December 29, 2006
1 minute english
Posted by bopuc at December 29, 2006 10:43 PM
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
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.
Posted by: Patrick at January 10, 2007 11:55 PM
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. ;)
Posted by: Boris at January 11, 2007 12:00 AM
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..
Posted by: Paul at February 6, 2007 04:46 AM