Re: Teaching a child three languages


Peter T. Daniels wrote:
Lee Sau Dan wrote:

I have heard stories about Japan: Even when a European speaks fluent
Japanese with little accent, when coming in face to face with a
Japanese stranger, the Japanese would 'pretend' not to understand the
Japanese that this European speaks. That's because the Japanese is
already frightened by being asked by a foreigner. He's so nervous
that he isn't aware that this European speaks almost perfect Japanese
to him. All he has in mind is: "Oh! This is a European. I have to
speak English to him. But my English is so terrible. I cannot
express myself in English. :( ".

The movie *Lost in Translation* might've been a lot more interesting if
it had explored this (very common) situation.

(Bill Murray as a famous actor spending a few days in Japan to make some
TV commercials -- the language barrier proves insurmountable. Meets a
very young American actress. There's basically no story.)

When I heard of this film, I hoped that it would deal with these
situations and be amusing. I was very disappointed when I saw it.
Luckily, it was a borrowed DVD and hence I did not waste any money on
it.

--
Seán O'Leathlóbhair

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