Um... yes, I know that. (laugh) You don't need to introduce yourself!

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Hilary Peters
5 years ago
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1 Machigai Podcast Episode 023 Hello, this is Machigai English School. Hello, Tim? My name is Yukino! Um... yes, I know that. (laugh) You don't need to introduce yourself! Well, I want to make sure you know who is calling. I know. But you should say "THIS is Yukino." If you say "My name is," it sounds like you're someone I've never met before. Right. So, what's up? Is there Mr. Watanabe? You mean, does he exist? There is such a person as Mr. Watanabe. Then you should say, "Is Mr. Watanabe there?" Is Mr. Watanabe there? No, he isn't. When will he come back? Come back? Is he going to your home? laugh Because you said "come back." So it sounds like he's going to where you are. Oh, OK. Then, when will he GO back? Go back where? To the school! Machigai Podcast #23 1

Hmmm. "Go back" also sounds a little strange. It sounds like he's going somewhere else, not here to the school. So, what should I say then? The best would be "When will he BE back?

2 Hmmm. "Go back" also sounds a little strange. It sounds like he's going somewhere else, not here to the school. So, what should I say then? The best would be "When will he BE back?" be Well, I guess we aren't asking about movement -- coming or going -- but existing, BEing, in this place. When will he return? When will he be back? Do you remember the Terminator? His famous line was "I'll be back!" Old movie? Gee, thanks for making ME feel old! Anyway, so when will Mr. Watanabe be back? Um... I don't know. Oh. But I can take a message for him. Tell him I'm going for a lesson today. Going where? Oh, sorry. I'm being there for a lesson today. You mean you'll BE here? Yes, that's right. Or... guess what? Machigai Podcast #23 2

3 Um... what? In this case, you could also say "I'm coming"! coming coming Because in this case we ARE talking about movement. Not "being" here but "coming" here to the school. going Yes, in Japanese you would say "going." But in English, we think from the point of view of the person we're speaking to on the phone. You are coming toward the school, where I am. I see. So... tell him I'm coming?? That's right. And yes, I will. But why do you need an English lesson? I just gave you one! And what did you learn? Hello, this is Yukino. Is Mr. Watanabe there? When will he be back? Tell him I'm coming for a lesson. Good! I'll charge you for an extra lesson! (laugh) (jokingly) Don't you dare! ******** (phone rings) Oh, Yukino, could you please get the phone? Sure.... Hello, is this the Machigai English school? (thinking) (Speaking) Yes, hello. This is Machigai English School. Uh... who are you? Oh, my name is John Jones. I was wondering if you have any openings for an English teacher there. Machigai Podcast #23 3

English teacher? Uh... what do you mean by "opening"? Well, I'm looking for a job teaching English. Oh, a job? Uh, well, I don't work here, so I'm not sure... That's OK. I'll just call back later.

4 English teacher? Uh... what do you mean by "opening"? Well, I'm looking for a job teaching English. Oh, a job? Uh, well, I don't work here, so I'm not sure... That's OK. I'll just call back later. Thank you! (click) Wait! Oh... What happened? He cut the phone. Did he cut it in half? (laugh) I know. He didn't CUT the phone. He hung up. Hung up? hang up That's right. I suppose we say that because, on the really old phones, the ear piece really did hang on the side of the phone. I see. So, who was that, anyway? Oh, I see. Yeah, I don't think we're hiring right now. By the way, I heard you say "Who are you?" That sounds a little rude. Oh, no! I'm sorry. What should I have said? You should say "Who is this?" Or, more polite, "May I ask who is calling, please?" May I ask who is calling, please? By the way, did you get the guy's name? Machigai Podcast #23 4

Uh, he said his name was. No kidding? There's a character in one of our textbooks with that name. I want to at least leave a message for Mr. Watanabe. Um.... J-O-A-N... No, no, that's "Joan".

5 Uh, he said his name was. No kidding? There's a character in one of our textbooks with that name. I want to at least leave a message for Mr. Watanabe. Um.... J-O-A-N... No, no, that's "Joan". That's a women's name. Really? Is the pronunciation the same as the man's name? No, no, the man's name is "John," spelled J-O-H-N. J-O-H-N. So is his name John Johns? No, his last name is Jones. J-O-N-E-S. John Jones. I see. So the "O" is pronounced differently in "John" than it is in "Jones". Pronunciation? Oops! You know what we forgot? What? (HOW DO YOU SAY IT? theme) Oh, that. Yes, we forgot. You think the podcast is getting too selfreferential? Hey, you're welcome to try writing it... Self-referential is good! That's what I thought! Machigai Podcast #23 5

Look Mom, I Got a Job!

Look Mom, I Got a Job! by T. James Belich T. James Belich tjamesbelich@gmail.com www.tjamesbelich.com Look Mom, I Got a Job! by T. James Belich CHARACTERS (M), an aspiring actor with a less-than-inspiring