December 29, 2006 22:43 | Bits / Travel

1 minute english

This morning, I picked up Jeremy, my erstwhile assistant who had been backpacking around Delhi for the last 2 weeks, at Shinjuku station.

As soon as we boarded the Yamanote train, heading for our connection at Shibuya, a Berlitz commercial came on on the advertisement/information screens: "1 Minute English!"

These ads are, by rule, hilarious (check out the german coast guard one if you haven't already seen it; "hallo? vat are you sinking about?"). They usually feature a young foreigner in a suit giving a very quick english lesson.

Today's phrase: "have a cow"

Jer and I sort of stared in disbelief, stunned for a second before cracking up. A moment later, they give us a context, in which such a phrase might be useful...

"If I go drinking tonight, my wife will have a cow."

Welcome to Japan Jeremy. :)

Comments
Wed, Jan 10, 2007, @ 23:55
1- Patrick

I feel those ads are to make Japanese who do know some English feel that they don't know enough. Most of it makes about no sense.


Thu, Jan 11, 2007, @ 0:00
2- Boris

Agreed. They use totally contextual and or slang/colloquialisms. I am betting they get the 19 year old teachers they hire to come up with this shit and they think it's funny.

Which it is. ;)


Tue, Feb 6, 2007, @ 4:46
3- Paul

The person on the 'have a cow' advert was a complete twat.. That stupid glazed smile and spiky hair - still, I'd probably need to be stoned before I'd do a Berlitz advert too.

The previous bloke with the goatee was even funnier. He used to walk sideways through the door as if the camera man was pulling a gun on him..

The current girly, seems to like waving a lot..