土地の関係性
様々な映画や物語の舞台になっているだけあり、イギリスの街並みや田園風景は美しい。
世界各国に様々な伝承や物語、神話などがあるが、それらは街並みや文化に影響されているのだなと改めて感じる。
エディンバラなんて、ドラゴンや魔法使いが本当に出てきそうだったから。
来週の目標
・行動計画や習慣の見直し
改めて行動計画や習慣の見直しが必要だと感じる。ふりかえりの時間を定期的に持たないと、色々な部分が緩んでいってしまう。。
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