This publication, translated from the original Japanese, discusses global environmental problems form the viewpoint of individual ecological responsibility. Through text and humorous, yet compelling cartoons, the author brings attention to the causes and solutions of environmental problems related to excessive waste, energy consumption, toxic chemicals, and nature conservation. The proposed solutions suggest individual lifestyle changes to affect preservation of the environment. A number of tables and figures present supporting data.

外国人との会話で頻繁に出てくる「日本」についての表現集。

Japan is the major user of disposable chopsticks. Some 3 million cases (5,000 pairs per case) are consumed annually. Approximately 70% or 2.1 million cases are make from cedar, spruce and abies; aspen accounts for only 15%. This study investigates the potential use of Alberta aspen for chopsticks, and the export thereof.

In recent years, the number of nonnative speakers of English in colleges and universities in North America has increased dramatically. As a result, more and more writing teachers have found themselves working with these English as a Second Language (ESL) students in writing classes that are designed primarily with monolingual, native-English-speaking students in mind. Since the majority of institutions require these students to enroll in writing courses at all levels, it is becoming increasingly important for all writing teachers to be aware of the presence and special linguistic and cultural needs of ESL writers. This increase in the ESL population has, over the last 40 years, been paralleled by a similar growth in research on ESL writing and writing instruction--research that writing teachers need to be familiar with in order to work effectively with ESL writers in writing classrooms of all levels and types. Until recently, however, this body of knowledge has not been very accessible to writing teachers and researchers who do not specialize in second language research and instruction. This volume is an attempt to remedy this problem by providing a sense of how ESL writing scholarship has evolved over the last four decades. It brings together 15 articles that address various issues in second language writing in general and ESL writing in particular. In selecting articles for inclusion, the editors tried to take a principled approach. The articles included in this volume have been chosen from a large database of publications in second language writing. The editors looked for works that mirrored the state of the art when they were published and made a conscious effort to represent a wide variety of perspectives, contributions, and issues in the field. To provide a sense of the evolution of the field, this collection is arranged in chronological order.

In South Korea, English is a language of utmost importance, sought with an unprecedented zeal as an indispensable commodity in education, business, popular culture, and national policy. This book investigates how the status of English as a hegemonic language in South Korea is constructed through the mediation of language ideologies in local discourse. Adopting the framework of language ideology and its current developments, it is argued that English in Korean society is a subject of deep-rooted ambiguities, with multiple and sometimes conflicting ideologies coexisting within a tension-ridden discursive space. The complex ways in which these ideologies are reproduced, contested, and negotiated through specific metalinguistic practices across diverse sites ultimately contribute to a local realization of the global hegemony of English as an international language. Through its insightful analysis of metalinguistic discourse in language policy debates, cross-linguistic humor, television shows, and face-to-face interaction, The Local Construction of a Global Language makes an original contribution to the study of language and globalization, proposing an innovative analytic approach that bridges the gap between the investigation of large-scale global forces and the study of micro-level discourse practices.

In China your host will lose face if he does not pick up the tab In Tokyo, 'Chin-Chin' is slang for 'small penis'. In Sardinia a raised thumb means 'sit on this!' - try that in a traffic jam in Cagliari. The world is not, in fact, flat; and as travel becomes ever easier, understanding the way things are done in other societies becomes ever more crucial. Going Dutch in Beijing aims to help its readers avoid minor international incidents by offering a light-hearted but informative look at everything from first greetings to last rites, covering key minefields of misunderstanding along the way. If you want to know what not to say, what not to wear and what not to do when you are invited round for dinner, all around the world, it's as well to get up to speed before you find yourself in the local police station. As they say in South Korea - ?????! (Enjoy!)

Sushi restaurants have become more popular than ever, with new locations popping up every day in big cities and small towns all across the country. Though Westerners are quickly learning to appreciate the unique flavors and textures of sushi, few truly understand the intricacies of the preparations, terminology, and culture they find at sushi restaurants. Fortunately, The Connoisseur's Guide to Sushi is here to help. With detailed explanations of everything from maki to sake, Dave Lowry demystifies the language, lore, and - of course - the food that diners may encounter. He offers an alphabetical exploration of both the mainstays of the sushi restaurant (including the types of fish and sushi available) and the more adventurous offerings and toppings. There are also sections on sushi accompaniments, such as pickled vegetables, wasabi, beverages, etc.; on sushi etiquette; and on what to look for in a good sushi restaurant. Advice and anecdotes abound, ensuring that those who read this book will feel confident (and maybe even a little smug) the next time they go out for sushi.