英語難民と英語貴族
2020.1.14
ヒーローVS悪人論争を英語で
鹿児島では、大久保は不人気、西郷隆盛はヒーローとみられているようです。
そのお話です。稲盛氏と鹿児島出身のある経営者のお話です。
「・・・・稲盛氏から我々に
『いつまでも西郷、西郷ではなく、もう1人の大久保も少しは見習ったらどうか？』
との発言があった。勢いづいた私はさらに
『大久保利通を見習えとはどういうことですか?あんなに純粋に人々のために生きた西郷さんを死にまで追いやった男を見習えとは、自分は承服できません。確かに明治政府の行政機構は大久保が作ったかもしれませんが、功を成すために手段を選ばずの大久保の生き方は・・・』
と若さと無知に任せていいかけた私に・・
『ばか、まだわからないのか?お前みたいな者たちが西郷さんを破滅に引き込んだのだ。お前は桐野、いや人切り時代の中村半次郎と一緒だ』
とポカリと大きな拳固で殴られた・・・」とのことです。
このエピソードをどう考えますか？
このエピソードをまず英語にしてみましょう。
私はこのような英語にしてみました。
まず二つの対立する概念を説明します。
そして、西郷、大久保を説明します。
それからエピソードを説明する、この流れがわかりやすいですね。
こんな英語にしてみました！
Hero and Villain in management
Mr. Inamori* puts importance on drinking and dining together with Seiwajuku students, all of whom are CEOs of small to middle size companies in Japan. One day the following conversation took place between Mr. Inamori and Eichi, the CEO of a liquor chain-store in Kagoshima, the southern prefecture in Japan and where Mr. Inamori originally came from. They discussed two great men in the history, Saigo and Okubo. They were key players who conducted Meiji revolution in 19C, one of the most democratic revolutions in a history. Saigo has been known as a man of compassion, humility, endeavor, and exceptional Samurai virtue. Okubo, on the other hand, has been famous for his ambition, Westernized leadership & analytical skills, and strong determination to implement the reform system.
After the revolution, Okubo had been the top of the new government and implemented new systems. Saigo eventually became the leader of the rebels. Okubo had to quash the Saigo’s troop to sustain the new government system. Thus, among Kagoshima people, Okubo has been the villain who killed their hero, Saigo. The conversation between Mr. Inamori and Eichi was following.
Inamori: Do you still hate Okubo, don’t you? Is it the time to reassess Okubo and develop a different view in your mind?
Eichi: What?? I’m sorry, Master, what did you say?? Okubo is the villain who killed Saigo. You and I respect Saigo so much, don’t we?? How come do I have to accept Okubo? It sounds totally nonsense!
Inamori: What an idiot you are!! Saigo had to give his life for the idiot guys like you…
Eichi, after 20year of this conversation, recalled this episode and admitted that he was exactly the idiot as Mr.Inamori said.
