Self-made expression

今日は「self-made」について
「sefl-made」は、自分の力だけで成功したという意味です。
クリスティーナが例を挙げているように
ビル・ゲイツは「self-made」　personの代表例ですね。

Recently I was having a conversation with Ryan,
one of Bella's teachers and he told me that
in Japanese culture being a self-made person,
especially a self-made rich person is viewed
negatively here. Interestingly, the Bella staff
tell me it's the opposite view here. For western
culture it is positive to be self-made. If someone
tries hard to succeed, especially in America it is
thought of as excellent progress for their future.
For example, Bill Gates is often viewed as a
self-made man. He has worked very hard, he has
earned his money by using his talents and he has
not inherited it from his family. This is the
all-American dream, that you can do and be
whatever you want and succeed! It's similar in
other places of the world too. So would you be
happy to be a self-made person, or do you think
you are pre-destined before you are born to
live the life you already have?

self-made=自力で出世した、自分で努力をして成功を収めた
=You do it all yourself, without the help of family money to succeed
Inherit=相続する
=Get money and other riches from family when they die
Pre-destined=以前から運命づけられている
=Already chosen to do something before you are born,
it is your destiny or purpose in life

クリスティーナ曰く、ライアンが「日本でのself-made personは
マイナスイメージを持っている」と言ったそうですが、
ライアンに聞いてみたところ彼は「成金」という日本語に対しての
イメージを述べたようです。
確かに「成金」と言われると金で統一した見るからにお金持ちという
イメージを持ちますが、「self-made person」と言われると
自分の力で成功した努力家というイメージを持ちます。
そもそも「成金」という言葉は、将棋の駒が敵陣地に入ったときに
金将になる（成る）ことから生まれた言葉で、「急にお金持ちになる、
またはなった人」という意味合いで使われています。
成金と一言で言っても「self-made」なのかどうかまでは分かりませんね・・・。
日本語は奥が深いのです。