>>23 Congratulations on your new thead! Altough too many of those posting on this board are jokers, there *are* also quite a few who are seriously trying to learn good English.
I wonder if you could drop in on the 「覚えたての英語を必死で話すスレ」 http://mentai.2ch.net/test/read.cgi/english/1012189359/l50 sometimes and help us out by providing the "sense" of a native English speaker on some subtle questions. Although I have been trying hard to correct beginners' trial compositions and provide appropriate explanations, there is definitely a limit to my ability to do so. I consider myself a near-native speaker of English, but I am fully aware that I must defer to the sense of a native speaker on many tricky and subtle issues.
>>25 I guess you've been studying English very hard. I'm sure most of Japanese people who are studying it, including me, haven't reached your level yet. I didn't notice any mistakes in your writing (it's perhaps because of my weak reading ability) though you wrote some long sentenses using complicated structure. Could you tell me how you've studied English if it doesn't bother you? I'm just curious about your history related to studying English.
>>25 Thank you for your complimentary remarks. As for my English-studying history, I'd rather not say anything too specific on this board, being fully aware that it is an open forum and that whatever one writes is placed permanently in the archives. I could say this much, however. I am a long-time resident of the U.S., received higher education leading to a Ph.D., and have published several books in English from reputable U.S. publishing houses. I'm simply trying to help Japan's younger generations to learn good English. By the way, let me congratulate you on your excellent English.
I am not sure if there are any open forum like this in English. this 2-channel has such a wide range of the topics and I am quite interested in to get involved.
sorry I just wrote things and it did not make much sense. I was studying in uk for 2 years and hoping to get a decent job which use English as a tool in Japan. however the job market is now real competitive, which makes me stressed...
I would appreciate it if someone would improve my translasion.
自動車、テレビ、携帯電話は一見便利だけど、人間にとって非常にマイナスとなるもの だとおもいます。 ↓ Automobiles, televisions, and cell phones seem convenient in a sense, but I think they are very harmful to people.
>>29 Now I understand how you have mastered high-level English. I was impressed with your great career, and also respect your positive attitude toward us, who are trying to learn good English. It was nice having a chat with you here because your excellent English motivated me to make efforts to improve my English. If we have an opportunity to have a talk again, please let me hear profitable hints for studying English. Thanks!
中学レベル(間違い直し) I think they are the best ten pitchers in Japan. In case of the Japanese, those under 18 years old cannot drive. Nara is known for its old history. It is our common sense that the earth is round. I hope to read a novel with a happy end.
well, seeing contributions on this thread makes me wonder is this Yahoo chat here? because messages exchanged above, they were too nice to believe thats what they really meant. Honestly, it reminds me of places where Japanese people enjoy chatting in English without any real conversation nor fruitful topics but sensitive atmosphere no one never say anything bad. and it's boring. Because in that case, people come to hesitate to even have a light argument. no argument no real conversation. no real conversation, it is nothing but scribbles on toilets wall.
ところでどの程度英語ができるかはちょっとその人が話すのを 聞いただけでわかる。 You can instantly surmise how proficient the person is in English just by listening to how the person speaks in English.
>52 "4 letter words"? Oh, you mean words like "fuck" and "shit"? Do you have to be under a certain age to use these words? Or were these "4 letters" too explicit for your taste?
自動車、テレビ、携帯電話は一見便利だけど、人間にとって非常にマイナスとなるもの だとおもいます。 ↓ Automobiles, televisions, and cell phones seem convenient in a sense, but I think they are very harmful to people.
Not bad
Automobiles, televisions, and cell phones might seem convenient but I think that they can be extremely harmful to people.
一見の訳には、ちょっと迷ったけど、might seem にした。辞書に載っている「at first sight」とか、この文脈でちょっと不自然。
ところでどの程度英語ができるかはちょっとその人が話すのを 聞いただけでわかる。 You can instantly surmise how proficient the person is in English just by listening to how the person speaks in English.
英語の訳けして悪くはないけど、ちょっと硬い。もともとの日本語と雰囲気が変わる。
proficientの変わりに「how good」だけでよかった。 surmiseは硬いです。そのかわりに「you can tell」だけでよかった。
ラサール弁護士。日本語の映画、歌、ドラマとかの聞き取り完全にできます? 日本人はなぜか英語がかなりできるひとでも、映画等の聞き取りはできない人 が多い。 Mr. La Salle. Can you catch every single word of Japanese TV dramas, movies, songs etc? Japanese even those people with excellent English writing and reading skills find it hard to do that.
I'm watching Kume san on TV as we speak and understand almost everything. But I'm still learning. Reading and writing are harder for me.
To watch and understand TV or movies, you need quite a bit of "cultural" backround. I've been here for almost 8 years now and my wife is Japanese. She's my own private teacher. After about 2 years in Japan (I started to study Japanese before coming here) I could "watch" Japanese movies but it took me another 2 years to be able to truly "appreciate" (or detest) them.
Here's what you can do: Pack up your bags. Get on a plane. Go to America or some country where they speak English. Find a nice girl who can cook (very hard to find in English speaking countries), marry her, have kids and settle down in that country. Trust me, after a few years you'll be able to watch english movies without missing out on anything.
>>101 いい子を見つけるってとこが難しそうDA. Finding a nice girl for me would be the hardest part. でも、神経生理学的に日本人は訓練しないと完全な英語の発音 聞き取りはできない人が多いいらしい。 For some neuro-physiological reasons, many Japanese need concious training to perfect English pronunciation and listening(for adults).
>>121 no, no ラサールさん. Im not trying to have you translate 38. Im just saying what you've said about 38, 「38・39はちゃんとした英語ですよ」 is not right. That's why I said 'you should be a little more carful'.
>>120 >You should be a litle more carful, ラサールさん. 激しく同意。
ついでに言うなら、 >>38の >well, seeing contributions on this thread makes me wonder >is this Yahoo chat here? って漏れにはどう見てもおかしな文にしか見えんのだが、 おかしいのは漏れなのか? "makes me wonder is this(以下略)"って何だ?
>>125 んー、まあ言えば、そう言えるかも。 だけど、 I can't(or, can hardly) understand what it means(what you are saying, etc.) と I don't(or, hardly) understnad what it means(what you are saying, etc.) には、ニュアンスの違いがあることを説明してあげておいた方がいいような気がする。 ラサールさんがネイティブということで、なにからなにまで、そのまま 受け取ってしまう人がいるかもしれないから。
X−well, seeing contributions on this thread makes me wonder is this Yahoo chat here? O−well, seeing THE contributions on this thread makes me wonder IF this IS Yahoo chat here?
最後の「here」はちょっと余分だけど、言える。
X−because messages exchanged above, they were too nice to believe thats what they really meant. O−because THE messages exchanged above, were too nice FOR ME to believe THAT THEY REALLY MEANT WHAT THEY WROTE.
X-Honestly, it reminds me of places where Japanese people enjoy chatting in English without any real conversation nor fruitful topics but sensitive atmosphere no one never say anything bad.
O-Honestly, it reminds me of places where Japanese people enjoy chatting in English without any real conversation nor fruitful topics. JUST A POLITE atmosphere WHERE no one never say anything bad.
X-Because in that case, people come to hesitate to even have a light argument. no argument no real conversation. O-Because WHEN THAT HAPPENS people EVENTUALLY AVOID HAVING EVEN light argument. no argument no real conversation.
X-no real conversation, it is nothing but scribbles on toilets wall. O-no real conversation, Nothing but SCRIBBLINGS on toilets wall.
>>127 >38の >well, seeing contributions on this thread makes me wonder >is this Yahoo chat here? >って漏れにはどう見てもおかしな文にしか見えんのだが、 > おかしいのは漏れなのか? > "makes me wonder is this(以下略)"って何だ?
それは38が句読点抜きで書いてるからだよ。 → Well, seeing contributions on this thread makes me wonder; is this Yahoo chat here? ならわかるだろ? ラサールさんの if を補う解釈も成り立つが、この 「句読点抜き」解釈もできる。 38の英語は良くできてる(慣れた人間の英語)だけど、句読点抜きでは、 立派な英語とは言えんな。
X−well, seeing contributions on this thread makes me wonder is this Yahoo chat here? O−well, seeing THE contributions on this thread makes me wonder IF this IS Yahoo chat here?
確かに「:」を使うと直接引用になり、「if」が要らなくなり ます。 well, seeing contributions on this thread makes me wonder:Is this Yahoo chat here?
The time you may be stcking in front of TV has arrived in. Many people spend daytime in daydreaming and nighttime being awake more than daytime in front of TV. Once in four years, there be held world famous sports festival "Olympic" somewhere in the world.
Although this fastival is supposed to represent the unit of athletic spirits all over the world, sometimes we see the sprit against that at the same time. Bribing is the one of them. The act of buying the four years lasting effort of participants is unacceptable. Yet, something which causes emotional reaction among us is misjudging. Considering a pretty gray judgement in Short Truck, now there arises the augument about who deserves the gold medal. In this precess some of us seem to have forgotten what the olympic is really about. The gold medal is recieved for the endeavor each athlete has been making, but not by any of nations.
>170 しつこいけど sit: to make someone sit somewhere The waiter sat a gentleman wearing a nice black coat opposite me. He is reading Asahi newspaper. ↓ The gentleman sat opposite me is wearing a nice black coat and is reading Asashi newspaper
漏れ(もれ)←俺(おれ)(I/me) 厨房(ちゅうぼう)←中坊(ちゅうぼう) (a thoughtless person like a junior highschool student) 基地外(きちがい)←気違い(きちがい)(a crazy person) 氏ね(しね)←死ね(しね)(die!) 概出(がいしゅつ)←既出(きしゅつ)(already mentioned) 藁(わら)←(笑)(わらい)(I laugh.)
>>226 うっせ〜な Xanthophobia- Fear of the color yellow or the word yellow. Xenoglossophobia- Fear of foreign languages. Xenophobia- Fear of strangers or foreigners. だよ! 寝るぞ俺は! 辞書って物は本棚飾っとくもんじゃねえぞ!
漏れ(もれ)←俺(おれ)(I/me) 厨房(ちゅうぼう)←中坊(ちゅうぼう) (a thoughtless person like a junior highschool student) 基地外(きちがい)←気違い(きちがい)(a crazy person) 氏ね(しね)←死ね(しね)(die!) 概出(がいしゅつ)←既出(きしゅつ)(already mentioned) 藁(わら)←(笑)(わらい)(I laugh.)
The time you may be stcking in front of TV has arrived in.
>It has arrived and it forces you to spend long hours in front of the TV!
Many people spend daytime in daydreaming and nighttime being awake more than daytime in front of TV.
>Television isn't something you watch in the daytime anymore. Nightime is Olympic time and TV time. Daytime is for nursing Olympic hangovers.
Once in four years, there be held world famous sports festival "Olympic" somewhere in the world.
>Every four years the famous sports festival called the Olympics is held somewhere in the world.
Although this fastival is supposed to represent the unit of athletic spirits all over the world, sometimes we see the sprit against that at the same time.
>Although it is supposed to represent an athlethic spirit common to all mankind, this goal is sometimes forgot.
Bribing is the one of them.
>Bribing is the one of the ways this spirit is threatened.
The act of buying the four years lasting effort of participants is unacceptable.
>What do four years of hard work mean if results can be bought? This is unacceptable.
Yet, something which causes emotional reaction among us is misjudging.
>Judging can also arouse strong emotional reactions.
Considering a pretty gray judgement in Short Truck, now there arises the augument about who deserves the gold medal.
>A very controversial judgement in the short track speed skating event triggered a heated debate about who deserved the gold medal.
In this precess some of us seem to have forgotten what the olympic is really about.
>ほとんど完璧。Olympicsは複数だけど。
The gold medal is recieved for the endeavor each athlete has been making, but not by any of nations
>The gold medal should be first and foremost a reward for the long hours of hard work put in by athletes, not just an honor for their country.
ほのめかすは、あんまりつかわないな。 We don't usually say 'honomekasu'. 奥さんに聞けば教えてくれる。後検索エンジンとか。 Your loving wife would say the same. Search the web if you will. ニュースとかではよく聞くけどね。 Even though they use that word on the news frequently.
実はいってることがよくわからんのですが、「別に、だれそれが 変なメール(メール爆弾とか?)をおくったなどといわんとして いるわけじゃない」というわけですか? I didn't really get what you meant but you were saying 'I'm not implying that this person sent me hen-na mail?'
変なメールを送られたのか送られてないのか? 下の言い方だとそのへんが根本的にわからない言い回しになっているみたいです。 So did he send you a weird e-mail or not? Your Japanese is a little mixed up to clarify this fact.
△−Your Japanese is a little mixed up to clarify this fact. O−You Japanese is a little confusing and I can't tell if he actually did send you a strange Email.
英語ってさあ、吐く息の量が日本ごとく全然違うよね。 こないだ、テレビで寒い地方の人が英語を話してるとき白い息 をブワッとはいてゴジラみたいで笑った。 When speaking English you exhale way more volume of air, right? I was watching TV other day and this person in some cold country had so much breath that in the cold temperature he looked like gozilla. That cracked me up.
I guess, about this time of the year, Canada must be freezing to death. Anyway, which part of CAnada do you hail from? By the way, i used to have 2 Canadian roomates back in the US.
We don't really love each other. This is only for fun. Just pretending to be in love. What's wrong with having sex with da diffrent boyz abroad? Why do you have to be that sensitive?? The guys around here don't know women at all. I think you are junior high-school kiddes.
というような、相手をたしなめる、あるいはとがめるニュアンスを 意図的に含めたいときはなんて言うべきなんでしょうか。 I wonder what do you feel about wasting the taxpayer's precious money for a pointless purpose like that? みたいな感じ?
>236 たしか、keep afloat(破産しないで(させないで)) ってのもありますよね?いや、ついでにふと思い出しただけなんだけど。 If you want to keep yourself afloat, you better stop gambling. (破産したくないなら、ギャンブルをやめたほうがいいよ。) とか。
>>363 well, I mean... Is a unit or a length of time usually considered as singular?
You said you can say 'What DO four years of hard work mean...' but it's said this way on purpose or something, isn't it? It should actually be 'What DOES four years of hard work mean...', shouldn't it?
I presume that 3 years can be regarded as the the pack of time period, in a way is is treated as a singular. None the less, 3 years of hard works is a quite long time. So, it is natural to regard 3 years of hard work as plural.
After all, this is a matter of customs and feelings. There is no definite explanations on this, i guess.
Anna is not a popular figure among boys. She is just a source for housewives' gossips ,and a certain type of girls adore her as a trend-setter or something. It's all media brainwashing, I guess.
She's not popular with men. Her name comes up regularly in gossip columns or TV shows for bored housewives and a few women regard her as some kind of trend-setter; that's all. (she's famous for being famousという表現もある。別に芸がないけど、「有名であることで有名」です。日本語でも通用する?) She's some kind of media fabrication, I guess.
Re: End of the show for a guru of high fashion Yves Saint Laurent is retiring after a lifetime of placing himself "at the service of women, of their bodies, of their expressions".
Yves Saint Laurentをグルという言葉で形容している。 もともとの意味は、オームなどの宗教の導師のグルから来ているが 個人的な魅力で産業界のトップについた人もグルと言うようになった 模様。 インチキくさい響きも多分に残っていると思う。
What is the definition of learning second languge? It is generally said that even people who is known for their prominent English ability for Japanese seem to be still in the process of developing. Perhaps, it is almost impossible not just for us but for those people to reach the level where we could maneuver secong language at will. Does this lead for the most of us second language will always be pointless pains at the end?
Perhaps, it is alomost impossible not just for us but for those people to reach the level in a life time where one can maneuver second language at will.
What is the definition of learning second languge?
>What does learning a language really mean?
It is generally said that even people who is known for their prominent English ability for Japanese seem to be still in the process of developing.
>The English spoken by Japanese people considered "proficient", should in fact be considered "a work in progress". 発展途上「developing」は使おうとしたけどなかなか・・・
Perhaps, it is almost impossible not just for us but for those people to reach the level in a life time where one can maneuver second language at will.
>A lifetime of studying English might not be enough for those "proficient few" to reach true fluency in a foreign language; let alone for the rest us... 「maneuver」は扱うの直訳で、「機械の操縦」との連想が強いです。言葉にはあまり使わない。
Does this lead for the most of us second language will always be pointless pains at the end?
>Does this mean that learning a foreign language will remain a pointless exercise for most of us?
I just wonder how come canadians' armpits smell like rotten diapers. It's becasue hormone imbalance or something? I'm just curious. That's all. NO OFFENSE LOL
Oh, thank you for your correction. I'm not talking to ya anyway. Don't butt in, dickhead! I hate people who love nitpicking things. Just eat shit and die.
I have a question. If I go to Canada, people start complaining about Americans. Going to the Down Under, people love to hear me complaining of US and England. But, once you English-speakng people meet each other here in Tokyo, you guys instantly get together and become tight. And they create their own enclaves here in Japan. This reminds me of Shang-hai in the 19th century. What do you think of this? Do you think it's ture?
What is the most staggering customs which is praciticed here in Japan as a matter of course form the esterner's perspective. The one I hate is people here spit all over.
Do you think people with the defferent value system can coexist together in the same place or we need high fences otherwise , we end up killing each other?
History tells us, it seems, the latter has been always true.
Stop asking stupid questions. They are very much like "this is a pen", "do you like sushi?", "how are you?", "I'm fine thank you, and you?", "where do you come from?"...
Remember this thread is to talk about how your sentence sounds to native speakers of English.
Australians, Canadians, Americans and the English make fun of each other, criticize each other and sometimes hate each other. But when they find themselves alone in a country whose language they don't master, they find they have a lot in common not the least of which is the English language.
Yes many of them do. Some European identities are stronger than others. Often it depends on how many generations of their family have grown up in Australia or America. Inter-mariage also weakens identities, and strenghtens the new Canadian or Australian identity. Some ethnic groups seem to be more closely-knit than others though.
Very complex question...The subject of Phd thesises...
thesises... Theses. My mistake. Seems to be a common mistake though. I got hundreds of results with thesises (a few of them obviously not English). I'm in good company.
I hate generalization, I prsume generalization is absurd, but, if I'm allowed to generalize English-speaking people, north Amercans are broad-minded. On the other hand, Brits are full of shit and desperate to despise the Japanese. Ausies are completely off.(w
>507 お節介かもしれませんが、何卒、御容赦を。 Although this might be a interference, I beg your forgiveness.
>激しくスレ違い extremely inappropriate for this thread
ラサール氏のように慣れている人でも、2ちゃん用語には 注釈が必要かもしれないと思ったので。 I wrote this because I thought that even a well-familiarized person like Mr. LaSalle might need annotation like this for unique terms of ch2.
確かに定期的に添削してもらえたら、嬉しいですよね。ただ、 義務みたいな関係が生じるとなると、僕は躊躇しちゃうかも。 Undoubtedly I'll also be happy if I could have my sentences corrected periodically. But if a relationship like a duty would arise, I might hesitate that.
Canadian English and US English are basically the same. The top 10 shows on Canadian TV (excluding the news and hockey) are all American. Canada and the US share the same pop culture.
Canadian accents are usually not as strong and diverse as they can be in the States. Newfoundland (province of Eastern Canada, or "the maritimes" as we call the provinces on the East-coast of Canada) English can be quite different though...
Generaly speaking, Canadian English sounds like standard North-American English.
Some people say that Canadians have a tendancy to say "heh" when we speak. EX: Nice day, heh? That's a nice car, heh? She's a beautiful girl, heh?
他のスレで話題にされていた例文です。 多分、文法的には正解だと思いますが、誰かの言い方を借りると "stilted"それも思いっきり"very very stilted"だと思いますが ネイティブから見て、どういった印象を受けますか?「感じ」を教えてください。 This is the sentence that has been discussed in the other thread. I guess this is grammatically correct, but very very stilted(I borrowed this expression from the posting from this thread). So, what is your impression of this sentence?
>>My father,from a view of the expense of a college education,
which having so large a family he could not well afford,
and the mean living which many so educated were afterwards able
to obtain, altered his first intention about my education.
There is no sense in gaining weight with fat buildup.
I'd better move to a nice and quiet place so that I can relax. Good ideas are supposed to pop up in our heads in such an environment. People are made that way.
There is no sense in gaining weight with fat buildup.
つまり脂肪だけであれば、太るには意味ない?
There is no point in gaining weight if all you have to show for it is "fat".
"show for it" =それで得たものという意味です。 例えば、僕の友達は日本にきてもう7年なけど、日本語はぜんぜん駄目。日本に「居た」ことから何も得なかった。 He's lived in Japan for 7 years but he has nothing to show for it. (残念ながら、そういう人がほとんどです)
I'd better move to a nice and quiet place so that I can relax. 会話であれば"that"は余分。
People are made that way. 「作られた」って言ってもいいけど、people are that way, とか people are like that 或いは it's just human nature の方がネイティブぽいかな。
>>582 サンキュー、検索してみたよ。 Ebonics=African American Vernacular English (AAVE)という 言葉があるんだね。
そう言えば、Ebony and ivory live together in perfect harmony♪ という歌があったね(one of my favotite songs)。 特に、people are the same wherever you goというパートが気に 入ってる(it's also one of my beliefs)。 これには真理があると思いませんか?
>>582 Just one thing. 「じゃあ、黒人に失礼」is pretty confusing. It could mean 'you are(or someone is) not polite to 黒人'. If you wanna clearly say 'sorry to 黒人'. 「黒人に失礼なことを言ってしまった」is better.
Be careful when you say 'sorry' in Japanese... You may piss someone off!(笑)
>idealistic. Some part, yes. But some part like this; "people are the same wherever you go. There are good and bad in everywhere" is not idealistic or anything. It's simply a truth.
"Idealistic" is more suitable for, say, 'IMAGINE' by Joh Lennon.
And people who try to pursue idealistic society get together and fund the occupation of Palestine and bulldoze palestinian homes and colonize their land and if people resist, brand them as terrorists.
Clerk: May I help you? Shopper: Yes, you may. Clerk: What about this? Shopper: I accept your proposal. Clerk: Thank you very much. Shopper: I appreciate your help.
《一つめ》 Children have a strong sense of wonder while a lot of animals have less and less of it as they grow older and mature, However, humans can keep taking an interest in various things and so it may be that humans are the happy species enjoying the privilege of having a never-fading childlike mind.
《二つめ》 Infants are curiosity itself. With many animals, I hear the more mature they grow, the less curious they become. Human beings, however, retain interests in all kinds of things when they are old. This may suggest that humans are a happy species privileged to be children for ever.
《三つめ》 Young children are extremely curious. Many animals become less curious as they grow older. But human beings stay curious about a variety of things even in their old age.
>サンクスラット!って軽くみんな言うね、北米では。 Thanks a lotのことかな? それならthank you very muchのカジュアル・バージョンで、 まさにthank you very muchという意味だよ。 ちょっとしたことなら、thank youかthanksで十分。 ちなみに、thanks a lot(thank you very much)は言う場面によって 皮肉たっぷりの表現になるので要注意。 下手をすると「それそれは、どうもありがとうございました!」 みたいな感じになる。
>>646 Well, think about it in Japan. You've had coffee in a coffee shop or bought a pen at a stationary shop or a super market, and would you say 「ありがとう」or「どうも、すみません」 when you leave the store? I'm not sure about you but most people just don't say that. (if you don't agree with it, never mind)
And it's the same in America and perhaps anywhere.
Believe or not, I was doing the exact same thing right after a short trip to canada.w I waited until I made sure the next person comes by the door. I felt like its my duty saying thanks to shop clerks even though I was a customer there. I know some people would consider me as shallow or even one of wannabes, but I am sure some people here share this kind experience with me.
I know my experience is quite limited, but most people I saw in coffee shop and grocery's leave the shop saying 'Thanks'. Also, I met many people who I don't know at all smiling at me (not laughing at me) on the street. Please note that I lived in a country side. I know things are totally different in bigger cities.
I was quite a bit surprised at “good service!” in Vancouver, when I took a weekend trip during my stay in Seattle. It might be just because hospitable industry is the prime source of income in Vancouver. Whatever it may be, having a good service is a good thing. Especially, services in hotels and restraints were excellent.
I instantly recognized that the vibes had completely changed. The other thing I noticed is that white Canadians look shorter than white Americans in Vancouver. I just wonder , is it true that most of white Canadians are still yet mainly British descendents? I gather that quite a lot of Americans in Settle area are German and Scandinavian descendents.
だんだん思い出してきた。 一番多いパターンは、 Clerk: Thank you, Sir. Have a good (nice) day! me: Thanks. You too. 満面の笑みで言ってくれるところもあれば、ほとんど機械的に言う無愛想なやつも いたが、とりあえずこんな会話のない店は無かった.
Japanese people are very polite with each other. The service in Japanese restaurants is usually very good because Japanese customers expect to be served well. The service is good in Japanese stores because Japanese people expect good service.
I have noticed that when food is brought to the table in Japanese restaurants most Japanese do not thank the waiter. The same goes for when they buy things in a store.
In North America it is not uncommon for customers to thank the waiter when they bring food to the table. Often with a 何気なく”thanks” or “thank you”. I just came back from a night out with 6 Japanese friends and NO ONE thanked the waitress when she brought food to the table. I'm not saying that they should, I'm just pointing out the differences in attitudes in North America and Japan, towards those who serve and those who are served.
Now, a young Japanese student who is about to go to the US on vacation might be told by a friend that North Americans use words like “thanks” more often than the Japanese do when dealing with people whose job it is to “serve”. That person might be tempted to use the word “thanks” all the time with anyone and everyone, which would sound ridiculous.
Now, I can’t give you a “rule” or a pattern that you can apply to every situation because it’s impossible. There are simply too many variables. All I can tell you is that North Americans use words like “thanks” with people who “serve” them more often than people in Japan.
だけど、Assを動詞と使うとAssHoleという意味になることもあります。 例えば、「the doctor put his finger up my ass」のassは、ass holeという意味になるでしょう。 「up your ass」を使った表現には、holeを使う必要がありません。
ちなみに病院では「ass hole」という言葉を使わない。Rectumと言います。 Doctor: OK this might feel a little uncomfortable (as he slips on a rubber glove) , I'm going to put my finger up your rectum..."
先生、わざわざこんな時間に有難うございます. アメリカに7年いたのですが、まーまともじゃないのだけは分かってました. しかし、私はTOEIC900 で読むのと、聞くのはそれなりにできるのですが, 話したり,文章にして書くとなると悲しいほど出来ません. 現在、私の勉強法は, Japan Times, ST, paper book(洋書)を読むのにとどまってますが、 さらにネイティブに近づく、あるいは先生のすばらしい日本語レベルに私の英語力を 高めるには何が必要でしょうか?I would appreciate it if you advise me.
>>659 I agree with you about thanking a waiter in a restaurant. But I'd like to comment a little bit on it for those who aren't familiar with restaurants in the U.S. (I don't know about Canada. I've never been there) Restaurants are specail. Not like supermarkets, stationary shops or McDonald's
>The service in Japanese restaurants is usually very good I kind of agree. I would say, however, they serve ok, not bad but not too good, and it's pretty much the same in most restaurants in Japan.
>In North America it is not uncommon for customers to thank the waiter when they bring food to the table. Often with a 何気なく”thanks” or “thank you”.
Yes, but there is a big difference between Japan and the U.S. Waiters and waitresses almost automatically say things like this when they bring food; "You've got everything, sir? Anything else?", and, very likely, "Enjoy your meal". (and perhaps, "Is everything ok?" while you are eating) And you say something like, "yes, fine", and, "thanks" naturally. One of the reasons American waiters say those things and take care of you well is that once you've sat down and at a table and got served by a waiter, usually you get served only by that waiter(and leave a tip for him when you leave the restaurant). So the waiter is responsible for his guests and has to make sure they are served alright. (waiters live on tips not only on their wages) Some waiters (and witresses) serve excellent making you feel like you want to leave more tip than you usually do. (They are real professional and deserve good tips)
That's quite different from Japanese rstaurants, huh? And saying "thak you" or "thaks" to them in American restaurants is quite natural when you are served. It does not really apply, however, when you sit down at a counter for a cup of coffee and a hamberger in a casual coffe shop or in a McDonald's. Certaily not when you leave a stationary shop. I have to say >店員に向かって >サンクスって何気なくいって、アイコンタクトをして >ニコッとする is plain stupid (unless you've asked something special and got helped). The reason I'm saying this is that, as you all might know well, some Japanese get invovled in troubles or even victimised in crimes when they go abroad, and that's often because they are too naive or too nice. Smiling is fine and thanking is fine to a right person in a right time and place like when you get served by a waiter in a rstaurant but not to anyone any time. Trying to be too nice a guy or girl is not only stupid but troublesome in some cases. They should actually be more alert when they go abroad. (I'm pretty sure, though, there are many wonderful places in the world and they are mush safer than Tokyo or Osaka)
Please note that I have no intention to offend ラサール氏 or Canada or America. I like a lot of things about America and feel like it's my second 'home town', and Canadians I have ever met are all nice people.
追加 thanks a lot は誰にでも使うと言ったけど、 レストランなどでserviceを受けたぐらいで、thanks a lotは 言わない方がいいと思う。 前にも言ったけど、thanks a lotはthank you very muchと同じぐらい たっぷりの感謝の意味で、使う場面や言い方によって皮肉としても 使われるので 「大変、お世話になりました!」とか 「ひどいことをしてくれて、ありがとうよ!」みたいなものです・・・ 要注意。
I don't know what to tell you. The fact that your are not happy with your present level in English is a good sign; it means you still want to learn.
If it's any comfort to you I can tell you that I'm not satisfied with my Japanese either. When I go out with Japanese friends I can take part in the conversation but it doesn't always go as smoothly as i'd like. I learn something every day. I'm lucky to have a private teacher, my wife, who helps me a lot. But she isn't a teacher in the true sense of the word and if she understands what I'm saying she doesn't bother to correct my Japanese. I'm also luck to work in a Japanese office with japanese co-workers. This helps too.
Try to write every now and then. It's a great exercise to try and express yourself. You could try translating from English to Japanese and vice versa.
The best thing could be to start a master's or Phd in an English speaking country.
Doing a master's degree in Japan really did wonders for my Japanese. I had to read 2 books a week! ( I usually didn't finish them and didn't understand much of what I was reading).
>>734, >>738 Read >>731 if you can before you comment. >>738 looks nothing but stupid.
>Thanks a lot 使うべき状況を分かっていて、言い方も変えられる人なら、もちろん なんの問題ない(英語というのは言い方や口調によって、ずいぶん 意味が変わるのは、いまさら言うまでもないだろう)。 でも、そうでない人は、やたら使わない方が良いのではなかろうか (友人同士なら問題ないが)。
thanksやthanks a lotはthank youやthank you very muchとは 同じではない。 もっと、ずっとカジュアルな感じ。 しかも「thanks a lot」は言い方によって皮肉になる。 「thank you」なら、どこでも誰にでも使えるし、皮肉と勘違いされることも まずないのだから、英語に十分に慣れていない人は普段は「thank you」が お薦めと思う。
>>772 ラサール氏 When you've got a question with Japanese, why don't you put it out here. Maybe someone will help (though 2 Channel is a little weird place...)
sober up は、酔っ払っている状態から、さめるのでは? dry up は、アルコール中毒状態から抜け出ることでは 間違ってたら、ごめんなさい 日本語がわからなかったのかな?と思って書きました。
I'm sorry if I'm worng. "sober up" is an expression for turning from the state of intoxication into the state of being sober. On the other hand, "being dried out"is recovering from the state of alchoholism, or binge drinking. I wrote this because you might have misunderstood the Jnapanese sentences.
Do you normally say,"I'll hit the sack/hay"? I just wonder. Well, I have to retire now.(Do you nomally say "retire" for sleep?) Anyway, sleep tight. See you.
蒸し返すようだが、 「もう寝ます」の「もう〜」を英語で説明するとしたら、 「It's already time to〜」とかかな。 で、「もう寝ます」の日本語のニュアンスをどうしても入れて 英訳するとしたら、 「It's time to go to bed already. Bye now.」あたりか。
ラサール弁護士、質問があります。 I can't be bothered.=面倒くさい に関して。 日本語で、友達間では「面倒くさいから、やりたくない」って言葉をよく 使うけど、目上もしくは年上の人に対しては、それを使うのを避ける(面倒 くさいとは何事かーと怒られる可能性があるので)。 英語でも同様に、I can't be bothered.は状況に応じて 使いわけた方が、よい表現なのですか?
>817 I can't be bothered.=面倒くさい に関して。 日本語で、友達間では「面倒くさいから、やりたくない」って言葉をよく 使うけど、目上もしくは年上の人に対しては、それを使うのを避ける(面倒 くさいとは何事かーと怒られる可能性があるので)。 英語でも同様に、I can't be bothered.は状況に応じて 使いわけた方が、よい表現なのですか?
I don't know anything about the history of Canada except.... I vaguely remember what I heard that is that .... There existed a couple of small settlements in the present Canada's area before the Amercan revolution. When US won the war against England, the people who put a faith on England/royalists moved over the Us border on their initiatves or kicked out by yanks over the border. Is it correct? I'm not sure.
I don't know anything about the history of Canada except.... I vaguely remember what I heard that is that .... There existed a couple of small settlements in the present Canada's area before the Amercan revolution.
>There were quite a few.
When US won the war against England, the people who put a faith on England/royalists moved over the Us border on their initiatves or kicked out by yanks over the border.
>They were called "loyalist" not royalists, although in this case the meaning is relatively similar. They remained "loyal" to the British crown.
My ancestors were French not British, hence the name la Salle. I'm a "frog".
Here is a crash course in Quebec and Canadian History.
1-The French explored North America. 2-The French settled the land, stealing it from the natives if necessary with lavish gifts such as mirrors and glasses. 3-English explored North America. 4-English settled the land, stealing it from the natives when necessary with lavish gifts such as mirrors and glasses. 5-French and English fight each other for control of North America. 6-French and English fight each other in Europe. 7-French lose some battles in Europe and America. 8-Territory that is now Quebec goes under British control in 1763. 9-French in North America continue to have French speaking society but are now ruled by England. 10-When British Government creates the Dominion of Canada in 1867, French become a minority within a larger territory called Canada.
Ok, thank a lot for quick summary of Canadian history. There are French-speaking area in the Us as well like ルイジアナ、 famous for hot food. Cajuan food are originally from French, frog?
In a way, even though the fact that French-speaking part of Canada is ligitimate province of Canada, people in French- sepeaking area share the same mass media and practice and common sense as Frence in Europe? French in New Caledonia are like that.
"Sorry, I've got the wrong number"は一番よく使われるでしょう。 "I've dialed the wrong number" も結構使われます。
861>Parfait! Being a Royalist means believing in the institution of Royalty or rather in the political system called Monarchy. Being a loyalist means being loyal to the crown.
royalist A supporter of government by a monarch. loyalist One who maintains loyalty to an established government, political party, or sovereign, especially during war or revolutionary change.
878>royalist A supporter of government by a monarch. loyalist One who maintains loyalty to an established government, political party, or sovereign, especially during war or revolutionary change.
では全歌詞です。 フィンランドのヴァイキング・メタルバンド、Ensiferum の "Hero in a Dream"という曲です
A witch read from the palm of his hand that his life would be turn into darkness and alone he would face all the demons from his past that he tries to foreget An elder king warned of the dangers that lie in the valleys of north and his only chance was to find his shadow so he had to set forth
He is a man who travells in the land of dragons and magic spells He rides in the winds of fire and snow and he rules the forests of elves.
Slash of the golden sword a flash in the burning night Curse of the evil lord He is fighting for his life for the last time
Oh such beauty in time, but it's just external He cannot see the truth with his eyes, so he is bound by a lie
The snow stars falling in paradise, as he gazes at the stars He will be born again in the sky, when the night turns into a dawn
On the way to the ancient castle of time he will soon be damned by rage so that his pride could betray him when it's time to set him free The fears in his mind had to be pushed aside as he walked through the gates He will never die 'cause he is truly a Hero in a Dream