People have said they were moved even though they didn’t understand English well. Some even said the only phrase they caught was, ‘Yes, we can.’ They said they were in tears nonetheless.

Tuesday 13th October, 07:00 AM JST

Yuzo Yamamoto, an editor at Asahi Press. A compilation of President Barack Obama’s has sold half a million copies since November. Publishers have since flooded the market with over a dozen language-learning titles, including “Speech Training: Learning to Deliver English Speech, Obama Style”; “Learn English Grammar From Obama”; and “Yes, I Can With Obama: 40 Magical English Phrases From Presidential E-mails.” (New York Times)

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Latest 15 of 19 Total Comments Show All

hoserfella at 06:15 PM JST - 13th October

Ashika1009 - quite a bit of sour grapes there. Unfortunately the only thing you got right was not spelling "loser" as "looser" as most Americans are apt to do. Do you pine for the glory days of George W.? Perhaps speeches would be more inspirational with a lot of "ummmm"s and "y'know"s sprinkled in?
seijichuudo9sha at 06:39 PM JST - 13th October

Y'know, I never thought of my fellow progressives here in Japan,people like hoserfella, as being in the same boat as the j-zombies I encounter in nightclubs or bars or wherever who like to blurt out "Yes, we can" at odd moments and when "gaijin" are within an earshot. Still, I choose to take this to mean Obama really is like world president to many Canadians or northern Europeans, not to mention Japanese.
Ranger_Miffy at 07:28 PM JST - 13th October

Ignore you bastards staring at me? Yes I can.
humblesamurai at 07:40 PM JST - 13th October

YES WE CAN, YES I CAN, I can can the can but the can can not can me.
Midnightpromise at 08:32 PM JST - 13th October

Obama has me in tears also, but probably for totally different reasons.
ca1ic0cat at 08:36 PM JST - 13th October

So they were moved to tears by a speech they can't understand. That means they are pinning their personal hopes to a politician who doesn't even understand their language! Seems like a path to disappointment to me. Zombies is a good analogy. Too bad people can't take responsibilty for themselves instead of thinking some bureaucrat is going to fix it for them.
Sarge at 08:48 PM JST - 13th October

Midnightpromise - Har!
nandakandamanda at 08:52 PM JST - 13th October

That's the trouble with politics. People get emotional at the thought that their chosen politician will actually make a positive difference in their life. Dream on!

Luckily we can change these folks every few years, yes, we can.
hoserfella at 08:59 PM JST - 13th October

seijichuudo9sha - I hardly think applauding an American President for speaking eloquently and with proper dictation means I think of him as "world president". Perish the thought. It's just a sad commentary on your last 8 years.
Sarge at 09:04 PM JST - 13th October

Let me be clear... Let me be clear... Let me be clear...
seijichuudo9sha at 10:34 PM JST - 13th October

from hoserfella

'seijichuudo9sha - I hardly think applauding an American President for speaking eloquently and with proper dictation means I think of him as "world president". '

Y'know, I figure you probably meant to use the word diction there instead, but your feelings about Obama have you all excited. I know; it happens with many of the Canadians and northern Europeans I encounter in japan. Dont be embarrassed.Thanks for the support.Obama will need it.
usaexpat at 12:12 AM JST - 14th October

You too can deliver impassioned speeches about nothing filled with glittering generalities.
goddifist at 10:23 AM JST - 14th October

ummmmmmmmmmmmmmm what can i say ummmmmmmmmmmmmmmm Japanese people learn some......godd.....damn..... English (says weakly) i dont know what to say about that
hoserfella at 11:05 AM JST - 14th October

seijishuudo- oops! got me there. What can I say? After 8 years of hearing W's soundbites, he finally got to me, too. But don't worry, after Obama finally gives u yanks healthcare u can be proud of, he won't need any more support for the remainder of his 2 terms. His wild popularity will finally bring you up to par with Canada and the Northern Europeans you so obviously admire! Go Obama!
seijichuudo9sha at 05:45 PM JST - 14th October

I understand, hoserfella. 8 years of bush, and he is still in your head; maybe you should purchase "Speech Training: Learning to Deliver English Speech, Obama Style”