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2016.11.1

Singlish words enter Oxford English Dictionary

Language is constantly changing and new words and phrases are coming into use all the time. Read the article to find out what Singaporean and Hong Kong English terms have been added to the Oxford English Dictionary.

私たちの言語は絶えず変化していて、常に新しい言葉やフレーズが生まれ広く使われるようになっています。今回新たにシンガポールや香港の英語で使われている表現がオックスフォード英語辞典に加えられました。どんな表現なのか記事を読んでみましょう。

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Several words from Asian languages have been added to the Oxford English Dictionary (OED) in its latest update.

English is always changing. New words are often invented as technology progresses, and English continues to borrow many words from several different languages and cultures. The OED is a highly respected reference tool for the English language, which is regularly updated in order to stay current with modern words and usage. The OED says that, in order for a word to be entered into the OED, there must be, “several independent examples of the word being used, and also evidence the word has been in use for a reasonable amount of time”.

In the latest OED update, 500 new words and phrases were added to the dictionary. Nineteen of those words and phrases were Singaporean terms, and 13 were Hong Kong terms. “Wah” is a Singaporean term, which is an expression of surprise, admiration or delight. “Killer litter” is another Singaporean term, which refers to garbage falling from a great height that can cause fatal injuries to people below. “Wet market” is a Hong Kong term, which refers to a market selling fresh fish and meat.

This is not the first time Asian words have been added to the OED. In fact, English has been influenced by South-East Asia since 1555. In the past, many Japanese words have been added to the dictionary, including “futon”, and “tsunami”.

Several words from Asian languages have recently been added to the Oxford English Dictionary (OED).

English is always changing. New words are often created because of new technology. English also borrows words from different languages and cultures. The OED is regularly updated to stay up-to-date with the latest new words and how they are used.

In the latest OED update, 500 new words and phrases were added. Nineteen words and phrases were from Singapore. Thirteen new words and phrases were from Hong Kong. “Wah” is a word from Singapore. People say “Wah” when they are surprised. “Killer litter” is from Singapore. It is the name for garbage that falls from a high building. It can kill people on the ground below. “Wet market” is from Hong Kong. It is the name for a market selling fresh fish and meat.

This is not the first time Asian words have been added to the OED. In the past, many Japanese words have been added to the dictionary, for example, “futon”, and “tsunami”.

キーフレーズ

be invented 生み出される
to borrow many words 多くの言葉を取り入れる
stay current 社会の風潮についていく

このフレーズは、ある物事において社会の風潮や時代に乗り遅れないようにするという意味です。

例:I read the news every day because I like to stay current with world events.
(世の中の出来事に遅れないように毎日ニュースを読んでいる。)

a reasonable amount of time 十分な期間(時間)

このフレーズは、(何かを完了したり達成したりするまでの)妥当な期間(時間)という意味です。記事内では、ある言葉が十分な期間使われていることで、一般に普及していると認められるという意味で使われています。

例:One week is a reasonable amount of time for you to finish the homework.
(一週間は、宿題を終わらせるのに十分な期間です。)

admiration 感嘆
fatal  致命的な

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