Asahi’s venerable bottom-of-the-front-page anonymous column Tensei Jingo (“Vox Populi, Vox Dei” in Latin, I’ll be damned if I know what it means in English 😛 ) warns against waiting in line at the Aichi Expo in the hot summer sun:
I was told the waiting time for the Japan Pavilion was 90 minutes. Normally, I would give this a miss, but I decided I might as well give it a try.
As the queue crept forward, I waited in the direct sun for quite a while. I dampened my handkerchief with bottled water and covered my head with it.
The waiting came to an end after 75 minutes, but I was in the pavilion no longer than 15 minutes. It was still hot when I came out at 4 p.m. The temperature was over 30 degrees in the nearby city of Nagoya.
I could tell various measures were being taken to beat the heat. For instance, there was a long corridor where an artificial mist was generated to bring relief to many visitors. And throughout the Expo site, the extensive use of wood is apparently meant to tame the reflective heat. But the real summer heat has yet to hit, and I had to wonder if these measures were sufficient.
For instance, if long waiting lines are the norm, the Expo organizers should install more awnings and sun shades. Visitors themselves should bring fans or parasols or wear hats; make sure they have plenty to drink; and not force themselves to keep standing in line if it gets too uncomfortable.
Based on my profound knowledge of Latin gleamed from names in fantasy novels, I believe it means ‘For the public, for God’
Guys, I’m surprised at you both! You’re missing the forest for the trees here. Think about is for a minute:
天声人語 ＝ 人が天の声を語る
But just to be sure, I looked it up. Literally, “voice of people, voice of God.” Or, “the voice of the people is the voice of God.”
well i had always thought it meant something like god talking through people.
Years late, but can’t resist noting this: “Nec audiendi qui solent dicere, Vox populi, vox Dei, quum tumultuositas vulgi semper insaniae proxima sit.” (Flaccus Albinus Alcuinus in a letter t9o Charlemagne in 798). This means “And those people should not be listened to who keep saying the voice of the people is the voice of God, since the riotousness of the crowd is always very close to madness.” So not exactly a wonderful recommendation, in fact….