The NewYork Timesを読む

こんにちは、今回は英語学習者特に中級者から上級者へ特に、英語を使った仕事を目指す方のために英語学習の提案をしていきます。今回は、ニューヨークタイムズ紙の大統領選2024年7月の記事を題材に見ていきます。

Before Dr. Kevin O’Connor was appointed White House physician at the beginning of the Biden administration, he discussed a business venture with the president’s brother James Biden, but the doctor ultimately received no compensation, Mr. Biden’s lawyer said.
The discussions revolved around James Biden’s involvement with a health care company called Americore, which was looking to expand a network of hospitals in underserved rural areas of the United States.
Republicans have seized on the episode to suggest that Dr. O’Connor might have had incentive to minimize issues related to President Biden’s health. The White House rejected the speculation, with a spokesman calling it “ridiculous and insulting.”
In his current role, Dr. O’Connor produced letters each of the three years following Mr. Biden’s physicals that attested the president was healthy and “fit to successfully execute the duties of the presidency.” The assessments have come under renewed scrutiny in recent weeks as Mr. Biden’s decline has become more apparent, particularly after his feeble performance in last month’s debate against former President Donald J. Trump, the presumptive Republican nominee.

この記事はどのようなことが書いてあるのかポイントを把握する目的でざっと目を通していきます。

Before Dr. Kevin O’Connor was appointed White House physician at the beginning of the Biden administration, he discussed a business venture with the president’s brother James Biden, but the doctor ultimately received no compensation, Mr. Biden’s lawyer said.
Baiden administration はバイデン政権と訳してよさそうです。ケビンコーナー医師がホワイトハウスの正式な外科医として任命される前に、彼は、ベンチャー企業について大統領の弟と話し合ったと。これだけでは何が何だかわかりませんね、つづきをみていきます。

The discussions revolved around James Biden’s involvement with a health care company called Americore, which was looking to expand a network of hospitals in underserved rural areas of the United States.
Republicans have seized on the episode to suggest that Dr. O’Connor might have had incentive to minimize issues related to President Biden’s health. The White House rejected the speculation, with a spokesman calling it “ridiculous and insulting.”
この議論は、アメリコアというヘルスケアの会社の周辺で起きていると言っていますね。Republicianは、共和党議員のことです。seized onはどういう意味でしょうか、"take eager advantage of something"と出てきました。この文脈だとコーナー氏が、バイデン大統領の健康状態を過少申告したことが疑われるエピソードをもってそれを優位に利用しているという感じでしょうか。それに対しホワイトハウス側は、はっきり否定しているようです。

In his current role, Dr. O’Connor produced letters each of the three years following Mr. Biden’s physicals that attested the president was healthy and “fit to successfully execute the duties of the presidency.” The assessments have come under renewed scrutiny in recent weeks as Mr. Biden’s decline has become more apparent, particularly after his feeble performance in last month’s debate against former President Donald J. Trump, the presumptive Republican nominee.
attestとはどのような意味でしょうか? "provide or serve as clear evidence of"
と出てきました。バイデン氏の健康状態を向こう三年間ごとに業務を行う上に十分健康である状態だと証明をする書類を作成したといった感じでしょうか。feebleは"lacking physical strength, especially as a result of age or illness"
という意味でした。先月の弱しいディベートでのパフォーマンスのあと、バイデン氏の衰えが明らかになり、この調査が精査されることになったと言っています。