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Arison desu yo! 1-26-00 Japanese kids have issues
with my name. I don't know what they find so difficult about "Allison,"
but whenever I introduce myself to a class for the first time, they are
bound to repeat it in perplexed tones, usually getting it wrong, sometimes
with hilarious results. Often, upon hearing my
name, they simply test out variations on it, murmuring "Arisa??"
or "Arisu??" amongst themselves. But sometimes, I get responses
like "Arashi?!?" which means "storm," and is also
the name of a current teen idol pop group. (kind of like Backstreet Boys)
I usually respond by laughingly singing a line from their hit song. Haha!
But that's not all...I had one student call me "Amazon." It
does sorta sound like the Japanese pronunciation of my name (Arison).
Yep, that's me... Assistant English Teacher Warrior Princess!! Amazon.
And then today I got called "BISON." Ehhhhh?!? Bison?! Hmph,
thanks a lot, kid!! Heheh oh well! They all learn my name eventually... I am always impressed when I see some of my students around town, and they actually remember my name correctly. Considering that I see each class once or twice every term, and I don't get to know any of their names, I really am pleased when I hear "Arison-senseiiiii!!" called out on the street. My students are so cute. |