Departments
Lesson 1
Page 1, 2
THE DESIRES OF THE GROUP SPIRIT GENERATION
団塊世代の希望
The following quote is from a Japanese newspaper article which reported that a large number of baby boomers expressed an interest in working after retirement. A study conducted by the firm博報堂 (Hakuhodo) is cited in article. Although this passage is short, it contains a lot of advanced Japanese.
One of the most interesting words in the quotation is 接点（せってん）= point of contact. On one hand, 接点appears in many literal technical contexts, as in the following two words related to electronics:
- 接点間隔 （せってん かんかく） contact separation
- 接点軌跡 （せってん きせき） line of contact
On the other hand, the use of 接点in the following reading passage is more figurative:
U s a g e N o t e s
i.
The Group Spirit Generation (団塊世代or団塊の世代), refers to the group of Japanese born immediately after World War II. This generation is characterized by their strong dedication to peer groups, especially in the corporate context.
b.
団塊の世代は1946年から1949年にかけての第一次ベビーブームで生まれた世代である。
The “Group Spirit Generation” is the generation born during the first baby boom from 1946 through 1949.
a.
２００６年から201１年にかけて、団塊の世代が一斉に定年退職をします。
From 2006 through 2011, the entire “Group Spirit” generation will retire.
ii.
When attached to a verb stem, －続ける（つづける）expresses the meaning “continues to do”
長年、同じ仕事をやり続けるのは嫌です。
ながねん、おなじ しごと を やりつずける の は いや です。
To continue to do the same work for many years is disagreeable.
保険料を死ぬまで払い続けますか。
ほけん を しぬ まで はらいつづけます か。
Will you keep paying insurance premiums until you die?
二年ちかく返事を待ち続けました。
にねん ちかく へんじ を まちつづけました。
I kept waiting for a reply for almost two years.
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