The Venturesと英会話
写真とその解説は、ウィッキペディアより。(This photo and caption are from Wikipedia.)
Classic lineup of the Ventures in Japan in 1965 (left to right): Don Wilson, Mel Taylor, Nokie Edwards, Bob Bogle
8月31日(土)の夜、NHKで「ベンチャーズ特集」を放送していて、食い入るように観ました。
The Ventures Feature Program was broadcasting on NHK in the night of Saturday, August 31st. Yoshy was watching it closely.
57歳(?) の男性が今も彼らのファンで、その影響なのでしょう…彼の10代の子供たちが、ベンチャーズそっくりのバンドを結成して、練習している場面が出てきました。
On the way to the end, a Japanese 57 (?) year-old gentleman appeared who has still been a big fan of The Ventures since their first visit to Japan. Maybe his passion to them influenced his children to practice their music; his children formed a band similar to the real band. Yoshy saw the scene of their practicing.
その小さな練習会場に突然予告なしに、3人のメンバーが現れました。NHKの計らいだったのでしょうね。
Three members of real band appeared there without previous notice, which was surely previously planned by NHK’s option.
どれほどびっくりしたか、嬉しかったか、親子の気持ちが伝わってきました。
How surprised and happy the family was! Yoshy could also understand their unexpected panic.
リーダーの80歳になるドン・ウイルソンさんも嬉しかったでしょうね。
The leader, 80 year-old Mr. Don Wilson must have been also happy.
自分たちの曲を日本の2世代が熱中して学んでくれているのですから。
Because he saw Japanese two generations were practicing their music very hard in front of them.
興味深かったのは、ドンさんが、14歳くらいの女の子に、「いつギターを始めましたか？」と聞いた時…
The thing Yoshy was interested in was … When Don asked around 14 year-old girl, one of the Japanese gentleman’s children, “When did you start the guitar?”
その簡単な英語が通じなくて、そばにいただれかが、「ファイブ・イヤーズ・オールド」と耳打ちしました。
The young girl couldn’t understand such an easy question in English, so someone near her whispered,; “Five years old.”
親子そろって、「英会話ができたら！」と痛感した筈です。
Yoshy believes all the family thought in their minds, “If we could use English!”
その家族は、音楽とNHKのお陰で、これからもベンチャーズとお話しする機会が必ずあります。
The family, thanks to music and NHK, would have many chances to meet and talk with them from then, too.
英会話学習を真剣に学んで行かれることでしょう。
They will start learning practical English as hard as they practice the music of The Ventures, I bet.
英会話学習に夢中になるきっかけとは、こんなハプニングから生まれやすいものですね。
A motivation to become absorbed in learning English sure is apt to occur in such a happening.