More English Training on the DS

While we all struggle to correctly pronounce “arigato” and “gommenasai” to the lady who brings in the wasabi at the local sushi bar, it’s reassuring to know that in Japan, many are likewise struggling to pronounce their “good morning” and “goodbye” greetings with as much difficulty.

The Japanese have always loved to learn English in a non-classroom way, which explains why there’s big money on language schools and dictionary makers and why there are spoofs on Engrish.com. This is also why Japanese high school kids get to use their DS in the classroom while we might not. One of the best-selling non-games on the DS is Eigo ga Nigate na Otona no DS Training Eigo Zuke (try pronouncing that correctly!) which in English means DS Training For Adults Who Aren’t Good at English: English Language Trainer (whew, that’s a mouthful).

Being a big hit, Nintendo is planning to release an expanded version of this series. More English-Japanese conversations are going to be included, as well as realistic environmental sounds and accents to dictation sequences. The expansion, to be released next month, is seen to be a big hit too.

By the way, the word “motto” is going to be added to the title, as in DS Training Motto Eigo Zuke because “motto” in Japanese means “more”. Now you know what to say to the kimono-clad lady when you refer to the sake on her hand!

Via IGN

While we all struggle to correctly pronounce “arigato” and “gommenasai” to the lady who brings in the wasabi at the local sushi bar, it’s reassuring to know that in Japan, many are likewise struggling to pronounce their “good morning” and “goodbye” greetings with as much difficulty.

The Japanese have always loved to learn English in a non-classroom way, which explains why there’s big money on language schools and dictionary makers and why there are spoofs on Engrish.com. This is also why Japanese high school kids get to use their DS in the classroom while we might not. One of the best-selling non-games on the DS is Eigo ga Nigate na Otona no DS Training Eigo Zuke (try pronouncing that correctly!) which in English means DS Training For Adults Who Aren’t Good at English: English Language Trainer (whew, that’s a mouthful).

Being a big hit, Nintendo is planning to release an expanded version of this series. More English-Japanese conversations are going to be included, as well as realistic environmental sounds and accents to dictation sequences. The expansion, to be released next month, is seen to be a big hit too.

By the way, the word “motto” is going to be added to the title, as in DS Training Motto Eigo Zuke because “motto” in Japanese means “more”. Now you know what to say to the kimono-clad lady when you refer to the sake on her hand!

Via IGN