SMC/2022/3/26(土)

We had a regular in-person meeting. In the relaxing atmosphere, we shared a lot of knowledge and information about English with each other. In the President Remarks, SM K. Narisawa introduced us an interesting idea about why Japanese people can speak English less fluently than those in other countries whose mother tongue is other than English.

Word of the day: SM Noro

"mean"

The word, “mean” is a useful, but we need to pay attention to its various meanings.

When we want to understand a polysemous word like this, it is better to know the meaning of the etymology.

Etymology 1: Intend to convey – from old Germanic language source

The verb [transitive] form, “mean” is derived from carrying what is in your head to the other person. And the common meaning is to have the content indicated by words, things, actions, etc. Furthermore, "mean" also means "having importance" or "being destined (God intends to do so)".

*Note: “mean” is not used in the progressive. > What is this word meaning?

l 「What does this symbol mean? =　このシンボルは何を意味しますか？」

l 「It was meant to happen. = こうなる運命だった。」

Etymology 2: Common – from old Latin language source

The adjective form, “mean” has the meaning of “being common”. And as the derivative meanings, it has the meaning of "being average" or “being poor” or “being not kind”.

l 「You are mean = あなたは意地悪だ」

l 「mean streets = 治安の悪い地域」

Etymology 3: Method - from old Latin language source

The plural noun form, “means” has the meaning of “a way of doing or achieving something”. It seems to be derived from the Latin word "medium" which means "intermediate, intervening, mediating". "means" is used as both the singular and the plural.

l 「a means for solving the problem = その問題を解決する手段」

l 「by any means = いかなる手段をもってしても」

Daily conversation using “mean”

Please choose a Japanese translation.

1. I mean it in a good way.

2. The end justifies the means.

3. Don’t be mean.

4. I didn’t mean to lead him on.

5. What does that even mean?

6. He gets a kick out of being mean.

7. I didn't mean for that to happen.

8. I didn't mean to lecture you.

9. I’ve been meaning to check it out.

a. そこに行ってみたいなとずっと思っていた。

b. 結果さえよければ手段は選ばない。

c. 彼は意地悪することで快感を得ている。

d. 説教するつもりはなかった。

e. 訳わからないんだけど。

f. 彼に気を持たせるつもりはなかった。

g. 意地悪を言わないでよ。

h. いい意味で言っているんだよ。

i. そうさせてしまうつもりはなかった。

(Answer:1=h, 2=b, 3=g, 4=f, 5=e, 6=c, 7=i, 8=d, 9=a)

Lecture: SM Kaneko

From the history of my dictionaries 1

inflect: if a word (inflects), its form changes according to its meaning or use

conjugate: if a verb (conjugates), it has different forms to show different tenses etc

The verb 'to go' (conjugates) irregularly.

implicit: suggested or understood without being stated directly opp. explicit

Her words contained an (implicit) threat.

His statement is being seen as (implicit) criticism of the work of research laboratories.

complicity: involvement in a crime, together with other people

Jennings denied (complicity) in the murder.

complicit: adj

harrowing: very frightening or shocking and making you feel very upset

a (harrowing) experience

a (harrowing) story

conscript: to make someone join the army, navy etc syn. draft AmE

Young Frenchmen were (conscripted) into the army and forced to fight in Algeria.

capitulate: to accept defeat by your enemies in a war syn. surrender

condone: to accept or forgive behavior that most people think is morally wrong

I cannot (condone) the use of violence under any circumstances.

callow: young and without experience - used to show disapproval syn. immature

a (callow) youth

flip side: the bad effects of something that also has good effects

The (flip side) of the treatment is that it can make patients feel very tired.

tank: to decrease quickly or be very unsuccessful

Not long after the chairman resigned, shares in the company (tanked).

unfazed: not confused or shocked by a difficult situation or by something bad that has happened

The prime minister appeared to be totally (unfazed) by the protesters.

exacerbate: to make a bad situation worse

The recession has (exacerbated) this problem.

I don't want to (exacerbate) the situation.

(The rest is omitted.)

Table Topic Speech

1) Real wealth is not measured in money or possessions.

2) Your favorite holiday

3) True wisdom comes from experience.

4) Plants have feeling too.

Prepared Speech

Studying English in a fun way: SM K. Narisawa

It has been a lot of fun for me to study English through U-tube. I particularly like English-language manga in which I found a plenty of useful expressions. One of them was 'be good for nothing but ....'. We usually tend to remember the idiom 'be good for nothing' by itself. But in the manga I watched, there was a complete phrase that included what came after ' be good for nothing '. That certainly expand your colorful expression. For example, you may say, ' You are good for nothing but watching TV.' or You are good for nothing but wiping tables.' U-tube English-language manga programs may be a step in the right direction toward mastering daily English conversation. It should be more fun to watch whatever you like than to watch uninteresting educational U-tube programs in which American teachers explain English idioms in a no-nonsense manner.

Sunflower: SM Takahata

My favorite old movie, "Sunflower", is being screened urgently across the country under the tragic situation of Ukraine. Some scenes of the movie were shot in Ukraine and sunflower is the flower of Ukraine. The sad love story of an Italian couple during World War II moved me to tears when I was in junior high school. I remember the memorable scene of vast sunflower field that contrasts the beauty of sunflower with the cruelty of the war. The beautiful and plaintive melody of the music also impressed me. I really hope the war will be ended as soon as possible.

Meeting schedules

Zoom: 7:30 PM on Mar. 28, Apr. 4, 11, 18, 25

In-person: 9:30 AM on Apr. 9 at Oyama Community Center (Coordinator: Sm Kaneko, Word of the day: SM Takahata, Lecturer: SM Yoko Narisawa)