gamera 0 Posted August 6, 2005 Share Posted August 6, 2005 What is most appreicated if conversation does not go ahead due to the language barrier? Link to post Share on other sites
happyhappy 0 Posted August 6, 2005 Share Posted August 6, 2005 A mixture of all. It is going to depend on the attitudes involved. Link to post Share on other sites
sakebomb 0 Posted August 6, 2005 Share Posted August 6, 2005 I would have to agree with happyhappy on this one! Link to post Share on other sites
blindlemon 0 Posted August 6, 2005 Share Posted August 6, 2005 Me too. A(n electronic) dictionary is always useful. Link to post Share on other sites
kintaro 0 Posted August 6, 2005 Share Posted August 6, 2005 I think body language (hand gestures/facial expressions, etc.) goes further than any of the choices avaliable. Link to post Share on other sites
1 4 Posted August 7, 2005 Share Posted August 7, 2005 I tend to get frustrated real quick with this situation more and more, the more I am here unfortunately. Link to post Share on other sites
cheeseman 1 Posted August 7, 2005 Share Posted August 7, 2005 You forgot "Cheese". Not only is it delicious and highly nutritious, but it is also fun for all and a great way to get to know people and become friends. Link to post Share on other sites
brit-gob 9 Posted August 8, 2005 Share Posted August 8, 2005 Eleccy dictionary is a must. Link to post Share on other sites
rach 1 Posted August 8, 2005 Share Posted August 8, 2005 That, and a smile goes a very long was as well Link to post Share on other sites
Ocean11 0 Posted August 8, 2005 Share Posted August 8, 2005 I would have thought the answer "Anyone completely bilingual" would be a winner. An interpreter would certainly make things go more smoothly than looking up key words in a dictionary in that situation... Link to post Share on other sites
sava 0 Posted August 8, 2005 Share Posted August 8, 2005 waving hands and looking stupid Link to post Share on other sites
soubriquet 0 Posted August 8, 2005 Share Posted August 8, 2005 You could try the British colonial approach. When the natives are too stupid to understand plain English, just shout very loud. Link to post Share on other sites
oo 1 Posted August 9, 2005 Share Posted August 9, 2005 ...and swear a lot. Link to post Share on other sites
viv&kev 0 Posted August 10, 2005 Share Posted August 10, 2005 Not having a strong regional accent helps too. Obviously its not something you can change quickly. Link to post Share on other sites
gamera 0 Posted August 16, 2005 Author Share Posted August 16, 2005 Quote: Originally posted by soubriquet: You could try the British colonial approach. When the natives are too stupid to understand plain English, just shout very loud. I think usually people in the colonials where U.K approached didn't understand English which was just natural. Quote: Not having a strong regional accent helps too. Obviously its not something you can change quickly. totally agree. Even some Japanese strong accent sometimes makes me confused lol Link to post Share on other sites
fukdane 2 Posted August 16, 2005 Share Posted August 16, 2005 You were in Osaka weren't you gamera? Do you have that Kansai-ben thing going then? Link to post Share on other sites
soubriquet 0 Posted August 16, 2005 Share Posted August 16, 2005 Sorry Gamera, it was a joke. I was poking fun at a stereotype of arrogant imperialists. Link to post Share on other sites
indosnm 0 Posted August 16, 2005 Share Posted August 16, 2005 Quote: Originally posted by soubriquet: You could try the British colonial approach. When the natives are too stupid to understand plain English, just shout very loud. didn't they just shoot them? Link to post Share on other sites
gamera 0 Posted August 16, 2005 Author Share Posted August 16, 2005 fukdane - yep, I am originally from Osaka, so when I talk with Osaka people, my Osaka ben is still going but when I talk with people from other regions, I don't speak Osaka ben because it sometimes makes them misunderstand something. But Osaka ben sounds too friendly sometimes which is a bit rude if it's with my customers even when they are Osaka people. Soubriquet - Ah, I got it. It was just hard for not an English natiave speaker like me to understand it was a joke Link to post Share on other sites
scouser 4 Posted August 17, 2005 Share Posted August 17, 2005 It's difficult holding back all the time hey gamera? I had a fairly strong northern / light-scouse accent when I came here but the scouse part has almost gone now. It soon comes back when I'm in the UK for a few weeks. Link to post Share on other sites
gamera 0 Posted August 17, 2005 Author Share Posted August 17, 2005 Hum... not really scouser. I guess probably it's harder for me to explain each and every Osaka-ben when I speak it if people around don't understand them. I think when I am relaxed and have some Osaka people around - e.g. my family members, brothers, old friends etc - I speak Osaka dialect but if not, I don't speak Osaka dialect. As to English, I am still on the way to notice each and every dialects. English is just English for me, can notice some differece -pronounciation, intonation whatever but anyway it's not my mother tongue, hard to say Link to post Share on other sites
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