Tokyo Disney. Language issues?

[aimster]

Where's TDLFAN when you need him?

From what I heard you should be fine but do try to learn some basic phrases as they'll appreciate you making an effort to speak their language. And remember to always be polite and say thank you ("arigato").

When I was in high school, I had a pen pal (remember those? before email and the internet, we wrote letters by hand and mailed them) in Tokyo and she taught me some basic Japanese. She even showed me how to write my name in Japanese, which was awesome. She sent me a guidemap from Tokyo Disneyland when she went there once on a school trip. Sadly we lost touch after high school. I miss writing her. I still have a lot of the little gifts she sent from when she went on trips (it's Japanese custom to bring small gifts back to family and friends). She even went on a trip across Europe to be an exchange student in England one summer and she sent me postcards from each stop on her trip becaus she knew I collected postcards back then.

[LittleImagineer]

Originally Posted by aimster

Where's TDLFAN when you need him?

From what I heard you should be fine but do try to learn some basic phrases as they'll appreciate you making an effort to speak their language. And remember to always be polite and say thank you ("arigato").

When I was in high school, I had a pen pal (remember those? before email and the internet, we wrote letters by hand and mailed them) in Tokyo and she taught me some basic Japanese. She even showed me how to write my name in Japanese, which was awesome. She sent me a guidemap from Tokyo Disneyland when she went there once on a school trip. Sadly we lost touch after high school. I miss writing her. I still have a lot of the little gifts she sent from when she went on trips (it's Japanese custom to bring small gifts back to family and friends). She even went on a trip across Europe to be an exchange student in England one summer and she sent me postcards from each stop on her trip becaus she knew I collected postcards back then.

Thanks for the info! I'll be sure to remember arigato. I'll probably write important Japanese phrases on index cards or something.

Unfortunately, I've never had a penpal. I'm really young so I've always had the convenience/hassle of a computer. I think it would be awesome to have a penpal though! It's really cool that she sent you gifts and taught you some Japanese

[jcruise86]

Originally Posted by LittleImagineer

Thanks for the info! I'll be sure to remember arigato. I'll probably write important Japanese phrases on index cards or something. . .

That's what I did. I had about 40 of the most important things to say & understand written out phonetically, and I practiced with basic Intro to Japanese tapes. (Your library should have or should be able to order Japanese Language CDs). It worked well.

I've described this incident before, but one of two moments in my life when I was most embarrassed by my fellow Americans came when an American woman barged into a crowded store on Tokyo Disneyland's Main Street yelling (loud, but calm enough to know it wasn't an emergency) "DOES ANYONE SPEAK ENGLISH? DOES-ANYONE-SPEAK-ENGLISH?!" When one quiet employee politely approached her, they just had a calm, quiet talk--I think about merchandise. This tourist didn't have to learn the language, but she should have at least learned how to say, "Excuse me, do you speak English?" in Japanese! That one expression will insure your survival without too much embarrassment. The Japanese are unusually polite. A surprising # understand English, though many are reticent about speaking it. Learning "Hello," "Please," Thank you" and some other basics will make your trip more fun. I wish I were going!

[ChrisFL]

Originally Posted by jcruise86

I've described this incident before, but one of two moments in my life when I was most embarrassed by my fellow Americans came when an American woman barged into a crowded store on Tokyo Disneyland's Main Street yelling (loud, but calm enough to know it wasn't an emergency) "DOES ANYONE SPEAK ENGLISH? DOES-ANYONE-SPEAK-ENGLISH?!"

'smacks head'

I really hate when I see crap like that. I spent time, by myself visiting Tokyo and both Disney parks, and had a wonderful time, I speak nearly no Japanese except for some key phrases and everyone I met was incredibly friendly and polite. I never expected such politeness even when we can't speak the same language.

The only time I was a bit unsure was when I went to have a drink at the Teddy Roosevelt Lounge (LOVE IT!!!) and the lady asked me, in english if I wanted a smoking section, but I could barely tell she was trying to speak english, so I acted like I could only speak english, after repeating herself a few times I understood it.

So thats a minor warning, you may find some Japanese who do speak english but not very well. Just keep smiling and be patient, and they will be right back to you!

[Fukai]

I've visited Japan over 40 times since 1985. I know about 20 words and phrases and have been able to get by with no problem. Changing trains outside Tokyo is sometimes a problem, but inside Tokyo, and certainly at the Tokyo Disney Resort, you can make yourself understood.
It's most important to be POLITE and PATIENT.
Learn how to say (my spellings will be off):
1. Good Morning: Ohiyao Gozimas
2. Good Day: Kon ichi Wa
3. Good Evening: Kom ba wa
4. Thank you very much: Domo Arigato Gozaimas
5. You're Welcome: Doetashmashte
6. I only speak a little Japanese: Skoshi
7. That's delicious (when referring to food): Oy shee
8. That's GREAT! Sugoy
9. Where's the bathroom? Point and ask "Toilet"?
10. No Problem: daijobu.

You get the idea. The Japanese are incredibly polite and generally pleased that you have made an effort to spreak with them.

[Tyler1994]

Wow, it sounds like Japanize are so; Polite, kind, patient, friendly, and have manners! That discribes a perfect person almost! Its so nice when people like that in the American parks. My sister almost got punched in Liberty Square at Disney World for running into a lady during New Years.. It was very interesting.

If people from foreign countries can come to America and make it out alive then I'm sure you'll be just fine in Japan.

Good-luck!

[Roger55]

Originally Posted by Fukai

I've visited Japan over 40 times since 1985. I know about 20 words and phrases and have been able to get by with no problem. Changing trains outside Tokyo is sometimes a problem, but inside Tokyo, and certainly at the Tokyo Disney Resort, you can make yourself understood.
It's most important to be POLITE and PATIENT.
Learn how to say (my spellings will be off):
1. Good Morning: Ohiyao Gozimas
2. Good Day: Kon ichi Wa
3. Good Evening: Kom ba wa
4. Thank you very much: Domo Arigato Gozaimas
5. You're Welcome: Doetashmashte
6. I only speak a little Japanese: Skoshi
7. That's delicious (when referring to food): Oy shee
8. That's GREAT! Sugoy
9. Where's the bathroom? Point and ask "Toilet"?
10. No Problem: daijobu.

You get the idea. The Japanese are incredibly polite and generally pleased that you have made an effort to spreak with them.

Nice list... let me help clean up the spelling.

I will spell them phoenetically with the more traditional Romaji method in parenthesis. Romaji is what you would normally see when Japanese words are written using the English alphabet.

1. Good Morning: Oh hah yoh goh zah ee mah soo (ohayou gozai masu)
2. Good Day: Kohn nee chee wah (konnichiwa)
3. Good Evening: Kohn bahn wah (konbanwa)
4. Thank you very much: Doh moh ah ree gah toe goh zah ee mah soo (doumo arigatou gozai masu)
5. You're Welcome: Doh ee tah she mah she teh (douitashi ma****e)
6. I only speak a little Japanese: nee hone goh soo koh shee dah keh hah nah shee mah soo (nihongo sukoshi dake hanashi masu)
7. That's delicious (when referring to food): Oh ee she deh soo (oishi desu)
8. That's GREAT! Soo goy (sugoi)
9. Where's the bathroom? Point and ask "Toh ee reh wah doh koh deh soo kah"? (toire ha doko desuka?)
10. No Problem: dah ee joe boo (daijoubu)

Simple pronunciation guide that is right almost all of the time for words written in "romaji".

a is pronounced "ah" (like "ahh, is that so?")
i is pronounced "ee" (like ee in "tree")
u is pronounced "oo" (like oo in "zoo")
e is pronounced "eh" (like eh in "bleh")
o is pronounced "oh" (like "oh my")

ou is "oe" (like oe in "toe" or "joe")
oi is "oy" (like oy in "toy")

yo is "yo" (like in "yo, wassup?")

sushi = soo shee
sake = sah keh (not "sah kee")
ichiro suzuki = ee chee roh soo zoo kee
maihama = mah ee hah mah
tokyo = toh kyo (not "toe kee yo")
kyoto = kyo toh (not "kee yo toe")
karaoke = kah rah oh keh (not "kare ee oh kee")

[TDLFAN]

I had one of those "language barrier" situations today, at the Tomorrowland Terrace. For some reason, my credit card was denied for purchase. Then they wanted me to sign the receipt. I demanded to know why my card was denied, and why did I have to sign a receipt that was void and null (zero purchase). It took three CMs to come over and try to explain and neither did very good with english, and honestly.. I reckon they had no idea what I was asking of them.

So yes, there are times when communicating with the japanese CMs can be very frustrating.

Later in the afternoon, used the same credit card at the Plaza Restaurant and went thru just fine.. GO FIGURE that one!!!

[golden redhead]

Originally Posted by LittleImagineer

Thanks for the info! I'll be sure to remember arigato. I'll probably write important Japanese phrases on index cards or something.

This is a great idea. I have to say that the TDL and TDS cast members that come visit our resort usually have a "cheat sheet" with them. I haven't seen many in the 5 years I have been at the resort, but the sheet has instructions in English and Japanese on how to give the CM their discount on merchandise. This is always a great help to me, since it's so rare that I see CMs from there.

You've gotten some great advice here - in fact this thread has certainly given some thought to me about going! My sister took Japanese in highschool (she's a junior at Univ of CO right now) and I always thought I would have to take her with me if I went - now mabe I can leave her home!

[LittleImagineer]

Thank you for the information everyone! I appreciate it so much. I always thought that going to Japan would be so much fun but it would be way too hard so I gave up that dream, but now I think I'll go one day and learn some few key phrases

[aimster]

Originally Posted by LittleImagineer

Unfortunately, I've never had a penpal. I'm really young so I've always had the convenience/hassle of a computer. I think it would be awesome to have a penpal though! It's really cool that she sent you gifts and taught you some Japanese

How young do you consider "really young"? I had pen pals from all over the world when I was a teenager.

Originally Posted by Roger55

ichiro suzuki = ee chee roh soo zoo kee

[Exprmnt626]

I lived in Japan for a few months back when I was in college. From my experience there I echo the sentiments that using a bit of Japanese to start a conversation with someone is usually enough to get them to attempt their English with you. I lived way up in the north, in Iwate Prefecture. It was fun to be the only English-speaker in the village. If any mail came in English, it was automatically routed to my house no matter whose mail it was.

[Fukai]

Thanks for fixing my spelling (and adding the pronunciation)!
Those words will get you by 99% of the time.

[nish221]

Wow! Good job...

A typo though...

7. That's delicious (when referring to food): Oh ee she deh soo (oishi desu)

Should be "oishii desu" (extra "i")

Originally Posted by Roger55

Nice list... let me help clean up the spelling.

I will spell them phoenetically with the more traditional Romaji method in parenthesis. Romaji is what you would normally see when Japanese words are written using the English alphabet.

1. Good Morning: Oh hah yoh goh zah ee mah soo (ohayou gozai masu)
2. Good Day: Kohn nee chee wah (konnichiwa)
3. Good Evening: Kohn bahn wah (konbanwa)
4. Thank you very much: Doh moh ah ree gah toe goh zah ee mah soo (doumo arigatou gozai masu)
5. You're Welcome: Doh ee tah she mah she teh (douitashi ma****e)
6. I only speak a little Japanese: nee hone goh soo koh shee dah keh hah nah shee mah soo (nihongo sukoshi dake hanashi masu)
7. That's delicious (when referring to food): Oh ee she deh soo (oishi desu)
8. That's GREAT! Soo goy (sugoi)
9. Where's the bathroom? Point and ask "Toh ee reh wah doh koh deh soo kah"? (toire ha doko desuka?)
10. No Problem: dah ee joe boo (daijoubu)

Simple pronunciation guide that is right almost all of the time for words written in "romaji".

a is pronounced "ah" (like "ahh, is that so?")
i is pronounced "ee" (like ee in "tree")
u is pronounced "oo" (like oo in "zoo")
e is pronounced "eh" (like eh in "bleh")
o is pronounced "oh" (like "oh my")

ou is "oe" (like oe in "toe" or "joe")
oi is "oy" (like oy in "toy")

yo is "yo" (like in "yo, wassup?")

sushi = soo shee
sake = sah keh (not "sah kee")
ichiro suzuki = ee chee roh soo zoo kee
maihama = mah ee hah mah
tokyo = toh kyo (not "toe kee yo")
kyoto = kyo toh (not "kee yo toe")
karaoke = kah rah oh keh (not "kare ee oh kee")

[Dustysage]

Originally Posted by LittleImagineer

I would like to visit Tokyo Disney but I only speak English. I'm a little scared that this could be an obstacle. Would I be able to effectively communicate with people and CM's? Would I be able to read signs and menus? I would greatly appreciate any information. Thanks!

You'll be fine. I've been to Tokyo Disneyland twice and aside from a tiny bit of trouble finding people who could help me at the airport, I never had any trouble.

Most of the younger people speak at least a little English, though they usually don't speak it well. However, they are all so friendly and try so hard to help that everything always works out.

Most of the signs in the park are in both English and Japanese, though the ride audio is mostly in Japanese.

The parks are spectacular and Tokyo itself is so unique.

In fact, I had a much easier time in Tokyo than I did in Paris, as far as getting around goes.

-Dusty