Download MP3

８月の５週間は、恒例の「超濃縮！やさしい英語会話」です。この８年間に配信した259本の「やさしい英語会話」よりエピソードを厳選し、毎回４本分を濃縮してお届けします。ナチュラルスピードの会話をスクリプトとともにお楽しみください。

最近社会現象になったあのゲームなど、ゲームは世代を問わず人を夢中にさせるもの。今回は"Life Is a Game"をテーマに、パーティでのゲームや言葉のゲームも含めた、様々なゲームの会話を４本選びました。

Image credit: ぱくたそ.

（初級〜中級）Drinking Games

M: Chizuko! Do you want to go drinking tonight?

W: Not really. Matt, you know I hate drinking.

M: Come on. Alex is throwing a huge party. I bet lots of guys will come.

W: Hmm. Nah. I think I'll pass on tonight. I don't really like drinking. And I hate drunk guys.

M: Come on. I promise it'll be fun. If you don't have fun, you never have to come out again. There will be tons of games.

W: Hmm. Games? What kind of games? Like Playstation games?

M: Not exactly.

W: Like Truth or Dare? Or I never?

M: No way! Although those would be pretty fun, now that you mention it. There'll be drinking games. You know, like beer pong and flip cup.

W: What? What are those? I've never played them before.

M: What? I can't believe you never played those games. Every college student in America knows those games.

W: Wait, I'm Japanese. I don't count.

M: Still, you've been here for four months.

W: Fine, tell me how to play.

M: OK. Let's see. In beer pong, you try to throw ping pong balls into the other teams' cups. The losing team drinks.

W: Yeah. That actually sounds pretty fun if I don't have to drink. OK, I'll go tonight if you're my partner and you drink all of the beers for me.

M: No. You have to drink half of the beers.

W: Fine. I'll just stay home.

M: Fine, I'll drink all of your beers. Man, I'm going to get drunk tonight.

W: What is that supposed to mean? Are you saying I'm going to make us lose?

M: Maybe. But it's OK. You just have to deal with me after.

W: Great. Just don't puke on me or try hitting on me.

M: Sorry in advance. Sometimes, I just can't help myself.

W: Maybe, I'll just stay home tonight.

(Written by Kyle Kumashiro)

How Do You Make a Game?

M: Hey, Nobuko, how do you make a game?

W: You mean a video game, I presume? Um, that's rather difficult. As difficult as creating a movie, maybe even more! Games contain images, sounds, plot, special effects. They also have interactivity. As well as goals, challenges, rewards…

M: Whoa-whoa, cut the lecture. Can't you explain simpler? And a little closer to the actual thing?

W: I see: no appreciation for the theoretical part? OK, well, basically a game is a compiled computer code together with images, sounds, and other resources it makes use of.

M: Uh-huh, so I have to know how to write code?

W: I see. No appreciation for the noble art of a software engineer! You don't have to know how to program. There are many game-creating software tools, such as Sploder and Stencyl. Such software already contains all the necessary game components - you only need to put it together in the way you want, like in a construction set. Of course, simplicity comes with a price of fewer possibilities.

M: Oh, bummer. World of Warcraft and such are out of the question?

W: Most definitely! In general, you won't be able to create anything complex or truly original unless you learn how to code. There are some exceptions to this rule, of course… Wait, actually I don't know any.

M: It matters not! I will make my own game, which will be just like Super Mario, but with a cat instead of a plumber. It'll be a huge success. And being a famous game developer, I'll get money, fame, free lunches... you name it!

W: I see. A couch potato with tacky dreams, and little respect for other people's intellectual property? Well, good luck! You'll need it. Ciao!

M: I wonder why she would get so angry and call me names? It matters not! My fortune is just around the corner. Hey, wait! Isn't it time for my favourite TV drama? I guess I can leave game development for later!

(Written by Dmitry Mamchur)

Playing the "Would You Rather…" Game

M: Hey, I have a good idea. Let's play the ‘Would you rather…” game!

W: What's that?

M: It's a game where I give you two really BAD situations, and you have to choose which one you'd prefer.

W: Ah… That sounds like a horrible game.

M: That's sort of the point, though! Alright, I'll start! Hmm… let me think… would you rather live in Antarctica or Death Valley?

W: Oh, both are bad. OK… I'll choose Antarctica. At least I could build myself an igloo! Haha… OK. It's my turn now. Um… would you rather be trapped underground, or endlessly float through space?

M: Um… I'm claustrophobic, so I choose ‘Endlessly floating through space'.

W: I'd probably choose the same. Both are pretty crappy situations, though.

M: I'd say! Alright… Would you rather… have a condition that made you sweat 10 times more than usual, or have really bad breath that was incurable?

W: Bad breath! Most definitely bad breath! Can I use mints constantly?

M: Mints don't work. It's an incurable condition, remember?

W: Nooo! Alright, but I'm still sticking with bad breath. I'll just wear a mask for the rest of my life and will be known as the ‘masked beauty'.

M: Haaaahhh, you DON'T need to wear a mask to be beautiful.

W: Oh, how flattering…

M: (laughs) OK, last one! Would you rather… go on a date with me, or go on a date with an old hairy lumberjack?

W: Smooth… Um, I'll go with the old hairy lumberjack.

M: Wow, what a lucky guy!

W: Tomorrow at 7 pm. I'll be waiting outside my apartment.

M: Hey, what are you trying to say? That I'm old and hairy? Anyway, I'm looking forward to it!

(Written by Lauren Johnson)

Are Game Arcades a Waste of Money?

W: Hey Greg! What're you doing here?

M: Eh? Oh hey Sarah. I just came here to try to win something for my girlfriend from one of these claw machine things.

W: You mean UFO Catchers? You know those things are a huge rip-off, right? You really shouldn't be wasting your money on them.

M: Ha ha. Yeah, I know they're a rip off, but I really need to win this figurine for my girlfriend! She told me she'd break up with me unless I got it for her for her birthday.

W: Geez, why don't you just BUY the figure online if you need it so badly? You're gonna spend more money on this stupid machine than you would actually just buying it online.

M: Trust me, I know that. It's just that I can't find this exact one online anywhere. It's a limited edition, and she's gotta have it.

W: You know Greg, if I didn't know any better, I'd say your girlfriend is taking advantage of you.

M: (Sigh) That may be true, but if I blow it with her, I may be alone for the rest of my life! (Greg begins shaking the machine vigorously)

W: You know Greg, there's plenty of other girls out there who would date a guy like you.

M: Really? Like who? (Continues to shake the machine as hard as he can)

W: (blushes) Um, someone like--

(Sarah gets cut off as an alarm starts sounding from the machine.)

Arcade Employee: Hey you! No shaking the machines! Get out of here!

M: Ah! All I wanted was to win this stupid figurine!

W: (sighs)

(The two of them are ushered out of the arcade by a staff member.)　　　

(Written by David Shaner)

Download MP3

８月の５週間は、恒例の「超濃縮！やさしい英語会話」です。この８年間に配信した259本の「やさしい英語会話」よりエピソードを厳選し、毎回４本分を濃縮してお届けします。ナチュラルスピードの会話をスクリプトとともにお楽しみください。

今回は"Stay Foolish ... ?"をテーマに、この1年間にお届けした中から、ちょっと常識ではあり得ない行動に出る人々の登場する会話を４本選びました。かれらのあまりに「ぶっ飛んだ」言動に、夏の暑さも吹き飛ぶかも…!?

（初級〜中級）The Excitement of a Zoo

M: Finally, we made it to the zoo! I wanna go see the T-Rex exhibit first!

W: Robbie, how many times do I have to tell you: dinosaurs went extinct millions of years ago. There're no T-Rexes in the zoos.

M: And how many times do I have to tell YOU that that's just a government conspiracy fabricated to keep people from using dinosaurs as weapons.

W: (Puts her palm over her face and sighs) OK, Robbie, OK. I believe you. Just stop talking about it already. I actually wanted to enjoy this trip to the zoo, and you're making that pretty difficult.

M: Hey look! Lions!

(Robbie grabs Regina's hand and makes a dash for the lion enclosure.)

M: Wow! Lions are awesome!

W: (giggling) I'm glad to see you've taken interest in an animal that actual exists.

M: I always wished I could've been raised by lions. Living in the mountains, living off nothing but the flesh and blood of rhinos!

W: Um, I don't think that's where or how lions live, Robbie. (Regina looks down at her phone to distract herself from how badly this date is going. Regina then looks up.)

W: Hey Robbie what do you think of--. (Robbie is no where to be found.)

W: Robbie? Robbie?! Where are you?

(A few seconds later)

M: I'm over here, Regina!

(Regina looks over to see Robbie cuddling with one of the lions within the enclosure.)

W: WHAT ARE YOU DOING IN THE LION ENCLOSURE ROBBIE!? THATS SUPER DANGEROUS!

M: Just following my heart Regina, just following my heart.

(Written by David Shaner)

A Halloween Prank

Situation: It's Halloween and Robert and Carla are setting up for their annual Halloween party.

W: And... done! The hallway decorations are done. This is gonna be the best Halloween party yet!

M: Yeah, I totally agree. And this year's prank is gonna be twice as spooky as last year's!

W: Hey, wait, wait, wait.... you're gonna do a prank AGAIN this year?

(Robert is drilling holes in the ceiling, and is setting up some strange thing.)

M: Well, yeah. You can't have Halloween without spooky surprises!

W: Just so I'm clear: this whole prank thing isn't gonna end up like last year's, when Lenny was hospitalized for 3 months, is it?

M: Of course not.

W: Good.

M: Yeah, I've stepped up my game from last year. Look: when the guests walk in the door, they'll trip this switch, which deploys a can of pepper spray! The can of pepper spray will spray them in their eyes, rendering them unable to see. Then, I turn off the lights and beat them up with this baseball bat!

W: OK. There are TWO huge problems with this "prank". First, why turn off the lights if they already can't see because of the pepper spray? Second, how is blinding someone and then beating them with a bat a Halloween prank?? Sounds like something you'd do to your worst enemy!

M: Oh, whatever. Someone like you could never understand. You never did have a good sense of humor with these things!

W: That's because someone always ends up seriously hurt and/or permanently disfigured! In fact, how are you not in jail yet?

M: Well, it might have something to do with the fact that I'm 12?

W: Oh, yeah!

(Written by David Shaner)

Special Medicine

M: Alright Kimmy. I drove you to this pharmacy store. Can I go home now?

W: Ha Ha Ha! Don't make me laugh! You thought that was the end of your duty? That was merely the first phase!

M: I don't like where this is going. Is this another one of your crazy schemes?

W: Hey, if you didn't want to help me with this, you shouldn't have volunteered! You're gonna have to see my plan to its end!

M: Volunteered? I volunteered because you told me we were going to go help your hot sister move into her new apartment. I didn't volunteer to get myself arrested, which is definitely going to be the result if this is anything like your other schemes.

W: You have too little faith in me. We only get arrested if we get caught!

M: So, this IS illegal then?!

W: Just let me do all the talking.

(Mark and Kimmy walk up to the pharmacy counter.)

W: Hello! My name is Kimmy and this is my severely mentally impaired brother, Keith. We would like some very expensive medications so he can get better.

M: (whispering) Mentally impaired? What're you talking about?

W: (whispering) Just go with it... If we get these drugs for your "condition", we can sell them for twice the price or more on the black market!

Pharmacist: Do you have a prescription or doctor's note with you?

W: Ahem... Um, no we don't. But can't you just see how mentally impaired he is? Isn't that enough to warrant the medication?

Pharmacist: Without a prescription, I can't do anything for you.

W: (whispering) Mark, you're not selling this well at all, you've gotta at least try to act the part!

M: This is ridiculous, Kimmy. I'm going home. If your hot sister ever DOES actually need help moving in, you know where to find me!

W: Ah! Mark, you ruined everything!

(Written by David Shaner)

Fire Alarm

Situation: Troy and Amanda are hanging out in a dark corner of their local library.

W: So, I was, like, "It's totally YOUR fault, Christie, because Johnny Ferrerie would've never kissed Suzie unless Kathie Davis had been... (Troy cuts off Amanda)

M: Yo-- hold that thought! Check out this fire alarm over here!

W: What? You're not actually considering pulling a fire alarm in a public library, are you? The sprinklers will go off and it'll ruin my hair!

M: Think of it this way: if I pull this fire alarm, everyone in here is gonna get soaking wet. Ha ha ha... (Troy has a mischievous smile)

W: Yeah, exactly! Meaning: my hair and my new Louis Vuitton bag will both be ruined!

M: Amanda, think about it. EVERYONE in here will be soaking wet! That includes the girls! The combination of water and a white shirt really suits a girl in a situation like this, if you know what I mean. (Starts laughing)

W: Oh my gosh, Troy, you're such a pervert!

M: Genius? Yes. Inventive? Yes. Pervert? No way. Um... watch this!

(Troy puts his hand on the alarm, poised to pull it.)

W: Hey! You better not!

M: Come to me, my drenched vixens!

(Troy pulls the alarm and everyone in the library starts screaming as tons of water fall upon them.)

(Written by David Shaner)

Download MP3

これからの季節、学生さんは、大学の友人同士で、あるいは帰省先で、何かとパーティに参加する機会が増えることでしょう。

「パーティを催す」は、英語で"throw a party"と言います。会話に登場する男性は、ちょっと変わったパーティの企画を思いついたようです。彼はどんなパーティを開こうとしているのでしょうか。

（初級〜中級）*** It's a Good Expression ***

（今回の重要表現）

brilliant

すばらしい

※同じ文の"Einstein"と同様に、相手に対する皮肉を込めて使われている。

What if

〜したらどうなるかな

Some party THAT would be!

それはそれは、すごいパーティになりそうね。

=That would be some party!

※someは「大した、ちょっとした」の意味。ここではもちろん皮肉を込めて。

lame

ダサい

You don't get it.

わかってないな。

They just like being careless, and having a good time.

彼らはただ、浮かれ気分で楽しみたいだけなんだ。

once everyone is acting all drunk and whatnot ...

いったん、みんなが酔った風に振る舞いだしたり、何やかんやがあったら...

and whatnot

何やかんや

I'll just be, like, ...

※ここのlikeはフィラーの一種で「ええと」「そうだな」

punks

お前ら

sober

シラフの

Bro, I'm so wasted...

お前なあ、ほんと盛り下がるわ。

wastedは俗語で「疲れ切った」と「酔っ払った」の意味がある。ここでは前者の意味で使われているが、後者もかけたコミカルなオチになっている。

to sell the story

人を信用させる（「話を売り込む」から）

I'm pretty sure you can buy a keg of non-alcoholic beer pretty cheap.

ノンアルのビールなら、きっと樽でかなり安く買えると思うよ。

to be set

準備ができた

rowdy

粗暴な

You must be hanging out with the wrong crowd, man!

ねえ、騙す相手が違うんじゃない！

※大学のパーティだから、酔った気分にさせるだけで手がつけられなくなるかも知れないということ。

to hang out with

と付き合う、つるむ

man

ねえ

to throw up

嘔吐する

to be a hoot

= to be funny

But you're cleaning it up!

でも君が（吐いたものを）片付けるんだよ。

buddy

manと同様、親しい人への呼びかけ。

Nice try.

惜しかったわね。その手には乗らないわ。

Just don't drink and drive.

とにかく飲酒運転はしないことだ。

※to drink and driveで「飲酒運転をする」。実際には飲んでいなくても、みんな酔った気分だから危ないよということ。

super-hydrated

水っ腹の（アルコール抜きの飲み物をいっぱい飲んだ）

*** Script ***

Throwing a Party

M: Hey, I got a good idea for the party!

W: OK, so what's your brilliant idea, Einstein?

M: Well, I'm thinking: what if we threw a party with non-alcoholic beer?!

W: HA! Some party THAT would be! Sounds rather lame to me!

M: No, no, you don't get it. I have a feeling a lot of college students think they're drunk when they really aren't. They just like being careless, and having a good time. So my idea is to throw a party with non-alcoholic beer, and then once everyone is acting all drunk and whatnot, I'll just be, like, "Surprise, punks! You're all 100% sober!"

W: Ha ha! And then everyone will look at you and be, like, "Bro, I'm so wasted…" Hey, That's actually a really good idea.

M: Thanks!

W: If you'd like, I can even pretend to be the drunkest one there, just to really sell the story.

M: Ha ha. Perfect! I'm pretty sure you can buy a keg of non-alcoholic beer pretty cheap. So if we charge everyone 2 or 3 dollars to get into the party, we should be set!

W: Sounds good!

M: I agree. I just hope nobody gets super-rowdy and starts breaking things.

W: Hey, what kind of parties are you going to?

M: College parties!

W: You must be hanging out with the wrong crowd, man! However, it WOULD be pretty funny if people started throwing up the non-alcoholic beer. Ha ha.

M: That would be a hoot, but you're cleaning it up!

W: Ehh-- I don't think so buddy. Nice try.

M: OK, well, just don't drink and drive.

W: Yeah, because nobody wants a bunch of super-hydrated teens out on the streets. Ha ha.

(Written by Matteen Aminpour)

Download MP3

来月はいよいよ夏休み。リスナーの皆さんの中には、飛行機で海外に出かける計画を立てている人もいらっしゃると思います。

国際線の飛行機で楽しみなのが「機内食」。最近は機内食の質が向上し、エコノミークラスであっても工夫を凝らした機内食を提供する航空会社が増えてきました。それでも人の好みは様々ですから、ちょっと期待はずれの食事に遭遇することもあります。今回の会話の舞台は飛行機の機内ですが、機内食へのかなり辛辣な文句が聞こえてきました…。

（初級〜中級）*** It's a Good Expression ***

（今回の重要表現）

to have the courage to 〜

よく〜できたものだ

crappy

ひどい、おぞましい

in charge of

〜担当の

to take a stand

主張する

edible

食べられる

leftover(s)

残り物

to have no choice but

〜せざるを得ない

You're such a pig.

なんて下品なの。

※pigには「食べ過ぎの」「汚い」「下品な」の３つの意味がある。

arrogant

傲慢な

*** Script ***

Delicious Food in Airplanes?

W: Ah! How can airline flight attendants have the courage to serve such crappy food!

M: Huh?

W: You know: they're the ones in charge of passing out all the meals, yet they never take a stand and tell the sky chefs to make something edible.

M: Ha ha. Tell me about it.

W: Just think, most of those men and women working up in the skies are somebody's parents. Ugh. I'd hate to be their kids!

M: Ha ha. You're so mean!

W: Maybe. But can you honestly say you'd want a parent who brought home leftovers like that every night? I've been on flights where my o-kayu looked like manjyu, where my chicken tasted like fish, or where my chocolate cake smelled like feet! You CAN'T honestly tell me you'd want to eat that.

M: Well, I guess not.

W: Exactly! And it's not fair to the passengers who have no choice but to eat that junk!

M: Good point. But the flight attendants are usually so cute that I don't really notice what I'm eating!

W: Ah! You're such a pig.

M: What can I say? The heart wants what the heart wants!

W: I just want something edible.

M: Then take a stand! Start a protest. Get involved!

W: Yeah, because the next thing CNN really wants to cover is a group of arrogant college students complaining that their airline food isn't good enough? Talk about First World problems!

M: Well, take it or leave it, I guess. There's not too much you can do.

W: Hey, you should become a flight attendant. You're just about as helpful as one!

(Written by Matteen Aminpour)

Download MP3　

先月から始まった新シリーズ「文化警察24時」（Culture Cops）、いかがでしょうか。３本目のエピソードでは、アメリカ合衆国でプロスポーツの試合を観戦する時に欠かせないことを取り上げます。

アメリカでは、プロスポーツの試合開始の前に観客が起立して国歌を斉唱します。この場面で登場した文化警察のヴァルが、観客の一人にアメリカでの習慣について説明します。彼女が説明したのは、そのような習慣でしょうか…。

「文化警察24時」は、少し英語が苦手！という皆さんを対象にした、長さもレベルも聞きやすい番組です。しっかり聞いて、しっかり声に出して練習してみましょう。

（初級）Culture Cops (3): In the United States

Officer Val talking with a man from Canada at a hockey game.

Announcer: Ladies and gentlemen, would you please stand up if you’re able, remove your caps, and place your hands over your hearts for the singing of the National Anthem. (After The Anthem)

Val: Excuse me sir, my name is Officer Val. I’m an officer with the International Culture Police. I noticed that you didn’t remove your cap for the singing of the National Anthem at tonight’s hockey game.

M: That’s right officer, you see, because I’m Canadian, I didn’t know that I had to take off my hat, as I’m not an American citizen.

Val: I see how that could be confusing, sir. However, it’s common practice that anyone on American soil goes along with the guidelines. If you respect American culture, I’m sure everyone here will be more than happy to respect Canadian culture when they visit the “land of hockey.”

M: You got it, ma’am! I’ll make sure to remember that when I return for tomorrow night’s game. I’ll even look up the words to sing along!

Val: You’re not required to sing, but if you’d like to, we’d love to have you join us! (Written by Matteen Aminpour)

Download MP3

この番組「異文化ディスカッション」では、いつもは広島大学に学ぶ留学生をゲストに招き、東広島での学生生活や、身近な話題について、英語で話してもらっています。

今回は特別編として、広島大学非常勤講師の松本陵磨先生をゲストに、日本人が英語を上達するための秘訣を紹介していただきます。

聞き手：Joe Lauer（広島大学外国語教育研究センタ―）

（中級〜上級向け）

＊毎月第１週は「異文化ディスカッション」をお届けします。

＊エントリーの「スクリプトを見る」をクリックすると、番組内で使われている表現を見ることができます（スクリプトは表示されません）。The Best Ways to Improve English Speaking Ability

undergraduate

= 学部生（の）

to abandon

= to get rid of (one's responsibilities), （中途で）やめる

※「退学する」は、通例leave/quit schoolを使う。

a sophomore

= a second-year student

to transfer (to another school)

= 編入する

sort of

= kind of, to some extend

Birmingham

= a large city in the north England

an acupuncturist

= 鍼（はり）療法師

back and forth

= going and coming

a PhD

= 博士号

a Master's Degree

= 修士号

the Middle East

= 中東

the UAE

= The United Arab Emirates, a country next to Saudi Arabia

the University of Paris-Sorbonne

= a famous college in France

a branch

= 分校

to be exposed to

= 〜に触れる

maths

= （イギリス英語）math, mathematics

to admit

= 認める

The thing is…

= The important thing is…

from scratch

= from the very beginning

to observe

= to watch carefully

to imitate

= to repeat out loud in exactly the same way

to pay attention to

= to concentrate on

the liaison

=音の連結

to distinguish between

= to understand the differences between

to be blessed

= to be lucky

a session

= a period of time for doing something

challenging

= difficult

a vest

= チョッキ、ベスト

contradictory

= a statement opposite to another statement, 矛盾した

controversial

= debatable, having no agreement, 賛否の分かれる

filler words

= words which allow a speaker to tell the listener: “Please wait a couple of seconds. I'm thinking and I'm not finished speaking.” つなぎ言葉（多用しない方がよいとされているのでcontroversial）

awkward

= uncomfortable, ぎこちない

to totally recommend that…

= to strongly recommend that…

moderate

= not too much and not too little

the principle

= the basic rule or idea

the Audio-Lingual Method

= a way of teaching English in which students repeat out loud what the teacher says

oral

= related to speaking

a tendency

= a trend, 傾向

to focus on

= to concentrate on

to be sufficient

= to be enough, to be adequate

an accent

= a dialect

you

= everybody

to convey (something)

= to communicate (a message)

to be outgoing

= to be friendly and not shy

Download MP3

前回に引き続き、オーストラリアとニュージーランドの野生生物（wildlife）についての会話をお届けします。珍しくてかわいい動物が多い一方で、人間に害を及ぼす種も存在するようです。ここでは、これらの国を訪れる時に注意しておくべき植物や鳥の名前が登場します。

（初級〜中級）*** It's a Good Expression ***

（今回の重要表現）

venomous

有毒の

to sting

刺す

mosquito（蚊）は日本語では「刺す」が、英語ではbite。

excruciating

強烈な

anti-venoms

解毒剤

straight away

すぐに（right away）

predators

捕食者

*** Script ***

Wildlife in Australia and New Zealand (Part 2)

W: On the topic of things that may kill you in Australia, did you know there are even plants you have to be careful of?

M: Plants? Cute little plants? As long as you don't eat a bad one, how much damage can a plant do to a human?

W: Well, there is this plant called a Gympie Gympie. It is probably the world's most venomous plant! It looks like an ordinary plant, but if you touch it, it stings you so badly the pain can last for months or even years! And it is said to be excruciating!

M: Wow, Australia sounds really scary!

W: But nowadays there are lots of anti-venoms, so even if you get bitten or stung by something you will probably be OK if you go to a doctor straight away.

M: What about New Zealand? What kind of dangers are there in New Zealand?

W: Actually, in New Zealand we don't really have the kind of dangerous animals that Australia does. In fact, New Zealand is known for our national bird, the kiwi. It's such a cute, harmless, flightless bird; if we actually had any predators, the kiwi would be extinct by now for sure!

M: Wow, the wildlife in New Zealand and Australia sounds so different!

W: Yeah, it really is! If you go to New Zealand, the animal you should really watch out for is a bird called a kea.

M: A bird? Does it attack people?

W: Not quite … it prefers to attack cars!

M: Ha ha! Cars?!

W: Yeah, they love the rubber of cars! If you park your car somewhere to go on a hike or check out a waterfall or something like that, when you come back you may find that parts of your car have been destroyed by a kea!

M: Oh no!

(Written by Anna Mace)

Download MP3

今回から２回に分けて、オーストラリアとニュージーランドの野生生物（wildlife）についての会話をお届けします。これらの国々を代表する動物といえば、皆さんは何を連想しますか。カンガルーやコアラのようなおなじみの愛らしい動物から、近年日本でも被害が出ているセアカゴケグモまで、少し思い浮かべただけでもさまざまな動物がいますね。ここでは、日本ではあまり知られていないものも登場しますので、どうかお楽しみに！

（初級〜中級）*** It's a Good Expression ***

（今回の重要表現）

hardly any 〜 at all

ほとんど〜ない

black widow spider

セアカゴケグモ

※オーストラリア原産で、最近日本でも被害が報告されている有毒のクモだが、この「ゴケグモ」（後家蜘蛛）は"widow spider"を直訳したもの。

jellyfish

クラゲ

sharks

サメ

stingrays

エイ

to tackle

ぶつかっていく

Crikey!（オーストラリア英語）

= Wow!

on the topic of

〜と言えば

*** Script ***

Wildlife in Australia and New Zealand (Part 1)

M: Anna, you're from New Zealand right?

W: Yeah, that's right.

M: Is it dangerous there, with all the deadly animals?

W: Deadly animals? Actually, there are hardly any dangerous animals in New Zealand at all! You're probably thinking about Australia, right? There are so many animals in Australia that could kill you that it's scary!

M: Like the black widow spider?

W: Ha ha. Yeah, I heard that every time you go to the toilet, you should check to make sure there aren't any black widows inside before you sit down! Also, if you go swimming, you have to be careful of jellyfish, sharks, even stingrays!

M: Oh, stingrays! I heard there was a famous wildlife expert from Australia who was killed by a stingray, right?

W: Yeah, his name was Steve Irwin. He had his own TV show. I grew up watching him tackling crocodiles and helping kangaroos! His nickname was "the Crocodile Hunter."

M: That's right, Steve Irwin! And he would always say "crikey!"

W: Yep, that's him!

M: But I never really understood what "crikey" meant.

W: It's just something they say in Australia when you're surprised. But on the topic of things that may kill you there, did you know there are even plants you have to be careful of?

M: Plants? Cute little plants?

(Written by Anna Mace)

Download MP3　

毎月第２週目は、先月終了した「アメリカ探求の旅」に続く新シリーズをお届けします。その名も「文化警察24時」（Culture Cops）。一見ハードな内容を予想させるタイトルですが、二人の警官が世界中を旅して、文化摩擦を解決していきます。「アメリカ探究の旅」と同じく、長さもレベルも聞きやすい、初級者向けの楽しいお話をお届けしていきますのでお楽しみに！

今回は特別に２本配信します。まず１本目では、本シリーズの内容を紹介します。

（初級）Culture Cops (1): Introduction

M: Oh. Hi Rie!

W: Hi Bob. What are you doing?

M: I'm listening to this great podcast called "The Culture Cops!"

W: (acting confused) "The Culture Cops?"

M: Don't tell me you've never heard of it!

W: I haven't. Honestly, I don't think anyone has!

M: Well, you've got to check it out! "The Culture Cops" is a new podcast where the police officers travel all over the world and fight culture-related crimes!

W: Such as?

M: Oh, you know, in America, foreigners might not remove their hats during the national anthem. That's a no-no. Also, in Japan, foreigners might stick their chopsticks in their rice and leave it there. That's also not very good.

W: Hmm, sounds in-the-rice-sting!

M: Ha ha… Good joke. Anyway, the names of the police officers are Trev and Val. Get it? Trev… Val. Trev. Val… Travel!

W: Ha ha. Another good joke! Travelling while learning about culture! I DO want to learn more about cultural differences around the world. Let's listen!

(Written by Matteen Aminpour)

Download MP3　

今月から始まった新シリーズ「文化警察24時」（Culture Cops）の特別編として、今回は２本のエピソードをお届けします。２本目のエピソードのキーワードは「ドイツ」と「枕」。

「ドイツでは枕は凶器とみなされる」-- そんな記事をネットで目にすることがあります（実際にそのような法律があるのかどうかは確認できていません）。今回のエピソードでは、ドイツを訪れた警官が、枕をかかえて歩いている女性に注意をしています。

「文化警察24時」は、少し英語が苦手！という皆さんを対象にした、長さもレベルも聞きやすい番組です。しっかり聞いて、しっかり声に出して練習してみましょう。

（初級）Culture Cops (2): In Germany

Trev talks to a girl walking down the street in Germany with a pillow in her hand. She's on her way to a pillow fight, which is illegal in Germany and can be considered assault.

Trev: Excuse me, miss. Where are you headed with that pillow?

W: Ha ha. Oh, this? I'm just headed to my friend's house. We're going to have a pillow fight!

Trev: Bad idea, my friend…. Bad idea.

W: And why is that, officer?

Trev: Pillows are considered passive weapons in Germany.

W: What on earth is a passive weapon?

Trev: It's a weapon used to lessen the blow of another weapon, such as a bulletproof vest, or in your case, a pillow.

W: So what would happen to me if the cops pulled up to my pillow fight? Would I be arrested?

Trev: You could be, yes. Depending on the officer, you could be charged with assault!

(Written by Matteen Aminpour)