English, baby!

Memoirs of a Geisha

Date: Jan 18 2006

Intro

1. Learn Vocabulary - Learn some new vocabulary before you start the lesson.

2. Read and Prepare - Read the introduction and prepare to hear the audio.

Memoirs of a Geisha is a new movie based on the book by Arthur Golden. It tells the story of Chiyo, a young girl from a small fishing village in Japan who is sold to a geisha house in Kyoto. After many challenges and hardships, Chiyo becomes the most popular geisha in Kyoto.

Listen to Taylor and I talk about the movie.

Dialog

1. Listen and Read - Listen to the audio and read the dialog at the same time.

2. Study - Read the dialog again to see how the vocab words are used.

Dave

Taylor

Dave: I saw Memoirs of a Geisha a few days ago.

Taylor: How was it?

Dave: What I thought was strange is that, the entire movie is filmed in Japan, almost all of the cast are Japanese. For the most part it’s all Japanese, but the movie’s filmed in English. Which, you know, it is a Hollywood movie, but…

Taylor: Doesn’t it also have a Chinese actress in the primary role?

Dave: Right. Well, the lead actress is a Chinese actress. Now tell me, how difficult would this be? She’s Chinese. She speaks Chinese and English. But, for this role, she had to work with a linguist for like two years to learn how to speak English with a Japanese accent. But other than that, the movie was very beautifully filmed.

Taylor: I imagine. I’ve heard it’s a bit of a snorefest.

Dave: It’s all a matter of taste.

Taylor: Yes.

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Discussion

The role of geisha is widely misunderstood, especially in America. After World War II, many Americans began to think of geisha as expensive prostitutes. However, this is not very accurate.

Geisha are social entertainers. They are trained in classical dancing, singing and conversation. They serve drinks and entertain guests at expensive tea houses in Japan. Nowadays, some geisha work internationally as models and entertainers for businesses and expensive private parties.

Before World War II, there were nearly 80,000 geisha in Japan. Now, there are less 10,000.

Comments

byron_jade21

Philippines

I love the book and the movie!!! four thumbs up!

JEZZ

Mexico

This story is beautiful and the make is important but I think the results are more important than it.So if the story is wonderful and the movie is amazing the MOST important thing is WHAT DO YOU FEEL WHEN YOU SEE THEM TOGETHER?