Anyway I'll continue to do it supported by my friend.
I changed one phrase getting advice and again. How about it?
Monday, November 20, 2017
frog card -2-
Though I'm making my "frog cards" in English, it is really difficult. Because not only by my poor English skill, but also by very vague Japanese phrases or general-purpose Japanese phrases it is difficult to translate one Japanese phrase into one English suitable phrase.
Anyway I'll continue to do it supported by my friend.
I changed one phrase getting advice and again. How about it?
Anyway I'll continue to do it supported by my friend.
I changed one phrase getting advice and again. How about it?
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6 comments:
If you want to keep the original expression:
"You are lazy" --> "You are skillful at avoiding unnecessary work"
It's rather late now, so I will send some more suggestions tomorrow.
Thanks for your comments. yes, and sometimes such people are good at let someone do some work, in a good meaning and a bad meaning.
Here are my further comments about the "frog cards".
If these cards are used for teaching English, then some expressions might be too difficult for some students.
1. You are carefree. -> You have a very relaxed attitude. [This is good. I also suggest another one: You are not easily stressed.]
2. You are strange. -> You have a different kind of personality than most. [This is good. I also suggest another one: You have a special personality.]
3. Only five minutes are left. -> We have still five minutes. [This is good, but the word order should be: We still have five minutes.]
4. You are a foot-dragger. -> You are giving yourself plenty of time to do it. [This is good. I can't improve it.]
5. You are restless. -> You are energetic. [The meaning isn't quite the same. I suggest: You are always active. or You are always exercising your body.]
6. You are lazy. -> You are an expert at reducing your workload. [This is another suggestion of mine. Another idea: You are generous in delegating your tasks.]
7. You are sloppy. -> You are very relaxed about things in life. [I don't think this is right. "Sloppy" means "untidy" and "careless about doing things". I suggest: You don't worry too much about tidiness.]
8. You are noisy. -> You are good at liven things up. [This is good, but "liven" should be "livening". I have another suggestion: You make sure everybody knows you are here.]
9. You are spcaed out. -> Your thoughts seem to be ahead of your actions. [There is a mistake in the spelling of "spaced". I don't think your alternative is right. "spaced out" means "daydreaming" or "not paying attention". Therefore, I suggest: You seem to be lost in your own thoughts. But this isn't really more positive than "spaced out". It is just a little more polite. Maybe: It seems that you are planning a great work of literature.]
10. You play a prank instantly. -> You have a good sense of fun and humor. [This is good. I don't think I can improve it.]
11. You are shy. -> You are cautious. [This is OK, but "shyness" is more related to people, whereas "cautiousness" is more general and suitable for #13 (timid). I suggest You do not force yourself on other people. or You like to keep yourself to yourself. It's the opposite of #12 (self-assertive)]
12. You are self-assertive. -> You have confidence in yourself. [This is good. I also suggest: You always let everyone know your opinions clearly.]
13. You are timid. -> You are tender-hearted. [This is not right. "tender-hearted" means kind and sympathetic to other people. So a better way to make "timidness" more positive would be: You consider all situations carefully before acting.]
I hope this is helpful.
Tim, thanks for your advice, the more I try to clear the vague Japanese phrases, the more the points are focused and the meanings get clear. It is very interesting, though I like the vague expression in Japanese. I reconsider all phrases. Thanks. And, we often use these negative phrases, so these cards suggest to learn another positive expression. Do you use such negative English phrases ?
I suppose we do use negative expressions, but only in some situations and between certain people, I'm sure it is the same in Japan. We would only use such direct words with our close friends and family members (from an older person to a younger person), because they can be rather impolite and disrespectful phrases, and the other person is likely to be offended.
We have many possible levels of indirectness and increasing vagueness.
For example, I could say these with increasing vagueness:
1. You are fat. [Nobody would say such a direct thing]
2. You are overweight. [This is more "scientific", but still rather rude]
3. You are a little overweight. [This is a bit more gentle]
4. You are perhaps a little overweight. [Some added "uncertainty", even if I am really sure about it]
5. You might perhaps be a little overweight. [More uncertainty by using "might be" instead of "are"]
6. I think you might perhaps be a little overweight. [Added that it is just "my opinion" so the person is free to think that I am wrong]
7. Don't you think that perhaps you might be a little overweight? [Now I am showing my concern about the person and advising that they should think about themselves and lose some weight]
X. Your wife/husband/mother must be a good cook! [Well, this is impolite again, if the person thinks about the implied meaning]
It is an interesting topic and is related to that aspect of language called "political correctness" where some people are very sensitive about the actual words people use, especially in relation to minority groups of people (race, gender issues, physical and mental disabilities, etc.)
It is rather dangerous for learners of a foreign language because they can easily make unintended "cultural" mistakes even if their vocabulary and grammar are perfect.
Thanks for your comments again, Tim.
Well, about (women's) weight, it is a very sensitive issue in all countries, though I know the criteria of being fat is different in each country, and region.
And I really agree with you. Not only foreign language learners, but also kids (and I) to express our opinion clearly, we tend to use easy words (or lack of Japanese vocabulary)--- it usually sounds too direct.
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