[sumo] [OT] Name Spelling/Pronunciation

[Lawrence Rogers]

> On 2007/11/21, at 5:40, Kuramarujo wrote:
> > 	I recently learned the Japanese word for "No".  It could easily 
> be 
> > used
> > in English in place of things like "Huh?" and "Really?" and the 
> like.>
> 
> This really had me guessing at first -- since there isn't a 
> Japanese 
> word for 'no' -- any more than there is a word for 'yes.' 

Doreen, don't confuse the troops.  Let's just say that 'hai' and 'iie' aren't the precise equivalents of 'yes' and 'no,' but that it is indeed possible to say 'no' in Jpnse using 'iie' in certain contexts. Then urge them to spent a year or two in Japan, at your expense, of course.

> 'hai' doesn't 
> mean 
> 'yes, that's right'; it just means 'I am listening; go on talking.'

Yes, yes, but...

Larry Rogers
Hilo