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Fun with Homophones - nac_est - 2008-02-02
It's probably well known for most of those studying of Japanese, and maybe it's been discussed before on this forum, but not that I can remember.
I recently encountered a really cool sentence, that plays on the fact that Japanese has very few sounds and therefore a lot of homophones.
貴社の記者が汽車で帰社する
which is pronounced
きしゃ の きしゃ が きしゃ で きしゃ する
Besides being cool, I think it helped me learn new vocabulary easily, and it took me virtually no time to memorize it (obviously). So I wonder if there are any other sentences like this. Let's share!
EDIT: sounds a little better.
Fun with Homophones - stehr - 2008-02-02
thanks, this is cool
Fun with Homophones - ファブリス - 2008-02-02
Old thread : Japanese tongue twisters
Fun with Homophones - MethodGT - 2008-02-02
What does it mean?
Fun with Homophones - uberstuber - 2008-02-02
(your) company's reporter, by the steam train, returns to work
Fun with Homophones - Balaam - 2008-02-02
^^ I think yours is more accurate!
The company's reporter returns to work by steam train.
.. I think
Fun with Homophones - nac_est - 2008-02-02
Oops, sorry ファブリス, I didn't see it!
The meaning given above is right. To be more analytical:
[your company] (of)
[reporter] (topic)
[steam train] (by means of)
[return to the company]
Fun with Homophones - MethodGT - 2008-02-03
Wow, what a confusing language I chose to start learning...
Fun with Homophones - uberstuber - 2008-02-03
MethodGT Wrote:Wow, what a confusing language I chose to start learning...That's exactly what all Japanese babies grow up thinking
Fun with Homophones - ファブリス - 2008-02-03
MethodGT Wrote:Wow, what a confusing language I chose to start learning...Hey, when you get old you will be able to pull out tons of puns without loading up on vitamins! (I read somewhere such puns were considered old men's jokes, that's too bad I like them, but that wouldn't stop me using them
)
Fun with Homophones - Katsuo - 2008-02-03
Interestingly, Mr. Heisig has a strong opinion on this topic. From his introduction to RTK2 (download pdf):
James Heisig Wrote:First, relating one compound to another by means of similarities of sound is to be avoided at any cost. It merely clutters the mind with useless information. The fact that the two syllables "sensei" can mean teacher (先生) or astrology (占星) or despotism (専制) or oath (宣誓), depending on the kanji assigned to them, may come as such a surprise that you are tempted to make some use of the coincidence. Resist the temptation.
Fun with Homophones - hknamida - 2008-02-03
I've completely fallen in love with Raichu's tongue twister from that other thread:
「かなこのこのこのこねこはかねがないかな」