A view from Vietnam

[Mulboyne]

Vietnam News: Student turns a hobby into a career

Quynh Trang wants to join the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. To achieve this aim, she must become proficient – first in Japanese, then in English. Trang was a former student at the Foreign Language Special High School under the University of Language and International Studies at Viet Nam University in Ha Noi. She came first in an examination to enter Ha Noi university in 2010. She talks to Ngoc Anh about her learning and living.

Inner Sanctum: Why did you choose Japanese first? Did your parents advise you to learn the language?

I could see that English was very popular throughout the world and that many people knew it well. I wanted to learn a new language and I chose Japanese. Moreover, I like and admire the country and people. Japanese are tough, unyielding, united and responsible. They have developed their country to world standards and I believe Vietnamese have enough ability to do the same. My parents always advised me to learn Japanese.

....

Inner Sanctum: Can you tell me about your time in Hiroshima? Was it difficult?

When I went to Japan, I learnt at a high school, took part in all subjects and extra-lessons. Moreover, three times a week I studied Japanese with native teachers.

When I had free time, volunteers introduced me to famous landscapes in Hiroshima and traditional food, including how to prepare it. At first, I was very shy and I lost two kilograms because of the stress.

I often did not understand what they meant – and they also didn't understand what I meant. Their ways of speaking seemed to vary from the knowledge that I had acquired. Sometimes, I had no idea what they were saying or asking. On top of this, I had some difficulty adjusting to a uniquely Japanese food diet. I couldn't eat some of it.

Fortunately, I received a lot of help from teachers and the American Field Service volunteers in Hiroshima, who were always full of enthusiasm. They not only taught me, but took care of me when I was homesick and had trouble with my studies.

Gradually, I built up my language skills through practice. I was able to speak bravely and open-heartedly with everyone and become much more self-confident. Learning became more interesting.

Inner Sanctum: What do you think about Japanese? Is it difficult?

I don't think learning Japanese is difficult. The language is very logical and interesting. For example, each person seems to have a different pronunciation, but it doesn't matter. It isn't the same with English.

[Coligny]

Correction from the article: What a Vietnamese hook... ehmm... student... might look like:



Damn, we are quite overdue in retaking this, colony... ehmmm protectorate... whatever...

[Greji]

Correction from the article: What a Vietnamese hook... ehmm... student... might look like:



Damn, we are quite overdue in retaking this, colony... ehmmm protectorate... whatever...

Choi Yoi!!!!!

[Screwed-down Hairdo]

I woudn't mind using my old Da Nang to give that little Khe san one up the Dien Bien Phu...

[Iraira]

Những bộ ngực Lớn!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Coligny]

Her name is Elly... Sumthing... her main jobs seems to be "looking good with glasses in front of guys with camera" main skills: huge boobs and no penis.







Got few moar pict... but no few less (clothing) picts... Vietnam being like all integrist religious countries... or communists... (fuck you WORLD) a little porn shy... after all; Humans ARE the disease...

[Samurai_Jerk]

Vietnam News: Student turns a hobby into a career

I'm not sure what she means by "each person seems to have a different pronunciation, but it doesn't matter".

Anyway, I know a Japanese lady that has to travel to Vietnam regularly for work. She said she really likes the people there because they are culturally very similar to the Japanese (polite, reserved, respectful, blahblahblah). I have no experience there so I have no idea whether or not it's true. Any of you guys agree with her (or think she's bat-shit insane)?

[Iraira]

I'm not sure what she means by "each person seems to have a different pronunciation, but it doesn't matter".

Anyway, I know a Japanese lady that has to travel to Vietnam regularly for work. She said she really likes the people there because they are culturally very similar to the Japanese (polite, reserved, respectful, blahblahblah). I have no experience there so I have no idea whether or not it's true. Any of you guys agree with her (or think she's bat-shit insane)?

I was incarcerated at UC Irvine back in the 1990s, as a bio major, which means that I was a regular in Little Saigon. All I can comment on are the Vietnamese-Americans I knew. Mostly nice peeps, a few a^holes, pretty much like you'll find everywhere.
The Viet guys claimed that Vietnamese guys have a sensor built into their brains that detects when a Vietnamese woman is in earshot, so they have time to change the subject from sex to cars (the lower the better), what med school they want to go to, or where the best pho or bun bo hue is in Little Saigon. According to these guys, whites don't have this sensor and talk about pussy in front of everyone. I'm proud of this.

[Greji]

[quote="Iraira"]Nhữ]
Isn't that Yiddish, with a Korean accent?
(Anything you can't get into your mouth doesn't count)

[Iraira]

Isn't that Yiddish, with a Korean accent?

You so meshuga.....and you're on the right track to the meaning.

[Taro Toporific]

You so meshuga.....and you're on the right track to the meaning.

Totally off topic: On my first taxi ride in Japan, the driver insistently asked me, Massuguni?" (straight ahead), but I thought he was calling me "meshuga" (crazy).

[Mike Oxlong]

Her name is Elly... Sumthing...

Elly Tran Ha

http://www.asian-sirens.com/blog/comments.php?id=2238_0_1_0_C

[Fullback]

Probably not a good idea to open this ^ link at work. But certainly worth a look if you're not at work.