特別 - 従位接続詞の使い方

Simon Evans, Tokyo

従位接続詞とは、2つの節をつなげて一つのセンテンスを作る役割をする接続詞です。
節とは主語と動詞を含み、それだけでも文として成り立つことのできる要素のことを言います。

従位接続詞の果たす役割は大きく以下の2つのグループに分かれます。

1）　＜原因と結果＞の関係にある2つの節を結びつける
2）　それぞれ＜対比＞する2つの節を結びつける

1の例）　It is hot outside. + 《だから》 + We need to drink a lot of water. ----- ＜原因と結果＞
2の例）　I like yellow. + 《けれども》 + I chose a blue hat. ----- ＜対比＞

また、従位接続詞を伴う節が文頭に来ることも可能です。たとえば；

I can’t go with you today because my sister is coming to visit.
Because my sister is coming to visit, I can't go with you today.

単語・表現

以下の従位接続詞は、＜原因と結果（Cause/Effect）＞と＜対比（Contrast）＞のどちらに属するでしょうか。それぞれの従位接続詞をドラッグし、正解と思われるグループのボックス内でドロップしてください。正解ならばそのまま配置されます。

会話

アンドリューと誠の会話です。
従位接続詞に注意しながら、まずはトランスクリプトを見ないで音声だけを聞いてみましょう。
次にディクテーションの練習として、音声を聞きながら会話文を書き取っていきましょう。これを数回繰り返し、最後にトランスクリプトを見て、埋められなかった箇所をチェックします。

Andrew:	How was your Obon holiday? Did you and your wife go away anywhere nice?
Makoto:	Though we had nine days off, we didn’t go anywhere. The flights are so expensive, and everywhere is so incredibly crowded. It sounds really lazy, but we just stayed home most of the time.
Andrew:	Well, I didn’t go out that much either, since it was so hot! This is only my second summer in Tokyo and I’m yet to get used to the humidity.
Makoto:	You’re not alone, I can assure you. I’m from Hokkaido originally. While I can’t stand the summer heat, my wife has no problem with it. So, how are summers in England?
Andrew:	Unfortunately, you cannot guarantee having a summer there. And as you may have read, England has had an awful lot of rain this summer, whereas in 2003 many places recorded their highest ever temperatures.
Makoto:	Anyway, I prefer autumn here. Although it is still fairly warm in the daytime, at night time there is no need for the air-conditioner, and I can get to sleep easily.
Andrew:	Yes. My air-conditioner is constantly on at the moment. I’m worried about my electricity bill next month!
Makoto:	Ha ha! Because I like to have the air-conditioner on when I’m at home, ours is high, too. However, given a choice between being hot and sweaty and unable to sleep, and being cool and relaxed, but with a high bill, I would choose the latter every time!
Andrew:	I hate to say it, but I would have to agree with you. Hopefully, as the years go by, I’ll be able to set the air-conditioner on a higher temperature.
Makoto:	As my wife hates the cold and our house is made of wood, our heating bills in winter are just as high. Is that the case with you?
Andrew:	No. Last winter, I hardly had the heater on at all.
	Listen to dialogue

実力アップコーナー

文を完成させるために適切な従位接続詞を選びましょう。

和訳