Don’t know what to say or write, me too! Every week, I write something about learning the English language for Japanese people. It’s usually based on my observations, personal experience, something I have read, or conversations I have had with Japanese people learning English; this week I can’t think of what to write.
That’s not quite true; I’ve started and stopped writing about cultural differences between English-speaking countries and Japan, your opinions being your identity, and self-censorship. All of these topics are quite deep and aren’t always necessary to know when learning English. Instead, I will post one of my favourite jokes. You may not get it but please humour me as I humour myself.
Humor or Humour, funny spelling
I like observational humour; seeing the funny side of things that people do. For example, the following observation of learning how to speak:
A husband and wife become parents by having their first child. Wanting to be loving, caring, and supportive parents they try hard to teach their child. They spend day after day talking to their baby, listening to their response.
Toys are bought to teach new words. “Mama” or “Dada” are repeated to the child by each parent, eager for them to be the first word. Finally, the first word is spoken after months of nurturing, “pee-pee”. After the first word, more words are learnt and spoken. Bright, colourful books with pictures are used to teach more words.
Eventually, simple sentences are being made, questions are being asked. After years of teaching, caring, nurturing, toys, and books, the child says their opinion. The parents tell them, “Be quiet.”
I don’t get it
Why do I think this is funny? The long positive build-up sounds like an inspiring story with a powerful ending; however, a common reality drags it down to nothing. I’ve seen many parents do this which reminds me of this joke.
Even if you don’t understand the joke or think it’s funny, it can start a conversation.
Something interesting
Did you know there are 44 phonemes (sounds) in the English language and only 20 (or 29 if you are generous) in Japanese? No wonder English pronunciation can be challenging. What do you think? Are you trying to list all the Japanese phonemes or the English ones?
Hmm…
Think of imaginary situations that will make people think, for example, if you were the Prime Minister of Japan what would you change first? Retirement age? Voting system? Everyone gets a free ice-cream on their birthday? If you could be an animal, what would you be and why? A cat because they do whatever they want? A sloth because they sleep most of the time? A dragon because they can fly and like barbecues? “If you were/could be…” can be an interesting conversation starter.
Be prepared
So, if you don’t know what to say (or write!), prepare something amusing, interesting, or thought-provoking, it may help you when the conversation has stopped flowing.
ー オンライン英語コミュニケーションプログラム ー
【あなたの心が伝わるあなただけの英語】
英語でのコミュニケーションをあなたらしい英語で。一人一人のレベル、能力、
興味に合った教材や方法を用いたテイラーメイドの英語コミュニケーションプログラムです。
”あなたの英語”でコミュニケートしたい方は、まずは無料カウンセリングをご予約ください。
