You too can be a model!!

Davey

先輩

Contributor

5 Feb 2005

7,694

627

• 11 Nov 2006

• #1

As a Non-Native English speaker, I do have my questions about the English language so now and then, and because I am only 21 I do have some questions about language in general.

I am always reading the Kansai Scene magazine, this is a magazine for foreigners in the Kansai area. In this magazine you can find articles about life in Japan, events, reviews, classifieds, and advertisements.

Now there is this one advertisement that is searching for children models, from newborn to age 13, and on the top of this advertisement it reads:

YOU TOO CAN BE A MODEL!

Now the thing that is bothering me; How can they write down YOU, because new born to 13 year age children aren't reading this magazine... So is this just BAD English, or sometimes that people shouldn't take to literally?

 

dreamer

後輩

15 Aug 2003

2,181

25

• 11 Nov 2006

• #2

Well basically I guess it's like those adds where parents are supposed to push their kids into photoshots...

 

Pachipro

JREF Resident Alien

Rest in Peace

19 Jan 2005

1,972

232

• 11 Nov 2006

• #3

They are probably aiming at the parents and they figure this will catch their eye and make them read it and maybe bring their "beauty" in. In reality, "you" would mean anyone reading it.

 

RockLee

Hullu

22 Apr 2004

3,806

133

• 11 Nov 2006

• #4

In this case "you" refers to EVERYONE. (correct me if I'm wrong, but that is the impression I get)

 

Pachipro

JREF Resident Alien

Rest in Peace

19 Jan 2005

1,972

232

• 11 Nov 2006

• #5

Yes. Anyone or everyone reading the ad.

 

Davey

先輩

Contributor

5 Feb 2005

7,694

627

• 11 Nov 2006

• Thread starter
• #6

But kids aren't reading that magazine, while the advertisement says from new born to 13. So isn't this text really wrong then?

 

Thunderthief

後輩

19 Mar 2006

103

2

• 11 Nov 2006

• #7

English can be very vague at times, sometimes you can mean one person or many persons in general. For example a parent sees it they would probably either show it to there child or force them into it. English doesn't always have to be as direct and straight forward as Japanese. (Call it sloppyness I guess)

For example I would say "To flush the toilet you push the handle." Where it may be me who was pushing the handle and simpally saying you as an example.

 

F

fritzmonkey

後輩

6 Oct 2006

31

0

• 17 Nov 2006

• #8

Dutch Baka said:

But kids aren't reading that magazine, while the advertisement says from new born to 13. So isn't this text really wrong then?

Click to expand...

They technically aren't lying because you can be a model. Not for them, but you can be a model none the less. This part of the ad is to catch the readers attention. They can't write.
"Newborns to kids the age of 13 can be models too."
Because its too long and doesn't catch your attention. So they go with "YOU can be a model too!"