Yes, There are (also) times when I do walk here.
Why would you like to come to work here?
Well, since I can speak Japanese a little, [I've been] thinking I'd like to do work that uses (lit. has brought into use) English and Japanese.
Can you read. too?
I can read more or less (at least), but not that much yet.
Well, at our place, there aren't very many occasions when reading and writing are required, but ... (I asked anyway). What about the computer?
I have studied it a little, so I can use one, I believe, (but not well).
Can you begin, starting next month?
Yes, starting any time.
(It's that) I'm looking for a person who can talk about the American economy at our seminar this next time; could(n't) I ask you?
That's no problem, but when is it?
It's about three weeks from now, but, you know, the fact is they want to have it done in Japanese.
In Japanese? Oh, no! I've just barely reached the point where I can speak a little, but specialized things are still a bit [of a problem].
Can't I ask you somehow?
Is it impossible to provide an interpreter?
I wonder. I's not clear whether or not I'll be able to track down a suitable person, but why don't I try looking for one.
Lesson 25B
What are you doing (now), Sue (lit. Ms. Brown)?
I'm (just now) making up English test questions.
Later on will be fine, but (lit. so) can('t) I have you write this on the word processor, too?
O.K.
Ms. Morimoto, could(n't) I have a little of your time in the evening? (It's that) there¡¦s someone (lit. a person) who very much wants to be introduced to you.
Really ? that will be fine. But can I have you come here?
Of course I'll do that. I'm very grateful to you.
We're sorry to be late. Just as we were about to leave, a phone call came in, and...(you know what that means).
Yeah. Uh, what was her/his name... The name I can't recall, but s/he's from Lincoln University-right?
That's right! I thought I would write a letter [to her/him], but not knowing the address... You don't know it, Ms. Miller?
I don't know it, but s/he was (lit. had come) in the literature department at Tokyo University, so I wonder if it isn't the case that you can get information there.
Oh, (it's that) I was just now thinking of calling Tokyo University on another matter.
Then that's just great!
Lesson 26A
Even though I told him to hurry, Yamada is late, isn't he!
The roads are crowded now, so¡K
Even so, he's late!
If he doesn't come after weve waited for the next five minutes, shall we begin?
When you push this button, the answer comes out.
Supposing the answer doesn't come out, what should I do?
Call me.
There's a matter I¡¦d like to discuss with you but... (is it all right?)
What is it?
Uh, my senior colleague, Mr. Mizuno, you know.
Yes.
It's that his manner is a bit strange these days.
When you say strange, (what do you mean)?
It's that some how I have the feeling that he's become cold.
He's become cold?
Yes. [Just] when I thought I had at last become able to associate [with him] as a friend, you know. Suddenly it's (lit. being) as if distance [between us] has developed again.
Oh, isn't it perhaps the case that your way of talking has been too familiar for a junior colleague?
I['ve done this]?
Yes. No matter how familiar you become, juniors [should act] like juniors, you know. Why don't you try to be a bit careful even about things like your way of talking, and see (how that works out).
Oh. Of course (I might have known).
Lesson 26B
How was Guam?
Oh, even though I went to (do) work, I did nothing but have a good time.
[How was] the weather?
It was tops. Don't we wish Japan would have that kind of weather all the time, too!
But with nothing but the same kind of weather continuing, it's probably tiresome (lit. not interesting).
That's so, but I think it's great if it's weather like that, but - you know what I mean.
Don't you think it's more enjoyable for it to be hot sometimes and cold sometimes, depending on the season?
But, you know, for example, when you're in Japan, all you seem to do in have to worry about the weather every day.
That's the way it is, isn't it?
I just moved recently - right? The floor about me (lit. that place) is noisy, and ...(it¡¦s terrible).
You ought to complain - at times like that.
I did say [something]. Telephoning, and speaking directly... but on the contrary, all it does is get worse.
Oh, say, at times like that, you speak to the apartment manger!
To the apartment manger?
Yes. [Things] will go more smoothly if you have somebody be a go-between.
Really? I should have known, shouldn't I!
Lesson 27A
I hear (lit. having heard) your employment has been decided; congratulations.
Thanks. While thing I¡¦d get in touch with you right away, in the end I unintentionally failed to (lit. committed a rudeness) and ¡K (it was inexcusable).
No, no. You, too, must have all kinds of things you have to do so¡K (it¡¦s understandable).
I¡¦m sorry.
Continuing work and bringing up children at the same time is difficult, isn¡¦t it?
Well, you have both responsibility as a parent, and you must also do your work properly; you are busy!
Suppose it becomes necessary to choose one of the two - work or home; what will you do?
Hm. Unless I look at [the situation] when that time comes, I can¡¦t tell.
Uh¡K
Yeah?
It¡¦s about this schedule that Ms. Tanaka made, you know? There¡¦s a need to have it all redone, isn¡¦t there!
That¡¦s right. But in that case (lit. with it coming to that), you¡¦ll have to ask Ms. Tanaka again, won¡¦t you!
Yes. Could (lit. can¡¦t) I have you, Ms. Sakamoto, or the division chief make the request?
No, this - you Ms. Miller (who are) the person in charge, ought to request, all things considered.
oh¡K As long as you say so, Ms. Sakamoto, there¡¦s nothing more to be said about it.
Well, provided you explain the circumstances carefully-and, while doing that, have tea or something - s/he¡¦ll be persuaded.
Lesson 27B
They say that (it¡¦s that) you¡¦ve been in Japan all of six years already.
Yes. The longer I live here, the more Japan appeals to me, and¡K (that¡¦s why I stay).
Oh. (It¡¦s that) you like life in Japan, don¡¦t you!
Yes. You know, I¡¦ve been thinking I¡¦d like to stay here indefinitely, if it¡¦s possible.
Don¡¦t your parents say that they¡¦d like you to come home?
Actually, both of them (having) died a number of years ago¡K
Forgive me for bringing that up.
What¡¦s more, I don¡¦t have any brothers or sisters, so¡K (there¡¦s no one wanting me to return home).
Oh, is that how it is!
That shall we do about his next meeting?
Yeah-even though there isn¡¦t even a week left [before it begins], (it¡¦s that) nothing has been decided yet-right?
If only it were next month! We couldn¡¦t really postpone it?
Oh, the later it gets, the more [the number of] people who can¡¦t come will increase.
That¡¦s right. Well, in any case, we must decide the place or something, at least.
Well, the rest will probably work out, if only the place is decided.
That was awful, wasn¡¦t it? Even though I asked you to do something unreasonable, I was busy and couldn¡¦t really even give you a hand; I¡¦m terribly sorry.
No problem. When I tried doing it, it didn¡¦t take even half a day!
Lesson 28A
If I can be of any use to you, please say [the word].
Thank you. It¡¦s very kind of you, but I¡¦m going to have my people help me, so¡K (there¡¦s no need for you to take the trouble).
Today it¡¦s on me.
Certainly not! Today (it¡¦s that) I did the inviting, so¡K (I will pay).
No. Today, please let me pay. I¡¦m constantly being treated by you. So¡K (it¡¦s my turn).
Don¡¦t be concerned about that kind of thing.
No, today I honestly came with that intention, so let me pay.
Really? Well, then, I¡¦ll take you at your word and be your guest. It was delicious. [Thank you.]
Not at all.
(Mr.) Kato! Did you attend yesterday¡¦s lecture?
Mr/s. Minami¡¦s sociology? Yeah. I attended, but¡K (why do you ask?)
I¡¦m sorry to ask this, but I wonder if you¡¦d let me copy those notes.
Oh, no, my writing is a mess; I don¡¦t think you can read it.
Don¡¦t worry about that! I¡¦ll positively return [the notes] by the time you go home, so¡K (please lend them to me).
It won¡¦t be my problem when you can¡¦t make them out.
(Receiving the notes) Thanks¡K (Looking at the notes) C¡¦mon, they¡¦re written neatly!
They are? You think you¡¦ll be able to read them?
Yeah. You saved my life. Thanks.
Lesson 28B
Uh, excuse me. Would I be able to (have you let me) borrow a book of yours for a little while?
Of course. Please go ahead. I won¡¦t use [that book] until the new term begins, so take your time.
Ms. Miller. Will you be [in] a hotel all the time until you find a place to live?
No. (the situation is that) I¡¦m now staying (lit. accepting [someone¡¦s] letting me stay) at Mr/s. Ohashi¡¦s place.
Won¡¦t you come to my place for two or three days? (It¡¦s that) my family would like to meet you.
Thank you, but wouldn¡¦t Mr/s. Ohashi be offended?
Oh, it¡¦ll be all right. I¡¦ll speak to Mr/s. Ohashi in advance (properly) so leave it up to me.
But isn¡¦t that a nuisance for you?
No, not a bit.
It you would like to see no(h) and kabuki and the like, I¡¦ll take you any time, but¡K (are you interested?)
Thanks for being so kind. I may ask you [to do that] some time (again).
The fact is I just [happen to] have tickets for Saturday. How about it?
Oh, thank you, but Saturday, unfortunately, (being that) I have a previous engagement¡K
Lesson 29A
This morning I was greeted awfully politely by one of the bigwigs in the company, but I didn¡¦t understand a thing.
I guess it¡¦s difficult, isn¡¦t it? You use set ways of saying things, so¡K (they may be very difficult).
Can¡¦t anything be done about those children, I wonder, don¡¦t their parents warn them?
Even if they¡¦re warned (a little), they couldn¡¦t care less. The parents don¡¦t say anything strictly, and¡K
When I was a child, we used to be strictly disciplined, but¡K you know.
At a place like this, I think that even children ought to be quiet, but¡K (they don¡¦t seem to be).
Excuse me. Where would the parents(s) of the children over there be? Hmmm.
Since everyone seems to be annoyed¡K you know.
Yes, I¡¦m sorry. I¡¦ll try to have them warn them, so¡K (leave it to me).
Would you, please?
Uh, this may be something unnecessary [to bring up], but this place here-you know? Perhaps you ought to correct it a bit.
Yes. Shouldn¡¦t you say it his way?
Well, there may (also) be people who do (say), but if it¡¦s left this way, there¡¦s the possibility of having the meaning misunderstood, so¡K (it¡¦s better to correct it).
Really. Thank you for being so conscientious.
Not at all. Forgive my rudeness (for pointing out an error).
Lesson 29B
Excuse me for being late. Did you wait [long]?
It¡¦s O.K. (Because) I¡¦m used to it.
I was called by the head of the institute just as I was about to leave, and¡K
Yeah.
I was asked [to do] something that¡¦s a bother.
What?
(It¡¦s that) s/he says I¡¦m to act as a guide for some visitors who are coming from abroad.
Again? (You must agree that) it¡¦s been nothing but that kind of thing (since) recently.
Yeah.
Refuse!-that kind of thing.
(it¡¦s that) I can¡¦t really do anything like that ¡V while I depend on that place, you know?
Don¡¦t overdo!-too much.
[For] Mr/s. Yasuda. Even while we¡¦re drinking, it¡¦s work, work, and that¡¦s too bad, isn¡¦t it.
[It¡¦s] something or other, you know?
Yeah¡K
(it¡¦s that ) apparently s/he¡¦s been told to write all of three new computer programs while s/he¡¦s here.
Then even if we tell him/her to (quit), s/he probably can¡¦t really quit, can s/he.
Well, since s/he¡¦s conscientious, you know.
The division chief was saying you were to come when the visitors left.
Right. Then if there are any phone calls while I¡¦m gone (lit. not here), take a message, will you?
Lesson 30A
I hear that you were made to do all of this translation.
Yes. (It's that) I have an obligation to that SENSEE not (to be able) to refuse, so there was no way out of it.
Have you every heard of what's called "a speech contest for foreigners"?
Yes, As a matter of fact, you know? (It's that) I've been urged by my teacher to eater [one] and I'm really upset.
Surely there¡¦s nothing to be upset about. As long as (it¡¦s that) your teacher is saying it, why don¡¦t you try entering?
No, (it¡¦s that) I¡¦m not suited for things like that. (It¡¦s that) being made to talk in front of a crowd is my weak point.
But since you¡¦ve been specially asked, why don¡¦t you give it your all and try doing it?
No, really, when a person like me takes part, it ends up on the contrary disgracing the teacher so¡K (I¡¦d better not do it).
Oh? ¡V I wonder¡K
How is it? - your English conversation [program].
(Thanks for asking.) There¡¦s no comparing it with before. Only I¡¦m working at the same time so it¡¦s a bit hard, but - you know.
Is (it that) there (is) quite a bit o homework?
Yes. It involves listening to tapes for about two hours on the average per day. Unless you learn the conversation portion carefully in advance, you know, when you¡¦re made to say it in class, you¡¦re in trouble, so¡K (you must do your homework).
Lesson 30BYou say (it¡¦s that) you ended up having an argument with the (division) chief?
Yeah. But even with me going out of my way to explain, before I finish saying everything, s/he starts talking so¡K (the argument hasn¡¦t been settled).
But listen! Leaving it this way is no good. I thin you¡¦d better apologize before it¡¦s [too] late.
Even if you say something like that, the fact remains that the one at fault is him/her (lit. over there). In spite of that, why is it that I have to apologize?
That¡¦s life! Even if its¡¦ not fair, since the other side [of the argument] is the division chief¡K (knuckle under!)
But I really can¡¦t go along with this.
Well, that¡¦s the ways it is. You have to (lit. unless you) put up with it; so go and apologize quickly.
What is the article about?
It says that the air in the big cities has begun to clear up (lit. become clean).
Let me look at it for a bit¡K. Oh, (it¡¦s that) the fish have come back to the oceans and /or the lakes and the like, too ¡V right?
That¡¦s right. They say that the natural environment has also begun to improve, a little at a time.
This is annoying, isn¡¦t it? ¡V begin made to wait like this in this kind of place.
When we want to arrive before it gets dark!
Oh, we¡¦ve begun to move!