今日の単語 Sunday Scaries

Sunday scaries を聞いたことがありますか。日曜夜の憂鬱とか月曜日の憂鬱なんて言い方も聞いたことがありますが、日本人に一番ピンとくるのは「サザエさん症候群」ではないでしょうか。古今東西、日曜の夜になって週末が終わってしまう悲しさと月曜からの学校や会社に対する面倒くささは同じようです。もっとも、サザエさん症候群にまでなってしまう方はちょっと注意が必要かもしれません。

The “Sunday scaries” is a term that describes the anxiety, dread, or nervousness that many people feel on Sunday evenings as they anticipate the upcoming workweek or school week. This feeling can stem from the realization that the weekend is ending and that a new week of responsibilities, tasks, and pressures is about to begin. It’s a common experience and can manifest in various ways, such as trouble sleeping, feeling restless, or experiencing a sense of unease.

Example in Context:

1. English: “I always get the Sunday scaries around 5 PM, thinking about all the work I have to do on Monday.”
2. Japanese: 「日曜日の夕方5時頃になると、月曜日の仕事のことを考えて憂鬱な気分になります。」

サザエさん症候群 is used to describe the “Sunday scaries.” This term comes from the popular TV anime “Sazae-san,” which airs on Sunday evenings. Watching this show often reminds people that the weekend is coming to an end and that the work or school week is about to begin, leading to feelings of anxiety or melancholy.

ちょっと話がずれますが、サザエさんの説明で anime という単語が出てきましたので、少しアニメを表す単語事情について調べてみました。

Anime アニメ

The term “anime” is indeed derived from Japanese and has become widely used in English to refer specifically to Japanese-style animation. Here’s a bit more detail on its usage:

English: “I’m a big fan of anime, especially the works of Studio Ghibli.”

Japanese: 「私はアニメが大好きで、特にスタジオジブリの作品が好きです。」

1. Usage of “Anime”:

• Meaning: In English, “anime” refers to a style of animation that originated in Japan and is characterized by colorful artwork and fantastical themes. It is distinct from Western animation.
• Acceptance: The term “anime” is well-accepted and commonly used in English-speaking countries. It is understood as a specific genre or style of animation from Japan, and its use does not necessarily imply that it is incorrect or foreign but rather that it denotes a specific cultural style.

2. Evolution from “Animation” to “Anime”:

• Historical Usage: The word “animation” is a more general term that refers to the process of creating moving images through various techniques, whether Western or Eastern.
• Specificity: “Anime” has become the preferred term to describe Japanese animation, as it conveys the unique characteristics and style associated with it. Using “anime” helps to distinguish Japanese animated works from other forms of animation.

3. Cultural Awareness:

• Cultural Context: Native English speakers who are familiar with Japanese pop culture or animation will understand “anime” as referring specifically to Japanese animation. The term has been integrated into English with an understanding of its Japanese origins.
• General Usage: For those less familiar with Japanese culture, “anime” might be recognized as a type of animation but might not be as clearly understood in terms of its cultural significance.

学校では、「anime は日本語英語だから、英語ではちゃんと animation と言わないと不正解だよ」と私は教えられましたが、数十年の時を経て今は anime でも通じるようになりました。言葉は生きていて、さらにグローバル化もしていることを嬉しく思います。