Memento of my days in the USA (Part 4 of 5).
Feb 22nd 2009 15:19
english
culture
impression
In this country, most of people are strongly interested in different cultures and languages. Therefore, they have only a thin layer to be exposed by new culture and try casually to incorporate in their life. Because they may have more exposure to Spanish, Chinese, and French, there are not a little people who has been studied or is studying right now. There are also the people who is interested in Japanese language in not a small part. It seems that those Japanese language learners don’t be forced to study but just want to know the Japanese culture much deeper.
Oh, only one young guy had been trying to master the phrases to hit on women from all over the world (of course he is just kidding). Thus, I taught him two sentences “I’ll do anything for you.” and ”I can buy anything what you want”. I wish he would not be in trouble in which he should spend too much money someday in case he goes to Japan.
（日本語原文です）
この国では、異文化や他言語に対する興味が強くて、敷居も低く、気軽に取り込もうとする。スペイン語、中国語、フランス語あたりは実生活で触れる機会が多いせいか、勉強した人、目下勉強中だという人が少なからずいる。日本語に興味を持っている人も少なくないようだ。必要に迫られてというのではなく、日本の文化的なものに興味を持ったことをきっかけにして、より深い意味を理解するために日本語を知りたいという人が多いようだ。
ああ、一人だけ、世界中のナンパの言葉をマスターしようという若者がいたっけ（もちろん冗談としてなのだけれど）。彼には「あなたのために何でもするよ」「あなたの欲しいものなら何でも買ってあげるよ」という二つの台詞を教えておいたのだけれど、うっかり日本に遊びにいって、散財しすぎる羽目にならないように願っている。
Oh, only one young guy had been trying to master the phrases to hit on women from all over the world (of course he is just kidding). Thus, I taught him two sentences “I’ll do anything for you.” and ”I can buy anything what you want”. I wish he would not be in trouble in which he should spend too much money someday in case he goes to Japan.
（日本語原文です）
この国では、異文化や他言語に対する興味が強くて、敷居も低く、気軽に取り込もうとする。スペイン語、中国語、フランス語あたりは実生活で触れる機会が多いせいか、勉強した人、目下勉強中だという人が少なからずいる。日本語に興味を持っている人も少なくないようだ。必要に迫られてというのではなく、日本の文化的なものに興味を持ったことをきっかけにして、より深い意味を理解するために日本語を知りたいという人が多いようだ。
ああ、一人だけ、世界中のナンパの言葉をマスターしようという若者がいたっけ（もちろん冗談としてなのだけれど）。彼には「あなたのために何でもするよ」「あなたの欲しいものなら何でも買ってあげるよ」という二つの台詞を教えておいたのだけれど、うっかり日本に遊びにいって、散財しすぎる羽目にならないように願っている。
- 14
- 4
- 1
Journals Statistics
| Total | 67 entries |
|---|---|
| This Month | 0 entries |
| This week | 0 enrties |
Latest entry
Latest comments
| Dec 30th seifip |
| Jan 28th sys |
| Jan 27th Kame Sennin |
| Jan 27th sys |
| Jan 27th sys |
Entries by Month
| 2010 |
|---|
| - January (2) |
| 2009 |
| - June (1) |
| - May (7) |
| - April (27) |
| - March (6) |
| - February (9) |
| - January (13) |
| 2008 |
| - December (2) |
In this country, there is a lot of interest in foreign language and culture.
There is a low threshold when it comes to people trying to take a foreign culture and make it part of their own.
Possibly because many people encounter spanish, french, and chinese in their daily lives, a lot of people have either previously studied or are currently studying these languages.
There are also many with interest in the Japanese language.
Rather than being forced into studying, people here seem to have a natural interest in the language that stems from a desire to deepen their understanding of Japanese culture.
Well, I guess there was one person who had set out to learn all of the flirtatious words in every language on the planet (but that was just a joke, of course).
To help him out, I taught him two Japanese phrases, which meant "I'll do anything for you," and "I'll buy you whatever you want."
If he visits Japan in the future, I hope that he doesn't find himself stuck with a bill that he can't afford!
http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/national/news/20090227-OYT1T00669.htm?from=top
HOWEVER, in America there are a lot of people who have zero interest in foreign countries, culture or otherwise. That is kind of a sad thing if you ask me.
Thank you very much for your corrections and sharing your knowledge. I really appreciate your generous mind.
I agree with your comment. As you kind of imply, most of students who is learning English have little motivation to master it because it's just for proficiency test but not for their own interest or any other purpose. Right now, I feel that we learn two distinct English. One is in our textbook, the other one is in this real life.
ああ、好きです、そういう若さ。
私には日本のナンパ言葉をマスターしたい若者の友達がいます。
お友達から社交辞令からナンパまでオールマイティに使える言葉、「飲みに行きましょう」を伝授しました。
言語は道具のひとつだけれど、「道具で遊ぶ」感覚が楽しいなあ。集めた道具を地面に並べてワクワクしながら眺める感じ。心は少年。
sysさんのお友達も、私の友達も、いつかその手に入れた道具を有効活用（？）出来る日が来るといいですね（笑）
あき
そうですね、動機が何であれ、手に入れた道具を活用できると楽しいですね。言葉もきっと、使ってみるとわかってくることがたくさんあるものなのでしょうね。