Kyoto's Bicycle System Doesn't Make Sense

In Toronto, I never divided my garbage. TV's, bottles, cans, burnable, non-burnable were all thrown in the same bag. I never worried about how much water or electricity I was using. These days, I live in Kyoto, the home of the famous Kyoto Protocol and the: "Do you Kyoto?" campaign. Kyoto is synonymous with environmental protection. I divide my garbage and try to conserve water and electricity. Living in Kyoto has made me much more conscious and active about protecting the environment. However, there is one way in which Kyoto can learn from Toronto: the bicycle management system. Kyoto's bicycle system is not environmentally friendly, it is not practical, and it is not economical.

Bicycles and Kyoto are a natural match. Kyoto is a beautiful, traditional city. Cars have gases that pollute the natural environment. Bicycles don't. Large train stations destroy the beautiful skyline of the city. Bicycles don't need stations or tracks. Kyoto has many interesting places throughout the city. Most people agree that the cheapest and healthiest way to see them all is by bicycle. Finally, there are a lot of people in Japan! Cars take up a lot of space. Bicycles don't.

Unfortunately, the bicycle management system here is not environmentally friendly. Unclaimed bikes are destroyed after 4 weeks! This is a serious waste. The trucks that roam around the city picking up bicycles that are not parked create pollution. The warning stickers that are printed, stuck on bikes, and thrown away also create waste. Further, the energy used every day by teams of people to pick up bicycles is a waste of manpower. And, of course, using the subway to go and get your bike back uses gas and so creates pollution. So, even though the citizens ride bicycles the city government still creates pollution (gas, paper) and waste (energy, time, money). Does this system make sense?

Also, the system is not practical. There are simply not enough bicycle parking places. The first time I met these bicycle police, they told me, "you can't park here". I asked them (in Japanese) where the nearest parking lot was, but they didn't know. After my bicycle was taken for the second time, I was determined to use only bicycle lots. However, they are often full. What are we supposed to do in this situation? I often work at many places around the city, but there is absolutely no place for employees to park. Finally, many elderly people ride bicycles and often shop slowly. Must they always worry about their bicycle being taken? Does this system make sense?

Finally, the system is not economical., Bicycles should be cheaper than cars. However, if we have to pay (at least) 200-400 yen daily just to park our bikes, sometimes using the subway is cheaper! Also, if your bike is taken, the subway fare to get to the bicycle pound is about 200-300 yen. Then the fine is 2300 yen. Actually, because the fine is so high, many people simply buy a new bike every time theirs is taken, increasing the waste! What is the 2300 yen being used for? Simply to maintain this system, an endless cycle of bicycles being taken and retrieved (or destroyed)? Does this system make sense?

In Toronto, using bicycles is encouraged. Toronto is also crowded, so it is reasonable to park anywhere for a short period of time (if a bike is left in the same place for weeks it will be removed). Torontonians never have to worry about their bicycle being taken for no reason. If Kyoto truly wants to be taken seriously as an environmentally conscious city, the current bicycle management system must be changed. It is not environmentally friendly, it is not practical, and it is not economical.

投稿者：管理者　日時：05月19日　16：06　｜パーマリンク

Maybe...(Part. 2)

Maybe... (Part 2)

As noted last time, the word "maybe" is overused in Japan and this is not good because it is sometimes unclear. I experienced a good example of this recently when I was at the movies with someone. She dropped some food and, as I bent down to help her pick it up (because I am so thoughtful!), I knocked her drink on her (because I am so clumsy!). It made a stain on her shirt. I was concerned about the stain so I emailed her and asked if it came out when she washed the clothes. Her reply? You guessed it! She wrote, "Maybe it came out". So, I still had no idea if the stain was gone or not.

WHEN TO USE "MAYBE"

You might be wondering, well, when can we use "maybe"? Since "maybe" is a word of probability (あり得ること), we usually use it when giving our opinion of the outcome of future events ("It's raining...maybe the picnic will be cancelled") or guessing at the possible reason for past events ("Maybe he was sick and that's why he couldn't come"). It is also useful for suggestions ("Oh, you're having trouble with a co-worker? Maybe you should talk to her about it?") Please note that, when you say "maybe", we usually only use it once in a sentence, usually at the beginning (not the end!). Also, please don't say "maybe" when you mean "たぶん". The meaning of "たぶん" is closer to "probably", which we can see in the chart below is about 80% certain. "Maybe" is closer to "もしかすると", "ひょっとすると", "ことによると", "あるいは", "かもしれない", or "そうかもしれない" in Japanese and is less certain than "probably", around 60%.

There are many ways to talk about certainty (確実性). Below is a chart listing some ways, ranked in order of certainty (確実性の高い順にソートされる). As you can see, there are two types of situations. One is a situation that we can control (for example, whether we go to a party or not) and the other is a situation we cannot control (for example, whether it will rain tomorrow or not). So, the first situation is giving our answer and the second situation is giving our opinion. It is more important for our answer to be clear in the first situation: if someone invites us to a party and asks us if we can come, "maybe" is not only not clear, it might seem rude! In this situation, a clear "yes" or "no" is best.

CERTAIN -> LIKELY -> POSSIBLE (100 > 51%)

* "Perhaps" is more widely used in British English than in North American English, where "maybe" is more common. "Perhaps" seems a little formal to most North American speakers.

UNCERTAIN (50%)

UNLIKELY -> VERY UNLIKELY -> IMPOSSIBLE (49 > 0%)

By the way, the story (about the spilled drink) has a happy ending. She meant to say, "It seems like it has come out. but I haven't checked it by wearing it outside yet."

投稿者：管理者　日時：09月26日　 4：53　｜パーマリンク

Maybe...(Part. 1)

Maybe...

Since I came to Japan, I have spoken with thousands of English-speaking Japanese people. I think the one word that they used most often was "maybe". It is overused in English in Japan. Let's find out why its used, why it's incorrect to use it so much, and how to correct it!

WHY "MAYBE" IS USED SO MUCH IN JAPAN

In Japanese, it's polite and a sign of good character to show reserve (遠慮 ) or modesty (謙虚). It is generally seen as impolite to speak too directly about our own achievements or abilities. So, when many Japanese talk about themselves in Japanese, they often qualify (修正する) their sentence with something like "かもしれません". When they use English to talk about themselves and what they can do, they likewise want to be polite and reserved. So, they often translate "かもしれません" into a "...maybe" at the end of their sentence.

WHY IT''S INCORRECT

As we have seen above, many English-speaking Japanese occasionally apply a Japanese way of thinking and speaking to the English language. Sometimes, this approach can be acceptable or understandable. However, to truly speak English correctly, we have to try to think in English.

In English, it's polite to answer the questioner's (質問者) question, to let them know the facts. We don't want to waste their time by making them ask the question again. So, if we want to be polite to an English speaker, let's be clear. If we qualify things that we say with "maybe", it's not clear:

• If we use "maybe" for past events: ("I passed the test...maybe"), our answer is only confusing to the English speaker. They will likely ask us again, "Did you pass the test or not?", "What do you mean?", or "Why do you say 'maybe'?"

• This is also a problem if we use "maybe" with things that we know to be true: "I'm a good cook. Maybe..." or "I play baseball well. Maybe...". Again, our conversation partner would not be satisfied with this answer: ("Are you or aren't you a good cook?" "Can you play baseball well or not?", etc.). They won't think that you are humble (謙そん) rather, that you are confused!

• Finally, it makes our statement or opinion appear weak. For this reason, when English speakers study essay-writing, we are taught to never use "maybe". The purpose of an essay (and often, spoken English as well) is to convince the reader. Words or phrases like, "maybe", "possibly", "perhaps", "in my opinion", etc. will make the reader think that we doubt (don't believe) our own statements, so they will doubt them as well. We should write with certainty. For example, "Global warming is a serious problem and demands an immediate reaction. Here are the steps we should take..." is clearer and more certain than "Maybe global warming is a serious problem. Perhaps something should be done sometime".

So, in Canada, if I want to know some facts and the person I ask is always qualifying their answer with "maybe", I might think they either don't know or don't want to tell me the answer. I will only be confused or disappointed by their answer. I will walk away from them and ask someone else until I get a clear answer! Further, if I read an essay and there are many "maybe"s, I will stop reading because there are too many qualifications and not enough facts or strong opinions. Finally, even if the person uses "maybe" correctly (i.e. A: "Can you come to my party?" B: "Maybe"), it's usually not a satisfying answer because it's so unclear. In this situation, A would probably then ask: "Can you come or not?" "When will you know if you can come or not?", "What does it depend on?" etc.

So, in Japan, I understand the reason why people use "maybe", but their purpose (being polite) is not only not successful, it can even have the opposite effect!

HOW TO CORRECT IT

This is easy! Don't use "maybe" with things that we know to be true. Don't use "maybe" or other qualifiers in essays. Try to think in English, or at least, try to understand what the English speaker wants to hear. That is being polite. I know this is not easy (because I have to try and do the same thing in Japan with Japanese speakers!), but if we understand why and try to get into a habit, it will become much easier.

If we are talking about our own abilities and we don't want to seem like we are boasting or bragging (自慢話をする), we can say something like, "I'm not bad at (baseball, cooking, etc.)". Or, we could make a joke: ("Well, I'm no Michael Jordan, but I can play basketball pretty well"). You could also balance your positives with a negative, (A: "Your English is great!" B: Thanks! Well, my speaking is okay, but my listening isn't so great!") However, generally, English speakers are not too hesitant about talking about their abilities, so if you can do something well, don't be shy about talking about it: you are doing the English speaker a favor by telling them the facts and you are also speaking natural English!

投稿者：管理者　日時：09月03日　14：38　｜パーマリンク

How Did It Go?

How did it go?

Many of my students often take tests, give presentations, and apply for jobs. After their exams, speeches, or interviews, I often ask them, "How did it go?". Many times, they are unfamiliar with this expression. However, in English, we often use "How did it go?" when we ask someone about the results of something.

It means:

How did it turn out?
What were the results?
What was the outcome?
How did it proceed?

Of course, the "it" above is the subject I am asking them about: the exam, or speech, or interview:

How did (your interview) turn out?
What were the results (of your test)?
What was the outcome (of your speech)?
How did (the doctor's examination) proceed?

However, we usually use "How did it go?" instead of the expressions above. Also, because it's a commonly-used expression, we often ask this quickly:

How'd it go?

In Japanese, you might ask something like:

どうでしたか？
いかがでしたか？
どうだった？
どんな具合だった？
うまくいった？
どうやった？

So, it's often used after someone has just finished some activity or project and we want to ask them about the result (or their opinion of the future result if they don't know yet):

A: Hey, how did your speech go？
B: I guess it went okay, but I was a little nervous.

A: Exams are finally over!.
B: How'd they go?
A: I think they went pretty well, thanks. I won't get the results for a few weeks.

A: I went to the hospital for the checkup results.
B: How did it go?
A: They said I'm perfectly healthy!

A: How did the operation go? Are you feeling better?
B: I'm still a little under the weather. (= I'm not feeling 100% better yet)

A: How did your interview go?
B: Ahh, terrible! I blew it. (= I failed)

A: How'd your plan go?
B: It all went off without a hitch! ( = smoothly)

How's it going?

Sometimes, we use the same "go" (自動詞）in a more general way. We are not asking about any results, but just asking about how a person's life is proceeding:

How's it going?
How are things going?
How goes it？

Here, the "it" or "things" means your life in general:

How is (your life) going?

Again, because this is a commonly-used expression, it is usually spoken quickly:

How's it goin'?

This almost sounds like one word when spoken. Notice that we pronounce with a "z" and that the final "g" is dropped:

howzitgoin

Sometimes, this is a casual greeting (挨拶）and sometimes this is a real question. If it is spoken flat it is just a greeting and if there is a rising tone at the end, it is a question:

A: How's it goin'.
B: Hey.

A: How's it going for you recently?
B: Pretty good. Work has been super busy, though.

In Japanese, this might be something like:

いかがお過ごしですか
おげんきですか
元気
最近どう

So, the next time someone asks you "How'd it go?" about something you did, please tell them the results (or what you think the results might be). If they ask "How's it goin'?", please tell them about how you've been recently.

投稿者：管理者　日時：07月17日　12：49　｜パーマリンク

Welcome: Let's learn English!

Hi! My name is James. Welcome to the first entry of the English Corner blog. Here we'll talk about common errors that Japanese learners of English make, as well as many other English-related things. If you ever have any questions or suggestions, please let me know!

All About "Let's"

I recently went to the Kyoto International Center. I often go there to check the bulletin boards for information. I am interested in studying Japanese, so I was looking for a good class. One notice caught my eye. It said:

"LET'S STUDYING JAPANESE WITH ME!"

This is a short sentence. However, there are two mistakes in it! Can you spot them?

1. The word "let's" is a contraction (短縮形) of the two words "let us". Of course, the word "us" here means to do the verb together, as a group. So, we don't need the words "with me". They are really unnecessary! It's like saying "I will eat dinner with my mouth" or "I like listening to music with my ears"! So, now we're left with:

"LET'S STUDYING JAPANESE"

2. As you probably know, English speakers use "let's" to make suggestions (提案する) or reply to them. Here, "let's" means "why don't we~" For example:

David: Let's go to Osaka!
Andrea: Yes, let's.

We can also use "let's" to give commands (命令する). Here, "let's" means "we should ~" or "we must ~" For example,

Boss (上司): Let's get started. We have a lot of work to do.

We make suggestions or give commands about things we want to do in the future. So we can't use present progressive tense (現在進行形) like the Japanese teacher did above. We usually use that form to talk about things we are doing now. If we are already going to Osaka, it is very strange to suggest it! If you want to eat takoyaki, you should say "let's eat takoyaki!". If you want someone to get started, you should say "let's get started". So, if you want to study Japanese, you should say.....

"LET'S STUDY JAPANESE!"

This is a common error that I have seen many times in Japan, in sentences like "Let's having fun". etc. Please be careful! If it's difficult, you can simply translate:

食べましょう:
食べ = eat
ましょう= let's

Re-arrange the words and you have it: Let's eat!

Other common expressions using "let's" are:

1. Let's face it / Let's be honest: We use this phrase to show that we must be realistic or honest about an unpleasant fact or situation. For example,

"Let's face it, if sales don't improve then this company will go bankrupt".
"Let's be honest, you haven't had a boyfriend in a long time!"

2. Let's not: This is a somewhat rude way to reply to suggestions as above. For example,

David: Let's go to Osaka!
Andrea: Let's not.

(A more polite way to refuse is to give an excuse or reason:
Andrea: Oh, I'm sorry. I'd love to, but I'm a little busy these days.) An even ruder and childish expression is "Let's not and say we did".

3. Let's pretend: We use this phrase to suggest that we behave as if a fictional situation was real. We often use it when we are children to play games. For example,

"Let's pretend I'm a policeman and you're a robber"
"Let's pretend we are rich!"

4. Let's say: We use this phrase to suggest that we talk about a fictional or possible situation. It is a little similar to the one above. However, we usually use it when we are adults and to try to come to some conclusion. For example,

"Let's say we agreed to work together on this project...how will we divide the profits?"

That's all about "let's"! Let's finish for now.

投稿者：管理者　日時：05月27日　22：38　｜パーマリンク