英語を正してもいいですか

Correcting a person's language in any setting that is not a teacher's or editor's office is rude. There's no way around it. If English is your second language, do you want me to correct you if I see or hear something wrong? You might say, "Yes," but when will the opportunity arise? It's better to be face-to-face, somewhat private, and with a gentle tone. No matter how careful one is with wording, when it comes to communicating to someone in a second language, handling something so delicate cannot work well over the internet. And—oh!—have I learned this much! :(

However, as an ESL teacher and former editor and writer, I see English everywhere here in Japan. Many of these instances (though it should be noted, not all) are filled with simple mistakes and misspellings.

What kind of a jerk would I be if I went to a company and said, "Oh, by the way, this is spelled or worded completely wrong!" Such confrontational approaches, even when handled gently by American measures, are unacceptable here. Yet, the idea that any business, particularly those large and rich enough to host ad campaigns, should handle foreign language copy so poorly stirs my inner editor's ferocity.

English is standardly taught at nearly every level of school here in Japan, and there are numerous tutoring schools for both children and adults. However, the level of proficiency seems low. It makes me wonder about Spanish classes back in my home state of Texas, and how poorly we must have sounded to native speakers of the language.

I'm thinking of adding a subsection to this blog strictly for such instances, which are usually referred to as "engrish," but I will not be using the offensive term. There are any number of sites that show odd or twisted English as used by non-English countries, usually doing nothing more than pointing the phrases out. For this blog, I would make any company names anonymous, focus only on the phrases or words in question, and try to correct them with the same information I would provide one of my students in a classroom setting. Would this be okay? I would especially like to hear from my Japanese friends their feelings on the subject.

そして、私の日本語を正してください！

Recycling: Japan vs. U.S.A.

Various recycling labels found on almost
every consumer product in Japan

Unlike in America, recycling is an accepted and expected portion of waste removal here in Japan. I've been pondering the difference between recycling here and recycling back home in Texas, and why the two cultures have such differing views on the subject.

My experience with recycling in America was a miserably law-enforced means of busy work. The weight of recycling was on the consumer, who had to divvy up waste between landfill trash and various recycling bins, including glass (sometimes by color), plastics, paper, cans, etc. The consumer had to decide in which bin to place each type of item. Labels had to be removed, which was excessive work in and of itself: companies that produced cans and bottles adhered labels directly to the containers with industrial glue. A consumer had to soak or steam the containers in order to be able to peel the labels, and often with only a little success. Consumers who did not participate in such programs were penalized. Programs were enforced by threat, not encouragement. What recycling could salvage was often negated by the large, gas-guzzling dump trucks sent out to collect the recycling bins from individual homes.

Bins in a train station. The "JR" on the bottom right of
each bin is the logo for the rail line.

By contrast, Japanese companies design their bottles, cans, and all other recyclable wares to give the consumer the most ease in disposing the product. Plastic and paper pieces of a particular product readily separate. All products are marked with a label telling the consumer which bin is the most appropriate destination for the trash, so there's no guesswork. Labels on bottles and cans are only glued to themselves (as opposed to directly on the bottles and cans), and usually include a perforated strip for easy removal. The day before recycling is to be picked up by the city, large, clearly-labeled bins are set out at designated street corners. Consumers move their recycling from their homes to the bins to be picked up the following morning by a collection team of about four or five men and their (small, by our standards) truck.


Other notes:

There are usually bins by vending machines with separate openings for cans, bottles, etc.

Chain restaurants, snack shops, and coffee shops include multiple bins for different trash materials.

One day of the month, you can set any kind of trash to be picked up.

Regular recycling pick-up includes batteries and bulbs.

There are no public "trash" cans.

People do not litter. Really.

Cafe Dumbo, One of Our Very Favorite Spots in Kanazawa

920-0961
2-11-6 Korinbo Kanazawa-city, Ishikawa
Phone: 076-255-6966
Open: 11:30 a.m. (Closed Thursdays)

Head behind Kohrinbo 109 and follow the roads down and away from the busy main road. You will run into an "old town" style street with brick and stone side walks running along a deep, flowing canal. Shops restaurants and cafes line the strip, but don't stop walking northwest until you've spotted Cafe Dumbo, a two story cafe and sweets shop hidden in Korinbo town.

Outside, a chalkboard menu declares the day's specials, while a welcoming note near the entrance encourages families and and those with children to settle in and enjoy.

Owners Miki and Takashi

Once inside, owners Miki and Takashi motion you to the stairs. On the second floor, you'll find a relaxing dining area made for lounging, talking with friends, or playing games. While the wood hints at something rustic, the arrangement and white wash across the floors, walls, and even the open, industrial ceiling provide a sense of airiness. Coupled with the large window facing the setting sun, the cafe has an otherworld quality that both separates it from the bustle of the malls nearby and yet seems comfortingly familiar. It's bohemian chic with a very personal touch.

Strewn about shelves and under tables are books of various sorts, from children's books to magazines on interior design to art. Plaid knit blankets are folded and set out for customer use. Groove jazz plays at the perfect volume to have a conversation over and yet still pause and and enjoy with no straining of the ear.

Little details give this place life, from the hand sewn menu covers to the design on the cappuccino foam to the chrysanthemum soap decoration to the wood burned logo on the clothespin that holds your check.

The clock continues its style from
the street menu and reinforces a
relaxed, even cheerful, atmosphere.

Whatever praises I can offer the look and feel of the cafe would fall too short to express the most important part of the business: their food. The presentation and quality equals that of a professional barista. Coffees and teas are full bodied as well as full of flavor. The featured items of the cafe, the baked sweets and treats, are perfect: the ingredients are well balanced, the consistency and presentation reflect a seasoned baker, and flavor is tantamount. Sweetness is a subtle and finely honed tool of this cafe's kitchen. It is never used to overwhelm, only to enhance the array of unique flavors, like the Cream Cheese and Raisin Scone, or the Earl Grey cupcake. Cafe Dumbo is, as my certified culinary chef husband puts it, a place he would be proud to bring a head chef to.

So if you find yourself in Kanazawa, make a trip over to Korinbo and find the roads downhill behind the Kohrinbo 109 mall. Whether you go for the food, the atmosphere, or the friendly service in Japanese or English, your trip to Cafe Dumbo will be well worth the stop and more.

A handmade menu cover, appropriate for carefully
made, home baked goods.

Look for special tags changing in the menu,
and ask about the day's special cakes and muffins.

Games and magazines await the next customers.

Our favorite spot, lit by the evening sun.

Character and charm continue even
into the wash room.

Unique flavors, professional presentation, and
impressive quality will empty these plates
and send us back for more.

Every detail, every time. If you can only visit once,
do so.