Comments by "Jeni10" (@Jeni10) on "Do Japanese Mix Up "L" and "R" When Speaking English? | ASIAN BOSS" video.

  1. It's the Chinese who don't have R in their language consonants. The Japanese use the R sound a lot. No matter who is speaking English, their only resource to imitate the pronunciation is the sound and syllable data base they already know from their own language. The longer and more frequently you speak a second language with native speakers, the more fluent you become. Basically, you have to let go of what you know, and try to find the tongue, lip and teeth positions in order to pronounce English fluently. I actually have less trouble understanding the Japanese English because they take it as literally as they can, so pitsu is pencil, because pitsu is as close as their Japanese syllables can give them. It makes perfect sense to me! But then, I've been interested in Japan and Japanese culture since I was a teenager. Probably why I'm currently wearing a tshirt that reads "Eat the ducky moss"! (Itadakimasu) 😍 Many years ago, I was a member of the Australia-Japan Society and got to attend several concerts and gatherings. I used to teach English to adult migrants at my local community centre. There was a 93 year old lady from mainland China. She had been a professor in her own country, so she was as well educated in China as it's possible to be. She was highly intelligent and looked about 70 to me! She was having trouble with L and R. So I drew a padlock on the whiteboard, and a craggy rock. Then I looked at her and pointed to the padlock, and said "Lock L..ock". She nodded because she could hear the difference and was determined to succeed. She said, "L.. L... Lrock!" And she heard herself change from the L to the R and cracked up laughing! She was well aware that it was wrong but her mouth kept reverting to her Chinese sounds and wouldn't do what she wanted it to do. She sat there practising and giggling at her failed attempts. I loved her! 😜👍🏼😍
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