Japanese Language Module 1.2
Japanese Language Module 1
Interview with Dr. Toshihisa Matsui, NASA scientist (Continued)
Step 1 Learn vocabulary and expressions before you watch the interview video.
Step 2 Watch Video - Interview
Step 3: Check your understanding with the comprehension quiz.
Take the comprehension quiz here.
Step 4: Supplemental Activities
1. Filler words
- Read the transcript, paying attention to highlighted words.
- Now read the shorter version that has most of the interjections removed.
- The translation is available here.
2. ～で ‘and’
ジャニターで掃除をする人も、います。
‘There are janitors who do the cleaning.’
韓国人で中国語が話せる人をさがしています。
‘I am looking for a Korean person who can speak Chinese.’
で、もう少し、小さいところに行きますと、
‘when we shift our attention to a slightly smaller place’
In this sentence, 行くdoes not mean that you go somewhere physically. It means that one’s attention
goes to something.
3. Listing patterns
「～もいれば、～も」identifies a range of things by referring to the opposite ends.
このクラブには、学生もいれば、社会人もいる。
‘There are a wide range of people from students to non-students in this club.’
NASAでは、基礎研究もすれば、宇宙飛行士のトレーニングもする。
‘At NASA, they carry out a wide range of activities from basic research to the training of astronauts.’
On the other hand, 「～たり」 just lists samples/examples.
ヘッドクォーターは、プロポーザルを選んだり、財務状況を管理したりする。
‘The Headquarters selects proposals, controls financial situations, etc.’
4. Use of past tense forms for what is recalled or for confirmation
あ、すみません、忘れてました。ハンツビルにも、もう一つありました。
‘Oh, excuse me. I had forgotten about it. There is one more in Huntsville.’
あ、そうでした／す、そうでした／す。あなたがあっています。
‘Oh, I remember. I remember. You are right.’
5. Contrasting ko/so/a as demonstrative pronouns and conversational interjections
In the following sentences, sono/ano modify nouns.
ちょっとその辺を説明していただけますか。
‘Could you explain a bit about that?’
その中には、私のような科学者もいれば、エンジニアもいます。
‘Among them are scientists like me as well as engineers.’
あとは、あの有名な、ヒューストンの方にも、管制システムがありまして。
‘In addition there is also a control system in that famous Houston facility.’
In the following sentences, sono/ano mark hesitation or are used to give time. They tend to be prolonged.
ちょっとそのー、もう一度説明していただけますか。
‘Well, could you explain it again?’
そのー、中には、私のような科学者もいれば、エンジニアもいます。
‘Well, there are scientists like me as well as engineers.’
あとは、あのー、有名なヒューストンの方にも、管制システムがありまして。
‘In addition, let me see, there is also a control system in the famous Houston facility.’
6. Mock Interview
Answer the questions assuming the role of Mr. Matsui and taking the cues from the visual prompts.
[video:https://youtu.be/o_0EmWxOqCQ width:560 height:315 align:center lightbox_title:Activity 6]
You can check the cues and sample responses here.