Adam DArcy
15th January 2001, 15:11
Well, Karakuri is slightly different, but what the heck.
I was wondering if anyone would care to share with us some linguistic bloopers that you may have made in the past, or may have "heard someone" make (because we're all perfect at Japanese, right? :-) )
Ok ok, I'll go first. This one sort of got an honorable mention in a Japanese linguistic publication, that I don't care to name at the moment. When I was working in the sales department of an automobile parts manufacturer in Okayama, Japan, I routinely had to make calls to the various production facilities in and around Okayama City. When I think of it now, my Japanese was so bad, I'm suprised they even hired me! Anyway, one day during one of my many calls to the factory, I had no earthly idea what ths guy was saying. I couldn't understand a word. In light of this, I wanted to say "Chotto wakaranai no de, [nani nani] san ni kawarimasu." "I'm having a hard time following you, so I'm going to hand the phone off to my colleague." I ended up saying "Watashi ha....chotto kawatte imasu node...choto mate [sic] kudasai." Essentially, "Please hold a second, I'm a little strange." My comrades were very polite in not breaking out in a big belly laugh right there in front of me. However, I'm sure they're still telling this one (it's been 4 years) at their konpa's and parties after having a few shots of...whatever.
Anyone have interesting stories?
Adam
I was wondering if anyone would care to share with us some linguistic bloopers that you may have made in the past, or may have "heard someone" make (because we're all perfect at Japanese, right? :-) )
Ok ok, I'll go first. This one sort of got an honorable mention in a Japanese linguistic publication, that I don't care to name at the moment. When I was working in the sales department of an automobile parts manufacturer in Okayama, Japan, I routinely had to make calls to the various production facilities in and around Okayama City. When I think of it now, my Japanese was so bad, I'm suprised they even hired me! Anyway, one day during one of my many calls to the factory, I had no earthly idea what ths guy was saying. I couldn't understand a word. In light of this, I wanted to say "Chotto wakaranai no de, [nani nani] san ni kawarimasu." "I'm having a hard time following you, so I'm going to hand the phone off to my colleague." I ended up saying "Watashi ha....chotto kawatte imasu node...choto mate [sic] kudasai." Essentially, "Please hold a second, I'm a little strange." My comrades were very polite in not breaking out in a big belly laugh right there in front of me. However, I'm sure they're still telling this one (it's been 4 years) at their konpa's and parties after having a few shots of...whatever.
Anyone have interesting stories?
Adam