Who's Afraid Of Public Speaking?

"Who's Afraid Of Public Speaking?" --- a 16-hour workshop on understanding why getting up in front of an audience makes our stomachs churn and how we can overcome our self-limitations.

The program aims to develop the (he)art of public speaking, and participants will learn:

(1) the rudiments of intonation and pronunciation,
(2) mental poise for painless impromptu speaking,
(3) basic PowerPoint presentation skills,
(4) creative thinking for uncreative moments, and
(5) confidence for platform skills.

The process of change runs through January 18 to February 3, 2010, MWF, 6:00-8:00pm at Fully Booked Bonifacio High Street.

Fee: P5,900 only, inclusive of materials.

Call 858-7000 and sign up now!

Avenue Q Manila ---- They're Back!

Come to AVENUE Q Manila!

The zany musical, Avenue Q, is back in Manila! With a stellar cast of Rachel Alejandro, Felix Rivera,
Aiza Seguerra, Joel Trinidad, Calvin Millado,
Frenchie Dy and Thea Tadiang performing

on March 21, 2010 8:00pm at RCBC Plaza's Carlos Romulo Auditorium,

we're definitely in for an evening of gas-inducing laughter!

Buy your tickets now! P1,500, P1,300, P1,000, P800 and P600.

For more details:
avenueqmanila.blogspot.com

watchtheplay@gmail.com
0917 850 2025
216 5145
See you there!

"Schoolhouse" --- An English-Language TV Series

Here is something that has kept me busy the past couple of months: "Schoolhouse" --- an English-language TV series for Filipino students.

Check out the OBB below. Music and lyrics by Trina Belamide.




"Schoolhouse" is a project of Mayor Freddie Tinga.

Director: Sean Lim
Associate Director: Mark Shandii Bacolod
Producer: Arturo Go
Writer: Cherie A. Bitanga
Production Manager: Jayar Diaz
Production Designer: Denise Ang

Manny Pacquiao --- On Jimmy Kimmel Live

Good vibes!

Manny Pacquiao on Jimmy Kimmel Live:

The Fun Function Of A Conjunction

Here's something fun I found on the net.

It's a jazzy tune about conjunctions.

A visual treat and a catchy song ---

all this just for grammar!

India's English-speaking Rickshaw Drivers

Here is an article written by Harmeet Shah Singh for CNN   last September 16:  "English lessons for today's rickshaw drivers".  It's great that India is paving an avenue for higher learning, giving access to those who need it and who can benefit most.  Moreover, it simply affirms a country's regard for the merits of language proficiency (in English) as an essential tool for efficient global progress.

" Indian tourism authorities will be holding English classes for auto-rickshaw drivers in New Delhi as the city prepares to host the Commonwealth Games in 2010. Auto-rickshaw drivers are being taught English ahead of the Commonwealth Games.  More than 40,000 natural gas-fueled auto-rickshaws, or motorized three-wheeled taxis, run on the Indian capital's dilapidated roads, according to the city government statistics. The city is expected to host around 100,000 tourists during the Commonwealth Games scheduled from October 3-14 in 2010.  About 9,000 athletes and officials of 52 Commonwealth countries are likely to participate. Some 8,000 auto-rickshaw drivers will be enrolled in the training program that will involve classes in yoga, life skills, first aid, spoken English and psychometric tests, federal Tourism Secretary Sujit Banerjee announced Tuesday. Each trainee will be paid Rs 200, or about $4, daily for attending the program spread over 200 sessions for a year.  Indian auto-rickshaw drivers have often been accused of overcharging, refusing short trips and misbehavior.  Traffic authorities have in the past opened a range of avenues for passengers to lodge their complaints -- such as on help lines, via text messages or simply calling a telephone number printed on the three-wheeled cabs. "The India image that we strive to convey to a foreign tourist depends, to a large degree, on how good the taxi/auto-rickshaw (driver) that he or she meets is in his demeanor and conduct," Banerjee remarked.

On Typewriters, Typos and QWERTY

My students and I were talking about how technology makes life convenient at work and school.  I told them of the days when we used a mechanical typewriter that went "click-clack-tikitikitak-zing" and how our hands would get all black from turning the ribbons (a.k.a  ink).  When we made mistakes, we pressed the backspace button, got a "correction tape", positioned the tape in front of the word and re-typed on the tape over the erroneous word so that it made the mistake "white".

In 2007, I came across Paolo Dy's short movie in English, "QWERTY", a story of a mentally disabled man accused of killing his employer.  The doctors tried to make sense of the silent man who said nothing all day  except for the seemingly random characters he tirelessly and intensely churned out, one paper after the other, with the keys of an ancient typewriter that once belonged to his alleged victim. 

Watch Paolo Dy's incredible entry to Steven Spielberg's "On The Lot" competition. 

This is amazing.

Grammarman Saves The Day!

This is definitely one of the more amusing (and creative!) educational videos I've seen.  It's all about a superhero named Grammarman and nosy aliens who save the city of Verbo from creepy creatures.

To encourage people to check their grammar, the creator intentionally threw in errors for viewers to spot.

Enjoy!

Can Those Who Speak, Teach?

Those who can, do.

Those who can't, teach.

But can those who speak, teach?

Check it out.

Word Check: "Suppose" In The Pinoy Context

 A comment from JC:

You should also write about another pinoy-ism - "supposed to be".  I love how everyone uses it nowadays in lieu of "dapat".  Haha.

"I thought you were on vacation."

Response:  "Supposed to be but my boss said I had to finish my project first."

What exactly does the word suppose mean?

It is a verb. When used with an object, it can mean any of the following:

-to assume (something)
Suppose my explanation was not accurate.

-to consider (something) as a possibility
Suppose we don't call. Do you think he'll get mad?

-to believe or assume something as true
It is supposed that many words have been misinterpreted over the years.

-to think, or hold as an opinion
What do you suppose will happen in the future?

-to require logically, or imply
The letter supposes the veracity of his statement.

However, the function of the word has often been misconstrued to mean "dapat" in the Filipino context.

Technically, if one were trying to express an expectation, a requirement or permission, then it should be used in the passive form followed by an infinitive:

e.g. (is/was + supposed) + (to eat / sleep / read / leave)

This post is supposed to explain why "suppose to be" is incorrect.

It is not equivalent to a singular expression, e.g. "Supposedly."  Rather, it is a word that shows an action.

Just like the word "actually", it essentially has no real meaning unless it is used in a complete sentence.

The Doubting Thomas' reference: www.dictionary.com

Grammar Check: "It's So Traffic Today."

We complain about traffic in Manila all the time.  However, the way we express disdain and frustration can be grammatically analyzed:

“I didn’t pass through Edsa because I knew it was so traffic.”

“It’s a good time to go to Tagaytay because it is not traffic.”

“Why is it so traffic on a Friday?”

Friends and I have bantered about this and agree that the comments above are quite commonplace.  Pause for awhile and think about it.  I noticed that we have come to use the word traffic as an adjective describing a condition of vehicular congestion on the road.  I’m not sure, but maybe the reason behind this is the way we have adopted it in Filipino as “trapik” for lack of a direct translation.  For example:

“Ma-trapik sa Edsa kaya hindi ako dumaan doon.”

“Dapat tayo pumunta ng Tagaytay dahil hindi ma-trapik.”

“Bakit ba ma-trapik kapag Biyernes?”

According to the English dictionary, however, traffic is not a descriptive word but a word that refers to a situation, an event or a movement --- a noun.  Therefore, as a noun, it functions like so:

“I didn’t pass through Edsa today because I knew traffic was bad.”

“It’s a good time to go to Tagaytay because there is no traffic.”

“Why is traffic so horrible on a Friday?”

The Doubting Thomas' reference:  Meriam-Webster.

Cheers!

Lexical Vexation

Since the inception of this blog, people have expressed their sentiments about words and phrases that get under their skin or consider misused due to a glitch in translation.  Here's an animated clip I found about lexical peeves, entitled "The Words You Love To Hate".

Source: CNN

Why Not Choose Filipino?

(This video was sent by Cherry.)

The whole scenario is just very disheartening.

About the judge:

Was it necessary to patronize the contestant and use her flawed answer as a follow-up question even after realizing that she is blatantly not proficient in the language?


I do assume the judge was wise enough to see a problem staring all of us in the face. Would it have been possible for him to ask her to repeat what she said and translate it in Filipino, instead of asking her to explain her grammatically-challenged statement?

About the audience:

What merits the hysteria?

Perhaps the one who can laugh that much possesses far greater abilities than hers to have the audacity to mock this woman.

About the contestant:

Why didn't she choose to speak Tagalog even if she was already given the liberty to do so?

Surprisingly, if one pays very, very close attention to the details and content of her answer, and if one has the patience to make sense of her overall message, it was rather sensible and definitely more than acceptable. Seriously. Try listening again.

However, I am not certain if she is aware of the reality of her own proficiency in English as she fumbled with an American accent she seems to be confident in. The situation, sadly, made her a quick target of ridicule due to sub-par articulation, diction and syntax in English.

One glaring mistake she made that day was not in her grammatical errors but in choosing to speak a language that is not her strongest suit.

Speaking in English doesn't guarantee a sure win nor does it put one on a pedestal. Again, I do not promote one language over the other. Rather, my underlying message is this: treat whatever language you speak with great respect. Good speech, whether in Filipino or English (or any language/dialect for that matter), is something to be admired and could have been this aspiring beauty queen's crowning glory had she chosen to express her thoughts in the mother tongue.

Grammar Check: "Do You Have A Scissor?"

Many times, I encounter people who ask: "Do you have a scissor?"

Although it refers to borrowing one thing, it is wise to remember that it should always be said in the plural: scissors.

When this noun is used on its own within a statement, it uses the plural verb "are". Thus said, it means the article "a" is not required:

My scissors are in the red box. (one item)

However, when it is said in a way that you can count the items, it receives a "noun phrase" or "measure word", such as "a pair of":

I bought two pairs of scissors from the supplies section. (more than one item)

The measure word can also be used to refer to specifically one unit and a singular verb "is":

There is a pair of scissors somewhere on the desk. (one item)

To ask, "Do you have a scissor?" is just as awkward as saying, "Do you have a jean?".

I guess the best rule is to always use the word in the plural form and let it function as a plural noun.

Cheers!

What Mark Says

From Mark, an entrepreneur and car enthusiast from Manila. He says:

"The Grammar Project is essential for today's workforce. Today's technology makes it so easy for us that we tend to forget basic grammar. TGP reminds us that good grammar is still very important in our day to day dealings and will help seal that very important business deal."

Grammar Check: Language Teaching Ad on Facebook

Here's something that popped up on my Facebook screen:


I'm not entirely sure what this is trying to say: "Any languages are available to teach".

To begin with, the word "any" can refer to:

1. one, some or more: "If you have any books on Peru, let me know"; or

2. every or all: "Any employee will enjoy a generous bonus for Christmas".

The more important concern is what the sentence in this English teaching ad means.

Two thoughts on the matter:

1. Does it mean people who apply on the site can teach any language?, or

2. Does it mean all language classes are ready for teaching?

What I'm certain about is language (the subject) cannot do the teaching (the verb), as the advertised sentence implies. It can, however, be taught by those who will be speaking and teaching it.

Perhaps tighter editing or a final grammar check could be considered to prevent any mix-up in the offing.

Cheers!

Say: "Guitarist"

It was only when my husband corrected me that I realized my pronunciation of this word was off. DJs, celebrities and musicians in Manila have long been saying, "GUI-tarist" the way one would say Gatorade. It seems to have been configured to our own interpretation so much so that the oversight has become the acceptable and what is perceived as correct. When you really think about it, the root word is "gui-TAR".

The musician who plays the guitar is called a "gui-TAR-ist".

The doubting Thomas' reference: www.dictionary.com and www.meriam-webster.com.

Cheers!

Word Check: "Actually" In The Pinoy Context

What exactly does the word "actually" mean?

According to www.dictionary.com, it is an adverb that means "in fact", or "in reality" and it is used to express wonder, surprise and incredulity. Granted that it is an adverb, then it should never be used alone because an adverb only makes sense when it is used for a purpose. In this case, it is to stress a fact. In other words, it's like saying "really" within a sentence to emphasize a statement. For example:

"I actually finished the whole pizza by myself."

"That song was actually written by brother."

"The embassy actually finished my documents on time."

"We actually got to meet Tita Cory back in '89."

I often wondered how the Pinoy culture has come to like this seemingly all-occasion expression:

A: "This is such a cool film"
B: "Actually." (in pensive thought)

A: "Hey! Did you know SM is on sale?"
B: "Actually!" (in excitement)

A: "There was such a huge crowd at the funeral!"
B: "Actually." (in agreement)

A: "I can't believe Tita Cory is gone!"
B: "Actually." (in sorrow)

It has become so flexible that the meaning and the purpose for which it stands has morphed into a mere expression whose meaning changes depending on the tone.

Enlightenment came in the form of Butch Dalisay's blog on "Top 10 Irritating Pinoy Expressions" in which he explained the use of "actually" in the Philippine context:

"I suspect that “actually” is the Pinoy’s translation of another phrase revered in showbiz, “sa totoo lang,” mouthing which is supposed to instantly enhance the truthfulness of one’s statement."

And there you have it.

Word Check: In spite of vs. Despite

Students today asked if there is a difference in meaning between the two.

After much debate, I said there is none. The thing is to remember to insert that sneaky and oft-neglected preposition, "of".

What exactly do in spite of and despite mean?

It's used to express contrast between two clauses. For instance:

Despite the rains, people still lined up to pay their last respects to the late President.
In spite of the rains, people still lined up to pay their last respects to the late President.

Note that a comma is necessary to mark the end of the clause with the adverb (adverb clause) if it is positioned before the main clause.

1st: Despite the rains ( , ) = adverb clause
2nd: people still lined up to pay their last respects to the late President. = main clause

If the adverb clause comes after the main clause, then a comma is no longer needed. For instance:

People still lined up to pay their last respects to the President despite the rains.
People still lined up to pay their last respects to the President in spite of the rains.

1st: People still lined up to pay their last respects to the late President = main clause
2nd: in spite of the rains. = adverb clause

I've been using the word "clause" a lot in this entry. To clarify, a clause technically is different from a phrase in the way that is has both a subject and a predicate. Note that the main clause can have meaning and stand alone even without the adverb clause. The adverb clause, however, is considered correct and makes sense only if it is used with the main clause.

Word Check: Craving vs.Craving For

The word "crave" is a verb that is synonymous to need, desire and want. If one says, "I am craving for chocolate cake", then it's pretty much the same as saying "I am desiring for chocolate cake".


If  Meriam-Webster were to be followed, then the proper use of "crave" with an object would be: "I am craving chocolate cake". Drop the preposition "for". If it were to be used in the simple present tense, then it would be just fine to say, "I crave chocolate cake".

On the other hand, "craving" is a noun (although "crave" isn't!). It can be paired with "for" if it is used as an object, not as an action. Hence, "I have a craving for chocolate cake".

I know it sounds awkward, but people get the hang of it eventually.

Cheers!

Real Grammar Breaks Ground

On July 21, Real Grammar broke ground with its pilot class.

An amazing pool of characters make up the class roster with the support of discerning students getting word of the endeavor as well as good friends wishing to brush up on their language proficiency. The group is a hodge-podge of entrepreneurs, housewives and a missionary who all have a goal of using renewed English skills for work, socials and religious ministry.

Recently (and only two weeks after the first batch started), a second class commenced in spite of the odd mid-week hours. A foreign housewife who was a magazine reporter in her homeland, siblings who are mothers who wish to better their skills for the sake of their kids and an employee of one of the leading financial firms in the country --- all came together and made time to replenish their language skills and learn something new (or re-learn something old in a new light).

What I enjoy most in class is feeling good vibes in the dynamics of people coming together for the first time and hitting it off instantly. I believe the blossoming of nurturing friendships in a class is a miracle that makes each day a fruitful experience both on a personal and educational level. Nothing can be more of a damper than having apprehensive people who are uncomfortable with each other. This results in a very quiet group of people who don't interact, leading to insignificant productivity.

All the participants thus far seem to gel very, very well, energize each other, and support each other when it's appropriate. With people whose origins range from Hong Kong, China, Korea and various regions in the Philippines, there are definitely lots of cultural insights and professional opinions to be shared and bounced around.

For all those involved, this is a blessing.

I am grateful.

Today's Amphiboly: Cooking With Dog (How To Make A Bento Box)

Even though its title made me imagine disturbing canine delicacy,
this is one of the best cooking videos I've seen!

Farewell

Bianca Writes From Massachusetts

Dear Grammar Project,

I'm a doctor from the Philippines and I'm here now in Massachusetts, trying my luck at getting a residency over here. I just wanted to share my thoughts about grammar and the medical field. Truly, one becomes a good doctor by being highly skilled and knowledgable about diseases and their treatment. Most of the time, English profiency (as well as Filipino proficiency) takes the backseat amidst all the things we already need to study. Somehow, even if your doctor has horrible grammar, if he treats you and you get well, who cares, right?

However, I've come to notice that having good grammar, speech skills and English proficiency are a definite plus in our field. When you have command of your language, you can easily explain all the medical mumbo-jumbo in layman's terms without missing a beat. It gives a doctor a definite edge if he or she can speak confidently in any given language.

From experience, I'm lucky to have been brought up in a bilingual household. I spoke purely in English until I went to grade school where I was exposed to Filipino. I believe I picked up quite well. Having mastery of these two languages helped me a lot during my med school years, especially when it came to dealing with patients. In my 4th year, we were exposed to the charity patients at UST who spoke only Tagalog. It was a struggle at first, explaining everything in Tagalog, but since I had a good background, I eased into it quickly. When I got to Makati Medical Center, most of the patients spoke in English and speaking the same language and speaking it well built rapport between myself and the patients quite rapidly.

When I got to the U.S. though, I silently thanked my parents and schools for teaching me good grammar. My accent is what you would call "neutralized" as I have a weird habit of picking up the accents of the people around me.

The last test of the US Medical Licensure Exam is a practical exam. There are twelve separate rooms with patients in them. Basically, we interview, examine and diagnose each patient in fifteen minutes. This is when my grammar and English skills were crucial, and it definitely made me a lot more confident when I was taking it. There were a couple of doctors of varied Asian and Middle Eastern origins also taking the exam, and I could see them struggling with their English. My seatmate, who was from the U.S., commented on how good my English was and that I didn't have an "Asian' accent.

As a whole, in medicine, content is really more important than grammar and language proficiency. However, in a place where your demographic is mostly English-speakers, proficiency and grammar are essential. It helps to build a doctor-patient relationship and it eventually leads to your patients trusting you more because they feel you're on their side.

Thanks a lot and I hope you guys at Grammar Project get more support because what you're doing is great!

-Bianca, M.D.

Passive Sentences and Diplomacy

This week's topic in Real Grammar class clarified the confusion surrounding the proper use of active and passive sentences. Hearing these terms can sometimes remind people of "yucky memories of school", as my friend so aptly puts it.

But if one knows how to maximize the use of the active and the passive voice, it can be as effective as being diplomatic with an erring company, or keeping your relationship free from stress.

Here are a few examples.

Active: Your office gave me a mobile phone that doesn't work.
Passive: A mobile phone was given to me by your office.

Active: You left the garbage bag sitting in the kitchen all night.
Passive: The garbage bag has been left sitting in the kitchen all night.

Active: Our school canceled classes due to H1N1.
Passive: Classes were canceled by our school due to H1N1.

Active: Krissy baked those biscuits last night.
Passive: Those biscuits were baked by Krissy last night.

Notice how the object of the active sentence becomes the subject in the passive sentence.


There are many technical explanations why a person should or should not use the passive voice. Check out "English With Jennifer", a very thorough video that explains all the reasons for its purpose:



Based on my own observation, passive helps immensely when you want to be indirect to avoid confrontation, lessen the emotional impact of what you wish to convey and/or distance yourself from accountability for your statement. Of course there are occasions where you shouldn't beat around the bush and must go straight to the point and be direct, making the active voice appropriate. In my opinion, the idea of the active and passive sentences also gives writers and speakers an alternative for their technique in stringing words together.

Wife to husband, scenario 1:

"You did not pay the bills on time. How can you overlook this?"

Wife to husband, scenario 2:

"The bills have not been paid on time (wife's thought bubble: '...by you'). How can this be overlooked (wife's thought bubble: '...by you')?"

Diplomacy could save the day.

Word Check: "Watch Out" For The Announcement

A friend asked if it is appropriate to say "Watch out for the announcement" as it applies to people standing by for a concert, as opposed to "Watch for the announcement".

I was briefly stumped as I obsessed my own usage of the phrasal verb and decided to open http://www.dictionary.com/. The entries are as follows:

watch (wŏch) v.

1. To look or observe attentively or carefully; be closely observant: watching for trail markers.

2. To look and wait expectantly or in anticipation: watch for an opportunity.

3. To stay alert as a devotional or religious exercise; keep vigil.
4. Phrasal Verb(s): watch out-->To be careful or on the alert; take care.

Based on these explanations, perhaps "Watch out for our concert" has become a habit, albeit an erring practice in the grammatical sense. If, on the other hand, the concert will be revolutionary, earth-shaking and the type that will create a storm amongst fans, then "watch out" could be applied because maybe it means "this is going to change things" or "this will never happen again" in music history. Also, if there is something sketchy about the concert, like the possibility of getting trampled on, then "watch out" definitely fits the bill because more often than not, "watch out" is used as a warning. However, on an ordinary basis, like giving the heads-up for a typical seminar, or updates for an event, it would simply be fine to say "Watch for some updates and visit our blog".

Thoughts?

Think About It

The World Of Baffling Educational Videos

The Amazing Grace Of My Amazing Race In Tokyo

This is one of my older blogs, posted on January 24, 2008:

Six months ago, I boarded a plane alone for a business trip.

No mom to fill out my disembarkation forms, no friend to lead the way to the gates.

It was more stressful for mom, who thought her daughter to be clueless with a whacked sense of direction. It peeves her that I get lost around the malls of Glorietta and Megamall. What more when her daughter flies off to a country where she had no contact person, where the average Philippine mobile phones won’t work and a place that barely speaks English --- like Japan?

Mom said it felt like sending me off to my first day at kindergarten all over again.

I was surprised that all throughout the plane ride, I didn’t have anxiety attacks as I did as child. I was completely calm. I was at peace with my purpose and actions. As I arrived Narita airport, a floodgate of memories were rammed open. It was my third time to step into Japan ---but the first time as an adult.

Alone.

Initially, I was frightened and overwhelmed by the idea of going all by myself for an ocular of a high-end design trade fair. But when my visa was granted on a last minute application in just two days, I knew I was meant to leave. I must admit I had my pre-conceived realities of the culture in the land of the rising sun being very serious, formal and rather impersonal.

But as I made that decision to leave, all I had aside from my check-in luggage and my laptop was a staunch heart filled with nothing but courage. I chose to challenge my wits, for the global success of our company and the team players who rally behind each other. That saying, “No guts, no glory” and the theme of Rocky IV snowy-mountain scene were playing in my head all throughout my flight.

Going to the venue of the trade fair was a sight to behold --- it looked like a gargantuan space ship that landed by the bay of Tokyo. The three-minute windy and chilly walk to the fair was accompanied by a brisk sea of black-suited men and women. It was overwhelming, I kid you not. Filled with exhibitors from across the planet, it was slightly intimidating at first as I saw names like Minotti, Disney, and other big names in the design industry. After I let that feeling pass, I felt honored to relish in the presence of fantastic and leading talents from all over. It was inspiring.

It was amazing.

It took me two days to finish going through all 600 booths. I was left with one and a half days to trot around the city. And gallop at full speed I did.

My hotel was located at the border of Tokyo --- meaning it was far from the action of the city. The next hurdle for me to overcome was riding the subway and the monorail. Now see, the only form of commute I do here, aside from driving my own car in Manila, is riding cabs which take me directly where I want to go.

The concierge handed me two maps --- a city map and a subway map. The latter looked like psychedelic noodles printed onto a sheet of paper. The city is mounted on an underground system of moving carriages. My vision blurred for a split-second with all the colors and the symbols and numbers suddenly fusing together. I was terrified all over again. The concierge, Sato and Tanaka, whom I spoke with over the phone, made me a step-by-step instruction and an itinerary to boot ready the next day.


The morning I was supposed to board my first subway by myself, I procrastinated. I sat on the bench for a good thirty minutes just watching the people hurriedly go in and out of the underground cars. Finally, I got tired of delaying so I just ran right in before the doors closed behind me. Let me tell you this --- I never had so much fun by myself in such a long time. It was so easy to follow the maps as the color of the lines on the map matched the colors of the actual signs of the stations. It was a no-brainer even for a greenhorn traveler such as myself. What I also got from the rides of my life was the chance to encounter many people in the process of getting lost.

100% of all the people I asked:
1. stopped what they were doing to listen to me talk in English
2. gave me instructions in Japanese plus lots of body language, and
3. changed their minds and said, “Ah! Come. I take you there!.”

It was totally unexpected.

I always thought they would be annoyed at some foreigner getting lost and interrupting their routine and harried pace. But I loved the fact that they smiled when I approached them as I said, “Sumimasen (Excuse me)”. As they gave me directions, they looked actually happy to have a surprise conversation --- from well-dressed businessmen reading the daily, to subway attendants signaling the train to leave, to policemen watching the people on the streets, to drugstore clerks, to old ladies punching in for a ticket and to students listening to their mp3’s. Most of the people I talked to folded their cell phones or laptops, left their own ticket queues and walked me to the right train platforms. And I must tell you, it isn’t a near walk.

Even elderly ladies who couldn’t speak English happily showed me how to work the ticket machines and showed me which buttons to press. I also encountered other foreigners who calmly explained whether I was on or off track. I came across this young family whose son took over the conversation and gave me very detailed instructions how to get to the Yurikamone station. His parents beamed at him.

Once during the trade fair, I set out on a dare to myself to point to a restaurant at random on a map and see if I could find my way. Needless to say, after people signaled they couldn’t understand me, or didn’t know the resto, I got lost and was way off track. I found myself in a rather deserted corridor that led to a taxi and bus stand. No diners in that area. Mind you, eating in Japan could be a surprise unto itself because I couldn’t fully understand what my meal was about.. I never perfectly knew what to expect because pictures weren’t always available.

At that point, my feet were aching mad in my high heels. I wanted to call it quits and just go to the common areas where all the diners were. Then I saw a tall, well-dressed man (actually, they’re all well-dressed!) with his laptop trying to do wi-fi on the stairs. I took another chance, as I wearily said, “Sumimasen. Do you speak English?”

Not only did Shibata speak English, he was also one of Japan’s government volunteers sent to the Philippines in 1991 to help in the Mt. Pinatubo disaster. He regularly shuttles in and out of the country to help in trade relations between our country and his. He not only gave me instructions, but he stopped doing his email, shut his laptop and brought me all the way to that resto I randomly chose.

During my trip, I also made it a point to observe universal kindness.

As an old man in tattered pants hobbled into the subway, I noticed from my peripheral that something fell off his pocket on the platform --- his weathered wallet. The woman behind him saw my alarmed face through the window and saw the wallet --- she picked it up and ran all the way in the subway to catch the man to hand it back and left without expecting a word.

One time I asked a middle-aged lady with her octogenarian-looking mom about the train to Ueno. She gave me some instructions strictly in Nihonggo. I gathered the meaning, and headed to where she was pointing. Then she chased after me. I realized she gave me the wrong instructions. Both mother and daughter started to give me directions at the same time in a language that sounded to me like nothing but melodies. I started to laugh at my own helplessness, as I said “Wakarimasen (I don’t understand)”. She kept repeating, “Ichi! Ichi!” I knew ichi means one, but I thought --- one what?” She signaled to stay by her side. When the train doors opened, she crossed her arms to form an X and said “I-ye” which means “no.” That was when I realized she meant, “Wait for one more train”. When I boarded the train amidst the sea of exiting commuters, I saw her look around and as she spotted me, she gave a nod of approval, and an OK sign.

On a deserted station after 7 hours of racing through the streets and Asakusa temple to the glittery world of techie Akihabara, I just wanted to get home. I had no one to ask except for this lone pretty teenager who couldn’t speak English. I just said, “Train to Ariake?” She signaled that she wasn’t sure. When she saw my distress, she made a gesture to wait, as she rushed into the open doors of the sub. I saw here look at the route posted on the wall, then she looked at me to hurry inside and motioned that it was the correct car. Then she hopped out and the train doors closed and whooshed towards Ariake before I could fully say thank you.

I only had 36 hours, including 14 hours of sleeping, to cover three areas --- the shrines of Asakusa, gadget wonderland of Akihabara and wacky Shibuya near Harajuku. It was no easy feat for the feet as I was billeted 45 minutes away from everything by subway and monorails and I also allocated 30 minutes of “lost” time per way.

In my total of 96 hours spent in the land of sushi and Tokyo street-fashion --- I experienced a tremendous level of hospitality and warmth not commonly known to many, from people whose names I’ll never know.

Most of all, I experienced the human yearning to reach out and connect --- regardless of words, regardless of language.

My own, and those of others.

At this point, I felt I had stumbled upon a very, very good secret.

Truly amazing.

First Week

Grammar Project's first week was all about good vibes and fantastic chemistry, a pool of people dedicated to constant change. All of them felt that they needed something to crank up their skills a notch higher as they go about their ministries, business transactions or PTA conferences.


Years ago, we would have our ritual culinary escapades after each class. It was heart-warming to come together over great conversation and delectably healthy food! But it was even more fulfilling to have former students support your endeavors after merely getting wind of this blog through Facebook or finding out from other friends' pages as well.

Although, it can't be predicted that I will be 100% successful with students on all occasions, what I've learned is there is a strong connection and compatibility between teacher's style and sensitivity towards student's capacity and goals. I try to go to great lengths to analyze the students' individual comprehension technique and use this as leverage for a person's productivity.

What I've realized as well is that efforts pay off as students are much more discerning than most schools give them credit for, especially if they know what they want to achieve. I am very, very grateful that students appreciate the sincerity and the value of the ideas and insights shared in class (well, I'm hoping they do!) :-)

Say: "Bolognese"

"What is the correct pronunciation of the pasta dish: bolo-neez or bolo-ne-se?"

A student wasn't sure if she should pronounce the third syllable the way one would with "cheese", or to read aloud every syllable of the word. I've been pronouncing it as bolo-ne-se. So for my peace of mind, I checked www.dictionary.com and was reminded that the dish's name has its origins from the city north of Italy: Bologna (bo-lohn-yuh). Why I never bothered pronouncing bolognese with the "nye" sound but pronounce Bologna as bo-lohn-YUH is beyond me. For added measure, I also consulted my friend who was a Chicago-based chef. She said it is typical to say bo-lo-NEEZ in America, but pronounced as bo-lo-NYE-se in its Italian form.

And what exactly is alla bolognese? It's simply a sauce made of meats stewed in tomato sauce for hours.

What Are You Sinking About?

Uh oh.

I wonder if this accounts for many accidents...

My Response To Brian

Hi Brian,

I'm happy that this blog somewhat brightens your day. The questions you posted in your letter are ones that I usually skirt around as discussing accents can be such a delicate issue.

Before I digress, let's define some parameters:
Inflection usually refers to the way your pitch or tone changes and the way you modulate your voice.
Intonation, however, is like the pattern of music and melody in your speech. It is that which distinguishes people of different cultures. Every culture has one. And even communities within English-speaking countries would have their variations as well.
Accent, on the other hand, can refer to the prominence of a syllable within the word (e.g. SPI-ri-tual vs. spi-RI-tu-AL), or it can also pertain to vowel quality (e.g. She bit me in tennis vs. She beat me in tennis). Generally, the word accent can also refer to the combination of pronunciation, intonation, sentence stress and manner of emphasis.

I don't believe Filipinos have that one particular "accent" as we are a people who speak around 170 dialects across the islands. Depending on one's roots and the people who surround you, it should come as no surprise that origins and surroundings provide the foundation of one's manner of speech. Perhaps the people you encounter are referring to the fact that you are devoid of an accent. Neutralized sounds, so to speak.

Language is a skill that is either imbibed or learned. There are people who consciously learn accents because their jobs call for it. However, it will be contrived. As Allan mentioned in his own comments, it "sounds fake" most of the time. Since you are now living in the States, how your accent changes is completely up to you. Some people can live in one place for 20 years and never learn the new home's language nor imbibe the prevailing accents. But some people move to a foreign place for 3 months and quickly assimilate using a fragmented new language.

I was once coming home from Tokyo and was standing in line waiting to get my passport stamped at NAIA. There was a Filipina holding a blue passport who tried to be discreet as she squeezed herself in the middle of the queue and made exaggerated motions of fanning herself. She had very flawed grammar but a funny-sounding American accent as she said, "Oh my gad. I habent bin to da Pilipeens since ten yearz. Iz so mainit ha. Naku, hindee nakow marunowng mag-Tagelowg." I'm almost certain I gave her a look. This woman had just insulted the language she claimed she no longer knew and, at the same time, offended the language she advertised was now hers.

My advise for you, Brian: I'm guessing you were raised to be bi-lingual, and probably even multi-lingual depending if you speak dialects. So please, by all means, uphold our tradition but master both the words of our motherland along with your acquired language. Be highly proficient in both and do English and Filipino justice by respecting their inherent rules of articulation.

In case I missed out on something, let me know.


All the best,

C.B.

Brian Writes From New York City

Dear Grammar Project,

My friends from grad school have told me that they like my accent very much, not as sing-song as those from other cultures, with very good intonation and inflection (I am not sure what those exactly mean, really). In any case, I get the same thing from front desk people or receptionists when I call for dental appointments. Some even try to guess where I am from. Most would guess incorrectly, except those who would have a lot of Filipino friends.

So my question is, what would be the advantages and disadvantages of having a Filipino accent? Also, is it a good idea to take on the accent of the place where I am at? Or
should I try to neutralize mine so I am more understandable in more places? Is that even possible?

Thank God that coming from the Philippines will mean an easier time to catch on with how other cultures speak and talk. I recall from years ago, after just a few days of staying in Sydney, napapa 'mate' na rin ako. Hahahah. So please, any advice on this would really be helpful.

Maraming salamat po at more power sa inyo pong blog.

Sincerely,

Brian, NYC

P.S. I really like the contents and articles on your blog. I visit it everyday and I thoroughly enjoy reading through the anecdotes and learning devices. Thank you and more power to you and your endeavors.

Comments on PJ's Thoughts

Allan reacts to a previous post from PJ:

"I agree. Correct grammar takes priority. Never mind accent. In my opinion, trying to speak with an American accent only tells American clients that they are talking to someone outside their country. It's obvious, it sounds fake and it is not needed.

I've been asked in the past to teach "American accent" to call center trainees. I refused unequivocally despite the "raket" rates. I said that it's impossible and unnecessary. For one, I am not an American; I could put on a cosmetic accent but it's going to be contrived and fake still. Learning correct grammar is hard enough at a late stage. And in order to learn a foreign accent, one must first pronounce properly, then "act" your desired accent. The only real way to learn an accent is maximum exposure, meaning you immerse yourself in the country of that language and accent you want to acquire.

I've spoken to many English speaking foreigners and most of them have said that they find the way we speak to be good because our English is devoid of accents. Some problems arise however when they encounter those with regional accents. But that should not matter. With all due respect to the Ilocanos for example, they have a unique accent when speaking English but mind you, they also have very good grammar. That opens the avenue for easier communication. Accent can be overcome the same way we learn to understand the British or the Australians when we speak to them for the first time. Bottom line still, GRAMMAR TAKES PRIORITY."

The State Of Philippine Education

What can be done?

Erring teachers, questionable textbook accuracy and content, spiraling statistics in proficiency --- we need a miracle.

Students Believe That Learning Is A Journey

Today began the Grammar Project. Adults busy juggling career and family life came together and said one thing: "No matter how old we are, we need to learn. Learning is neverending." I commend them for being determined enough to create opportunities to uplift their lives.

It reminds me of something my friend Mitzi forwarded. It's a video entitled, "Learn To Change, Change To Learn."

It's all about welcoming new things with open arms. It's all about creativity.

Thoughts From Inez

Some thoughts from Inez:

"I read somewhere that our dialect development is tied with our geography. Since our country is an archipelago and we have so many mountain passes, the tribes developed isolated from each other, allowing each to cultivate their own unique language.

Negros is a fascinating study of how geography influences language. In Negros Island, half of the island speaks Ilonggo (Negros Occidental) while the other speaks Visaya (Negros Oriental). A mountain range divides the two provinces. Each half speaks the language of the island across it. I guess the sea was easier to cross than the mountains."