Yuzuru Hanyu: 2014-15 Season

[Maria Victoria]

His English is worse than I expected.

He is trying. I don't want him to give up.

I wonder if boxing is his choice as "something new" for him. The only figure skater I recall who did boxing (as in inside a ring and not for off ice training) is Tonya Harding...

 

[gsyzf]

Why would you say that? I understood him easily from the very first time I saw that video. "L" seems to be a struggling sound to pronounce but he does it quite well.

I kind of expected his English to have improved a lot. But I forgive him. It's good to see him try. I wasn't that serious in my comment.

 

[Sorrento]

I kind of expected his English to have improved a lot. But I forgive him It's good to see him try.

When you learn a foreign language from scratch it is a progress, especially when dealing with weird sound combinations which are soooooo different from your mother tongue. He's good. Not perfect but he had spent almost entire last season at home and not with his bros at Toronto, how could he possibly get advanced with a spoken English? His written must have been improved much more since he had to communicate with Brian via e-mails.

 

[xibsuarz]

Am I the only one who thinks that his English is kind of better when he's not trying? I mean trying for interviews (in this case the commercial). I kind of hear him talking with a little more fluidity when he's talking to Brian in the K&C and such (even if there aren't any direct mics there one can sometimes make out what they're saying if the music is not too loud and it sounds good to me). Or maybe it's because in those moments he uses vocabulary he's familiar with, idk.

 

[cruzceleste]

Am I the only one who thinks that his English is kind of better when he's not trying? I mean trying for interviews (in this case the commercial). I kind of hear him talking with a little more fluidity when he's talking to Brian in the K&C and such (even if there aren't any direct mics there one can sometimes make out what they're saying if the music is not too loud and it sounds good to me). Or maybe it's because in those moments he uses vocabulary he's familiar with, idk.

Maybe he is relaxed when he is with Bryan, and is not the same speaking by yourself than reading lines from a commercial

 

[Geo1]

When you learn a foreign language from scratch it is a progress, especially when dealing with weird sound combinations which are soooooo different from your mother tongue. He's good. Not perfect but he had spent almost entire last season at home and not with his bros at Toronto, how could he possibly get advanced with a spoken English? His written must have been improved much more since he had to communicate with Brian via e-mails.

Most Japanese are better at reading and writing English. They have trouble with speaking and listening to English. I have had professional translators of documents (English to Japanese and Japanese to English) who were very proficient at reading and writing English, but really struggled with listening to and speaking English.

I think the problem is that although English is taught in Japanese schools, most of the teachers have never traveled abroad or otherwise mastered the proper pronunciation of English words themselves and this is perpetuated with the students.

I understand that many of the private foreign English tutors in Japan do not have formal educational training nor do they speak, read or write Japanese fluently.

I am Japanese-Canadian and my wife is Japanese. I cannot read or write Japanese, but am fairly fluent in spoken Japanese. My ability to speak Japanese and understand it has improved about 1000% since being married to my wife 24 years ago. My wife is able to read and write English fairly well, but still has difficulty and lacks confidence with speaking it.

My wife is able to pronounce sounds like "L", "R" and "V" quite well. I found that I can teach people how to pronounce English words and sounds by noticing the placement of the tongue inside the mouth and then having the Japanese person do the same thing. I noticed that Japanese people, because they are not familiar with how these sounds are made, go back to relying on the only sounds they know so that sounds like "V" end up sounding like "B". (In order to make the "V" sound, for example, I found that I place my front upper teeth lightly on top of my bottom lip and my tongue behind my bottom lip and teeth before attempting the sound. If I don't place my front upper teeth on top of my bottom lip, it comes out sounding like "B".)

 

[Lindacrow]

Most Japanese are better at reading and writing English. They have trouble with speaking and listening to English. I have had professional translators of documents (English to Japanese and Japanese to English) who were very proficient at reading and writing English, but really struggled with listening to and speaking English.

I think the problem is that although English is taught in Japanese schools, most of the teachers have never traveled abroad or otherwise mastered the proper pronunciation of English words themselves and this is perpetuated with the students.

I understand that many of the private foreign English tutors in Japan do not have formal educational training nor do they speak, read or write Japanese fluently.

I am Japanese-Canadian and my wife is Japanese. I cannot read or write Japanese, but am fairly fluent in spoken Japanese. My ability to speak Japanese and understand it has improved about 1000% since being married to my wife 24 years ago. My wife is able to read and write English fairly well, but still has difficulty and lacks confidence with speaking it.

My wife is able to pronounce sounds like "L", "R" and "V" quite well. I found that I can teach people how to pronounce English words and sounds by noticing the placement of the tongue inside the mouth and then having the Japanese person do the same thing. I noticed that Japanese people, because they are not familiar with how these sounds are made, go back to relying on the only sounds they know so that sounds like "V" end up sounding like "B". (In order to make the "V" sound, for example, I found that I place my front upper teeth lightly on top of my bottom lip and my tongue behind my bottom lip and teeth before attempting the sound. If I don't place my front upper teeth on top of my bottom lip, it comes out sounding like "B".)

Well, it seems Yuzu does not have a problem reading, writing or listening to English, just speaking

 

[firal]

Better video of the news program that includes the newest boxing CM...plus Mao on a giant hot dog/sub...yep.

Edit to add: was this posted? From Plushy's instagram. Nice shot!

 

[Lambari]

99% (all of them tbh) of the Yuzuru commercials gives me SO much second hand embarassment, I can't I'd love to live in Japan and watch those type of commercials daily. Are most of the CMs quite embarassing or it's just Yuzuru who got the short end of the stick? The Mao commercials that I've seen seem pretty decent ... Yuzuru's however ....... I can't even begin to discuss And who came up with the idea of boxing for him, lord, out of all the sports available, I mean c'mon

Better video of the news program that includes the newest boxing CM...plus Mao on a giant hot dog/sub...yep.

Ok, so maybe Mao has her fair amount of one of a kind commercials too

 

[Geo1]

Well, it seems Yuzu does not have a problem reading, writing or listening to English, just speaking

I agree that Yuzuru's listening skills are improving and much better than his speaking skills, but I would not go as far as to say that he has no problems with it. Having no problems means being able to understand everything perfectly. Yuzuru himself has mentioned his difficulties with language from time to time – and not just about speaking it. Brian Orser has said that there are times when Yuzuru responds to him, "yeah, yeah, yeah" as if he understood what Brian said to him – and it turns out that he didn't.

 

[Pamigena]

Learning the correct pronunciation of another language is always difficult if it has sounds that aren't part of your native language. Then making those sounds doesn't come naturally and, like Geo1 said, it has to be learned how to produce those sounds. (Describing the placement of the tongue is actually fairly common when you want to teach someone how to make a sound. Just think back to the time you were taught how to say a proper "th" in English.)

But pronunciation can be tricky. Some people just can't do it and struggle with this all their lives. At the university I knew this girl who had the worst accent imaginable (I sometimes had trouble understanding her when she spoke German). She could write essays in English that were the most beautiful thing you'd ever read. But her pronunciation was a nightmare. I don't know how many people I've seen struggle with the "R" sounds in Spanish classes. I was lucky there because the rolled R is something I'm used to thanks to my accent. But you try putting me in a French class. That will not look pretty, and it will sound even worse.

I noticed that Japanese people, because they are not familiar with how these sounds are made, go back to relying on the only sounds they know

That's pretty much all you can do when you can't make a sound like it's supposed to be. Funnily enough, I've been taught that if I couldn't say the Japanese "R" like it's supposed to sound, I should just say "L" instead, because that would at least be close. Well, close enough anyway I'll just assume that Japanese students are taught something similar when they have problems with pronunciation.

I've been told that Japanese students often learn English like we would learn, for example, Latin. It's mostly about grammar and vocabulary, but it's not so much about learning how to use it as a spoken language. And I'm not sure if this is just a stereotype, but somehow I can very well imagine it to be true: apparently many Japanese just avoid using the language because they're afraid of making a mistake and then sounding stupid. If you don't use a language, it'll be pretty hard to learn how to speak it.

Truth be told, it was quite astonishing to see how people in Japan would often go out of their way to avoid speaking English. When you're in a big-*** hotel in the middle of a major city like Tokyo, you pretty much expect that at least the staff at the reception would be proficient in English. I have learned fairly quickly not to expect that usually they had at least one person on duty who knew at least some English, you just had to hope that this one person wasn't busy when you needed something (one time the reception lady ran away to get one of the kitchen ladies. That was actually pretty hilarious.) On the other hand, there were some delightful exceptions, like the one time when we were totally lost at Sendai station, and a sweet old lady came over and asked us in broken English if we needed help. And then there was the university student who didn't even try it with English but instead reverted to miming and interpretive dance to give us directions. That was actually funnier than the kitchen lady

 

[Interspectator]

Yuzu boxing...who would have thunk it??

 

[Pamigena]

And who came up with the idea of boxing for him, lord, out of all the sports available, I mean c'mon

could've been worse could've been sumo
(although it would've been interesting to see the outfit for that commercial *ehehermmm*)

 

[Interspectator]

I'm pretty sure if he were boxing he would be in the Flyweight class. I didn't even know they had this.

 

[Maria Victoria]

could've been worse could've been sumo
(although it would've been interesting to see the outfit for that commercial *ehehermmm*)

But Pamina, sumo is not an Olympic sport.

I'm pretty sure if he were boxing he would be in the Flyweight class. I didn't even know they had this.

:hopelessness: After CoC I don't think I'm up to seeing him in a blood sport even if he meets the weight requirements.

 

[Meoima]

So I didn't know today is Olympic day. From Echo Cheng, facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1610393525875114/

International Olympics Committee annually invites some of young top athletes to play another sport besides their expertise to promote "Olympics spirits" and the appeal of sports around the world.
On Olympic Day, the theme is "regardless of age or ability, enjoy more sports with no timidity."
This year, figure skater Yuzu (20 y/o) is invited to play boxing, and American golf player Michelle Wie (25 y/o) is to play basketball.
According to NHK sports news, IOC invited Yuzu to this event because of Tokyo will be holding 2020 summer Olympics and he is the gold medalist of Sochi Olympics.

HD clip: http://dai.ly/x2v12tu
Youtube: https://youtu.be/9r6JTgpGbZU

 

[yhmafan]

Mao talked about Yuzuru on her radio show yesterday!! :yay:
(Very rough translation by me so feel free to correct me if there is something wrong.)

Everyone!! this time I will speak about Yuzuru Hanyu-senshu as you guys know veeery well so I feel it is no need to say who he is

I think Yuzuru-kun is a very independent and steady person for his age. when we are in training, in off-ices, in competitions like any time he looks like that.
Seeing his attitude, I come to think of myself when I was in his age.

I believe he will do his best and work hard as an Olympic champion this year as well.

I would say his appealing points as a skater, Even as for the viewpoint of me as a female, he looks very beautiful on the ice.
He is the type of skater who in advantageous to have not only the masculine powerfulness but also the feminine softness.

As for when we are in off-ices, even if he is mature as you know, sometimes we are playing like kids.

Since we are slightly from different generations then we have finally participated some competitions together recently.
Probably we are going to talk a lot more and do our best together for the up-coming season.

Needless to say, he is a great jumper par excellence and he can be my shining example for that.
I think I could learn a lot from him so I am going to pay attention from now on

BTW, Boxing is the sport that Mao wants to try most.

 

[Interspectator]

Mao talked about Yuzuru on her radio show yesterday!! :yay:
(Very rough translation by me so feel free to correct me if there is something wrong.)




BTW, Boxing is the sports that Mao wants to try most.

Is there a link to the audio?

 

[msteach3]

I'm pretty sure if he were boxing he would be in the Flyweight class. I didn't even know they had this.

He's got to weigh more than 112 lbs, doesn't he? Maybe featherweight is more accurate. (I hope.)

Ok, let me try something new: my latest prediction for his new SP

Love "Eye of the Tiger!" If not his new SP what about his new EX? Perfect choice for Boston! :dance:

As for his English in the CM, I thought it was pretty good. It was that pesky "r" in "try" that gave him some trouble.

 

[Maria Victoria]

So I didn't know today is Olympic day. From Echo Cheng, facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1610393525875114/


HD clip: http://dai.ly/x2v12tu
Youtube: https://youtu.be/9r6JTgpGbZU

Thanks for the info. My apologies to Pamina as it appears any sport besides FS, including sumo, would have qualified for Yuzuru's Olympic CM, but he was invited to do boxing. He agreed, so in a sense it may be said to be his choice.

On another Olympics related matter, from the FSU Forum, post by Sylvia, organizers of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics have shortlisted baseball and softball, squash, karate, surfing, bowling, roller sports, sport climbing and wushu for presentations by their respective federations for possible inclusion in the Olympics for the first time. The organizers will then make recommendations to the IOC which shall make the final decision.

Mao talked about Yuzuru on her radio show yesterday!! :yay:
(Very rough translation by me so feel free to correct me if there is something wrong.)




BTW, Boxing is the sports that Mao wants to try most.

Thanks for sharing. I think Mao displayed better boxing form in that video than Yuzuru in his CM.