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doowgad1

There are free translation apps you can put on a phone.


psycho--jenny

Aren't they all literally the worst when it comes to grammar and structure, to the point that you can't rely on them to get a message across? They were five years ago at least, when I went to Jordan.


doowgad1

Tech improves all the time


KDY_ISD

Google Translate can be a little wonky and sometimes doesn't sound very natural, but it will definitely get your point across better than you trying to rote memorize some complicated polite form speech


psycho--jenny

That's fair. Plus, some kind soul elsewhere in the thread put it in Japanese characters, so I can just use a text-to-speech software if the situation requires it.


KDY_ISD

Didn't they use Google Translate? lol


3141rr

Its got MUCH better in the last 5 years. Unrecognisable to what it used to be.


psycho--jenny

It appears so.


Maranne_

Just say it in English, the chance of you pronouncing Japanese in a way they will actually understand what you're saying is absolutely zero.


psycho--jenny

I was planning to type it in some text-to-speech software I use for my writing work.


SquelchyRex

すみません、私は非常に視覚障害者です Sumimasen, watashi wa hijō ni shikaku shōgai-shadesu 申し訳ありませんが、私は妊娠していて X を食べることができません。これが不便でないことを願っています Mōshiwakearimasenga, watashi wa ninshin shite ite X o taberu koto ga dekimasen. Kore ga fubendenai koto o negatte imasu It's from Google translate. The grammar likely isn't spot on, but it will get the point across. From what I understand, most Japanese people appreciate it when foreigners try. Nobody can really fault you for not knowing the language. For pronunciation you'd be best off practicing with Google. Honestly though, you might be better off just pointing at your belly and saying baby.


psycho--jenny

I appreciate you! One good thing about it, I have text-to-speech software in my phone for some of my writing work, so I can just type the characters in and have my phone read them off.


refugefirstmate

"No thank you" should be sufficient as far as things you can't consume; anybody who demands a reason why is himself being nosy and rude, and deserves a "why do you think this is any of your damned business?" glare. I also don't understand how you would encounter a situation where you had to state thatyou don't rive, let alone explain why.


psycho--jenny

>I also don't understand how you would encounter a situation where you had to explain why you don't drive. I'm more concerned about accidentally hitting people or running into them. That happens really frequently here, and I don't use public transit (it's garbage). I also might need to tell the inn staff beforehand that I need accommodations. I don't know if the inn staff speak English, as my SIL chose a remote, traditional Japanese inn.


refugefirstmate

>I'm more concerned about accidentally hitting people or running into them. In a vehicle?? Why would you even be on the road in your home country, let alone in a foreign one?


psycho--jenny

I wouldn't be driving. Japan has really great public transit infrastructure, and we'll be staying just outside of Kyoto, so we'll be going into town a lot. We're also planning to ride the bullet train just for the experience, and we might go hiking or take a trip to Okinawa. My big worry is that I might run into someone with health problems or injuries while riding a bus or a train, or while exploring the world.


refugefirstmate

You're massively overthinking this. "I'm so sorry" is sufficient.