A sign in Azabu Juban that made me laugh.
CALM DOWN
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Tag Archives: Jenglish
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Wandering around Chofu (a district of Tokyo) I came across this place. I am not sure what is going on, is it a shop?
There was a very helpful sign in English. If anyone could help me out with the translation, that would be great.
Foreigner in a foreign land.
GUESS THE WEATHERCOCK
The use of English in Japan can be interesting. Take a guess at what this company’s business is?
The definition of weathercock:
A wind vane (or weathercock) is an instrument for showing the direction of the wind. They are typically used as an architectural ornament to the highest point of a building.
I only figured it out by looking in the window (smile) and noticing the colors that are inside of the lamp by the door.
JAPANESE-ENGLISH SIGNS
I am often perplexed by the way that English is used in Japan. A couple cases in point.
Why is the title of the car wash in English and the content in Japanese?
Why is this Crunky bar advertised in English? (Yes .. Crunky bar)
Why does is this sign in Japanese have only a few English words? (Most people will not understand that this means that the entire city is smoke free – it is illegal to smoke in public (awesome)).
This is just funny (At the entrance to the big Buddha)
This just makes me wonder, what were they thinking? (although this is not Japan – this is in Singapore)
And last but not least, I point the finger squarely at the Canadian consulate in Japan. Really? English and French hand-washing instructions .. but nothing in Japanese. Figures.
JENGLISH FOR TODAY
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TODAY’s JAPANESE ENGLISH
Like I said before, when you are walking through Tokyo, you need to look up.
I have no idea why this one caught my eye in passing. I was walking from lunch and noticed the print on the front of this dress. Who/what is Felicity Catch and why grammar do time so bad?
And to answer your question: NO. My Japanese is not improving as evidenced by a recent conversation:
“I got this amazing sparking sake from Meidi-ya” (I pronounced meedie-ya)
“Where?”
“meedie-ya. You know the grocery store”
Laughs. “Oh you mean (pronounces it right). You have been saying that for a month and I had no idea what you were talking about”
The only good thing, I don’t write anything down in Japanese.
JAPANESE BAD BOY
Japan and Canada appear to have a very different view of what constitutes a rough and tumble “bad boy”. In Canada, that would be a Marlon Brando type or a hockey player. Perhaps a UFC fighter.
This is the Japanese bad boy (you must always remember to look up when in Tokyo).
(bottom right). Perhaps they took it literally and meant “bad boys” due to their over-use of hair gel and feminine disposition? Or perhaps they are bad boys because no boy band should number more than 5 (I counted 12). Perhaps the 3 in front are the bad boys as they did not get the pre-photo shoot memo on only wearing white.
Lost in translation … Never ceases to make me smile.
OBSERVED AROUND TOKYO
Mark your calendar. I am saving up for this day (actually, from Bali)
In Hong Kong they build buildings with bamboo scaffolds. In Canada, you climb up the sides of a scaffold. In Japan .. it as one would expect.
Amazing how this product looks suspiciously similar to the Dyson innovation. By Toto Japan. Mitsubishi has one too.
As seen in a Japanese parking lot. I have been warned, in a rather contradictory manner.
YOUR BIKE
It is very important to take care of your bike. In Japan, you invest in pri-ride maintenance (smile).
And of course, it is better to be on your bike than hanging out with the ….
Those labbits. Ask an Australian, they know what a bad influence they are.
Michael Weening: a few pictures 