Hello everyone.

杉田先生の新著が4/7に発売です。
英語の極意
https://amzn.to/3TRi1ku

Summary:

In this conversation, the participants discuss the Japanese belief that blood type determines personality traits. Although no scientific evidence supports this, it is a common topic of conversation in Japan, similar to horoscopes and zodiac signs in the West. They also discuss superstitions such as fear of the number four and the origins of opening umbrellas indoors. Some superstitions may have originated from simple common sense, while others have more mysterious origins. The conversation shows that superstitions and beliefs can persist in society regardless of their scientific validity.

Related Information:

Superstitions are beliefs or practices not based on scientific reasoning but commonly held by people in various cultures. Some other examples of superstitions include:

Friday the 13th: In many Western cultures, Friday the 13th is unlucky. People believe that accidents, misfortunes, and other negative events are more likely to happen today.

Knocking on wood: People often knock on wood to avoid tempting fate or jinxing themselves. Knocking on wood is believed to ward off evil spirits and protect people from bad luck.

Breaking a mirror: Breaking a mirror brings seven years of bad luck in many cultures. This superstition's origins are unclear, but it may have to do with the ancient belief that mirrors were portals to the spirit world.

Four-leaf clovers: Finding a four-leaf clover is considered lucky in many cultures. The belief may have originated from the Celtic belief that four-leaf clovers had magical properties to ward off evil.

Walking under a ladder: Walking under a ladder is considered to bring bad luck in many cultures. It is believed that doing so can cause harm or injury to the person or that it can bring bad luck for the rest of the day.

Horseshoes: Horseshoes are often considered lucky, especially if found or received as a gift. It is believed that horseshoes can protect against evil spirits and bring good luck.

Spilling salt: Spilling salt is considered to be bad luck in many cultures. It is believed that doing so can invite evil spirits or cause arguments and bad luck.

Lucky numbers: Different cultures have different lucky numbers. For example, in China, the number 8 is considered lucky because it sounds like the word for wealth. In Japan, the number 7 is considered lucky because it is associated with good fortune.

Evil eye: The evil eye is a belief that certain people can cause harm or misfortune by looking at someone with envy or malice. Many cultures have rituals or talismans to protect against the evil eye, such as wearing an amulet or gesturing to ward off the curse.

Ghosts and spirits: Many cultures believe in the existence of ghosts and spirits. Some believe spirits can haunt houses, objects, or people and cause bad luck or harm. Others believe spirits can bring good luck or protection if appeased or honored.

Expressions:

• Polar opposite: It means two completely different things that are opposite to each other. For example, in the text, Type A and Type B personalities are polar opposites of each other.

• Pretensions to: It means claiming or pretending to have a particular quality or feeling. In the text, Rosenberg talks about how people still hold onto non-scientific beliefs despite their pretensions to science and rationality.

• Anguish: It means severe physical or emotional pain or suffering. In the text, the number nine is traditionally considered unlucky in Japan because it shares a sound with the character for suffering or anguish.

• Puritan: It refers to a member of a group of English Protestants in the 16th and 17th centuries who wanted to reform the Church of England. In the text, Saloom mentions the Puritan witch hunts and how black cats were considered demonic during that time.

• Do someone's bidding: It means doing what someone else tells you to do. In the text, black cats were considered the worst because they were seen as demonic, and people thought they could make them do their bidding.

• Demonic: It means related to or characteristic of demons or evil spirits. In the text, black cats were thought to be demonic during the Puritan witch hunts.

• Curse: It means a solemn utterance intended to invoke a supernatural power to inflict harm or punishment on someone or something. In the text, opening an umbrella indoors in ancient Egypt was considered an offense against the sun god, who might curse you.

• Plague: It means a contagious bacterial disease with fever and delirium, typically with the formation of buboes (swollen lymph nodes), and in modern times with the release of toxins. The text does not directly refer to the definition of plague, but it is used metaphorically to talk about superstitions.

• Supposedly: It means as far as one knows or believes. In the text, Ide mentions that the theories about the supposed influence of blood types on personality are not really based on science.

• Ears are burning: It means feeling that someone is talking about you. In the text, there is no direct reference to the definition of "ears are burning," but O'Locklear mentions that she will ask her husband what he thinks about her personality traits, suggesting that she thinks he might be talking about her behind her back.

• Reflexively: It means automatically, without thinking. In the text, there is no direct reference to the definition of "reflexively," but it can be inferred from the context that people in Japan might talk about their blood types reflexively without thinking about it.

• Tea stalk: It is not a commonly used term, but it likely refers to the stem or twig of a tea plant used to make tea. The text does not directly refer to the definition of "tea stalk."

• Caveat: It means a warning or proviso of specific stipulations, conditions, or limitations. In the text, there is no direct reference to the definition of "caveat," but Rosenberg mentions that despite our pretensions to science and rationality, non-scientific beliefs still persist in our societies. This can be seen as a caveat to our belief in science and rationality.

• Take on: It means to undertake or acquire a particular responsibility, duty, or role. The text does not directly refer to the definition of "take on."

Here are some websites related to the vignette:

Blood Type Personality
https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-blood-type-personality-5191276

The Surprising Origins of 9 Common Superstitions
https://www.livescience.com/33507-origins-of-superstitions.html

★Small Talk "ZA-TSU-DA-N"

下記の質問に答えてみましょう。
(1) What do you think about the idea that blood type can determine someone's personality?
(2) Do you have any personal superstitions that you follow?
(3) What is the most interesting superstition you have ever heard of?
(4) Do you believe in horoscopes or zodiac signs?
(5) Have you ever had a conversation about someone's blood type before?

★例えばこんな雑談を

(1) What do you think about the idea that blood type can determine someone's personality?

Person A: Have you ever heard of the idea that blood type can determine someone's personality?
Person B: Yeah, I have. I'm not sure if I believe it, though. What do you think?
Person A: I'm not sure either. It seems a bit far-fetched to me, but I guess it's possible that there could be some correlation between blood type and personality traits.
Person B: Yeah, I suppose it's possible. But I think there are probably more important factors that determine someone's personality, like their upbringing and life experiences.

(2) Do you have any personal superstitions that you follow?

Person A: Do you have any personal superstitions that you follow?
Person B: Yeah, I have a few. For example, I knock on wood when I say something I don't want to happen.
Person A: Interesting. Is there a reason why you do that?
Person B: I'm not sure, to be honest. I think it's something I've always done, and it makes me feel like I'm protecting myself from bad luck.

(3) What is the most interesting superstition you have ever heard of?

Person A: What is the most interesting superstition you have ever heard of?
Person B: Hmm, let me think. One of the most interesting ones I've heard is that if you spill salt, you should throw some over your left shoulder to ward off bad luck.
Person A: That is interesting. Do you believe in that one?
Person B: Not really, but it's still a fun superstition.

(4) Do you believe in horoscopes or zodiac signs?

Person A: Do you believe in horoscopes or zodiac signs?
Person B: Yeah, I actually do. I think there's some truth to them, and I find it interesting to read about my horoscope and see how accurate it is.
Person A: That's cool. I've never really gotten into that stuff, but I can see why it would be fun to read about.

(5) Have you ever had a conversation about someone's blood type before?

Person A: Have you ever had a conversation about someone's blood type before?
Person B: Yeah. In Japan, it's pretty common to ask someone their blood type because they believe it can tell you something about their personality.
Person A: Really? That's interesting. Do you think there's any truth to that?
Person B: I'm not sure, but it's definitely a popular belief there.