Archive for the ‘Japanese slang’ Category

Now that “Paul Lowe” and “Windsor TEFL” are so many places on the web he can hardly have time to write threatening emails to them all let alone sue them, I can strike up my pipe, put on my tweed jacket with the leather elbow patches, gaze at my navel and get back to considering “What is the meaning of TEFL?”

In todays episode, Uncle Alex will consider “Why don’t my students (especially the adults) pull their socks up and do their homework?” It could be because they are trying to drive me to such fits of disbeliving fury that I keel over from a heart attack and they get a teacher who isn’t so keen. It could be because they are M* and hoping I will introduce corporal punishment. Alternatively, it could be because:

 1. It’s boring
2. They don’t understand the instructions/ what to do
3. It’s too difficult
4. It’s too easy
5. They could understand the language, but couldn’t think of any ideas (e.g. arguments for and against or a storyline)
6. It’s not their priority, e.g. because it doesn’t involve speaking
7. They just forgot/ forgot exactly what they had to do
8. They don’t find time/ have bad time management
9. It’s a minor rebellion
10. They don’t see the point/ don’t think it will improve their English
11. Doing homework seems childish
12. They lack a place where they can do it in peace and quiet
13. They lack equipment (e.g. a CD player)
14. They have their own self-study materials or habits which they prefer
And here’s what you can do about it/ do about some of those points:

(more…)

“During the speech both old and new students had become extremely restless, and thirteen children were out of their seats and moving around the room. The obscenities accompanying another tussle between two four-year-old boys- bakayaro and aho (fool)- had started a wave of obscenity calling from various parts of the room. As parents and teachers listened to the director’s speech apparently undisturbed, children tried to outdo one another in demonstrating their knowledge of elicit words. One particularly daring five-year-old topped the list with unko (feces) and chinpoko (penis).Completely ignored by teachers and parents, the contest died down as the audience rose to leave. The director’s remark ‘It is good to see that many children have already begun to make friends’ was a veiled reference to the general commotion” (more…)

More Japanese expressions, provided more for your interest than your edification, which is my excuse for including dated slang and the like… 

War of the Sexes Japanese Style 

Japanese- Sodai gomi

Literal meaning- Giant rubbish

Real meaning- Slang for a retired husband who has just become a waste of space

Japanese- Nanpa suru

Literal meaning- To do the soft one (more…)

Why are the Japanese so into ”kawaii” (cute)?

As long as it is socially acceptable, there is no reason why having a picture of a kitten should not make you feel warm inside. Being around cute stuff makes you feel good. And anything that makes you feel good can be addictive. It should also be noted that “kawaii” is also used by some people with such a wide range of meanings it could even be translated just as ‘good’ rather than ‘cute’.

Why do the Japanese sometimes answer yes/no questions in English with the answer ‘maybe’? One reason could be being asked a question that is not standard in Japanese. For example, “genki desu ka” is often given as the translation of “how are you” but is in fact very rarely asked, perhaps because it could be seen as intrusive. Another is that there are many ways of being vague in Japanese but they are not taught ways to be vague in English. For example, “so desu ne” (That’s so) and “so desu ka” (Is that so) can be given many fine shades of meaning including doubt by changes in intonation etc. These are probably the phrases in their head when they say ‘maybe’. 

Why do Japanese streets have no names?

All Japanese communities, including parts of cities, have always been like little villages where everyone knows everyone else and so there is no need to have street names or even house numbers in order. This was even more so in Tokugawa times, when blocks of Tokyo streets would be surrounded by walls and watch towers dividing them from other parts of the city.

Thanks to Laurent for the top two questions. Keep them comng, everyone.

This series of posts also sprouted their own blog- Japan Explained. Give it a click and give it a go!

地蔵 (Jizou) – Standing around unable to find a girl. A Jizo is a type of Buddhist statue.

地雷 (Jirai) – A land mine. A woman who turns out to be crazy or starts stalking you.

From: http://www.quirkyjapan.or.tv/j-schoolnampa.htm

Had a flash of inspiration while reading this IHT article comparing Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe (uyoku bakayarou!*) and ex-PM Junichiro Koizumi (also uyoku bakayarou!*, but with a cool haircut and a bit more personality and subtlety). If you were in the unfortunate position of having to chose one of these to vote for, which would you choose? If you were in the financially fortunate but morally disheartening position to choose one to teach, either one-to-one or in a group, which one would you choose? You see- it’s the same!

So from now on, when an election comes around, all you have to do is picture the various candidates coming into the classroom and imagine your reaction- bang, you have a voting decision made!

If you would like Aunty Alex to sort out anymore of your life dilemmas with the tools of TEFL, let me know below:

(* guide to Japanese slang coming soon)