This is a picture of a tourist map sign posted at the main streetcar stop right outside Nagasaki station. We got a real kick out of the fact that one side of the tracks had correct English on its sign, the other side, well, not so much.
It’s been awhile since we posted one of these. This one we found in Gifu station outside a little curry shop.
Aaron brought you many of these signs in previous Engrish Tuesday posts, but they all had to do with smoking and smoking-related courtesies. Well, apparently the campaign was successful enough that they decided to expand into other social niceties as well.
Recently we have found ourselves exploring some new stores. Specifically those catering to small little people (it is weird, really really weird). We knew that good Engrish would abound, but were a little surprised by some of it.
First, take this ensemble for example.
At first glance there doesn’t seem to be anything inherently objectionable about it. Now, that doesn’t mean that I would choose to put it on my little person, but that is a different argument entirely. Still, it seems ok until you look a little closer.
Really?! I mean, what were they thinking?!
Hisashiburi everybody. I am sorry it has been so long since I have written. And so much has happened as well. I am going to try to get back on track with blogging again. Hopefully putting up a couple of posts a week, as has long been my goal. To start off I will share with you some great and useful instructions on how to use a squatty I encountered when I had such a need in Kyoto.
Simple brief and encouraging.
Just the basics, but I can’t help but think many people could use a bit more info…
A recent vending machine find, the infamous American Coffee.
Perhaps the funniest thing about this is the portrayal of “America” as this land of fancy sportscars with scantily clad women sitting on the hood. As if that happens everyday back home!
Some days I, also, need all the motors I can get.
While back home, we couldn’t help but share a little bit of the Engrish love with our family. Here is a picture of my Aunt (Sandy) and my Mom (Sue) both sporting their new t-shirts. Actually, I think the sentiments on each suit them quite nicely.
With my first-year students, we recently completed a project that I called “Personal History Books.” In an effort to get to know the students personally, and assess their english level, I gave them the chance to write a short, six-page book about themselves. They were free to chose the topics they wanted and free to decorate the book as they saw fit. For the most part, the books are quite well done and I have thoroughly enjoyed reading them.
(Click the picture to embiggen it)
Some of them, in addition to being well done, are quite funny. Like the one above. Remember me talking about not being considered a metabo at my most recent health check? Well, I may have fared okay, but this girls mom obviously did not. I am really hoping that this student is not nearly so bold with criticizing her mother to her face, somehow I am guessing that she is not.
Wow! It has been awhile since we have posted one of these.
This was taken at the Summer Festival in Sapporo which ended up being a park filled with Beer Gardens. With all the beer that was being drunk by festival-goers, this sign was actually quite practical. No need to ask, when the sign tells you quite directly “How to get to toilet.”