司会者：それでは、今日の講演者のウエスコット氏をご
紹介します。
ウエスコット：…これからの講演は、失礼とは存じますが私の
母国語である英語でさせていただきます。
Shitsurei to wa zonjimasu ga
Shikaisha: Sore de wa, kyoo no kooensha no Wescott-shi wo go-
shookai shimasu.
Wescott: Kore kara no kooen wa, shitsurei to wa zonjimasu
ga watashi no bokoku-go de aru eigo de sasete
itadakimasu.
Chairperson: Now let me introduce today's speaker, Mr.
Wescott.
Wescott; Please forgive me for giving this lecture in
English, mv native language.
The expression shitsurei to wa zonjimasu ga is a polite form of shitsurei kamo shiremasen ga (Excuse me, but...)- It is used in formal conversation or when talking to one's superiors, and can be used in a wide variety of situations.
The dialogue above took place at an international conference at the International Research Center for Japanese Studies in Kyoto. This is an octagonal-shaped building, which is said to have been modeled on the famous Yume-dono of Hooryuuji Temple in Nara Prefecture. Inside though it is equipped with all the facilities you might expect at an international conference-including headphones for a simultaneous interpretation service-so actually there was really nothing bad-mannered at all about Mr. Wescott giving his lecture in English. But people like it when a speaker begins with a little preamble like this. During a break in the conference I spotted Mr. K, the author of several books about the comparative study of civilizations, and I approached him with the following words: Shitsurei to wa zonjimasu ga, K sensei de irasshaimasu ka. (Excuse me, but are you Prof. K?) He replied with a smile, we ex- changed name cards, and started talking. In situations like this, too, the expression shitsurei to wa zonjimasu ga proves useful.
The conference lasted for two days, and with so many speakers to fit in, there was only a short amount of time for each presentation. Some of them raced through their speeches so quickly that I heard people saying shitsurei to wa zonjimasu ga, moo sukoshi yukkuri hanashite itadakemasen ka. (I'm sorry, but could you speak a little more slowly?)
At one point the discussion became very heated. Mr. T., a well-known person, was defending an opinion which I could not bring myself to agree with. I told him: Shitsurei to wa zonjimasu ga, sensei wa sekaishi no naka de kanzen ni nihon wo wasurete irassharu no de wa arimasen ka. (I'm sorry, but aren't you completely forgetting Japan's position in world history?) This expression is useful even when arguing with someone. Why don't you try it in your own conversati on?