Please listen to my AudioBlog

[leonmarino]

J44XM!! Your voice blog rocks!! It is impressive how well your Japanese is, no kidding.

Maybe I need to start a voiceblog too so I get compliments too!! I'm jealous!!

 

[Cue]

My my!
I am so glad that I came back to Jref or else I would've missed this great session...

First of all, Kyoko san, your pronunciation is soooo good! Dang, I wish I could speak like you. And, like everyone else has said, you sound TOO KYOOT!
I haven't spoken English for years, and now I cannot speak it at all... *sob sob*
Anyway, you really amazed me. Sugoi!

And another big applause goes to koo chan and J44xm san.
You two sound also great, your voice and your Japanese.
J44xm san, it was a good idea that you spoke in English too. Thank you!
I think you could make an excellent DJ for some radio program...

By the way, is it only me or does Koo chan's voice sound so similar to JR Tokaido Shinkansen's recorded announce? I mean, the lady's voice you hear on the Shinkansen, like "Welcome to Shinkansen. This is the Nozomi Super Express bound for Tokyo..."

Anyway, thank you guys for sharing!

Cue

 

[J44xm]

About your Japanese and your voice, I echo epigene-san. Yes! You do have a wonderful and intelligent voice! I really like it and you wouldn't believe how many times I have already listened to your voice! I hope you will record your Japanese as often as you can and we will do our best to help you with your pronunciation.

Why, thank you very much! I wasn't sure if should address you as Kyoko or Kyoko_desu, though, so I settled on the latter. I'm glad that you found my little recording interesting and a bit useful.

Hehe, they said you have a Southern accent and guess what! I could recognize the accent here and there and I like it! I remember that I asked if Southern accent is thought to be uncool in the question thread I had created before. And nice gaijin-san answered me like it really depends on who is speaking but he finds it to sound very pleasant and soothing. Now I can fully understand what he meant there and I totally agree with him.

All right! You're very kind to say that. I'm generally a fairly laid-back type of guy and I think that that sometimes shows in my voice. Yeah, sometimes the southern accent isn't very cool at all. I guess I'm an exception.

However, because of the lack of my listening skill, I cannot say that I could catch everything you said.

はい、教えてあげます。

You said what you said was maybe a stupid joke after talking about something that sounded like reverse senpai(先輩). Did I get the word correctly? Cus you wanna learn Japanese and I wanna learn English and you were being so modest and you said you would wanna reach my level of skill, so you said I'm kinda your reverse senpai かな

Yup, that's right. In fact, that's exactly right. Sorry, I threw some Japanese in there without even thinking about it. You're my like my senpai, but since the details are kind of reversed, you're my "reverse senpai." What a lame joke.

Well, I am feeling really happy about how much words I could catch from your English. You know some people speak in more lazy way and unclearly or too fast, like a machine gun, or with too many slang words, then I cannot follow them or catch a word, but how you spoke was really clear and without a slang.

I know just what you mean, as the same thing happens to me. I hate it when I can't understand what people are saying. Even when it's probably not my fault, I'll feel that I'm the one at fault. Some people just speak soooo fast. My current 担任先生 speaks really fast, but I think that it's good practice because I do understand most of what he says (undoubtedly because he's speaking at my level of understanding).

I hope you will record not only your Japanese but someteims also in English for me and other English learners. You know what, you can just read aloud anyone's post from the forum randomly then I can check up what you said from the script when I can not catch some words. But anything is fine~.

Well, I think I'll do that, sure. I'm thinking about doing private English tutoring, and this might be a good way to get some experience. Thanks for the warm comments!

J44xm -- That was awesome, man. You had my laughing my arse off! Your Japanese is really good!

Man, you're too kind!

J44xm, you have a wonderful, intelligent voice!
いい感じですよ！
And your Japanese is excellent for having studied only a year or so!!
すばらしい~！！シンジラレナ~イ！！

Thank you very much, epigene! I'm very happy to hear that you feel that way. I hope that I'll be good as some of the other folks here have become someday.

J44XM!! Your voice blog rocks!! It is impressive how well your Japanese is, no kidding.

Thank you very much! And thanks for the rep too!

And another big applause goes to koo chan and J44xm san.
You two sound also great, your voice and your Japanese.
J44xm san, it was a good idea that you spoke in English too. Thank you!
I think you could make an excellent DJ for some radio program...

Oo, now wouldn't that be cool. I don't think my voice is good enough for that sort of thing, though. We haven't spoken too much, but welcome back to the boards!

I haven't spoken English for years, and now I cannot speak it at all...

That's hard to believe after reading your post!

 

[roman_torkit]

Hi Kyoko desu,
You've got nice audio blog and pleasant to listen to your voice. You should record some other message, like just say hi in Japanese or so...
By the way, do you know that that phrase you where asking about is used in "Naturally Born Killers" Tarantino movie. When I heard your blog I tried hardly to remember where I heard it and there you are...

 

[Glenn]

By the way, about your Nihongo pronunciation. I'm with everyone else and I could catch almost everything you said. If I have to point out something for you to practice, it's maybe the word 東北（とうほく）(Touhoku).

I recorded how I pronounce Touhoku for you. I hope it will help you to brush up your pronunciation.

Yeah, you do have a really cute voice!

Yeah, sometimes the southern accent isn't very cool at all. I guess I'm an exception.

I'm not sure how to take that....:?

 

[J44xm]

I'm not sure how to take that.... :?

What I meant to say, of course, was "one of the exceptions." Of course.

 

[Glenn]

Nah, your wording is basically the same either way. You originally said "an exception," which implies others. I was commenting more on the "not cool" thing, and the "the southern accent" thing. Depends on which southern accent you're talking about, and as far as I know there isn't a "the" southern accent. But, anyway, it doesn't matter all that much. I'm not even sure you believed what you were saying in the first place.

 

[J44xm]

Well, it's what some have heard, at least.

 

[Glenn]

Yeah, I know what some have heard, and I know what some have said. It's all too familiar to me.

By the way, I'm not offended or anything. I was actually joking when I posted that. I didn't mean for it to turn into this kind of thing. :sorry:

 

[epigene]

I haven't spoken English for years, and now I cannot speak it at all... *sob sob*

ご謙遜もほどほどに！You write great! I'd love to hear your voice, too!

 

[Mars Man]

A nice steady, well balanced in modulation voice there J44xm san !! I think you could also do some radio stuff.

Your level of Japanese is really going. . . just one year, huh? Wow !! Keep it up !! MM

 

[J44xm]

By the way, I'm not offended or anything. I was actually joking when I posted that. I didn't mean for it to turn into this kind of thing. :sorry:

No, no, it's okay. Nobody's offended here, so it's all right.

A nice steady, well balanced in modulation voice there J44xm san !! I think you could also do some radio stuff.
Your level of Japanese is really going. . . just one year, huh? Wow !! Keep it up !! MM

Thank you very much! I wouldn't mind going into radio, actually. Maybe this thread will mark historic entry into broadcasting. (Or not. Heh heh.) And thanks again about the Japanese. Looks like these six months of fairly intensive study might be doing me some good after all!

 

[Glenn]

Has it really only been one year? Man...

By the way, the radio talk reminded me of when I was at Berklee, some Music Production & Engineering students asked me to record a commercial for them for a class project, because they wanted someone with a warm voice who sounded like Tom Bodett (the guy who does the Hotel 6 commercials. Listen to his voice here -- the top right of the page). When I listened to it, I thought they were at least half right about that.

 

[misa.j]

Wow, this thread is growing, and I'm loving it! Great work guys!

Kyoko, I hope you keep recording and posting your voice in both English & Japanese. Your speech is very proper and clear, and it's good for the Japanese learners to hear how you speak!

kooo, your Japanese sounds very close the native speaker's! In fact, I thought I started to listen to an NHK news reporter when I first played your audioblog. Your sense of hearing is very keen because you are so young, and your Japanese will only get better.

Jonathan, you might speak better than I do in Japanese... So fluently and comfortably! That was sweet!
I love your Texas accent, too!

 

[Kyoko_desu]

Originally Posted by leonmarino
Maybe I need to start a voiceblog too so I get compliments too!! I'm jealous!!

Duh! Stop being jealous and just get yourself one right now! なんちゃって〜
Well, but seriously, I would be really happy if more people, of course, including leon-san, let me hear how they speak English/Japanese or their mother tongue. leonさんはもちろん、あこがれのundrentideさんとか、epigeneさんや、misa.j さんの声もぜひ聞いてみたいです。

Cue-san, okaerinasai! No, no, don't be too modest, everyone here already knows how good your English is~~~~ Anyway, I'm so glad you are back! Don't leave again and stay with us, please.

Originally Posted by j44xm
Yup, that's right. In fact, that's exactly right. Sorry, I threw some Japanese in there without even thinking about it. You're my like my senpai, but since the details are kind of reversed, you're my "reverse senpai."

Oh then you did say reverse senpai! Yatta! Well, since I didn't really expect you to say a Japanese word there, I was trying hard to think of an English word that sounds like sanpai.

Originally Posted by roman_torkit
do you know that that phrase you where asking about is used in "Naturally Born Killers" Tarantino movie.

No, I didn't know that. I just checked what kind of movie it is at Wikipedia and right now seeing the poster of it, it's a bit scary. I wonder how they translated the Eeny, meeny, miny, moe. I really should find that out. By the way, roman-san, how is your daughter? Getting cuter and cuter?

Originally Posted Mars Man
A nice steady, well balanced in modulation voice there J44xm san !! I think you could also do some radio stuff.

Yeah, I agree that, but Mars Man-san, you yourself must have a nice voice because you said you'd had experience in the radio world in Japan. I'm so curious! What did you actually do in the radio world?

Originally Posted by Glenn
By the way, the radio talk reminded me of when I was at Berklee, some Music Production & Engineering students asked me to record a commercial for them for a class project, because they wanted someone with a warm voice who sounded like Tom Bodett (the guy who does the Hotel 6 commercials. Listen to his voice here -- top right of page). When I listened to it, I thought they were at least half right about that.

That means you at least have a warm voice, doesn't it? Will we get to hear it, please? And I'm sure everyone would love to hear your music as well as Mars Man-san's!:sing:

misa.j-san, thank you so much for the nice comment on our speech. You would never believe how encouraging your ちっちゃなやさしいことば is!

 

[Glenn]

It wasn't music, and the tape is long gone. I don't have a microphone, either, so I can't put up an audio blog.

 

[J44xm]

Kyoko-san, it's small but it's something. ^_^;

 

[Glenn]

Ah, that's some good stuff! You're constantly keeping me amused. Keep up the good work!

 

[Kyoko_desu]

Okies! Jonathan-san(← hehe, ジョナサンさん sounds a bit funny, doesn't it?). I just finished the dictation of your blog. Here's what, I think, you said after reading the article. Some parts, (especially the word sounding like "jackass" and ones around it) I cannot be sure of, but I hope I got it 70% correct. Please check it and correct me.

Oh geez, you know, maybe the guy shouldn't have been such a jackass about it, geez. Well, this has been the first edition of "Jonathan Reads The News For Some Reason". Even though I'm calling it that at this time, I have a reason clearly in mind, so, I don't know exactly why I called it that. I suppose I thought it was amusing. Perhaps you don't think so. Perhaps it doesn't matter. Good night.

About the speed you read it, it was pretty fast to me, but is it a normal speed for a native speaker? Or did you try to read it slowly for me?

Oh by the way, about the newspaper article, I read it in the evening newspaper I subscribe to last night, of course in Japanese though, so I was kind of familiar with it, but I still would not have been able to catch some words without peeping the link you posted.

Anyway, thanks, Jonathan-san, it was good practice for me! and sure, I enjoyed it too!

 

[doinkies]

I like your voice blog, Kyoko-san! ^^ Your voice is good and many of the other people's voices are good as well...please listen to doinkies' VoiceBlog too: http://www.voiceblog.jp/doinkies/

 

[Cue]

J44xm san! Arigato! You really have an ear-pleasing voice!
Yeah, I'm so annoyed by the news; that teacher even said to some of his female students "Moe~ Moe~"... ;
Oh dear. *rolleyes*

@doinkies
Awesome! You speak so fluently! Your speaking sounds also clear. Beautiful!
I loved it.
Korekara mo ouen suru yo~~~! (^_^)/~~
Keep it up!

@epigene san and Kyoko san
Hehehe... Yes, I admit that I was a bit exagerating about my speaking skill; I should've said "I can't speak that well" or something...
But you know, writing and speaking are two different things and my speaking is really terrible. (I'm not being modest, I mean it. ^^; )
I still rememeber one time when I was on an airplane and asked the attendant to get me a coke. She said "sure", and brought me a glass of milk.
That's when I started being afraid of speaking English...
Oh well. ^^;

 

[Glenn]

If it makes you feel any better, Cue, that happens to native English speakers all the time. Service people don't always get the order right. :?

Here's a little episode that may make you feel better, too. One night my friends and I went to a Taco Bell, and while we were waiting for our food, some guy walked in, looked at the menu for a few minutes, and then walked up and ordered a Double Whopper with Cheese. The girl at the counter informed him that Burger King was next door. That was one of the most unbelievable things I've ever witnessed!

Oh geez, you know, maybe the guy shouldn't have been such a jackass about it, geez. Well, this has been the first edition of "Jonathan Reads The News For Some Reason". Even though I'm calling it that at this time, I have a reason clearly in mind, so, I don't know exactly why I called it that. I suppose I thought it was amusing. Perhaps you don't think so. Perhaps it doesn't matter. Good night.

Good job, Kyoko! Two minor things though: "Oh geez" --> "Well geez," and "Even though I'm calling it at this time..." --> "Even though I'm calling it that this time" (i.e., no "at"). Those are minor, though, so don't worry about them.

Doinkies, good stuff! You have a nice, sweet voice.

 

[J44xm]

Okies! Jonathan-san(← hehe, ジョナサンさん sounds a bit funny, doesn't it?). I just finished the dictation of your blog. Here's what, I think, you said after reading the article.

Heh heh. Yeah, ジョナサンさん is a bit funny-sounding, isn't it? Feel free to call me ジョン though! And Glenn already tackled the subject of your dictation, I see. (Thanks, Glenn.) Fantastic work, Kyoko. I didn't notice that I said "geez" twice. That's definitely too much "geez." (D'oh! I did it again!)

About the speed you read it, it was pretty fast to me, but is it a normal speed for a native speaker? Or did you try to read it slow for me?

Hmmm. It was actually a bit slow but within the realm of normal speaking speed, I think. Sometimes I do speak a bit slow, though, being from Texas and all. (People in the southern U.S. sometimes have a reputation for being very laidback and relaxed.) I can understand your concerns about fast speaking speed, though. Many times when I can't understand people, it's just because they're speaking too fast for me. But it seems you understood me extremely well!

Oh by the way, about the newspaper article, I read it in the evening newspaper I subscribe to last night, of course in Japanese though, so I was kind of familiar with it, but I still would not have been able to catch some words without peeping the link you pasted.

That was part of the reason that I chose that article: there was an English version and a Japanese version. I figured that might be beneficial to you!

Anyway, thanks, Jonathan-san, it was a good practice for me! and sure, I enjoyed it too!

Be on the watch for more, then! It's pretty fun, really.

 

[Glenn]

No problem with the corrections. She did so well, it's hardly worth thanking me for.

Hmmm. It was actually a bit slow but within the realm of normal speaking speed, I think.

That was my impression too: a bit slow, but about normal conversation speed.

That was part of the reason that I chose that article: there was an English version and a Japanese version. I figured that might be beneficial to you!

Be on the watch for more, then! It's pretty fun, really.

What a great guy you are!

 

[J44xm]

You are too kind, my friend. But in the future, I'd best avoid copyrighted works like this. Maybe I'll write something of my own or something.