January 23rd, 2009 • 16:01
English: The Obama Way
Obama’s speeches are the subject of much talk these days, and in some cases, they are helping some to learn English.
From FP Passport: Japanese Learn English the Obama Way
Barack Obama’s speeches are proving to be more than just moving. They’re providing English lessons to many Japanese. The English-language textbook, The Speeches of Barack Obama, has become a bestseller in Japan, topping the list at Amazon’s Japanese Web site. The 1,050 yen ($11.81), 95-page paperback book features Obama speeches with Japanese translations. Yuzo Yamamoto of Asahi Press, which published the book, told Reuters:
His speeches are so moving, and he also uses words such as ‘yes, we can,’ ‘change’ and ‘hope’ that even Japanese people can memorize.
- Marc
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Jan 23rd 2009 • 18:01
by Craig
So, the Japanese are going to come over here and make a bunch of flowery, meaningless statements?
Jan 23rd 2009 • 20:01
by Invader Trent
I would think they might want to learn english spoken well and with passion rather than from someone like Bush who has given such eloquent statements as…
“You teach a child to read, and he or her will be able to pass a literacy test.”
“Rarely is the question asked: Is our children learning?”
“Will the highways on the Internet become more few?”
I could go on and on but I’m scared I might get dumber just thinking about it.
Jan 24th 2009 • 11:01
by Federal Farner
Bush may struggle with eloquence, but he is not a stupid man, despite what most high-minded liberals like to point out.
Jan 24th 2009 • 12:01
by Dion Rebalkin
I’ll be more impressed when the Japanese vote in their first black President.
Jan 25th 2009 • 00:01
by Invader Trent
FF I just wanted to point out that I may be quite liberal but I was pointing out the way these two men speak a completely different. I’m may be a liberal but I’m a realist when it comes to saying stupid things, trust me I’ve done it more times than I can count. I recall Obama getting the number of years he has been married wrong during one speech.
What it really comes down to is that Obama is a great orator and his speeches inspire people. If that empowers someone to expand their knowledge and learn another language, I don’t see that as a bad thing. Personally I feel Larry the Cable Guy is stupidity personified but for some reason the phrase “git-r-done” inspires people to, well, get things done.
Jan 25th 2009 • 01:01
by Federal Farner
That was very well said and I see where you are coming from, Invader.
Touche
Jan 26th 2009 • 15:01
by MacKenzie @BRC Banter
Let’s just hope they don’t copy all his vocabulary words – http://cleaversitrep.blogspot.com/2009/01/malapropism-or-freudian-slip.html