１２月に入り、街中クリスマスムードいっぱいですね。道を歩いていても、あちこちでクリスマスのデコレーションを見かけたり、クリスマスソングが聴こえてきたり…。ということで、今回はクリスマスについて、イージィ コミュニケーションズの講師・トレバーに“英語”でちょっとした解説を書いてもらいました。ゆっくり、声に出して読むと、意外に理解しやすいものですよ。
これからも、ときどきトレバーに英語で何か書いてもらおうと思っていますので、お楽しみに！
【Christmas】
Ah, the weather has become chilly (hada-samui)! Soon it will snow, and then we will all be able to feel that the holiday season is here. What is the holiday season? Around the world, countries celebrate in different ways.
In Russia, people wait for a visit from “Babushka,” meaning “old woman,” who refused to go with the 3 wise men when they were looking for Jesus. She now spends eternity giving gifts to children. The same person exists in Italy, but they call her “La Befana.”
In Sweden, the youngest daughter walks around the house wearing a crown of candles for Santa Lucia. She delivers coffee and sweet buns to all members of her family on December 13th. Saint Lucia brought light and growth for humans.
Most western countries celebrate Christmas with Santa Claus, who originally came from Scandinavian countries. Officially, the red and white Santa image comes from a drawing from Thomas Nast in 1855, not from Coca Cola. Of course, Christmas is in summer in the southern hemisphere, so instead of a jacket, Australians wear shorts and celebrate on the beach.
If you need to write a card to someone abroad, some nice English expressions are:
“Wishing you a happy and healthy New Year in 2008”
“Wishing you all the best in 2008”
“Hoping 2008 brings you happiness, health, and love”
Wherever you are, have a merry Christmas and Happy New year!
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最後の部分に書いてある“ ”の中の表現は、外国人のお友だちに向けてクリスマスカードやニューイヤーカードなど書くときなどに使うと便利な表現です。Merry ChristmasやHappy New Yearにかえて、今度はこんな表現も使ってみてはいかがでしょうか？