Sunday, August 24, 2008

Gems of Japanized English


On the topic of accented or heavily modified forms of the English language, here’s a book I read a couple of years ago on ‘Japlish’, titled “Gems of Japanized English”. Here’s an excerpt from the review:

'Shortly after Japan opened her ports to foreign traders, one doctor advertised himself as “a Specialist in the Decease of Children”; eggs were sold as “extract of fowl”; and a notice advised that “Tomorrow, from midnight to 12 noon, you will receive dirty water.”

Fortunately things are improving, but very slowly. A more recent English-language newspaper reported that someone’s “wedding was consummated in the garden of the American consul’s home,” while a road sign was posted near a busy intersection that commanded drivers to “Have many accidents here.” '

If you're having problems understanding the cover, my father used to teach English to a Japanese student who always said 'I like flied lice' and 'The rion loars'. Chew on it.
Anyone interested in reading the book get in touch with me and I’d be glad to lend it to you!

Taken from "Gems of Japanized English", Miranda Kendrick, Charles E. Tuttle Company Inc(1988)

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