July 28, 2012　=========

☆ hindrance　障害物

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A hindrance is something or someone that makes it more difficult
for you to do something. Have you ever heard this phrase, “more of
a hindrance than a help”? It’s used quite often, especially in written
English, for example as a newspaper headline.

One example, was with the non-Japanese volunteers who went to
Tohoku last year, immediately after the disaster. They were more of
a hindrance than a help in some cases because in the early days after
the disaster, these volunteers had no skills that could be used, and
often their Japanese language ability was limited, so they got in the
way, rather than being able to be helpful.

Bye,
Chris
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“Hindrance(障害物) ”とは、何かを成し遂げるのに邪魔になるものや人のことです。
“More of a hindrance than a help”というフレーズを聞いたことがありますか？
例えば新聞の見出しなどではよく使われるフレーズです。

ひとつの例としては、去年の東日本大震災の直後に、東北に向かった外国人ボランティアが挙げられます。
というのも、震災直後はすぐに使えるスキルがなければ、助けどころか邪魔になってしまうからです。
彼らの日本語力は限られていて、助けというよりはむしろ妨げになってしまったのですね。

それでは！
クリス