外国でも平和を話し合うために

アダム・ベック

米国イリノイ州出身。ニューヨークの大学と、サンフランシスコの大学院で演劇を勉強。大学院生のときに「ピースコール」というボランティアとして、ヨーロッパのチェコで英語の先生をした。広島市東区在住。

English Challenge

暑い日が続いていますが、涼しく過ごしていますか。先日、私の４歳の息子に「事件」が起きました。息子は体が急に熱くなって震え始め、床でうめき出したのです。私は熱中症になったと思い、救急車を呼ぼうとしました。が、何やらブツブツ言っているのを聞くと…「おしっこ」。それで手足が震えていたのです。そして熱中症ではなく、単に発熱の兆候でした。

さて、前回の課題（松井一実広島市長や湯崎英彦広島県知事に伝えたいことは何ですか。メッセージを寄せてください）について応募があったエッセーを紹介しましょう。広島県府中町のＳＯＳ男さんは、東日本大震災での深刻な被害を受け、これまで以上に大きな被害想定をした災害時の備えを要望しています。呉市のMackeyさんは、学校教育の充実を提案。教育にもっとお金を掛けるとともに、正規教員を増やすよう求めています。

広島市中区のvine eggsさんは、人々の心を育み、平和な社会をもたらす文化の発展のために、美術館や図書館の充実を訴えます。具体的には、古くなっている広島市立中央図書館を建て替えて、もっと魅力的になれば人々の文化への関心度も高まる、と指摘しています。松井市長と湯崎知事、皆さんの思いを受け止めてくれますよね！

今回の課題へジャンプ

　　前回の日本語訳

What message would you like to give to Mr. Matsui, the mayor, or Mr. Yuzaki, the governor? Write a message for one (or both) of them.

松井市長や湯崎知事に伝えたいことは何ですか。メッセージを寄せてください

The city of Hiroshima takes pride in being an "International City of Peace and Culture." I believe, though, that the city could fulfill this role more strongly in the future if English language education was an even higher priority. What if children in Hiroshima had greater opportunity to learn English from a young age? What if more children here learned to speak English well? Wouldn't this help Hiroshima become an even stronger "International city" with a stronger "International voice" in the world? The introduction of English classes in elementary school, starting in the 5th grade, is a step in the right direction, but it probably isn't enough to have a significant impact. So I encourage Mr. Matsui and Mr. Yuzaki to imagine: What more can be done to expand English language education in Hiroshima?

広島市は「国際平和文化都市」を自負しています。しかし、もしも英語教育がもっと高く位置付けられたら、この役割をさらにしっかり果たせる、と私は思います。広島の子どもたちが小さい頃から英語を学ぶ機会がもっとあったらどうなるでしょう？もっと多くの子どもたちが英会話がうまくできるよう学んだらどうなるでしょう？広島が、世界の中でもっと力強い「国際的な言葉」で、もっと説得力ある「国際都市」になれるのではないでしょうか。小学校では５年生から英語の授業が始まっていますが、大きな影響をもたらすには十分とは言えません。松井市長と湯崎知事に、こう呼び掛けたいと思います。「広島でもっと英語教育を広げることができないでしょうか？」

ベックさんのコメント

Ms. Mackey :	I definitely agree in the importance of a strong education system. In fact, as you suggested, cities and countries are really only as strong as their education systems. Both of my parents were teachers and I was a teacher for many years, too. I’m now trying to make sure that my own children get a good education. About your writing, be careful not to confuse the “simple past tense” with the “past perfect tense.” For example, in this sentence “About 10 years, I had worked for a public school.” You don’t need “had” in this sentence because it’s just a “simple past tense” idea.
Ms. vine eggs :	I enjoyed your essay very much. First of all, it reminded me that it’s about time I visit a new place! And I agree strongly with the idea of promoting cultural institutions and activities. I hope the new mayor will consider rebuilding Hiroshima’s main library! As for the words of the Dalai Lama, maybe this would be a more natural way of expressing his suggestion: “Once a year, pay a visit to a place you’ve never been before.” Keep up the good writing!
Mr. SOS :	Thank you for your wise appeal to the mayor and governor. I hope they took the time to read this issue of Hiroshima Koku! As for your essay, your writing is again strong and sophisticated. At the same time, the last sentence might be more naturally expressed in this way: “I’d like to ask Mr. Matsui and Mr. Yuzaki to create a community in which the people of our prefecture can feel reassured that they are protected from disaster.” Take good care in this heat!
Mr. tak :	Thank you for your long essay! It was very interesting for me to read! It sounds like your experience of listening to the radio changed your whole life. It was like a window to the world, wasn't it? In fact, it still is, because after that you bought your own short wave radio equipment! Your essay was also well written. Just one quick suggestion: Instead of "World War II throwing in the towel," I think it's better to say..."Japan seemed to have thrown in the towel..." Again, excellent essay!

さて、今回の課題は、ひろしま国の特集にちなみ「第２次世界大戦で家族がどんな影響を受けましたか。あなたや家族がどんな苦難に直面しましたか」です。まずは私の祖父に関するエッセーを読み、皆さんの家族について教えてください。

How was your family affected by World War II?
What hardships did you or your family members suffer?

My parents were still children during World War II. However, my grandfather - my father's father - played an important role the United States. He was a social worker and he was in charge of the government agency which helped bring was refugees from Europe to the United States. Many of these refugees were Jewish. They fled Europe when Hitler came to power or were survivors of the Nazi concentration camps. Over the years, he helped thousands of immigrants begin new lives in the United States. In fact, my grandfather's parents were immigrants themselves, from Romania. My grandfather was their first child born in the United States. Unfortunately, he died when I was still young. He was a good man and I wish I could have talked to him more about his interesting life. Please talk to your grandparents and parents about their lives while you have the chance!

＜Vocabulary＞
social worker＝ソーシャルワーカー, in charge of＝担当する,
government agency＝政府系機関, war refugees＝戦争難民,
Jewish＝ユダヤ人, flee＝逃げる,
Nazi concentration camps＝ナチスの強制収容所, immigrants＝移民

　※締め切りは８月７日必着です。

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外国でも平和を話し合うために

前回の日本語訳

ベックさんのコメント

How was your family affected by World War II? What hardships did you or your family members suffer?

　　前回の日本語訳

How was your family affected by World War II?
What hardships did you or your family members suffer?