I work at two elementary schools, one middle school, and four preschools as an English teacher for Japanese kids. I live in Kuma-gun, which is a part of southern Kumamoto Prefecture surrounded by mountains. In this region, they speak a dialect called "Kuma-ben." It's similar to Kumamoto-ben in many ways, but apparently there are a lot of differences too. As I continue living here, I learn more about this interesting dialect little by little through the conversations I have and hear around me.
February 26th, 2010
Today I was at one of my elementary schools, preparing materials for my first class in the staff room. The vice principle was talking to the receptionists in the doorway near my desk. I wasn't really listening until I heard the vice principle say this:
どぎゃんしてかむとう？
I would never have understood this phrase when I first got here six months ago! However, in standard dialect, I've come to learn that it translates to this:
どんなふうにかむの？
Or in English, "In what way do you bite it?" I wish I had heard more of the conversation, but I had to go to class.
*****
Today I went to the post office during lunch break so that I could apply for the Sakura marathon. Unfortunately, there was a downpour. When I came back, a bunch of first graders were in the hallway, getting ready to clean the floors with their little rags. When they saw me they started screaming, "Aurora sensei, I saw you!" Then they asked me (and I have no idea how this idea got in their heads), "Did you go to America by bike?" I laughed and answered, "Of course! I went there and back just now!" Even though I said it sarcastically, they all gasped and said, "really??!" "No way!" "Wow!" I love first graders.
