Two funny stories from English class with my Japanese grandmothers.
Number 1
I learned the word “of” is very hard for them to pronounce. The sentence we were working was about Keiko’s husband going to the dentist and having five teeth pulled. I wrote, “My husband went to the dentist and had five of his teeth pulled”. Yasuko wanted me to write, “My husband had his five teeth pulled”. She asked if it was ok because of was hard to say. No, that’s not the same. I laughed. That means he only has five teeth and they were all pulled. I asked if he had more than five. She laughed. Yes, of course.
Number 2
Water. I pronounce water – “wu-ter”. Last week I realized I needed to be careful and pronounce it wa-ter. They corrected me! Today, Junko and I were discussing our lunch meals. Coincidentally, we both made fried rice. She asked me what I had to drink. I quickly said wu-ter. She laughed and mimicked me. I laughed and said wa-ter and apologized for my accent. Yasuko laughed and said we think your accent it cute.
It is a very fun, rewarding and humbling experience teaching English. Mostly fun. I have learned everyone loves to laugh. It’s an international language that knows no boundaries or borders.
Happy Friday! Kanpie!