Comments on other things amanzi: friendly fire (eish)

Speaking of onomatopoeic words, Japanese people lo...

2009-08-05T15:47:57.791+02:00

Speaking of onomatopoeic words, Japanese people love to claim that their language has more of these words than almost any other. In my basic dictionary, the author tells the poor reader with authority, "These words must be committed to memory for a basic understanding of Japanese language." and there are about 3 and half pages! Maybe 15 words on a page....It is true that you can hear them in many conversations, but really, in a Grammar dictionary...

In regard to your expression, Japanese doesn't have as many such filthy words as English, there are not any true curse words,as near as I can tell. Why? I'm not sure. Maybe Buddhism and Shinto aren't as versatile as the Christians for that sort of thing. Of course you can copy the translation in the English to Japanese dictionary, but the length of the phrase to say a simple thing is quite dispiriting. By the time you get that all out of your mouth, you have gotten over whatever caused the reaction....Of course the Japanese young people try to copy all things Hollywood. But if no one understands you? What's the point?
There is a handy short expression I use a lot which translates as, "It can't be helped!"

Interestingly enough, the French have a label for ...

2009-08-05T04:31:56.246+02:00

Interestingly enough, the French have a label for an equivalent "eish," but not an "eish" itself.

Sort of onomatopoeic, if only moments made sound... and exemplified by a kind of negative accident.

God, I love your posts! Thanks ever so much.

Bongi, I was unclear with my statement. I was lame...

2009-08-04T14:47:39.185+02:00

Bongi, I was unclear with my statement. I was lamenting the current state of the Defence Force, if it can still be called that.

I guess "Oops" with shoulder-shrug is another translation for eish.

Bongi, how can you...make me laugh at such a horri...

2009-08-03T17:42:49.271+02:00

Bongi, how can you...make me laugh at such a horrifying event! Its despicable! :P

'ouch', all I can say!

2009-08-03T17:09:42.119+02:00

'ouch', all I can say!

Here in the UK,where they frown upon any expletive...

2009-08-03T11:44:39.249+02:00

Here in the UK,where they frown upon any expletives at work...but where I am frequently working with other Saffers...we tend to use 'esih' as a synonym for "oh f**k...look at this idiot and what he has managed to do to himself"...usually accompanied by raising of eyebrows...shaking of head...usually said in a defeated tone

No the modern answer is "AAAAAAAA sorry for that!!...

2009-08-03T10:46:18.490+02:00

No the modern answer is "AAAAAAAA sorry for that!!!!"

Oh

2009-08-03T01:36:01.997+02:00

rlbates: eish is more of a shoulder-shrug "Oh well...

2009-08-03T01:11:10.607+02:00

rlbates: eish is more of a shoulder-shrug "Oh well" translation. Or Jaw-Dropping-Action-followed-by "Sux"; that's the closest I can remember from my time in Mass.

My first thought was "Oh my God" so perhaps that i...

2009-08-03T01:02:29.928+02:00

My first thought was "Oh my God" so perhaps that is a polite translation. Another would be "oh sh*t" or "f*ck"

So tragic as to be almost funny as Jabulani knows.

juggledoc i did specify the modern south africa.

2009-08-03T00:51:46.270+02:00

juggledoc i did specify the modern south africa.

In the old SA military, this could never happen. B...

2009-08-03T00:47:03.140+02:00

In the old SA military, this could never happen. But, having worked in both and at 3 Mil, I am not surprised.

Perhaps inappropriately, I burst out laughing and ...

2009-08-03T00:42:17.836+02:00

Perhaps inappropriately, I burst out laughing and then immediately thought ... "Now he's going to have to explain 'ne'." *chuckle*