Halloween?

Jun and I were walking yesterday when she suddenly began to tell me about her PE class at school that day.

Jun: Mr. M's eyeball fell out in PE today.
Me: ??????????? His EYEBALL???
Jun: Yes. He picked it up off the floor, put in his mouth and put it back in his eye.
Me: ??????????? His EYEBALL??? (Thinking HALLOWEEN prank?!?!)
Jun: Yes. His eyeball!
Me: Perhaps it was his contact lens?
Jun: It was his eyeball.
Me: (To myself...SURELY NOT!?!?!)

I was volunteering at the school today and ran into Mr. Moore, whom I've never spoken to. I asked him right out if he wore contacts (after examining his eyes very carefully. They looked quite real, a little bloodshot maybe, but real.) He said yes. Our next Google is to look up contacts, as Jun has obviously never seen one! LOL!

Trilingual? LOL!

Jun met "Dora the Explorer" when we moved to the US. Via Amazon's Instant Videos. And, I think Jun looks somewhat like Dora with her haircut, but...

Anyway, since we came to the US, Jun has been telling people that she speaks Spanish (never Japanese). And she speaks a gibberish that sounds A LOT like Spanish.

But, thanks to Dora the Explorer, she really DOES know a few words. And some that she gets mixed up with Japanese.

In Japanese, "hora!" Means, HEY! LOOK! I TOLD YOU SO! etc.

In Spanish, "hola!" Means, HELLO!

Jun walks around saying "hola" instead of "hora!" That in itself is funny, but she also learned: como estas? along with the "hola". So, when she wants you to SEE SOMETHING! She shouts, (in Spanish) "Hello! How are you!?!?!"

More Junisms

Jun's Japanese is running away quickly! We need more Japanese friends to come and stay with us when we get our new house done.

Many people here comment on Jun's articulateness, but she still comes up with some "English" that causes me to stop and ponder!

The other day she said, in a rather firm voice, that she wanted to be "redded!" HUH? "Redded?" "YES!" Finally I figured out that she wanted to be "Redded" to! She wanted me to read her a book!

Then another day she suddenly said, "I HATE my right!" I said, "HUH?" "YES! I HATE my RIGHT!" I said, "HUH?" Finally, in desperation, she said it in Japanese. It has been a long long time since she's done this, so I was quite happy about it. "I hate my 'kaki kaki"! OHHHHH! She hates her writing. It is too big and sloppy and not even like Mama's. I told her I'd been writing approximately 40+ years longer than she had so far and that she was sure to improve with practice. Unfortunately the practice part wasn't very appealing to her! LOL!

Someday I will post about the new house that is taking our every waking minute and every sleeping thought. It is taking a bit of work to get it ready to move into. Currently we've torn out everything that needs torn out - including the kitchen and bathroom, and are starting to put things back together. We have one more month to get into it! YIKES!

What are Butterscotch Chips For?

My Mom said it isn't bribery. She said it was a reward. I don't remember getting either bribes OR rewards as a kid. Maybe they stopped before I got old enough to remember? Mom?

We have a bit of a situation here. Our very bi-lingual daughter is becoming 1 1/2 lingual. Meaning she still understands a lot of Japanese, but prefers to speak in English. And she will tell you that herself!

And we have a husband/daddy who is a native speaker of Japanese, but who needs to learn English.

And a wife/mama who speaks Japanese with Daddy and English with the daughter. And often is carrying on conversations with both of them simultaneously in different languages at the dinner table.

So, anyway, to get back to the butterscotch chips, we have a friend coming from Japan for a week around Thanksgiving time. We can't wait to see her and can't wait for her to speak to Jun in JAPANESE - which she promises to do!

We are trying to get Jun's tongue to move Japanese style before our friend gets here, so we have set dinnertime for everyone to speak Japanese. However, EVERYONE seems to forget this.

It's amazing how a growable/shrinkable pile of butterscotch chips can jog one's memory! I doled out five to each of us. If Ryu or I spoke English, we had to give up a chip. If Jun spoke Japanese she got another chip and if she spoke English she lost one. Ryu ended up with three chips. Jun ended up with 14. I ended up with my original five and a daughter who thought speaking Japanese was SO much fun and who can't wait to play this game again tomorrow! With sprinkles. Minute sized sprinkles.

And, with sprinkles we will INDEED play this game at breakfast with our chocolate chip peanut butter granola. Let me know if you need the recipe!

Thankful: Today wasn't the happiest day of my life. It started with having to roast a 25 lb (11 kilo) turkey for church. I don't think anything went wrong with it, but...I felt the stress. I guess I'm thankful for all the leaves that had fallen in our yard as they gave me something to rake and release some of that stress!

What Can I Say? She's Cute!

Jun loves to try to read things. She is pretty good with her short vowel words - even with more than three letters. So, the other day, as we were following Dad's truck down the road, I asked her, "What does F-O-R-D spell?" She said, "Pick-up!" I'm waiting to get a check from the Ford Motor Company!



We just heard that Jun's dear babysitter will be visiting us for a few weeks this summer from Japan! We waited to tell Jun until it was all finalized. This morning she piped up, "I'm so excited because K-san is coming! We're going to learn her some English!" Good luck, K-san!

I got an e-mail the other day saying that Jun starts Kindergarten on Aug. 23rd. And I burst into tears. Jun came over quickly, climbed on my lap and gave me one of those hugs that is accompanied by thumps on the back. Then, she hopped down and went back to helping Daddy wash shoes on the back porch, and said, "Mama's crying because she loves me so so much!" And I cried again.

Tonight she asked what color people's hearts were, and offered a string of colors for me to choose from. Of course, right before bed. I said, "hearts are all sorts of colors." Then I remembered the "wordless book" that was used in my own Sunday School classes, and I backed up a bit. Even Jun isn't too young to realize that she does bad things that make her heart a black color. And she loves her Jesus very much and knows He died on the cross and is ALIVE again. Helping her understand all that Jesus' death and resurrection mean will take lots more of these spontaneous conversations, but she does know that Jesus washes hearts CLEAN and makes them white again! And that's a really good start!

Naturally Challenged

Well, for all my growing of geraniums on the balcony in Japan, taking trips to the park, walking by the flower shop, etc., Jun's encounters with nature were a bit too limited I think.

I drew a tulip for her on the sidewalk with chalk yesterday. Just the top. You know, with a smile and a W. Then she asked me to draw the handle.

Or perhaps her source of the English language just wasn't all it should have been. (SMILE!)

Herbivores and Carnivores

In an attempt to compensate for being the ONLY English influence other than DVD's and an occasional play date with English speaking friends and the grandfather at the park who thinks "change" is the English word we use to share things, I'm trying to take an extra step when I teach Jun something.

I also try to be as honest as possible. Like, "are lions friendly?" "Well, they are meat eaters, so...what do you think?" "And giraffes?" "Well, they are...non meat eaters...I REMEMBER...herbivores! And lions are carnivores!"

Jun: (With Cinderella on the brain.) Is the wicked stepmother a meat eater?

I nearly fell off the chair laughing. Then I stopped. Well, if she isn't a vegetarian...I guess she probably is. LOL!

How Kids Become Bilingual - Interesting Article

How Kids Become Bilingual

Why?

Keep in mind that 99.9% of Jun's wonderful English ability (well, that's what EVERYONE tells me!) is due to her mother's wonderful English ability! We have very little contact with English speakers here 30 min. from the great city of Tokyo. My bad, I'm sure, but...

So, I try to keep an eye on her English. For awhile she was going through a "what" stage. I thought it was time for the "why" and was worried she wouldn't pick it up herself. I thought that the "why" stage was very important because it teaches reasoning and cause and effect.

Somehow Jun HAS entered the "why" stage. Not sure if it was my misguided influence or what. Now I know what the "why" stage REALLY teaches. How to drive your mother mad. Yep. Teaching a Mama to be patient is the sole reason why a kid goes through this stage.

And my worries that Jun wouldn't grasp this important language point? Well yesterday she had this conversation with...herself.

Jun: Mama, can I go outside why?

Nary giving me a second to say yay or nay. I'd say we are a little Over Why'd here!

Bilingual Monkey - NOT!

OK, I need some rational assistance here!!!

Jun has been talking since she was born...well, at least since she was one - as far as I can remember. I started teaching her sign language at about 10 months - she learned about 5 signs, and then at one, started using the words for the signs, so I gave THAT up, and she has been speaking ever since. This is only "remarkable" because I heard/read that kids growing up in a bilingual environment often start to speak later than those in a monolingual. So, I was kind of surprised to hear her start talking so soon.

Her "go-to" language has changed off an on over the past 2 years. Sometimes she goes on a Japanese jag and sometimes an English, even with me. However, after our trip to the US last Dec., she seems to have maintained her grip on English and added to her Japanese.

Before she started talking, someone told me about another bilingual child who had experienced real and bad stress from having to live in a bilingual world. So, I've kept an eye on her language use and stress. Until now, I haven't noticed anything at all. I have also been low key in asking her to use one or the other languages (depending on who she is talking to.)

That being said - she does the bilingual stuff just GREAT! She generally speaks to Daddy in Japanese and me in English. She saw a blond daddy and little boy on a bicycle and asked if they were "English" (the language). She has started labeling people as English or Japanese.

She asked the other night if she was Japanese. I told her that her body was Japanese, but that she spoke Japanese and English. Oh, she said, like Yu-kun! (A bilingual Japanese young man from our church.) YEAH! I thought! There is a person she is "like." But she is very aware of the languages she speaks/hears right now. It is a big deal to her. Sensitive? I don't know, but, it is an important time, I think!

Well, I guess we have been around "new" kids and Mamas a lot lately. And, I guess their kids are starting to talk more and more, so that seems to be the topic of conversation. "Is Jun bilingual?"

Let me set a "typical" stage for you. Jun and I are among "unknown Mamas." I speak to Jun in English - don't jump off the cliff. You know, those important messages. Suddenly, all eyes and ears are on us, and the "bilingual" talk starts. Oh, I wish my kid was bilingual. What a wonderful environment to grow up in. I wish our kids could be friends...etc.

So, I am running out of things to say that stop the "flow" (especially as these conversations are right in front of Jun), but aren't rude. I've tried: Atarimai (the fact Jun is bilingual should be no surprise, as she has parents from TWO language countries.) That didn't go over too well, even though I said it in a very kind voice. I also tried: Yes, isn't it interesting to see how kids' brains develop when they learn two languages. That is just a little tiring to keep saying each time "BILINGUAL" comes up. I've also done the "sponge" spiel about how little kids soak up info and pronunciation so easily...ad nauseum.

So, do you have bilingual kids? What language do you talk to them outside your home? What do you say to those BILINGUAL wishing Mamas? HELP!!!!

Who Am I?

No philosophy here. Just a simple question!

Last night at the dinner table:

Ryu - When did she (Jun) start calling you Mommy?

Me - Yesterday.

Ryu - Oh.

Now, she calls me "okaasan" (mother in Japanese) when it is my turn to finish up her tooth brushing. After all, that's what the little boy on TV says when it is time for HIS "okaasan" to finish up his teeth! I say, ANYTHING to get her to let me brush her teeth. So, each evening, I am Okaasan for a bit.

Recently she has become interested in names, and kind of has Ryu's and mine straight.

But, as there are NO AMERICANS and NO ENGLISH speakers, anywhere around us, and I have never heard "Mommy" on the TV/Videos she watches, and I have never referred to myself as "Mommy," I am pretty much at a loss as to where she picked THIS up. Not that I mind it. I'm just surprised. I had planned for her NOT to use "Mommy" because I thought that, if we lived in Japan forever and ever, she wouldn't have the contact with peers who gradually change from Mommy to Mama to Mom. So my theory went. Anyway, I guess I'll have the chance to see if it is right or not. If we live in Japan forever and ever.

Jeopardy Quiz - by Jun

I put this on MY blog, and no body answered the questions. I thought Mama's friends might be up to the challenge, so PLEASE let me know what YOU think!

1. Can you give the right question?
   We get there by train. Sometimes we get to ride a bus there too. Ojiichan and Obaachan (Japanese Grammy and Grandpa) live there. QUESTION: What is Toe key a?
   
2. There are some in my pink piano. Some in my red song book. Mama said I shouldn’t try to shove one of them into the hole on my baby gate. QUESTION: What are ballerinas?
   
3. When Mama was a little girl, they put it under her tongue…and when she was REALLY little, somewhere else. I put it under my arm. We have a big round one on the balcony. I like to play with the one in the bathroom. QUESTION: What is a Mama Deer

I'd Like Your 10 Cents Worth! (Opinion!)

I studied Japanese in a couple of schools and with several tutors. However, I learned "park Japanese," sitting beside Jun in the sandbox at our park, listening to Mamas of older kids prompt their children to say greetings and interact "properly."

A word that we picked up at the park was "kasshite." Officially this means "lend me," but can be spoken in that demanding voice that means "GIMMEEE!" Trying to avert this, I tried to teach Jun to say "kasshite kudasai." "Please lend me." Unfortunately, that can also be said quite well in the demanding voice. "Kasshite kureru?" "Could you please lend me?" is a question, so it is a little harder to use a demanding voice for it, however, I've been told by Daddy that NO JAPANESE kid says that. Hmmm. (Keeping in mind, that kids this age aren't using that many words as it is!)

A couple of weeks ago, Jun and I were playing with the broken toys in front of a tea house near us. Another Mama and little girl (pink shoes, anyway), were playing too. Of course we struck up a bit of a conversation, and it turns out her child was 3. Later when Jun (2 1/2) was wanting to play with a broken train that the older girl had just begun playing with, the Mama prompted her daughter to say "atode" (later). I nearly fell over in shock. As the kid's video "Shimajiro" teaches, when someone says "kasshite", the ONLY response is "hai, dozo" (yes, here you are). However, even as I was catching my balance, her response rang a bell for me. Why must the only answer be "yes" if you are currently playing with said toy? Why can't you say "later", or "please wait a bit?"

When I told my husband this story, he nearly fell off his chair. He really worried about this mother and how she (and thus, her child) would be accepted by other mothers at the park. So, I took my research a bit farther. Our pastor's wife works part time at a day care with the little ones. These kiddos are with each other all day. Kind of like a big family. Not the "love 'em and leave 'em" relationships we have at the park. I asked what they teach the kids to say at day care. And, they teach them to say, "I'm playing with it right now, I'll lend it to you later." Which sounds like "real life." But, then, when she heard the little girl was OLDER than Jun, and wasn't told to lend/share her toy, she was a little surprised. (However, I don't remember if I ever told Jun's age, so...)

As much as possible, I think I do the "when in Rome, do as the Romans," so, will continue thinking through how to do the "lend me" stuff in Japanese, but teaching Jun about her own boundaries and the boundaries of others. So, if you could tell me what you do, have seen done, or did as a kid, this would be great! If you don't mind telling your and, if you have one, your spouse's nationality, the different cultures' approaches to this may turn out to be really interesting.

Please Comment!

No Plus Yes Equals???

I taught the old English grammar of "no means yes" yesterday and was reminded of some of Junnie and Grandpa's conversations this past Christmas vacation. Here's a sample:

Grandpa: Do you want a cracker, Junnie?

Junnie: No. (I don't want a cracker.)

Grandpa: You don't want a cracker?

Junnie: Yes. (I don't want a cracker.)

Grandpa: Here's the cracker.

Jun has the Japanese grammar down pat. However, it doesn't work in English. American English, anyway, which is the only English I know.

So, my question for you all is this:

If English, other than American English, is your language - is this grammar point the same as it is in American English? Probably a silly question, but...

If you speak another language, do you have this issue with negatives and positives when learning English? How does your language do it?

Junnie and Grandpa never seemed worried by the outcome of these conversations, so I never joined in. I was hoping Jun would pick up the grammar by osmosis. So much for that hope! I need to TEACH this, I guess! Any ideas?

Tired?

I took a shower all by myself, again and left Jun with Daddy for a few minutes. When I got out, I heard wails and crying. What now???

Uncharacteristically, Daddy got angry with Jun. Well, I have been known to do the same, so I asked what had happened.

Daddy and Junnie were drawing pictures on some scrap paper cards on the living room floor. At some point, Daddy decided they needed to pick the cards up, and told Junnie to help him. Junnie climbed up on the sofa and said, "Junnie tired. Only Daddy do it." And Ryu hit the roof. And I tried to understand.

Most of Ryu's surprise anger has had to do with our language restrictions, so first I translated what Jun said into Japanese. And, I guess the word for tired, tsukareta, is kind of a big word for a two year old to use, but...Ryu was shocked and offended.

I explained that in English it is alright for a two year old to say she is tired. It doesn't mean she should get away with not helping clean up, but the phrase itself is not rude.

And, I am sure she is only repeating what I have probably said every day of her short two years of life! "Mama's tired. Junnie, do it!"

My Finger Is Slipping

Jun's language has always been advanced. Can you really say that of a child who is only two? Probably not, but I had heard that kids learning two languages simultaneously may take longer to talk than kids learning one. Jun speaks and understands Japanese and English pretty well, and has done so since...a long time ago.

However, I was warned, before Jun began talking, that some kids who must learn two languages at the same time feel stress, so I have kept an eye out for Jun and am careful not to insist she speak either language, though I do coach her with Japanese words for Japanese speakers and English words for English speakers. Or, I would coach her for English speakers if there were ANY English speakers in our life here in Japan other than ME! I feel like I have my finger in a leak in the levee and am trying to stop Jun from being completely drowned in Japanese, but my finger is slipping, and her Japanese is getting better and better daily. Which is GOOD! But, we want her English to be just as wonderful!

The other day after a morning of lots of play and lots of Japanese and a bit of English thrown in for good measure, Jun woke up from her nap in a terrible mood. For the first time, she refused to speak English or Japanese. She consistently used the whine and point method of communication. This was the first sign of stress that I have seen in Jun. Well, I wasn't sure if it was stress, being tired, or being two.

So, I loaded her 10.2 kilos (22 pounds or so) up in the sling, and we went for a long long walk. Chatting and looking around and being face to face all "alone". It was so much fun for us both. Jun started chattering away again, and we all relaxed.

I am looking forward to our next trip to the States to give her another pure dose of ol' English conversation 101!

Translation PLEEAAASE!

I was asked yesterday, who taught Jun to say "up". HA! She loves to be picked up and sit on the pastor's lap when he plays the piano. The other day she was holding my keys for me and I NEEDED them to lock the door. We learned "right back", as in I will give the keys right back to you. And, I have to take out the trash, I will be right back. We practiced that all the way to church.

She also says "AH LA!" A wonderful Japanese expression of surprise and maybe a little regret. Like, the pancake fell on the floor all by itself - or not! "AH LALALALALA!" is a big expression of regret. Kind of like Oops! but with much more feeling and tongue work. "Yoisho" is the Japanese word used by us older types when we lift heavy things, like 9 kilo babies. I have been using it, well, for many many years. Jun uses it very well too. Too cute.

I understand that "ma" means "no", and "mama" may mean "no no". "Meeee" is "please", and "GO" means GOOOOO!!!

I get most of what she tries to say unless she is talking to herself, and then, your guess is as good as mine.

However, I have been wondering about a word that is very important to her for a long time. Today one of my students asked what it meant. I DON'T KNOW! And it is a very very important word. She says it with much feeling, but all of my cross-cultural observation skills and language guesses are coming up with nothing. The word? "MaaaMeee". And, she doesn't mean "Mama" or "Mommy". Any guesses?