8月24日、Steve JobsがAppleのCEOを辞任しました。
SteveからApple従業員の手紙が公開されています。
短いので全文を読んでみましょう。
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August 24, 2011
Letter from Steve Jobs
To the Apple Board of Directors and the Apple Community:
I have always said if there ever came a day when I could no longer
meet my duties and expectations as Apple's CEO, I would be the
first to let you know. Unfortunately, that day has come.
I hereby resign as CEO of Apple. I would like to serve, if the Board
sees fit, as Chairman of the Board, director and Apple employee.
As far as my successor goes, I strongly recommend that we
execute our succession plan and name Tim Cook as CEO of Apple.
I believe Apple's brightest and most innovative days are ahead of it.
And I look forward to watching and contributing to its success in a new role.
I have made some of the best friends of my life at Apple, and I thank
you all for the many years of being able to work alongside you.
Steve
http://www.apple.com/pr/library/2011/08/24Letter-from-Steve-Jobs.html
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なかなかの名文です。日本語での意味についてはWSJにありました。
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アップル取締役会とアップル・コミュニティの皆様へ：
私は、アップルCEOとして職務と期待が果たせなくなる日が来た場合、
まず最初にあなたたちに伝えるとかねてから言ってきた。
ここにアップルCEOを辞する。取締役会が適当であると判断すれば、
会長、取締役、アップル社員として留任したい。
私の後継者については、我々の後継者プランを遂行し、ティム・クック氏を
CEOに指名したい。
この先、アップルの最も輝かしく革新にあふれた日々が待っていることを
信じている。新たな役割を果たすなかで、アップルの成功に貢献し、それを
見届けられることを楽しみにしている。
私はアップルでは人生最良の友人を何人か得ることができた。多年にわたり
あなたたちと働くことができたことを感謝する。
http://jp.wsj.com/IT/node_294438/?tid=1108apple
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最初のパラグラフを見てみます。
I have always said if there ever came a day when I could no longer
meet my duties and expectations as Apple's CEO, I would be the
first to let you know. Unfortunately, that day has come.
仮定法ですね。if there ever came a day when で「もし〜するときがきたら」
ということです。仮定法は現実には起こりえないことを表現する方法と
思っていましたが、Unfortunately, that day has come. となってしまいました。
I would be the first to let you know. では仮定法と使役が使われています。
2パラグラフ目。
I hereby resign as CEO of Apple. I would like to serve, if the Board
sees fit, as Chairman of the Board, director and Apple employee.
herebyは公文書で使われる表現です。
I would like to serveのserveは「勤務する」という意味で、留任するを
意味するremainを使っていません。
if the Board sees fitのsee fitは「適当だと思う」という意味です。
続きは次回。
■NHKラジオ 実践ビジネス英語 2011/08/31 Lesson 11 Trend Spotting (1)
番組はインターネットで聴くことができます。
http://www.nhk.or.jp/gogaku/english/business2/index.html
本メルマガの単語の復習はこちらでどうぞ
実践ビジネス英語bot http://twitter.com/BijieiBot
■前回の復習です
in a big way
make someone's blood boil
Ease up.
curse
full marks to
■意味を考えてみよう。今日取り上げる単語が含まれています
I've been looking for signs that the economy is on the mend, and I think
I've found one.
Increased spending on tummy tucks and nose jobs is seen s a harbinger
of returning consumer confidence.
I think Yoko may disagree with your description of cosmetics and
handbags as "nonessential," but you've made your point.
Market players will use any bit of data they think can give them an edge,
so I keep my eyes peeled for signs of this kind of spending.
──────────────────────────────────────
be on the mend, 好転している、回復している
──────────────────────────────────────
If a relationship or situation is on the mend after a difficult or unsuccessful
period, it is improving. [INFORMAL]
ex) More evidence that the economy was on the mend was needed.
──────────────────────────────────────
tummy tuck, （脂肪除去などの）腹部の整形手術
──────────────────────────────────────
tummy
Your tummy is the part of the front of your body below your waist.
Tummy is often used by children or by adults talking to children.
ex) Your baby's tummy should feel warm, but not hot.
tuck
You can use tuck to refer to a form of plastic surgery which involves
reducing the size of a part of someone's body.
ex) She'd undergone 13 operations, including a tummy tuck.
──────────────────────────────────────
harbinger, 前兆、兆し
──────────────────────────────────────
Something that is a harbinger of something else is a sign that it is going
to happen. [LITERARY]
ex) The November air stung my cheeks, a harbinger of winter.
──────────────────────────────────────
make one's point, 自分の言いたいことを伝える[理解してもらう]
──────────────────────────────────────
If you make your point or prove your point, you prove that something
is true, either by arguing about it or by your actions or behavior.
ex) I think you've made your point, dear.
──────────────────────────────────────
keep one's eyes peeled for, ...に目を光らせている...を注視している
──────────────────────────────────────
If you tell someone to keep their eyes peels for something, you are
telling them to watch very carefully for it. [INFORMAL]
──────────────────────────────────────
その他にも、次も押さえておきたい。[誌面の都合上省略] ★は重要表現
─────────────────────────────────────
scoop, 最新情報、特ダネ
give someone an edge, （人）を優位に立たせる、（人）を有利にする
■もう一度読んでみよう
I've been looking for signs that the economy is on the mend, and I think
I've found one.
Increased spending on tummy tucks and nose jobs is seen s a harbinger
of returning consumer confidence.
I think Yoko may disagree with your description of cosmetics and
handbags as "nonessential," but you've made your point.
Market players will use any bit of data they think can give them an edge,
so I keep my eyes peeled for signs of this kind of spending.
■前回の復習の答えです
in a big way, おおいに、すごく
make someone's blood boil, （人）を激怒させる、（人）の
はらわたを煮えくり返らせる
Ease up. 落ち着いて。興奮しないで。
curse, 呪う、恨む
full marks to, ...は絶賛ものだ
