和十 do?

Hi again fellow linguists,

In May, I told you about how the students in my beginner (入門) classes learned to pronounce (発音する) "Where did you go?" like a native speaker. Actually, along with "Where 十五？" I have also written the following on the whiteboard at E-Style from time to time (時々): "和十 do?" 

Just like with "Where 十五？",  after a little practice (練習) my students have been able to pronounce "What did you do?" (あなたは何をしましたか) like someone born and raised (生まれ育ち) in the U.S.A. We have also practiced the same pattern using other verbs. Here are some examples:

• 和十 eat? (何を食べましたか)
• 和十 buy? (何を買いましたか)
• 和十 study? (何を勉強しましたか) 

Of course, everyone's answer to the last question is always "English communication!" (Ha-ha). Anyway (とにかく), once again, mixing kanji with English has enabled my students to improve (上達する) their skills in a fun way.

蛾打五、

Alan

P.S. I have got to go. → I've gotta go. → Gotta go. → 蛾打五

P.P.S. Generally speaking (一般と言えば), Americans pronounce the letter "t" like "d." That's why I translated (翻訳した) "Gotta go" as 「蛾打五」and not 「蛾多五」.

Autumn/Fall is the season for studying English!

Hi students,

There are several expressions (表現) used to describe autumn/fall (秋) here in Japan. For example, we say 食欲の秋, 収穫の秋, 芸術の秋, スポーツの秋, and, of course, 読書の秋. But because of cultural differences, these expressions can be a little difficult to translate/interpret (少し翻訳・通訳し難い) into English. Perhaps the easiest way is to use the sentence pattern "Autumn/Fall is the season for 〜." Here are some examples:

• Autumn/Fall is the season for eating.
• Autumn/Fall is the season for the harvest.
• Autumn/Fall is the season for art.
• Autumn/Fall is the season for (playing) sports.
• Autumn/Fall is the season for reading.

By the way (ところで), a new term at E-Style will start this coming Monday, September 9th. So, perhaps another useful expression using the above pattern might be the following:

Autumn/Fall is the season for studying English!

Jack and I hope to teach you English conversation this autumn/fall.

See you at E-Style,

Alan

Ready to Leap!

Hi leap-year lovers,

2024 is a leap year (閏年), a.k.a. (～としても知られている) an intercalary year or a bissextile year. Today, February 29th, is known as "leap day" in English, or 閏日 (うるうび又はじゅんじつ) in Japanese. Since the earth's orbit around the sun is not exactly 365 days, we have this extra day once every four years (4年度に) to synchronize the calendar with the astronomical year, a.k.a. the solar year (太陽年). 

Ready to leap into March,

Alan

P.S. The term "a.k.a." is an abbreviation (省略、短縮) for "also known as."

You Say You Want a Resolution!

Happy New Year!

Hello students of English,

I hope that you have been enjoying 2024 so far (今までのところ). 

Classes at E-Style resumed this past Monday, January 8th. All this week, I have been asking my students what their New Year's resolutions (新年の抱負[誓い・決意]) are for this year. I am happy to report that several people answered "I resolve to improve my English." In this sentence, the word "resolve" is the verb form (動詞の形態) of "resolution." In Japanese, "resolve to 〜" is 「〜を決心する」while "improve〜" means 「〜を上達する」. 

As I have resolved to continue to help you improve your English, here is a list of some of the most popular resolutions in the United States:

• I resolve to lose weight (痩せる).
• I resolve to exercise more (もっと運動する). / I resolve to get in shape (体を鍛える).
• I resolve to quit smoking (たばこをやめる).
• I resolve to quit drinking (酒をやめる). / I resolve to drink less (酒を控えめにする).
• I resolve to make money (お金を稼ぐ). / I resolve to save money (お金を貯める).

Good luck in achieving (達成すること) all of your goals in 2024!

Resolutely yours,

Alan

Three Square Meals

Hi professional and amateur nutritionists (栄養士),

Have you ever heard the expression "have three square meals a day"(三度三度の食事をきちんと食べる)? If so, then you may have wondered why square (正方形) is used in reference to (に関して) breakfast, lunch, or dinner.

The noun (名詞) "square" refers to either the shape (形) or to an open public area (usually in the center of a city or town) where people gather (広場). 

However, the adjective form (形容詞刑) can mean honest (正直な), straightforward (率直な), equal (等しい・平等な), and fair (公平な). To win a match "fair and square" (正々堂々と) means to win honestly, without cheating (ずるをせずに).

As for meals, the adjective "square" means "full, solid, and substantial (十分な、がっつりした、栄養がある)." This is why this particular shape is used when referring to a hearty meal (ボリュームや栄養がある食事).

Getting full,

Alan

P.S. A common myth (神話) is that "square meal" came from the British Royal Navy because their meals used to be served on square wooden plates. This is an example of folk etymology (通俗語源). In reality, the term originated in the United States in the 1800s and had nothing to do with ships at sea.

Finders keepers (losers weepers)

Hi good people,

These days, I have been reviewing "Have you ever ～ ?" 「～をしたことがありますか。」with my students at E-Style. Here are some sample sentences:

• Have you ever slept in a car overnight? あなたは車の中で一晩寝たことがありますか。
• Have you ever lost your keys or wallet? あなたは鍵又は財布を無くしたことがありますか。
• Have you ever found any money? あなたはお金を見つけたことがありますか。

The second and third questions bring up an interesting cultural difference (文化の差) between Japan and the United States. The custom here is to take an item (including money) that one has found to the nearest police box (交番) so it can be returned to the rightful owner (正当な持ち主に戻す). To pocket it (猫ばばする) is considered bad (悪いと思われている); it is also illegal (違法). 

In America, however, we have a saying (ことわざ): "Finders keepers, losers weepers." This means that the person who finds something gets to keep it and the person who has lost the item can do nothing but cry (泣くしか出来ない). Sometimes this saying is shortened to "Finders keepers." 

So, if you travel to the States in the future, be careful not to lose any of your possessions (所有物) or else you, too, may end up weeping.

Finding it hot (but keeping cool),

Alan

Goodbye (and good riddance) to 2020!

Dear readers,

As this terrible/awful/horrible (酷い) year comes to an end, I can only say good riddance (厄介払い). This expression is used when one is glad or relieved that something bad is gone or finished (嫌な物が無くなって・終わって嬉しい又はホッとする). Sometimes we even use it about people. For today, though, let's practice by saying goodbye and good riddance to 2020. Hopefully, 2021 will be a better year for all. 

Looking forward,

Alan

How do you get to E-Style?

Hello drivers, riders, and walkers,

How do you get to E-Style? For many students, the answer is either by car (車で) or by bicycle (自転車で). For some, the answer is by train (電車で) or by scooter (原付で). I have even had some students come by ferry (フェリーで). But what about those who walk to class? For them, the answer is on foot (徒歩で).

I have heard many students who walk to E-Style say that they come "by walking." Unfortunately (残念ながら), this sounds a little strange in English and is not used by native speakers. 

Of course, there are other ways to answer the above question without using "by" or "on." Examples include the following: 

• I drive (運転する)
• I ride my bicycle/scooter (自転車/スクーターに乗る)
• I ride/take the train/ferry (電車/フェリーに乗る)
• I walk (歩いて行く)

Regardless of how you get to E-Style, please be careful on your commute (通学).

Driving safely,

Alan

Leap Day

Hi Leapers,

Today is February 29, 2020. Although many of you may think of it as Meat Day (肉の日), it is also Leap Day, which is called 閏日(うるうび又はじゅんじつ) in Japanese. As it takes the Earth 365 1/4 days to travel around the Sun, this special day occurs once every four years (４年毎に) in order to correct the calendar. So, enjoy your yakiniku tonight knowing that the 29th of this month is special for another reason (別の理由で).

See you in March,

Alan

P.S. In case you were wondering, the English for 閏年 is, indeed (実に), Leap Year.

I have the flu.

Hi everyone,

Last week, I wrote about the sentence pattern "I have a 〜." One exception (例外) is with influenza, which is commonly called "the flu." Hopefully, none of you reading this blog will ever have to use the phrase "I have the flu." (インフルエンザにかかっている). As I got my flu shot (インフルエンザの予防接種を受けた) today, I feel confident (自信がある) that I won't need to worry about influenza at all . . . at least until next year's flu season.

Take care,

Alan

I have a cold.

Hi everybody,

Recently (最近), many students have been under the weather (体調が悪い). With the temperatures dropping, it's easy to catch a cold (風邪を引く), so please take care. If you do get sick, however, try using the sentence pattern "I have a 〜" to express yourself clearly (明確に表現する). Here are some examples:

• I have a cold. (風邪をひいている)
• I have a sore throat. (喉が痛い)
• I have a stuffed-up nose. (鼻が詰まっている)
• I have a running/runny nose. (鼻水が出ている)
• I have a fever. (熱がある)

Cheers,

Alan

P.S. Of course, sometimes people are under the weather because they drank too much (飲み過ぎた) the night before. In this case (この場合), feel free to say I have a hangover (二日酔いです).

Autumnal Equinox Day

Hi all,

Today is Autumnal Equinox Day (秋分の日). Autumnal is an adjective (形容詞) for autumn, which we also call fall (秋). The word equinox comes from Latin (ラテン語): "equi" means "equal" and "nox" means "night." Although daytime and nighttime are equal today, unfortunately (残念ながら), the days will get shorter from tomorrow until the winter solstice (冬至) on December 22nd. They will then gradually (徐々に) get longer and even out again when Vernal Equinox Day (春分の日) arrives on March 20, 2020.

Hanging in the balance, I remain,

Unequivocally yours,

Alan

The Summer Solstice

Hi everyone,

June 22nd is the day of the summer solstice (夏至), which has the longest amount of daylight (最長の日照時間) of the year. In some countries, this day represents the middle of summer; in others, however, it marks the start of the hottest season. Either way (どちらにしても), starting tomorrow the days will get shorter . . . until the winter solstice (冬至) arrives on December 22nd.

Shine on,

Alan

P.S. In the Northern Hemisphere (北半球), the 2019 summer solstice occurred at 12:54 a.m., Japan Standard Time (日本標準時).

The Winter Solstice

Hi everyone,

December 22nd is the day of the winter solstice (冬至), which has the shortest amount of daylight (最短の日照時間) of the year. In some countries, this day represents the middle of winter; in others, however, it marks the start of the coldest season. Either way (どちらにしても), starting tomorrow the days will get longer . . . until the summer solstice (夏至) arrives on June 22nd.

Shine on,

Alan

P.S. In the Northern Hemisphere (北半球), the 2018 winter solstice occurred at 7:23 a.m., Japan Standard Time (日本標準時).

What color "Sox" will you be wearing?

Hi baseball fans,

As all of my students know, my favorite baseball team (一番好きな野球チーム) is the Boston Red Sox. I have been a Sox fan since I was ten years old. In America, though, there are two teams with "Sox" in their names, the other being the Chicago White Sox. So, sometimes I have to specify (特定する) the color of "Sox" to show that I am rooting for Boston (ボストンを応援している).

By the way (ところで), "Sox" is a simplified (簡易化された) spelling of the word "socks." Here in Shikoku, we have the Tokushima Indigo (藍色) Socks, but they spell their name the standard way.

With the MLB Playoffs starting next week, what color "Sox" will you be wearing?

Simply Red,

Alan

Why does "How come?" mean "Why?"

Hi G.W. Holidayers,

Recently (最近), one of my students asked me about the meaning of the phrase "How come?" I explained (説明した) that it means "Why?" and gave the following examples:

     How come you were absent last week?
   （なぜあなたは先週欠席したのか。）
     How come Alan walked here today?
   （なぜ今日アランが歩いて来たのか。）
     How come she doesn't like natto?
   （なぜ彼女は納得が好きではないのか。）

In all three sentences, "How come" can be changed to "Why" in the following ways:

     Why were you absent last week?
     Why did Alan walk here today?
     Why doesn't she like natto?

Please notice that a verb (動詞) follows "Why" in all three examples, whereas a noun (名詞) always follows "How come."

"How come?" can also be used to replace the positive question (肯定疑問文) "Why?" or the negative question (否定疑問文) "Why not?" For example (例えば):

     A: E-Style is closed during Golden Week.
       （G.W.中E-Styleは閉まっています。）
     B: Why? / How come?（なぜですか。）
   
     A: E-Style is not open during Golden Week.
       （G.W.中E-Styleは開いていません。）
     B: Why not? / How come?（なぜですか。）

By the way (ところで), it seems that "How come?" is actually a contracted form of the questions "How does it come that〜?" (どうして〜ということになるのか。) and "How did it come about?" (どうしてそのようなことが起きたのですか。) .

Have a great Golden Week,

Alan

Year-crossing soba?

Hi all,

I have seen 「年越しそば」 translated in some books and internet sites as "year-crossing soba." This literal translation (直訳), like many, is a bit strange (ちょっと変). I think that "soba/buckwheat noodles eaten on New Year's Eve" is a much better way to express (表現する) this Japanese tradition (伝統).

Of course, many people here in Kagawa prefer to eat udon on New Year's Eve. Please adjust (適応する) your translations accordingly (適切に).

Bon appétit,

Alan

P.S. なんでいきなりフランス語やねん！

Labor Day + Thanksgiving ≠ Labor Thanksgiving Day

Hi everybody,

November 23rd is Labor Thanksgiving Day (勤労感謝の日) here in Japan. This holiday's name confuses (混乱させる) some foreigners (外国人) because Labor Day (勤労者の日) and Thanksgiving (感謝祭) are separate holidays in other countries. In the States, Labor Day is the first Monday in September (９月の第一月曜日) while Thanksgiving is celebrated on the fourth Thursday in November (１１月の第四木曜日). So, if a foreign friend asks you about Labor Thanksgiving Day, please be sure to explain that it is one holiday and not two.

Enjoy both today's rest and tomorrow's turkey,

Alan

P.S. Did you realize (気が付いたか) that the fourth Thursday in November is tomorrow?

New Year's Day, 2016

Happy New Year!

The dawn of every year finds many people around the world making New Year's resolutions (新年の誓い). Here are three things that I resolve to do (〜に誓う) in 2016: 

• I resolve to get in shape (体を鍛える).
• I resolve to go to bed earlier (もっと早く寝る).
• I resolve to study more (もっと勉強する).

What are your New Year's resolutions for 2016?

See you at E-Style,

Alan

なぜ知っているの？How do you know?

Hi everyone,

There is a common mistake (よくあるミス) that many English conversation students make in class: Saying "Why do you know?" instead of "How do you know?" Although 「なぜ」 is, indeed, "Why" in English, native speakers do not use it for this question. If you look it up in the dictionary (辞書で調べたら), you will see that "How" can be 「どうして」　and 「どうやって」.
So, please think of the question in the following way:
どうして［どうやって］それが分かった[を知っている]のですか。
If you do, then it will be easier to remember to use "How" instead of "Why" at the beginning of the sentence. How do I know that?
Because I'm a native speaker! (ネイティブやけん[きん]！).

See you at E-Style,

Alan