Thank you from Japan

All of the Japanese students finished their group presentations about differences in American and Japanese culture last week. We learned a lot about American culture from listening to each other's presentation. It wouldn't have been this successful without help from Professor Saito and his wonderful WSC students. Thank you very much for all the things you did to make this intercultural project work.

All of my students are graduating from university in March and I'm sure this project was one of the most memorable experiences in their university life. Here are their messages.

I enjoyed studying with you and I could learn a lot from this project.
Thank you very much! From Marina

I enjoyed communicating with American student.
I could change the opinions with American student and know the differnce about my topic. thank you. From Tomona

Thank you for your helpful information and I could study a lot.
It was a good time. Thank you very much. From Aya


I was glad to comunicate with American students.
You've been very helpful for my project. I' ve learned a lot.
Thank you so much. From Kotono

Questions from Pat at WSC, USA

We really appreciate if you could answer the following questions.

1. What is your favorite type of music?
2. How popular is hip-hop in Japan?
3. What do you think the main differences are in Japanese hip-hop verses American Hip-hop?
4. How popular are American artists in Japan?

Have a great weekend. Max

Language Developments

Japanese versions of Direct Talk

Hello, everyone!
In our last class, I video taped four skits about "Direct or Indirect Talk". Compared to your original version, they are very short! Doesn't it say something about our cultural differences? Hope you enjoy watching and we would be very interested in hearing your reactions.

Sakie & Others



Transcription: Sakie & Others
A: The dishes are dirty again.
B: That’s just the way it is. Let's wash them.
A: It was the other girl’s turn.
B: I wonder why she doesn't wash dishes. That’s just the way it is, isn’t it?
ALL Good morning, how are you?
C: I’m fine. Oh, it was my turn yesterday, wasn’t it?
Oh, I’m sorry.
A& B: Oh, that’s all right, that’s all right.
C: Oh, I’m sorry.

Marina & Others



Transcription: Marina & Others
A: I wonder why she doesn't do dishes.
B: Shall we talk to her after we finish?
A: About washing dishes, what do you think of doing it in turns?
C: That's fine. Sorry that I haven't done it before.

Shiho & Others


Transcription: Shiho & Others
Mayu : It's so stinky around here, isn't it?
Yuki: Oh, Gosh. Dishes!! Nobody has washed these dishes.
Shiho: Sorry, I should have washed them. I'll wash them up.
Mayu: They gonna get mold.
Shiho: Really! Mold! I'll wash them right away.

Rentaro and Others


Transcription: Rentaro & Others
A: Hello, excuse me? Could you do your dishes?
B: I usually plan to do that after watching TV.
A: Um, actually, it’s usually me who does dishes.
B: The TV show finishes around 12.
A: Uh, isn’t that too late?
B: I do want to watch TV.
A: Mmm…really?
C: It’s better if each of us does only his dishes. It’s okay to leave them.
A: Okay. Thanks.

What I want to do

Setting: Living room
Participants: Mother (Colleen) and Daughter (Jill)

Initial Draft for This Skit
1. Mom: How about those college applications?
2. Jill: I don’t wana go, I wana play in my band!!!
3. Mom: I went to college, your sister went … etc. You need to go!
4.Jill: I have what I need here – my band, I can read music.
5. Mom: That’s unacceptable! You need to be a doctor or lawyer to be successful.
6. Jill: why can’t I just do what makes me happy?
7. Mom: You don’t know what you want. You are too young.
8. Leave me alone! You don’t understand my feelings!
Scene.

Team Members: Colleen, Jill, Erika, Nicole

Bachelor Party II: Tim's Passed Out

Tim’s Passed Out: Bachelor Party Part II

Setting: Bar
Participants: Friends (Ryan, Bob, Pat, Hal, and Tim who is getting married)

Initial Draft for This Skit
1. Tim is passed out, drunk from his Bachelor’s Party.
2. Friends (Ryan, Bob, Pat) want to shave his eyeblows.
3. Hal (a friend) does not want them to do it.
4. The friends debate back and forth.
5. Hal persuades them not to do the Prank.

Team Members: Ryan, Bob, Pat, Hal, and Tim

Disregarding Jewish Identity

Making an anti-Semitic joke.

Setting: Out to eat
Participants: Group of people (Steve, Mike, Cassandara, Jodi, Jeff)
Mind set: Casual

Initial Draft for This Skit
1. These prices are so expensive.
2. Don’t be such a Jew.
3. By the way, I’m Jew.
4. Sooo, how about then Sox?
Team Members: Steve, Mike, Cassandara, Jodi, Jeff