Wired Magazine is a must read! That and The Economist and YOU rule!! :P

How English Is Evolving Into a Language We May Not Even Understand

By Michael Erard 06.23.08

Photo: Mauricio Alejo

The targeted offenses: if you are stolen, call the police at once. please omnivorously put the waste in garbage can. deformed man lavatory. For the past 18 months, teams of language police have been scouring Beijing on a mission to wipe out all such traces of bad English signage before the Olympics come to town in August. They're the type of goofy transgressions that we in the English homelands love to poke fun at, devoting entire Web sites to so-called Chinglish. (By the way, that last phrase means "handicapped bathroom.")

But what if these sentences aren't really bad English? What if they are evidence that the English language is happily leading an alternative lifestyle without us?

Thanks to globalization, the Allied victories in World War II, and American leadership in science and technology, English has become so successful across the world that it's escaping the boundaries of what we think it should be. In part, this is because there are fewer of us: By 2020, native speakers will make up only 15 percent of the estimated 2 billion people who will be using or learning the language. Already, most conversations in English are between nonnative speakers who use it as a lingua franca.

In China, this sort of free-form adoption of English is helped along by a shortage of native English-speaking teachers, who are hard to keep happy in rural areas for long stretches of time. An estimated 300 million Chinese — roughly equivalent to the total US population — read and write English but don't get enough quality spoken practice. The likely consequence of all this? In the future, more and more spoken English will sound increasingly like Chinese.

It's not merely that English will be salted with Chinese vocabulary for local cuisine, bon mots, and curses or that speakers will peel off words from local dialects. The Chinese and other Asians already pronounce English differently — in both subtle and not-so-subtle ways. For example, in various parts of the region they tend not to turn vowels in unstressed syllables into neutral vowels. Instead of "har-muh-nee," it's "har-moh-nee." And the sounds that begin words like this and thing are often enunciated as the letters f, v, t, or d. In Singaporean English (known as Singlish), think is pronounced "tink," and theories is "tee-oh-rees."

English will become more like Chinese in other ways, too. Some grammatical appendages unique to English (such as adding do or did to questions) will drop away, and our practice of not turning certain nouns into plurals will be ignored. Expect to be asked: "How many informations can your flash drive hold?" In Mandarin, Cantonese, and other tongues, sentences don't require subjects, which leads to phrases like this: "Our goalie not here yet, so give chance, can or not?"

One noted feature of Singlish is the use of words like ah, lah, or wah at the end of a sentence to indicate a question or get a listener to agree with you. They're each pronounced with tone — the linguistic feature that gives spoken Mandarin its musical quality — adding a specific pitch to words to alter their meaning. (If you say "xin" with an even tone, it means "heart"; with a descending tone it means "honest.") According to linguists, such words may introduce tone into other Asian-English hybrids.

Given the number of people involved, Chinglish is destined to take on a life of its own. Advertisers will play with it, as they already do in Taiwan. It will be celebrated as a form of cultural identity, as the Hong Kong Museum of Art did in a Chinglish exhibition last year. It will be used widely online and in movies, music, games, and books, as it is in Singapore. Someday, it may even be taught in schools. Ultimately, it's not that speakers will slide along a continuum, with "proper" language at one end and local English dialects on the other, as in countries where creoles are spoken. Nor will Chinglish replace native languages, as creoles sometimes do. It's that Chinglish will be just as proper as any other English on the planet.

And it's possible Chinglish will be more efficient than our version, doing away with word endings and the articles a, an, and the. After all, if you can figure out "Environmental sanitation needs your conserve," maybe conservation isn't so necessary.

Any language is constantly evolving, so it's not surprising that English, transplanted to new soil, is bearing unusual fruit. Nor is it unique that a language, spread so far from its homelands, would begin to fracture. The obvious comparison is to Latin, which broke into mutually distinct languages over hundreds of years — French, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Romanian. A less familiar example is Arabic: The speakers of its myriad dialects are connected through the written language of the Koran and, more recently, through the homogenized Arabic of Al Jazeera. But what's happening to English may be its own thing: It's mingling with so many more local languages than Latin ever did, that it's on a path toward a global tongue — what's coming to be known as Panglish. Soon, when Americans travel abroad, one of the languages they'll have to learn may be their own.

Michael Erard (author@umthebook.com) wrote about the spread of the Chinese language in issue 14.04.

Love this song so much! Thank you Morningberryz!! :)

Minna Hitori

Matsu Takako

Matsu Takako's "minna hitori" pv.

http://morningberryz.vox.com/library/...

"Minna hitori" was written and produced by Takeuchi Mariya. The other 2 tracks "shiawase no jumon" and "now and then" were both written by Matsu Takako (lyrics and music!). All 3 songs are great but "minna hitori" and 'shiawase no jumon" are outstanding songs. As a first press bonus a dvd containing...

Lyrics
荒んだ世界に　あなたのような人が　いることに感謝
夢が遠く見えて　肩落とす夜は　電話をさせてよ
恋人ともちがう　大切な心友　代わりのきかない私の相棒
みんなひとりぼっち　探し続けるのは　確かな絆とその証
誰かのひとことで　明日もがんばると　思えるなんてすてきさ

わけもなくふさぎ　プチうつな自分が　嫌いになる日も
あなたの笑顔の　大きな力に　励まされるんだ
どんな強い人も　弱さを隠してる　外には出せない傷抱えながら
みんなひとりぼっち　それを知るからなお　あなたの大事さがわかるよ
心の片すみで　気にかけてくれてる　恋よりも強い味方

Ah　たまには私を　Ah　頼ってもいいよ

生まれる時ひとり　最期もまたひとり
だから生きてるあいだだけは
小さなぬくもりや　ふとした　優しさを
求めずにはいられない

Everybody needs to be needed
Everybody wants to be wanted
‘Cause everybody knows that we are all alone
Let me give my gratitude to you
For always being there and smile for me
Many many thanks to you, the best friend of mine
Many many thanks to you, the best friend of mine
———————————————————————————————————————————————-

Romaji
Verse
susanda sekai ni  anata no you na hito ga
  iru koto ni kansha
yume ga tooku miete  kata otosu yoru wa
  denwa wo sasete yo

Pre-chorus
koibito to mo chigau  taisetsu na (tomodachi)
kawari no kikanai watashi no aibou

Chorus
minna hitoribocchi  sagashitsudzukeru no wa
  tashika na kizuna to sono akashi
dareka no hitokoto de  ashita mo ganbaru to
  omoeru nante suteki sa

Verse
wake mo naku fusagi  buchiutsu na jibun ga
  kirai ni naru hi mo
anata no egao no  ookina chikara ni
  hagemasareru n’ da

Pre-chorus
donna tsuyoi hito mo  yowasa wo kakushiteru
  soto ni wa dasenai kizu kakaenagara

Chorus
minna hitoribocchi  sore wo shiru kara nao
 anata no daiji sa ga wakaru yo
kokoro no katasumi de  ki ni kakete kureteru
  koi yori mo tsuyoi mikata

Bridge
Ah, tama ni wa watashi wo  Ah, tayottemo ii yo

Chorus
umareru toki hitori  saigo mo mata hitori
dakara ikiteru aida dake wa
chiisana nukumori ya  futoshita  yasashisa wo
motomezu ni wa irarenai

Everybody needs to be needed
Everybody wants to be wanted
‘Cause everybody knows that we are all alone
Let me give my gratitude to you
For always being there and smile for me
Many many thanks to you, the best friend of mine
Many many thanks to you, the best friend of mine

Taken from http://www.corichan.com/lyrics/singles/takakomsingles06.html#minna

———————————————————————————————————————————–
Chinese translation
在這荒蕪的世界中　你出現了　這是我最感謝的事
你讓我看得到遠大的夢想　讓我在沮喪的夜晚　有人可以打電話
我們並非戀人　而是最重要的朋友　你是無可取代的伙伴
大家生來都是孤獨一人　我們一直在找尋的是　確實連繫著我們的那個證明
只要有人說了一句　明天也要好好努力啊　不知為何一想起來就覺得太美好了

當憂鬱沒來由　又很厭惡自己因為一些小事就受打擊的日子
你的笑容是我最大的力量與鼓勵
無論再怎麼堅強的人　也會有想隱藏軟弱　不想顯露傷口的時候
大家都是孤獨一個人　正是因為我們都知道這件事　才覺得你是如此重要
在心裡的一個角落　還會關心著我　真是比戀人還要重要的伙伴啊

我啊　有的時候也是可以依賴的唷

生來是孤單一人　最後也是孤單一人
所以在有生的日子裏
一定要好好尋求　小小的溫暖和偶爾的溫柔

Japanese lyrics & Chinese translation taken from http://josekwok.mysinablog.com/index.php

What I am watching today... Hail Netflix! ^^

This why I love Hikki so much... :)

From: Blacksentinel Subscribe Unsubscribe Joined: 2 years ago Videos: 9

About This Video

And a fansubbed version:

When two of my Muses, Morningberryz and Peggy both swoon for something, you better pay attention! Orange Days is a fantastic Japanese drama. It's signature song is Sign by MB's favorite Japanese male group Mr Children. The first video lets you experience both of them. The second gives you more of an idea what the story is about... Enjoy! :)

Sign by Mr Children translation:

I wish this would reach you
you don't realize it, but I'm playing right now
like a flower that wilts as a sprout never having a chance to grow
put these two notes together and they make one harmony.

'thank you', 'sorry' over and over again
we're placing our need for others one atop another like blocks

when I thought about how dear the quiet hours were
I laughed a bit, that it was "love's doing"
the gestures you showed me, signs directed at me
I won't overlook a single one ever again
that's what I'm thinking

once in a while we soil each other with thoughtless words
and we both tire of the immaturity
but one day we'll get naked, feel the sweet body heat,
and show each other some kindness.

we're similar but somehow different, but we smell the same
not merely body nor soul, I love you.

if even the smallest of lights glows in our hearts.
we swore to treasure it
the signs that come from all those things we come across
we won't miss a single one ever again
let's live our lives this way.

the light cast through the trees on the walking path
hits you and sways
I learn both the beauty and cruelty of time

we still have time left
I laughed a bit, that 'we must treasure it'
the gestures you show me, signs to make me strong
I won't overlook a single one ever again
I'll live my life this way
that's what I'm thinking.

Many cool apps for the iPhone, but I really use this one! (you can run this from a PC also)

Type in MIKE in the search window for wacky results! ^^

Go to the Kanjiroushi iPhone App

Company web site

Kanjiroushi Japanese dictionary includes all you need for studying japanese: Lists of hiraganas and Katakanas. A dictionary of the 1945 most common Japanese Kanji, 100 000 words and 40 000 sentences. Tests to train your knowledge of the kanji meaning, Hiragana and Katakana reading.

The name of this website, 過ん字労死(kanjiroushi), is a bad pun using 漢字 (kanji) which is the name of the signs and 過労死(karoushi) which means death by overworking.

Remioromen - 3/9 (Concert By Aya’s Class)

1 Liter of Tears

3/9 English Translation

In the middle of this drifting season
I suddenly feel the length of the days
In the midst of these quickly-passing days
You and I dream away

With my feelings on the March wind
The cherry blossom buds continue on into spring

The overflowing drops of light
One by one warm the morning
Beside you, I’m a little embarrassed
After a huge yawn

I’m standing at the door to a new world
What I’ve realized is that I’m not alone

If I close my eyes
You’re behind my eyelids
How strong has that made me?
I hope I’m the same for you

The dusty whirlwind
Tangled up the laundry, but
The white moon in the morning sky
Was so beautiful, I couldn’t look away

There are things that don’t go the way I planned
But if I look up to the sky, even they seem small

The blue sky is cold and clear
The fluffy clouds float by quietly
If I can share with you the joy
Of waiting for the flowers to bloom, I’ll be happy

From now on, I want you to be quietly smiling beside me

If I close my eyes
You’re behind my eyelids
How strong has that made me?
I hope I’m the same for you

 
3/9

Nagareru kisetsu no mannaka de
Futo hi no nagasa wo kanji masu
Sewashiku sugiru hibi no naka ni
Watashi to anata de yume wo egaku

San gatsu no kaze ni omoi wo nosete
Sakura no tsubomi wa haru he to tsuduki masu

Afuredasu hikari no tsubu ga
Sukoshizutsu asa wo atatame masu
Ookinaa kubi wo shita ato ni
Sukoshi tereteru anata no yoko de

Arata na sekai no iriguchi ni tachi
Kiduita koto wa hitori ja naitte koto

*Hitomi wo tojireba anata ga
Mabuta no ura ni iru koto de
Dore hodo tsuyoku nareta deshou
Anata ni totte watashi mo sou de aritai

Suna bokori hakobu tsumuji kaze
Sentaku mono ni karamari masu ga
Hirumae no sora no shiroi tsuki wa
Nan daka kirei de mitore mashita

Umaku wa ikanu koto mo arukeredo
Ten wo aogeba sore sae chiisa kute

Aoi sora wa rinto sunde
Hisu ji kumo wa shizuka ni yureru
Hanasaku wo matsu yorokobi wo
Waka chiaeru no de areba sore wa shiawase

Kono saki mo tonari de sotto hohoen de

This song by Miki Imai is one of MorningBerryz favorite J-pop songs, and that is good enough for me! :)

Imai Miki - Piece Of My Wish Lyrics

Doushite motto jibun ni sunao ni ikirenai no
Sonna omoi toikake nagara
Akiramenai de subete ga kuzure sou ni natte mo
Shinjiteite anata no koto o

Hontou wa dare mo ga negai o kanaetai no
Dakedo umaku yukanai toki mo aru wa

Kibou no kakera o te no hira ni atsumete
Ooki na yorokobi e to kaete yukou

Ai suru hito ya tomodachi ga yuuki zukete kureru yo
Sonna kotoba dakishime nagara
Dakedo saigo no kotae wa hitori de mitsukeru no ne
Meguri tsuzuku ashita no tame ni

Ame ni makenai kimochi o honoo mo kuguri nukeru
Sonna tsuyosa mochi tsuzuketai
Sore de mo itsuka subete ga kuzure sou ni natte mo
Shinjiteite anata no koto o
Shinjiteite hoshii anata no koto o

Translation from: http://www.youtube.com/user/lfi123

Even the nights I cried all night until the sun rose
I will have the power to stand up
Sun will rise and surround my heart
The fog will certainly disappear
Why can't I live a life being honest to my feelings?
With that thought lingering in my back of mind
Please don't give up even though everything may seem to be falling apart
Please let me believe in you.
--
Everyone just wants to fulfill their dreams
But sometimes it just doesn't work out

Take these fragments of hopes and put them in the palm of your head
And turn them into fond memories
Those we love and friends will always be there for you
Holding onto those words dearly
But the real answer must be found on our own
For each tomorrow that we are about to meet

Feelings that can not be beaten down by rain, I can overcome anything
I always want to have that conviction to believe in

Even if there are times everything seems to be falling apart
Please let me believe in you

I just want to believe in you

I got the soundtrack off my iPhone by Wi-Fi for the new movie of the book by Gabriel García Márquez Love In The Time of Cholera... Love it! Here's the opening tune by Shakira... Can't wait to see the film!

Love In The Time of Cholera US web site: HERE

Hay Amores

Shakira

1 comment

Love_cholera

Isn't Siti Nurhaliza from Malaysia just too beautiful? And her singing is wonderful! Thanks again to Dori! Maybe someone (you know who you are) can translate the lyrics? :)

English translation (thanks to the lovely JenJen!)

Seindah Biasa

Jangan Pernah Takut Ku Tinggalkan (Don't be afraid of me leaving you)
Saat Bintang Tak Mampu Lagi Berdendang (When stars no longer sing)
Saat Malam Menjadi Terlalu Dingin (When nights become too cold)
Hingga Pagi Tak Seindah Biasa…nya (Until morning isn't as beautiful)

Reff : Tak Kan Mungkin Kita Bertahan (We cannot last)
Hidup Dalam Kesendirian (by living alone)
Panas Terik Hujan Badai Kita Lalui Bersama (drought and storms we must face together)
Saat Hilang Arah Tujuan (When we've lost our way)
Kau Tahu Kemana Berjalan (You know where to walk)
Meski Gelap Meski Terang (Even if it's dark or light)
Kita Lalui….. Bersama (We go through it together)

Ku Tak Bisa Merubah Yang Tlah Terjadi (I can't change what already happened)
Tapi Aku Kan Menjanjikan Yg Terbaik (But I promise you the best)
Agar Kita Tak Pernah Menjadi Jauh (So that we never fall apart)
Meski Pisah Dermaga Untuk Kita Berlabuh (--- I have no idea how to translate this line even though I know what it means ---- SORRY)

Back To Reff

Pernah Kita Jatuh Mencoba Berdiri Menahan Sakit Dan Menangis (We once fell, trying to stand, holding the pain and crying)
Tapi Hati Hidup Lebih Dari Itu Dan Kita Mencoba Melawan……….. (But the heart lives through that and we continue to fight)

Back To Reff

-----
Yeah, that's not a very poetic translation... Huehueheu. It sounds like a cheesy boyband song in English.