Voices
in
Japan

quote of the day

People have said they were moved even though they didn’t understand English well. Some even said the only phrase they caught was, ‘Yes, we can.’ They said they were in tears nonetheless.

19 Comments

Yuzo Yamamoto, an editor at Asahi Press. A compilation of President Barack Obama’s has sold half a million copies since November. Publishers have since flooded the market with over a dozen language-learning titles, including “Speech Training: Learning to Deliver English Speech, Obama Style”; “Learn English Grammar From Obama”; and “Yes, I Can With Obama: 40 Magical English Phrases From Presidential E-mails.” (New York Times)

© Japan Today

©2024 GPlusMedia Inc.

19 Comments
Login to comment

Here are a few phrases I say with tears in my eyes to Japanese people: Don't cough on me. Cover your mouth. Yes you can.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

I just remembered some more:

You are blowing smoke in my face. Stop doing it. Yes you can.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

I see we have a lot of out of touch folks here in Japan as well. Out of touch with the reality of an insipid and inane and treasonous American president who won`t lift a finger or barely say a word to help Japan in a time of need.

Five missiles launched by North Korea and barely gets a comment from Hillary Clinton.

Of course, what can you expect from a president who is bent on destroying his own country?

Most of the citizenry of Japan (a country I am very fond of) really couldn`t care less about the reality of the world around them.

In this they are as ignorant as their American counterparts. But less dangerous in that their American counterparts actually vote and they chose Obama.

If only apathy had kept Obama out of the White House, this would be a better world for it.

Here`s to apathy!

Learning a foreign language is laudable.

Unfortunately, Obama is a poor teacher and a worse role model.

And folks, Obama can`t really speak English very well to start with.

If . . . if . . . if . . . uh . . uh . . uh . . is typical of his speech.

Not impressive.

As an American who did not vote for Obama, I can say I am not responsible for his pitiful presence in the White House.

But I feel a great degree of shame about my country having chosen such a dangerous loser.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Will we ever (be alowed to) get over Obama?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Ashika1009 - quite a bit of sour grapes there. Unfortunately the only thing you got right was not spelling "loser" as "looser" as most Americans are apt to do. Do you pine for the glory days of George W.? Perhaps speeches would be more inspirational with a lot of "ummmm"s and "y'know"s sprinkled in?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Y'know, I never thought of my fellow progressives here in Japan,people like hoserfella, as being in the same boat as the j-zombies I encounter in nightclubs or bars or wherever who like to blurt out "Yes, we can" at odd moments and when "gaijin" are within an earshot. Still, I choose to take this to mean Obama really is like world president to many Canadians or northern Europeans, not to mention Japanese.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Ignore you bastards staring at me? Yes I can.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

YES WE CAN, YES I CAN, I can can the can but the can can not can me.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Obama has me in tears also, but probably for totally different reasons.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

So they were moved to tears by a speech they can't understand. That means they are pinning their personal hopes to a politician who doesn't even understand their language! Seems like a path to disappointment to me. Zombies is a good analogy. Too bad people can't take responsibilty for themselves instead of thinking some bureaucrat is going to fix it for them.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Midnightpromise - Har!

0 ( +0 / -0 )

That's the trouble with politics. People get emotional at the thought that their chosen politician will actually make a positive difference in their life. Dream on!

Luckily we can change these folks every few years, yes, we can.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

seijichuudo9sha - I hardly think applauding an American President for speaking eloquently and with proper dictation means I think of him as "world president". Perish the thought. It's just a sad commentary on your last 8 years.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Let me be clear... Let me be clear... Let me be clear...

0 ( +0 / -0 )

from hoserfella

'seijichuudo9sha - I hardly think applauding an American President for speaking eloquently and with proper dictation means I think of him as "world president". '

Y'know, I figure you probably meant to use the word diction there instead, but your feelings about Obama have you all excited. I know; it happens with many of the Canadians and northern Europeans I encounter in japan. Dont be embarrassed.Thanks for the support.Obama will need it.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

You too can deliver impassioned speeches about nothing filled with glittering generalities.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

ummmmmmmmmmmmmmm what can i say ummmmmmmmmmmmmmmm Japanese people learn some......godd.....damn..... English (says weakly) i dont know what to say about that

0 ( +0 / -0 )

seijishuudo- oops! got me there. What can I say? After 8 years of hearing W's soundbites, he finally got to me, too. But don't worry, after Obama finally gives u yanks healthcare u can be proud of, he won't need any more support for the remainder of his 2 terms. His wild popularity will finally bring you up to par with Canada and the Northern Europeans you so obviously admire! Go Obama!

0 ( +0 / -0 )

I understand, hoserfella. 8 years of bush, and he is still in your head; maybe you should purchase "Speech Training: Learning to Deliver English Speech, Obama Style”

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Login to leave a comment

Facebook users

Use your Facebook account to login or register with JapanToday. By doing so, you will also receive an email inviting you to receive our news alerts.

Facebook Connect

Login with your JapanToday account

User registration

Articles, Offers & Useful Resources

A mix of what's trending on our other sites