Opinion: English speak still I cannot

Jap-English returns with a vengeance

Extremely strange English returns for another visit. The following examples are from both magazines and found while walking around.

English use in Japan is certainly varied- despite Japan’s admission for all children to seemingly be fluent in English. But it is all too easy to find examples of bad English.

The example above is a special example of corporate bad English use. “Coordinate for dream”, is the type of bad English use where you can easily say I know what you were going for; good try.

A lovely advert but the English used to try and encourage Japanese readers to experience the exoticism of the brand, leaves a lot to be desired. “Windup cars Auto” or “Car’s windup auto” is grammatically incorrect unless someone is called car. Nevertheless, wouldn’t you trust a car brand that highlights the fact that their cars are windup, not petrol powered.

This section is similar to any local British newspaper where people announce the birth of their children. But there are 2 problems with this section. Firstly, “kiss kiss kids” sounds slightly extremely strange to a natives ear. Secondly, and more importantly, “take a shot” is not the phrase you use when telling someone to take a photo- but the message is understandable.

Together, however, it’s a rather ominous message: Take a shot!! Kiss Kiss Kids which sounds like you are asking a gang called Kiss kiss Kids to shoot someone.

It’s not all bad English in Japan. There are generally some good examples- even thought I misread it at first.

The example above is an example of brilliant English use (and it doesn’t say “Up Life”) on a product for sale. It is actually a rather nice phrase and message. The only problem with this is its’ audience- I doubt may Japanese people are able to understand this or the nice sentiments it conveys.

Thank you for reading and happy exploring.

English speaking learnt I have not?

Random English use in Japan: part 1

Japan has a fascination with foreign languages – most noticeable its use on everyday products. There are many such examples and I could dedicate the blog to bad English use in Japan- but that would get repetitive. I will however choose weird use, while not necessarily bad, you must question why this was chosen.

The first picture features a lovely phrase on a recycling container. Grammatically it is fine, but the message is a little existential for a recycling container. “Would you like to review what your life should be…?”- where shall I begin?

Firstly, “like to review”, think over your life and evaluate it but do nothing? Or review your live and put an implement an action plan to have the live you want? Next, “what your life should be”, is okay but wouldn’t “where you life should be up to”, read a bit better or as the message is trying to say “are you happy with your lot in life?”

Regardless of this, it’s a recycling bin- why are such questions being asked on this to people who most lively will not understand the English on it?

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Grammar my old friend please come back to Japan again….moving on. “Today’s schedule with [a] smile”, is okay but what about tomorrow’s schedule or next weeks etc? It seems a little bit fixed in addition to this, there is no theatre in Nabari so there’s that problem.

Or does the schedule consist of cleaning and that’s it- which is a slightly darker look on Japanese households. Also, are you supposed to check once completed? The message is a bit confused.

These 2 are just the start of a series of Japenglish to come, in addition to Japench (Japanese French) which is usually used correctly.

Thank you for reading and happy exploring