Chasing Kanji - 感情を追って

An American's travel traumas
アメリカ人の旅行の外傷

Eikawa at its Best  

For this post, I thought it might be fun to quote some cute/funny/awkard/rofl things that students say. Of course, our students are adults and are trying really hard to learn. But, if we can't laugh from time to time, then how can I even begin to feel good about my atrocious Japanese?

Me: "What are some kinds of music that you can think of."
Student: "Japanese pop, techno, rock, hip-hop"
Me: "Great. That's a good list. What about music where there are no singers and many instruments?"
Student: "Classical?"
Me: "Yes, good. And, can you think of one where there is a fat lady who sings very high notes?"
Student: "Gospel."
Me: "I was looking for Opera, but yes."


Me: "So, you like American dramas, do you?"
Student: "Yes. I like Supernatural."
Me: "Really? That one is too scary for me. Have you seen the Simpsons. I think it's popular in Japan, right?"
Student: "Yes, the fun one with yellow people."


Me: "Imagine that you and I are at a party. You are the host, and I am a guest. I would like you to ask me if I need anything using our target vocabulary, ok?"
Student: "Yes, ok."
"How are you?"
Me: "Fine thanks, what a great party!"
Student: "Would you care for ....ah...... would you like.... ah..... we're at a party?"

My apologies if it's not funny in text. But, trust me, in person it's priceless. I hope to have many more moments like these. In a post to come in the future, we'll probably go over crazy Japanese-English advertisements. They can be laugh out loud funny. :)

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1 comments

  • Anonymous  
    February 4, 2008 at 6:45 AM

    Somewhere, out there, there is a Japanese blogger writing about the funny things that Gaikokujin say in Japanese. You guys should get together and make a cross-cultural book. I am glad to hear that English lessons are progressing well. I am starting up again this year with my student from last year. No whoppers yet, though. And I am darn glad that I do not record all my blunders in Nihongo. The one I was most careful not to make was "chigaimasu" (wrong, different, not correct). Contrast that with "chikaimasu" (I promise). Contrast those two during my wedding vows, and you can see why I practiced that one over and over and over again. Yoshi assisted, of course.

    Maybe you can have a school-wide contest to see who can come up with the best Eikaiwa whopper, student or teacher. You can make burritos for the winner.

    Stay warm and don't eat frozen gyoza for a while.

    Take care.

    -Steve

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