Conversation with an 11 year old Korean boy...Me: How are you today?
KB: Good
Me: Well, what did you get up to?
KB: I was raking the bitch.
Me: Pardon me? You were raking the WHAT?!
KB: I was raking the bitch.
Me: Oh....okay, put you teeth together and make your lips really wide like you're going to give me a nice big smile. Now try.
KB: Eee...eee...eee.
24 comments:
That is funny!! Good for you for figuring it out and then trying to teach him what he should be saying. Is this 11 year old boy...yours?
Sirdar, If the boy were mine, his English would be impeccable. He's an International Exchange student that I've had the wonderful opportunity of working with over the past five months.
Yes,I know by myself it´s difficult to learn a foreign language.My english is terrible too and you can see it on my blog!!I know I make many mistakes and maybe you must laugh when you read in my blog especially my english grammar is bad.So I can say only "Sorry" to all my english speaking bloggerfriends!!!
Nathalie is 11 years too and she learn english at school too.But her english is already better as my english.
But it´s funny what´s the little 11 years old boy answer you!
Ha! Don't even get me started on how my mom's friend pronounced "fax machine"....
Lol, sounds like you have had fun working with him.
Steffi, I think your English is great. I couldn't blog in two languages.
I so enjoyed your post - did bring back memories of when I attempted to learn French at school - way back!!
Keep up the good work.
Very cute. :)
Hi Carla, and how about considering that he said what he really meant?
Funny how a little mispronuciation can change the entire thought. Thanks for sharing!
Steffi, It's always a bit of a struggle functioning in a second language. I think you do a fabulous job. The important thing is to be able to transmit a message and I've had no difficulty understanding what you mean. If it makes you feel any better, I'm sure you would really laugh at my limited German.
Rowena, Hmm...why does it always seem to go down with those sorts of words? You must have difficulty keeping a straight face. Heh, heh.
Beccy, We had lots of fun...always an adventure. And I agree, Steffi's English is great. I haven't had the courage to blog in two languages (I'm too much of a perfectionist).
Peter, Good memories, I'm sure. Do I dare ask which words you had difficulty with? Hmm... I had a friend who proudly proclaimed that she had just donated her breast, "sein" when she meant blood, "sang." We all had a good laugh over that one.
Debbie, Thanks. It certainly gave me a chuckle.
Fede, Context is everything...context is everything.
Mark, Words have power and transmit so much.
Just a little sound or miss spelling can change the whole meaning of what is said. Communication is most important, and those with impeccable language skills in any language may still have their communication misunderstood. Just like what I just said.
Dawn, It certainly can. I have seen it happen many a time.
Wonderful!.. It took me a while to work out what he was saying.
Thank you for the picture it help me a lot :-)
Best wishes,
Annie
Annie, A picture is worth a thousand words, isn't it?
OMG...that is funny!! hahahahahahaha
Jillie, Totally cracked me up too!
My then girlfriend worked in the Fire Brigade and we had travelled to France - and both she and I asked various people the way to the Fire Station (so she could view) -
The reactions of people - making a hasty retreat - indicate we had got it wrong!! - That is just one example.
Great post - so luv.
Peter
LOL!! Oh, that's funny! I find the tones in Asian languages very difficult but the 'eeeee" sound is fairly common.
Peace,
~Chani
LMAO, FUNNY LADY
YOUR LOVELY PET IS UP, IS SHE WITH YOU NOW?
CAN YOU SHARE A FUNNY STORY ABOUT HER AND PET NAME
THANKS FOR SHARING
Peter, Experiences like that are always best when another person is there to share it. Sounds like great fun.
Chani, That's interesting as more than one Korean student I worked with has made slip ups with the short i and long e. Not that they can't make the sound, just that they don't seem to differentiate those two sounds very well.
Tracey, I'll be right over to check it out. Her name is Sage. With the way she lounges on her back on the couch I am sure that she lived with a bachelor before she came to me.
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