sechan19 | Subtle Differences.

At the IUC bonenkai (lit. "party to forget the year"), something very funny happened during the speeches. The first speech of the evening was given by the Center chancellor. Once he was finished, the new teacher for business Japanese was expected to give the kanpai speech.

However, somehow the microphone ended up in Matsumoto-sensei's hands. He looked at it quizzically for a moment, then brought it up to his mouth and said, "Ima, mike wo watasasete itadakitai to omoimasu."

"And now, I think that I would like to receive the honor of passing the microphone."

And he handed it straight over, amidst a healthy dose of laughter.

The situation was amusing for a number of reasons, largely dependent on Matsumoto-sensei's manner - which is always so incredibly deferential and proper. But it occurred to myself and some friends recently that what really made the statement so funny to us students was the fact that nothing like it would ever be said in English.

Oh sure, we might be placed in a situation where we had to say, "Now, I'll pass the microphone to my esteemed colleague," or even, "Now, I'd like to pass the microphone..."

But: "I think I'd like to receive the honor of passing the microphone?"

No way.