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I just discovered, via comments in my last post, why everyone was so confused in Japan when they asked what I did for a living, and I said I was a writer. Due to a pronunciation subtlety, I probably was actually saying, "I am a hill." (Sakka vs. saka.)
On other trips, I told people that my Japan rail pass allowed me to ride anything but a rat ("Nozomi," the super-fast train, vs. "nezumi," rodent) and that I was terrified of a lady's tiny, fluffy, pink-ribboned Pomeranian puppy ("kawaii," cute, vs. "kowai," scared.)
My college Japanese teacher told the class that she had worked as a waitress when she'd first come to America, and was baffled for quite some time by her customers' reactions when she asked them if they'd like a side order of lice.
Have any of you had similarly comical misadventures in language?
On other trips, I told people that my Japan rail pass allowed me to ride anything but a rat ("Nozomi," the super-fast train, vs. "nezumi," rodent) and that I was terrified of a lady's tiny, fluffy, pink-ribboned Pomeranian puppy ("kawaii," cute, vs. "kowai," scared.)
My college Japanese teacher told the class that she had worked as a waitress when she'd first come to America, and was baffled for quite some time by her customers' reactions when she asked them if they'd like a side order of lice.
Have any of you had similarly comical misadventures in language?
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When I go to Japan for Worldcon with ![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
telophase, I am interested in visiting somewhere I have never been to before. I mean, in addition to Tokyo and Kyoto, where we are also going.
I have previously visited Tokyo, Kyoto, Nara, Himeji, Kamakura, Nikko, Matsumoto, Kanazawa, Osaka, Kurashiki, Hiroshima, and Koya-san.
I am particularly curious about Kyushu, especially since it looks like the shinkansen has better penetration into it than the last time I checked. Has anyone been to Kagoshima? Fukuoka? Does Nagasaki still have any old-time atmosphere, or was it rebuilt in an entirely modern manner? (I have no interest in Beppu, which sounds like Hell's own tourist trap.)
Things in which I am interested: fun cities like Tokyo. Atmospheric places like Koya-san. Old (not reconstructed) buildings. Good food. Cool and unusual places.
Things which put me off: Extreme difficulty in getting there and long travel times. Tourist traps. Places with one point of interest and nothing else to do. (I was dismayed to find at Matsumoto that once I'd finished checking out the castle, the entire town shut down at 5:00 PM.) Cold weather. (I'll be there at the beginning of September.)
telophase, I am interested in visiting somewhere I have never been to before. I mean, in addition to Tokyo and Kyoto, where we are also going.I have previously visited Tokyo, Kyoto, Nara, Himeji, Kamakura, Nikko, Matsumoto, Kanazawa, Osaka, Kurashiki, Hiroshima, and Koya-san.
I am particularly curious about Kyushu, especially since it looks like the shinkansen has better penetration into it than the last time I checked. Has anyone been to Kagoshima? Fukuoka? Does Nagasaki still have any old-time atmosphere, or was it rebuilt in an entirely modern manner? (I have no interest in Beppu, which sounds like Hell's own tourist trap.)
Things in which I am interested: fun cities like Tokyo. Atmospheric places like Koya-san. Old (not reconstructed) buildings. Good food. Cool and unusual places.
Things which put me off: Extreme difficulty in getting there and long travel times. Tourist traps. Places with one point of interest and nothing else to do. (I was dismayed to find at Matsumoto that once I'd finished checking out the castle, the entire town shut down at 5:00 PM.) Cold weather. (I'll be there at the beginning of September.)
Tags:
When I go to Japan for Worldcon with telophase, I am interested in visiting somewhere I have never been to before. I mean, in addition to Tokyo and Kyoto, where we are also going.
I have previously visited Tokyo, Kyoto, Nara, Himeji, Kamakura, Nikko, Matsumoto, Kanazawa, Osaka, Kurashiki, Hiroshima, and Koya-san.
I am particularly curious about Kyushu, especially since it looks like the shinkansen has better penetration into it than the last time I checked. Has anyone been to Kagoshima? Fukuoka? Does Nagasaki still have any old-time atmosphere, or was it rebuilt in an entirely modern manner? (I have no interest in Beppu, which sounds like Hell's own tourist trap.)
Things in which I am interested: fun cities like Tokyo. Atmospheric places like Koya-san. Old (not reconstructed) buildings. Good food. Cool and unusual places.
Things which put me off: Extreme difficulty in getting there and long travel times. Tourist traps. Places with one point of interest and nothing else to do. (I was dismayed to find at Matsumoto that once I'd finished checking out the castle, the entire town shut down at 5:00 PM.) Cold weather. (I'll be there at the beginning of September.)
telophase, I am interested in visiting somewhere I have never been to before. I mean, in addition to Tokyo and Kyoto, where we are also going.I have previously visited Tokyo, Kyoto, Nara, Himeji, Kamakura, Nikko, Matsumoto, Kanazawa, Osaka, Kurashiki, Hiroshima, and Koya-san.
I am particularly curious about Kyushu, especially since it looks like the shinkansen has better penetration into it than the last time I checked. Has anyone been to Kagoshima? Fukuoka? Does Nagasaki still have any old-time atmosphere, or was it rebuilt in an entirely modern manner? (I have no interest in Beppu, which sounds like Hell's own tourist trap.)
Things in which I am interested: fun cities like Tokyo. Atmospheric places like Koya-san. Old (not reconstructed) buildings. Good food. Cool and unusual places.
Things which put me off: Extreme difficulty in getting there and long travel times. Tourist traps. Places with one point of interest and nothing else to do. (I was dismayed to find at Matsumoto that once I'd finished checking out the castle, the entire town shut down at 5:00 PM.) Cold weather. (I'll be there at the beginning of September.)
Tags:
I was looking up hotels in Tokyo and came across this gem of a website:
"Welcome to Taito Ryokan !
First of all, we thank you for your taking time to visit our web site. Among the 6 billion people on the planet, among the 8 billion web sites all over the world, you came to this tiny house home page, we really appreciate this chance, oppotunity, fate, destiny. We are not sure that it is meant to be for you to experience this classic and real Japanese style in a wooden house - built 1950 (Showa Year 25). Although, if there was a crossing path for us to meet you, that would be our most pleasure and happiness."
"Taito Ryokan is not a palace hotel, but an old ryokan, appreciate your consideration and imagination from the price, JPY3,000, before you inquire => which means that it is not suitable for someone who cannot overcome gaps = ups and downs all over the house, very steep stairs and basic/authentic toilets. No perfect room temperature even there is an air-condition, no insulated silence, no high tech gadgets. And also, it is advisable to bring your own gear such as shampoo, soup, towel and hair dryer."
"New: Pupil seeks a Teacher. Must have an earnest desire to save the world."
http://www.libertyhouse.gr.jp/
"Welcome to Taito Ryokan !
First of all, we thank you for your taking time to visit our web site. Among the 6 billion people on the planet, among the 8 billion web sites all over the world, you came to this tiny house home page, we really appreciate this chance, oppotunity, fate, destiny. We are not sure that it is meant to be for you to experience this classic and real Japanese style in a wooden house - built 1950 (Showa Year 25). Although, if there was a crossing path for us to meet you, that would be our most pleasure and happiness."
"Taito Ryokan is not a palace hotel, but an old ryokan, appreciate your consideration and imagination from the price, JPY3,000, before you inquire => which means that it is not suitable for someone who cannot overcome gaps = ups and downs all over the house, very steep stairs and basic/authentic toilets. No perfect room temperature even there is an air-condition, no insulated silence, no high tech gadgets. And also, it is advisable to bring your own gear such as shampoo, soup, towel and hair dryer."
"New: Pupil seeks a Teacher. Must have an earnest desire to save the world."
http://www.libertyhouse.gr.jp/
Tags:
I was looking up hotels in Tokyo and came across this gem of a website:
"Welcome to Taito Ryokan !
First of all, we thank you for your taking time to visit our web site. Among the 6 billion people on the planet, among the 8 billion web sites all over the world, you came to this tiny house home page, we really appreciate this chance, oppotunity, fate, destiny. We are not sure that it is meant to be for you to experience this classic and real Japanese style in a wooden house - built 1950 (Showa Year 25). Although, if there was a crossing path for us to meet you, that would be our most pleasure and happiness."
"Taito Ryokan is not a palace hotel, but an old ryokan, appreciate your consideration and imagination from the price, JPY3,000, before you inquire => which means that it is not suitable for someone who cannot overcome gaps = ups and downs all over the house, very steep stairs and basic/authentic toilets. No perfect room temperature even there is an air-condition, no insulated silence, no high tech gadgets. And also, it is advisable to bring your own gear such as shampoo, soup, towel and hair dryer."
"New: Pupil seeks a Teacher. Must have an earnest desire to save the world."
http://www.libertyhouse.gr.jp/
"Welcome to Taito Ryokan !
First of all, we thank you for your taking time to visit our web site. Among the 6 billion people on the planet, among the 8 billion web sites all over the world, you came to this tiny house home page, we really appreciate this chance, oppotunity, fate, destiny. We are not sure that it is meant to be for you to experience this classic and real Japanese style in a wooden house - built 1950 (Showa Year 25). Although, if there was a crossing path for us to meet you, that would be our most pleasure and happiness."
"Taito Ryokan is not a palace hotel, but an old ryokan, appreciate your consideration and imagination from the price, JPY3,000, before you inquire => which means that it is not suitable for someone who cannot overcome gaps = ups and downs all over the house, very steep stairs and basic/authentic toilets. No perfect room temperature even there is an air-condition, no insulated silence, no high tech gadgets. And also, it is advisable to bring your own gear such as shampoo, soup, towel and hair dryer."
"New: Pupil seeks a Teacher. Must have an earnest desire to save the world."
http://www.libertyhouse.gr.jp/
Tags:
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