1The Bob and Rob Show Study GuideLesson 57date: Oct. 27, 2006file name: bobrob10-27-06

Show notesOsaka versus Tokyo, dialects of the USA (in particular the south), and a Bubba joke.

Southern US dialect examples:

"he's fix'in to eat" = "hes going to eat immediately."

use of adverbs e.g "here" or "there". For example, "Johnny fetch me that here hammer,"

use of "done" in different ways; e.g "he done come up here, I done told you," rather than thegrammatically correct form of "have."

The use of "ya'll for "you all/all of you

Phrasal Verbs"to go back"1) to return e.g: when are you going back to your country?to go back on2) to not keep ones word or promise e.g: Politicians often go back on their words.to go by3) to go past, to visit quickly e.g: Lets go by grandads house as its on the way.

Listener email1) Bob read out an email from Nana about Japanese sweets, and mainly Manju, which are

buns stuffed with sweet bean paste. Bob and Rob are both not keen on them.2) We answered a question from Patricia about pullover. In Britain, it is just a jumper or a

sweater you have to pull over your head, but in the States, it can also mean a jacket oranorak. Anorak also has slightly different meanings between America and the UK:anorak can be made of Gore-tex1 and used for skiing etc in the USA but in Britain it hasa very light image of only being like a rain/wind sheeter.

3) Adam from Malaysia wrote us a nice email from his oil rig near Vietnam.

Ancient Japanese English Study Secret

PDA: an alternative to electronic dictionaries

PDA stands for Personal Digital Assistants and can be very useful according to a listener.You can put flash cards, grammar tools, encyclopedias and dictionaries on them as well asdo a lot of other things. Wise words and worth considering indeed.

2Bubba JokeBubba is from the South of the USA and his accent is wonderful. This joke is about positiveaffirmation.

Both Sides of the Pond(US) pooped (UK) knackered (to be exhausted)(US) thanks / gracias (West coast) (UK) ta / cheers(US) middle finger (UK) inverted peace sign (these are very rude signs in the respectivecountries we advise you not to use them)

SongNever Go Back by Now is Nowhttp://www.podshow.com

Show transcript

BobOkay Rob, what's up?

RobNot much Bob. How about yourself, you been busy? Have you been busy recently?

BobWell I think we've been busy

RobWe have, haven't we?2

BobOn Sunday we went down to Osaka.3

RobWe've been a couple of busy bunnies.4

BobThat's right, we took the bullet train down to Osaka on Sunday.

RobIt's also called the Shinkansen, and I think Shinkansen is now like karaoke, and sayonara,and kamikaze.

BobPeople actually use it outside of Japan.

RobI think it's actually become an entry in the Oxford English dictionary. I believe so.

3BobIt's certainly easier to say than bullet train.

RobDo you know why it's called the bullet train?

BobIt looks like a bullet. It goes fast.

RobThat's right.

BobWhy don't we play a sound clip. Here's a bullet train - Japanese bullet train.

OtherSound clip. Japanese bullet train.

BobOkay, there you go.

RobWicked.5 Brilliant.

BobI love the bullet train.

RobAh, they're wonderful.

BobThere's something about sitting down and drinking a beer, or several, on the bullet train. It'sjust wonderful.

RobIt's excellent, it's a great experience. It's a piece of luxury.

BobIt's like flying on an airplane, but, without the hassle6.

RobYes, and the seats are more luxurious than the economy class airplanes.

BobIt's kind of what flying was like 50 years ago, or, maybe 30 years ago.

RobIt's a very comfortable experience because you know you have at least a couple of hoursjust to wind down7 - if you have stuff 8to do on your PC, or read a book, or the paper.

4BobIt really is a ritual for me. I call it 'my Shinkansen beer.'

RobYea, it's very nice.

BobAnd when I'm with you it turned into9 four beers.

RobIt's quite a few isn't it?

BobWhat did you think of Osaka? That's my second time down there. It's a lot different thanTokyo in a way.

RobYes, there are a lot of differences between Osaka and Tokyo.

BobIt's kind of a rival city in a way, like Tokyo and Osaka.

RobYes. I guess Osaka is the second biggest city isn't it.

BobYea, very different culture though. That area of Japan - generally, I think the people seem alittle bit more outgoing, talkative, maybe a little bit more direct.

RobYes, I think that's correct.

BobWhere up in Tokyo people tend to be a bit more distant.

RobSure. More like the British. More reserved. Well, I think they're certainly more prone10 tospeak their mind11 more openly. And in fact I think my wife, who comes from Tokyo, she'stold me before that Osakans - I think that's what we call them - Osakans...Osakians...I don'tknow. Osakans...people from Osaka, when they're driving, they drive like the British. Mywife knows about how the British drive. She says, "British people drive very recklessly - notrecklessly, but they push out and they...

BobAggressive.

RobAggressively. That's the word.

BobAnother thing that you told me. When you are on an escalator in Osaka, if you are juststanding on the escalator you stand on the right side?

5RobIn Osaka, yea.

BobSo that people can pass around the left.

RobThat's right.

BobBut, in the Kanto area, here in Tokyo, you stand on the other side. That is so strange.

RobIt's the opposite, yea. I know it's very, very strange.

BobOsaka is really known for its comedians too. A lot of the famous comedians in Japan comefrom Osaka. Also, the Osaka dialect is very different than the Kanto dialect. What are someof the words they use that we don't use in the Kanto area?

RobShouni ?.

BobWhat's that mean?

RobThat means "shogunai." ?

BobOkay, also Okani ? is also like "thanks," or, please." I think they say "wakarahen" instead of"wakaranai."

RobWhich means "I don't know."

BobAnd the food down there, apparently something called "okonomiaki" is really popular, aswell as "takoyaki." We might ve mentioned it on a show before.

RobMaybe we should explain.

Bob"oKonomiaki" is kind of like a pancake with vegetables, and pork, and mayonnaise, and...

RobWell, the brown sauce, what's that brown sauce called?

BobIt's just a...brown kind of sauce. And "takoyaki"? what's that?

Rob

6Takoyaki's fried octopus dumplings.

BobLike...little round dumplings with a piece of octopus inside.

RobYea, they're really good.

BobThey are really good.

RobAgain, with mayonnaise and brown sauce. What's that fish that moves - the flakes of fish.

BobBonito flakes.

RobBonita flakes, yea.

BobAlso, Osaka has a lot of historical and entertainment areas. For example, Osaka castle isreally famous. And, Osaka aquarium is apparently the biggest one in Japan.

RobOh really?

BobAnd of course, now they have Universal Studios Japan which is in Osaka. So, Osaka's apretty vibrant 12city.

RobAnd they have a very popular baseball team called, The Hanshin Tigers.

BobWe should also mention, that it's about three hours from Tokyo by bullet train.

RobIt's quite a long distance.

BobIt's interesting too; the rivalry, Osaka compared to Tokyo. How about in the U.K., do youhave city rivalries?

RobYes, lots. There are Derby rivalries; for example, in the north of England, Liverpool,perhaps Manchester, New Castle, those areas in the north-northeast of England.

BobDifferent dialects too?

RobOh, very much so.

7BobIn the U.S. it's hard for me to think of any city rivalries, at least where I'm from...the WestCoast. But, I think maybe on the East Coast, Boston and New York tend to have a bit of arivalry. Especially, the baseball teams; the Yankees and the Red Socks. I think on the EastCoast cities have more rivalries, but, on the West Coast I don't know, I can't think of anymajor rivalries.

RobThere are two baseball teams in New York aren't there?

BobYea, the New York Mets and the Yankees.

RobAnd so, is there a rivalry in New York itself?

BobYou know, probably, but I don't pay attention to professional baseball, so, I'm sorry I can'tanswer that Rob.

RobIn the U.K., we have more of a north-south divide as well. People from the north ofEngland, they say "oh, your from down south are you?"

BobIn the U.S. it's the same the southern culture and the southern dialect is very distinct. In away, Osaka has a distinct dialect. Of course, the southern dialect in the U.S. is very, verydistinct compared to the rest of the country. In fact why don't we play a Bubba Bohacks jokebecause as you know, as our listeners know Bubba's from the south and he has a southernaccent and he speaks with a southern dialect. Just to give some examples of southerndialect - we gave some examples of the Osaka dialect, and the southern dialect in the U.S.a few things, "a fix'in" they use a lot. For example, when you indicate youre going to dosomething immediately - an immediate action in the future, you'd say "a fix'in" for example"he's fix'in to eat." Or, we're "a fix'in to go." kind of like, "we're going to do it immediately."Also, for example, they use adverbs "here" or "there" a lot, where we wouldn't use them upnorth. For example, "Johnny fetch me that here hammer," or, "fetch me that therehammer." A lot of times they delete "have" and "had." "That school been there a long time,"rather than "that school has been there a long time." Also, they use "done" in differentways; for example, "he done come up here, I done told you," rather than "have."

RobRight, right.

BobAnd, sometimes they use a lot of negatives in a sentence; like, "I don't never buy nothing."

RobDouble negatives.

BobYea, double negatives, and, they use "reckon" a lot instead of "think," or "perceive." Forexample, " I reckon there's a chance of rain." "I think/I reckon," or sometimes "over yonder"

8in place of "over there." "There's one over yonder." These are just a few examples. There'sa lot of differences, but we don't have enough time to go through them all. Also, "proud"they use in place of "happy, or "pleased." For example, "I was real proud to meet ya'llfolks," so "I was real happy." And of course "ya'll is very popular too - "you all/all of you"

Rob"Ya'll"

BobSo, those are just a few differences. You might hear them when Bubba talks. Let's play thisjoke from Bubba; the joke's about positive affirmations. Do you give yourself positiveaffirmations everyday, Rob? I'm sure you need too.

OtherLaughs

BobNo, I'm just kidding. Let's listen to this joke. I think it will be pretty easy to get.

OtherBubba Bohaks: Howdy friends, this is Bubba Bohaks for your daily wisecracks frombubbabohaks.com, visit me there in the fun barn. This here fella13 goes into the doctor'soffice. He's all depressed, he says, "Doc you just gotta14 help me, I just can't keep going onlike this." The doctor say "well, what's your problem there son?" He says, "well, I'm 35 yearsold and I still have no luck with the ladies. No matter how hard I try I seem to just scarethem away." He says, "well, it's not that big of a serious problem" he tells the guy. He says,"what you need to do is work on your self-esteem, so, each morning I want you to get uprun into the bathroom, look in the mirror tell yourself your a good person, your a fun person,and really handsome man." So, he says, "okay, I can do that." Before he leaves the officehe says, "wait one minute fella. You know if this works for you, you don't really need tocome back, because your problems not that serious. Just continue to live your life, but, ifyou have more problems you come back and see me." So, the guy says, "okay." So he getshome every morning, he's doing that in the mirror, he's building up his self-esteem. He's gotwomen all over him. He's lovin it, but he goes back to the doctor. The doctor says, "well,how come you come back, it didn't work for you"? He says, "no doc, it worked great. I gotall kinds of women, for the last couple of weeks I enjoyed some of the best moments of mylife. I've been going out with fabulous women, it's just been fantastic. The doctor says, "thenwhat's your problem"? And, he says, "doc, I need you to help with some other personalproblems. For the last few weeks I haven't been getting along with my wife very well."

BobOkay, there was a little southern accent and dialect. Let's go into emails. Okay, the first oneis from a person named, Nana, and she says, "sweet tooth Bob, why don't you haveJapanese sweets instead of cheesecakes. I've heard most Japanese sweets are healthy,better than puddings and cakes, like, manju, buns with sweetened bean paste, yokan." ?Well, Nana, very good question. The problem is I hate anko; I hate sweet bean paste. I dolike white bean paste, otherwise know as "shido anko," but, I'm just not into Japanesesweets. I want some good old fashioned sweets that have fat...

RobI have to agree with you Bob. I don't particularly like Japanese desserts.

Bob

9Ugh, anko's ? just terrible. So sorry, to all our Japanese listeners, but I'm just not a fan ofanko ?.

RobWe got another email from Patricia. She wants to ask some questions. How do you spell"pullover"? One that Bob mentioned that's kind of like a sweatshirt.

BobOn a show we talked about pullovers. "Pullover" is just one word, isn't it?

RobIt's just one word. P-U-L-L-O-V-E-R And, it's joined together, there's no dash.

BobIt's kind of like a jacket, or...

RobIt's like a jumper that you pull over your head.

BobAnd zips up the front.

RobIn the states. We don't have that distinction in Britain.

BobOh, really?

RobA pullover is just, maybe, a v-neck or round neck. It's something you have to pull over yourhead...in Britain.

BobWe would also call it an "anorak," I think. How do you spell "anorak?"

RobA-N-O-R-A-K

BobIt zips up the front; it's like a jacket.

RobOkay

BobI have a purple pullover; it's a Patagonia brand. You pull it over and you can zip it up. It'smade of polar fleece. We call that a "pullover."

RobWe call that..."fleece," as well.

BobWe call it a fleece jacket, but, as opposed to when it zips up the front.

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RobIs it like a snowboarding coat? Well, I guess anoraks are...anoraks are more for rain...yea.You can't really wear them in winter.

BobWell, the thing though is with the kind of layering system where you have a sweater, polarfleece, and then over that you have the anorak. I think that's pretty popular.

RobBut on the ski slopes, I don't know, it might still be a bit cold.

BobI don't know. I use a layering system. You ought to know that youre a mountaineer. You dolayers, you don't have one big heavy jacket.

RobI know that, but, an anorak is not suitable for the mountains - for snowboarding. Gor-tex iswhat you need as the final outer layer.

BobI think anorak, for me, is just a kind of style of cut, or, shape of the jacket. Where thematerial can be anything from nylon to gor-tex.

RobYou see, in Britain we can't really envision an anorak15 made of gor-tex...no. Our view ofan anorak is just this old wind proof type of material...

BobI bought an anorak from an outdoor company, and it's made of gor-tex, and...

RobOkay, wow.

Bob...it was called "anorak" - because you pull it over and it zips up the front.

RobOkay, well there you go.

BobWow, we learn something.

RobOur view of it is slightly different between the U.K. and America.

BobLet's see, what else do we have?

RobAdam Tan wrote a nice email. "Hi, Bob and Rob, this is Adam Tan. I'm from Malaysia, and Ienjoy the Bob and Rob Show very much." And currently, he's working on an oil rig engineer

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near Vietnam...off-shore. And everyday after his shift, he listens to the show in order tolearn English.

BobThat's good, I'm glad he waits until after his shift. It's dangerous work, I wouldn't want himto have an accident while distracted by the Bob and Rob Show. We'd feel really bad - likehe falls off the oil rig while listening to us.

RobDefinitely. He says, "keep up the good work and looking forward to the next show." Thanksvery much Adam.

BobAnd the next email kind of ties in, or, segues16, with our Ancient Japanese English StudySecret.

OtherFlute and gong. Man chants.

RobAncient Japanese Study Secret.

BobJiri...I think that's how you pronounce the name Jiri actually recommended that ratherthan using an electronic dictionary, that you consider using a PDA, a Portable DigitalAssistant. He's been really happy with his portable digital assistant, or pocket PC - orpersonal digital assistant, I should say. Because you can put flash cards, grammar tools,encyclopedias and dictionaries on them as well as do a lot of other things. He's using aHewlert Packard PDA, and there's also other ones - Axom from Dell. And he recommendsthat with the PDA you could put on; for example, dictionary software. He mentioned Linguasoft. and lexigoo other kinds if dictionary, thesaurus software. He has the EncyclopediaBrittanica on his PDA, and if you have YFY capability - meaning you can access theInternet using your PDA you can check Wikepedia an online user generated encyclopedia,and then you can put grammar guides on your PDA. So it sounds like the PDA is a lot moreversatile then just having an electronic dictionary...and of course you can keep lists on thePDA and you can use Word - other applications such as Excel, so, you have a lot moreversatility, you have a lot more options with the PDA's.

RobTrue. I'm just wondering whether or not - to boot up a PDA takes a couple of minutes...

BobYou think so?

RobLike your average PC or Mac?

BobProbably with a PDA though you can put it to sleep, so you don't have to start it up or bootit up17 every time. Some other things he mentioned for geography; Pocket World Info,Pocket Earth, Atlas type software. Anyway, I'll put some of the links in the show notes.Check them out, that's a good idea. PDA has an option to a electronic dictionary.

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RobGreat ideas.

BobAlso, Jurie recommended that we do a grammar section. So we'll think about that. We'rerunning short on time as it is. Ancient Japanese English Study Secret.

OtherFlute and gong. Man chants.

BobLet's quickly move onto phrasal verbs. We've got to move on quickly here. We've got classin five minutes. Phrasal verbs, Rob, quickly.

RobOkay, "go back, let's go back."

BobWe were in Osaka on Sunday, we went back to Tokyo on Sunday night.

RobWe came back to Tokyo on Sunday night.

BobI mean we came back.

RobWhen are we going "to go back" to Osaka, or, when are you going to "go back to Osaka?

BobI have no idea.

RobTo "go back' means to return. To "go back on something or someone" means to "to notkeep one's promise."

BobYea, "go back" on your word.

RobRight, yea.

Bob"You did not keep your promise." That's an idiom, by the way.

RobDon't trust that ? of yours Bob, he always "goes back" on his word.

BobThere you go.

Rob

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As an example.

Bob"Go back on."

RobAnd one more, "go by." If we "go by" someone, we go past, or we go close to, or we visitquickly. So for example, "we go by the coffee shop everyday."

BobI see, okay - on the way to work. On my way to work I "go by" an auto body shop. Okaygood, those were some quick phrasal verbs for today, and let's do some Both Sides of thePond. Boom, boom, boom. We got to hurry.

RobOkay, well...

BobMiddle finger, oh the F, the middle finger, my middle finger. If you flip someone off, "flip off"means to "give them that vulgar18 sign."

RobIn the U.K. we use the middle finger, but we also use two fingers. The four finger and themiddle finger together to, to...

BobF-U-C-K 19off?

RobYea, to go away.

BobThat's like a peace sign isn't it?

RobInverted20 peace sign.

BobAh, I see.

RobThe knuckles are facing the person. That's very rude in the U.K., so, quite useful toremember. After coming back from Osaka on Sunday, I was knackered Bob.

BobOh, you were tired. Knackered - I think we would say that, or, "pooped." P-0-0-P-E-DPooped..."really tired."

RobWell Bob, this has been a fast and furious show, so, ta - ta very much.

BobTa, ta, ta, ta...bye?

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RobThat's ta da. Ta da is "good bye."

BobWhat's21 it mean?

Rob"Thanks"

BobOh, I don't know if we have a slang term for "thanks." Maybe some of us on the West Coastmight say "gracious" in Spanish.

RobWe also say "cheers" to mean "ta" these days. "Cheers" is of course for drinks to toast, butwe also use it now as a way of saying "thanks."

BobReally? That's interesting.

RobIn the States, no?

BobNot very often, no. Okay, well thanks Rob.

RobNo problems.

BobAll right. Thanks again for all your donations and if you'd like to get a detailed study guide,consider joining and becoming a Bob and Rob Show member. Todays song is called NeverGo Back, by a group that's called Now Is Now. The songwriter actually wrote a littlesomething about this song, so I'll read it to you before we play the song...The year was1993, I was a green 23 year old - green means "inexperienced." I had just picked up fromNew York and moved to Boulder with my band, On Air. Everyone who knew me back inNew York asked what the hell was I doing. Why I wasn't working in Manhattan, why I wasn'tlooking to raise a family, why I wasn't being like them. This song is a reaction of theconstant probing by a society who thinks all should assimilate. And one song writers visionto break away and be himself. So, without further adieu the song is Never Go Back andspeaking of "go back" that ties in with the phrasal verb.

RobWe have to go back to class.

BobWe've got to back to the office and get ready for class. Thanks a lot for listening and we'llsee you all next week. Bye, bye.

RobThanks very much. Bye, bye.

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OtherSONG / I feel a chance, a chance for a new way / You gotta let me stay / Run around myheads in slowplay / Never go back, never go back, Im dealing OK / Put a scene in front of my face /Blocked by the rocks as I try life in a new way / Never go back, never go back Im OK /Stand by the surf, waves rolling from the dark / The sunrise casts a shadow, as the caravanembarks / Walk on my weakened legs from chaos to the peace / The trip that I must take,the emotions I release / Never go back, never go back Im at ease / Take away my energy,let the hunger take its course / Ive seen all my heart wants to see / Ive felt the pain Ive feltno remorse / Turned back into shadows, call to my soul / Im finding out just who I am andhow to play the role / A butterfly cloud so certain in its course / One gust to change its mind,suddenly were all lost / All lost in how to feel, almost feeling surreal 22/ One gust wereback on course and again were lost / Never go back, never go back at no cost / Take awaymy energy, let the hunger take its course / Ive seen all my heart wants to see / Ive felt thepain Ive felt no remorse / Turned back into shadows, call to my soul / Im finding out justwho I am and how to play the role.

Extension and Review Study*note: we encourage you to respond to the questions and readings by posting on the new discussion board(Login using your Bob and Rob Show membership username and password)http://englishcaster.com/discussionboard/

1/ Bob and Rob talked about the differences between Osaka residents and people fromTokyo. Are there differences between groups of people who are separated geographicallyin your country? If so, in what way do they differ? Think of customs and dialects.

2/ Can you tell the regional accent of a native English speaker when you hear them talking?If yes, how do you think you can do this? If no, What do you think you can do in order toincrease your listening comprehension of the many dialects of English around the world?

Osaka Castle

Note: Having succeeded in unifying all of Japan, Hideyoshi Toyotomi set to work on the construction of hiscastle in 1573. By 1585, the monstrous castle with its Main Tower had been completed. Having seen areconstruction of the soaring Main Tower in 1931 and extensive improvements in 1997, the current castle hasbeen returned to its former brilliant glory. As the symbol of Osaka, visitors from throughout Japan and theworld come to see the magnificent Osaka Castle.

For a look at Osakas City official site in English, go tohttp://www.city.osaka.jp/english/

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3/ What do you think is the best city in your country? Why do you think so? What advicewould you give to people visiting your city for the first time? What city would you most liketo visit in the world and why?

This is the inverted V sign, or 2 finger sign used in Britain. It is very rude

This is the 1 finger sign that is equally rude and used in America.

Glossary

Gore-tex 1 = this is brand name for waterproof and breathable winter clothing.haven't we?2 = typical example of a tag questionOsaka3 = officially the second biggest city in Japanbusy bunnies4 = a turn of phrase, also a more common expression is busy bees.Wicked5 = a young slang term for great. Rob is a bit old to be using this expression.hassle 6 = stress and problemswind down 7 = a phrasal verb meaning to relax, take it easystuff 8 = an informal way of saying thingsturned into 9 = a phrasal verb meaning to becomeprone 10 = likely tospeak their mind 11 = say their opinionvibrant 12 = livelyfella 13 = slang for mangotta 14 = have got to (in speech it is shortened)anorak 15 = in the UK, anoraks are associated with train spotters, and hence British peoplesinability to use the term with mountain connotationssegues 16 = leads intoboot it up 17 = PC term for start the computer upvulgar 18 = very rudeF-U-C-K 19 = this is a taboo word and we dont recommend that you use itInverted 20 = oppositeWhat's 21 easy grammar but always worth reviewing just in case: this s replaces theword does.surreal 22 = dream-like, as in artwork like that of Salvador Dali