Like all photos like this that circulate the web, it is easy as native English speakers to laugh and make fun. At the Satsuki Matsuri, this store was selling light refreshments and snacks under this tent in order to fund raise for the Nishimiya “Soccer” Club.
Originally arriving in Japan in a position related to English education, the above is a prime example of the simple mistakes that can result in detrimental errors.
This particular error occured due to the Japanese English education system being based on American English. Originally being a foreign game, the Japanese used the American pronunciation of the name of this sport (saa-ker) as opposed to the British English (so-ker) when translating to Japanese (サッカー – sakaa). The photo tells you rest of the story.
Throughout my time in the education system in Japan, I always made an emphasis on pronunciation – by the book. Intonation aside, I cannot stand the number of inconsitencies with American English in both pronunciation and spelling (Color does not read as colour anyway you look at it).
Similar to the supporters of not cutting out traditional Chinese characters for the “easier” simplified characters, I am one supporter of “proper” pronunciation. I suppose it would have also made my job of explaining pronunciation a whole lot easier too!
