Tom & Jerry
日曜日を如何お過ごしでいらっしゃいますか?先ほど、外出先から戻りました。Well, yesterday, I went to NIT (Nishi-nippon Institute ofTechnology) to teach American & British Affairs tomy students. Guys, I am very happy that I have as many as 7 or 8 students who have registeredin my class this second semester. Seven times more than in the first semester whenI had only one students.(Actually three studentsregistered my class, but other two of themnever showed up in my class.)Yesterday I had two successive periods of my classto make up for the previous twice cancellation in October. In the first period, I discussed with the studentswhat would come to their mind when they heardUSA, UK, Australia and Japan. I'm gonna report their imagination to you later.In the second period, I explained the culturaldifferences between Japan and other countries,especially western countries by showing the cleardifferences among judo, wrestling and sambo as good examples. I also introduced the presidential history in USA.On my way home, I dropped by Kokura and boughtmany DVDs of "Tom & Jerry", good and oldcartoon for me. The DVDs have both of Japanese Ver.and English Ver.(They cost me as much as nearly \20,000 yen!!) My direct-lesson students will be ableto enjoy them soon or later.These DVDs contain over 150 stories, most of whichI used to watch and enjoy in my childhood.You must be surprised to know that I still nowclearly remember the Japanese translated linesTom, Jerry, the narrator and other characters saidin the old version of the cartoon.So, I can compare the newly translated versionand the old version in light of translation method.I am now making this e-mail, watching the cartoonin English. Am I childish? No!! I am looking forgood English expressions and teaching materialsthrough the cartoon.I have already found some of useful and goodEnglish expressions through the cartoon: For instance,--------------------------------------------1) "The World will beat the path to you(Tom)."In this story, Tom(cat) is a promising designer whoworks on to the development of a new type of mousetrap. On the wall, there is a certificate of his skilland a signboard which says the above expression.beat the path というのは、沢山の人が来るので、その通り道が馴らされて、路になる、と言う意味ですね。『トムが、このネズミ捕りを発明したら、世界中の人が、こぞって、やってくる(=大人気者になる)ぞ』という意味ですね。2) AMNESIA: (病的物忘れ、健忘症) A temporary state of forgetfulness. Memory is sometimes restored by a sharp blow on the head.これは、トムが、頭を強打して、健忘症になるお話で、ジェリーが、「家庭の医学」"Medical Encyclopedia"を見て、その症状や治し方を調べている場面に映し出された辞典のページの一こまです。a temporary state of --とか使える表現です。 ★例)The young boy is in a temporary state of lovefor his classmate.この男子は、クラスの女の子に、ちょっとお熱である。3) Keep up the good work.「その調子よ、その調子」The maid says this phrase when she sees Tomstanding in front of a mouse hole as a watch.4) Hold the onions.「たまねぎは、やめとけ」In a southern island, Jerry, who makes believeto be a local primitive, tells Tom to makea broth and cut vegetables.At this time, Jerry tells the cat not to putonions in the pan.5) Douse the lights. 「明かりを消せ」 douse は、米語で、turn off と同義ですね。6) Hold it! [ちょっと待った!]------------------------------------As you may know, Tom and Jerry speak out only a little.However, other characters such as their friends, relatives, a maid(only her legs are on the screen), ducks, and dogs speak a lot. It is very fun. Especially, the maid speaks with a good Southern accent, which I love.I will introduce more English expressions fromthe cartoon from now on. Hope you will enjoy them.See you!Ken Suetsugu