実践ビジネス英語 ディクテーション (9/27, 28)
NHKラジオ「実践ビジネス英語」”Talk the Talk”のディクテーションです。
Lesson 12のテーマは、‘Active Aging’（元気に年を重ねる）でした。Vignetteでは、「引退という考え方を引退させる時かもしれない」という発言が印象的でした。1935年にアメリカの社会保障法が成立した時の退職年齢は65歳、平均寿命は61歳だったといいますから、文字通り生涯現役だったんですね。今でも65歳以上のアメリカ人の20％以上がまだ就労中だということです。このほか、どの程度の貯蓄が必要か、また高齢者をどう呼ぶかなどが話題になりました。
Active Aging
（S: 杉田敏先生 H: Heather Howardさん）
S: This vignette starts with the discussion of the FIRE or “financial independence, retire early” movement.
Lyons says that he probably won’t ever fully retire, which is something you’ve said yourself in a previous talk, isn’t it, Heather?
H: It is. Like Lyons I really enjoy my work, especially translation, which I think will be just the right kind of mental exercise to keep me sharp as I get older.
It doesn’t require a lot of physical strength.
If I have a computer and an internet connection, I’ll be good to go even in my autumn years.
S: You know, the phrase “active aging” is the first entry in the Dictionary of the Future by Faith Popcorn, and it’s very much an important concept for the present day, too.
The book says this concept “includes elements of preventive and alternative medicine, volunteerism and mentoring, entrepreneurship and consulting.”
I guess I’m involved in all these activities with the possible exception of entrepreneurship.
As we get older, I think it’s important to have a sense of purpose or “a reason to get up in the morning,” as Steve Lyons puts it.
H: Absolutely.
I also want to do more volunteer work when I’m older.
I’d like to do more now, actually, but with work and an almost 7-year-old daughter, I just don’t have the time.
But somewhere down the line, I hope I can help out with education-related activities, and perhaps animal welfare.
It’s good to be reminded of preventative medicine.
We assume when we are young or youngish, good health and strength will last forever.
But oh, no, they won’t.
My efforts have waxed and waned over the years but I am now once again making a conscious effort to walk more and take the stairs, to eat more vegetables and cut down on the snacking.
Maybe this time fear will keep me committed; ”The big five-O is just around the bend, the clock is ticking, Heather!”
But seriously, I do want to remain as active as I can both for my family’s sake and my own.
And being physically healthy helps us feel mentally strong as well.
There was a time in younger days when I did a lot of swimming and weightlifting.
And I loved how confident my muscles made me feel.
S: The current vignette also talked about different labels for older, elder, mature, seasoned, aging and graying people.
What do you think are the best names for such people, and which ones should we avoid?
H: I saw a funny cartoon the other day.
It showed a dinosaur saying, “I’m not old. I’m classic.”
There you go, I thought, that’s what I’ll start calling myself, especially when I pass 60―just 12 more years to go―I’m classic.
I like the term vintage, and seasoned, too.
And don’t forget “silver fox.”
Dinosaur is definitely out.
I don’t like anything that belittles the experience and wisdom that older people often bring to the table.
You know what a movie fan I am―well, one thing I really dislike is when films use older people just as stupid comic relief or small-minded villains.
Of course, just being classic doesn’t that someone is a wonderful person.
But I really want films and TV to be more balanced in that regard to remind viewers that people are not shoes or sweaters.
They shouldn’t be discarded or ignored just because they’ve accumulated some outward wear and tear.
Words and Expressions
belittle: 軽視する、見くびる
small-minded villain: 心の狭い悪役
お疲れさまでした。お読みくださり、ありがとうございます♪
