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Japanese 'Get a Mac' Ads
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Just like 99.9 percent of Americans try to pronounce Japanese words like Toyota, Honda, Mazda, Pokemon, etc., and just can't get it right.
今日は is actually "Konnichiwa" The は is pronounced わ in this case. I tought at a highschool in Japan for two years, and even the native students often wrote it incorrectly. 今日は and こんにちは are ok, こんにちわ is wrong.
今日は = "kyou ha" = "today is"
今日は = "konnnichiha" = "hello"
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I hate to say it but I was not moved by these commercials. Nice to see them but sorry...both guys are geekish.
1) Mac says that he can be used in private and PC is for work only.
...welll that looses the work market ...the market that I use a mac in.
2) Sorry the "Mac" character is not as cool as the US version or some of the actors being used for other computer commercials in Japan. Star power sells in Japan.
If Apple really wants this to sell, they will have to make some specialized videos that are Japan only. For example iMovie...they have to use an example of the time it takes to edit say....kid's sports festival video.
Now I am waiting to see these commercials on prime time TV. If they have a good response and apple sales go up...Great. But sorry. My office is all PC and people have no clue what a Mac is. They just think I can do all these awesome things because I bought the software.
We get faxes daily selling PCs. We have sales people coming by every so often selling computers directly. What is apple doing in Japan? nice commercials that will maybe sell a few more. But in the schools, they are doing crap. If the school uses PCs, the parents buy the same one.
In Sendai, the school system bought macs...so did the parents.
1) Mac says that he can be used in private and PC is for work only.
...welll that looses the work market ...the market that I use a mac in.
2) Sorry the "Mac" character is not as cool as the US version or some of the actors being used for other computer commercials in Japan. Star power sells in Japan.
If Apple really wants this to sell, they will have to make some specialized videos that are Japan only. For example iMovie...they have to use an example of the time it takes to edit say....kid's sports festival video.
Now I am waiting to see these commercials on prime time TV. If they have a good response and apple sales go up...Great. But sorry. My office is all PC and people have no clue what a Mac is. They just think I can do all these awesome things because I bought the software.
We get faxes daily selling PCs. We have sales people coming by every so often selling computers directly. What is apple doing in Japan? nice commercials that will maybe sell a few more. But in the schools, they are doing crap. If the school uses PCs, the parents buy the same one.
In Sendai, the school system bought macs...so did the parents.
There is much to be said for cultural bias, and by "bias" I don't mean anything specifically negative. What I mean is one's culture gives one a certain frame of reference. And having worked for Sony for 5 years, one thing I have learned is not to try and judge things inside of Japan by my own standards, since Japanese frequently don't look at things the way I do.
It's my impression that, for instance, Japanese people don't look for ways of "sticking it to the man" like we do here in the U.S. I don't mean that someone from Japan doesn't know about the concept of "fighting city hall", but that it's handled differently.
I'm not quite sure how to convey the same sentiment in Japanese Apple commercials that we have here, since we have no trouble calling Microsoft "evil" in all the senses of the word, whereas I think in Japanese culture, the priority is more on either helping another save face or at least remaining neutral in such matters (though by all means someone here who's a native or someone who is an expert on Japan and it's culture, correct me if I'm wrong.)
Can someone here please give myself and/or the rest of us some guidance with respect to how far one can go in Japan in speaking of others before they cross some socially unacceptable line? I really don't know, and would like to.
It's my impression that, for instance, Japanese people don't look for ways of "sticking it to the man" like we do here in the U.S. I don't mean that someone from Japan doesn't know about the concept of "fighting city hall", but that it's handled differently.
I'm not quite sure how to convey the same sentiment in Japanese Apple commercials that we have here, since we have no trouble calling Microsoft "evil" in all the senses of the word, whereas I think in Japanese culture, the priority is more on either helping another save face or at least remaining neutral in such matters (though by all means someone here who's a native or someone who is an expert on Japan and it's culture, correct me if I'm wrong.)
Can someone here please give myself and/or the rest of us some guidance with respect to how far one can go in Japan in speaking of others before they cross some socially unacceptable line? I really don't know, and would like to.
They are on TV already in the Kansai area, saw 2 of them last night.
Agreed on almost all you said. Just doing a commercial on Undokai is not going to sell Mac's to business, Apple Japan needs to think out of the box, that's probably too difficult for them.
That was a stirring reply, Eastend. And while it's true that all answers are replies, not all replies are answers.
That was a stirring reply, Eastend. And while it's true that all answers are replies, not all replies are answers.
Do not take it wrong, the English was not correct, he wanted a translation, but he asked what did the woman say.
"Lighten up," it is so... American
What a cliche
Is that the best you could do?
BTW, My Japanese manager thinks they are hilarious too...
This is totally off subject but...
and...
I agree with you. Even though ??? can be read as Konnichiwa. In most cases it will be read as Kyouwa. Usually Konnichiwa is written in Hiragana (?????). I am not saying it is not used but the Kanji usage is very rare and most Japanese will read it as Kyowa.
Linguistically the humor of the first commercial "Work vs Mac" is very Japanese. It is too the point where even as a consultant in East Asian cultures I had to watch it several times till I really got the joke. Still cannot laugh. My wife (Japanese) said it was not funny and must have been written by a Kanto comedian. If a Kansai comedian had written it, it would have been funnier.
and...
I agree with you. Even though ??? can be read as Konnichiwa. In most cases it will be read as Kyouwa. Usually Konnichiwa is written in Hiragana (?????). I am not saying it is not used but the Kanji usage is very rare and most Japanese will read it as Kyowa.
Linguistically the humor of the first commercial "Work vs Mac" is very Japanese. It is too the point where even as a consultant in East Asian cultures I had to watch it several times till I really got the joke. Still cannot laugh. My wife (Japanese) said it was not funny and must have been written by a Kanto comedian. If a Kansai comedian had written it, it would have been funnier.
Japanese Version
Actually, it is the taste of Kanto (around Tokyo) not that of Kansai (around Osaka). But for the image of Apple in Japan, Kansai plot is not suitable, I guess. Because the image of Kansai is not cool.
As a native Japanese, good one is iLife one (someone calls it "iRife" BTW).
Actors are comedian duo called "Ramens" (you know ramen as in chinese noodle)
Actually, it is the taste of Kanto (around Tokyo) not that of Kansai (around Osaka). But for the image of Apple in Japan, Kansai plot is not suitable, I guess. Because the image of Kansai is not cool.
As a native Japanese, good one is iLife one (someone calls it "iRife" BTW).
Actors are comedian duo called "Ramens" (you know ramen as in chinese noodle)
Well, then, let me make you happy. You're going to be the last person of the day, so why not...
With regards to aforementioned website containing a video clip of a Japanese woman demonstrating a stunningly simple technique wherein in three rapid moves she folds a t-shirt to a certain predefined size and shape;
AND WHEREAS she gives a narration of the process in the Japanese language;
AND WHEREAS MikeTheC is not literate in Japanese and therefore cannot make any direct use or sense of the spoken Japanese instructions;
AND WHEREAS this thread, having nothing really to do with the ancient Japanese art of folding t-shirts, but yet heavily discussing Japanese commercials and Apple's renewed presence in them;
I would humbly request that, should someone here have an over-abundance of time on their hands, time which is of such sufficient abundance that they cannot otherwise fill it, and is suitably and/or sufficiently bored, AND who happens to be fluent in Japanese, if it would please or in some small way entertain you, please enter by way of the standard electronic form, written in English, the substance of what the afore-referenced Japanese instructor said as she gave the afore-mentioned and afore-referenced instructions in Japanese.
Thank you.
well, as the schoolkids say
...
i also study in japan, and have never seen it that way as conversation, maybe only sometime in newspaper... but who am i to say? i'm no schoolkid, just a uni student...
...
i also study in japan, and have never seen it that way as conversation, maybe only sometime in newspaper... but who am i to say? i'm no schoolkid, just a uni student...
"Kon-nichi-wa" is sometimes used in the beginning of a public speech, not only to school kids but to adult people.
Why did they replace Justin Long in these ads? ...I could have sworn he spoke Japanese.
Ya! remember the camera one when he talks to the japanese camera!
The first time I watched I couldnt even tell which one was the Mac lol....I still liked it.
Last I remember, Japan and Korea tend to show loyalty to Japanese companies, hence Sony playstation doing well in Japan. I also remember reading that iPod is #3 in like Japan, a #4 in Korea or something.
Eh Kansai not cool? No way...Shock!
Kind of unique that instead of using regular actors they are using a manzai group. Way to go manzai boom. Cultrually unique.
The Rahmens
More about the Rahmens
Why? Oh Why use Kanto Manzai.... damn manzai boom. Drives me nuts. Much of it is painful. I would prefer wearing braces to watching kanto humor. Kanto humor is drier than a desert.
Japanese Ad and Rahmen
I think the Japanese version of the "Get A Mac" ad was first aired in the Japanese TV on last Saturday at around 10 pm Japan Time.
I was a bit surprised, not only because "Get A Mac" is in Japanese, but also because Apple has chosen the right man to do the Ad, the Rahmen!!
I love Rahmen's way of making spoof.
I quickly posted the ad, and of course the famous Rahmen spoof on Japanese in Sushi in my blog.
I think the Japanese version of the "Get A Mac" ad was first aired in the Japanese TV on last Saturday at around 10 pm Japan Time.
I was a bit surprised, not only because "Get A Mac" is in Japanese, but also because Apple has chosen the right man to do the Ad, the Rahmen!!
I love Rahmen's way of making spoof.
I quickly posted the ad, and of course the famous Rahmen spoof on Japanese in Sushi in my blog.
it's the french actor who dubs David Schwimmer in Friends (and in some of his movies). Strange choice, but i guess his voice is easily recognizable.
Nice translations Gammamonk and thanks. But just to nitpick a little...
I believe "っオ、iPod、何聞いてる" should be "っオ、iPod、何聴いてる"
You had "What are you hearing?" rather than "What are you listening to?"
And fill in the blanks:
Shake it Shake it
Sh-Shake it Shake it
Shake it like a _________ picture
EDIT: Actually, Polaroid has almost no presence in the Digital realm (though they do have a couple of crappy models). Hewlett Packard has a significant presence in the Digital Camera market, though...
Nice translations Gammamonk and thanks. But just to nitpick a little...
I believe "っオ、iPod、何聞いてる" should be "っオ、iPod、何聴いてる"
You had "What are you hearing?" rather than "What are you listening to?"
Hey, thanks. Yep, I think you're right too. Probably why I always fail my ２級.
I prefer the Japanese Mac guy. Although I dare say the Justin Long character is probably more truly representative of many Mac users (somewhat smug, somewhat superior, superficially focused on looks)