wakarimasen

Yesterday a Japanese woman and her son came into the clinic on campus for a hearing evaluation. I was doing my research project, but they were asking if anyone knew how to speak Japanese. I said I only know a little bit, but no one there knew ANYTHING. So I volunteered to help them out with the eval. Then I went to introduce myself and I opened my mouth and NOTHING came out. I couldn't even remember if I was supposed to say ohayoo or konnichiwa. I was horrible. Then they wanted me to ask her what the problem was and all I would say was nanika mondai? I knew that didn't make any sense, but I was hoping she could piece together the words. Anyway, she didn't know a single word of English and we needed her to fill out some forms and sign the consent. Fortunately I remember sain o shite kudasai, but she had no idea what she was signing. Anyway, after a long time I was able to decipher that she was hearing okashi oto (funny noises) and that her atama was itai (her head hurt) and that she had been to Queen's Medical Center and they sent her here. Of course after that I had no chance of explaining the different diagnostic tests that we run, but I was able to tell her beepu ga kikoeba, bottan o oshite kudasai (when you hear the beep, push the button). Hopefully she didn't think I was too dumb and lame, but I think it worked out. At least I could ask her daijoobu? throughout to make sure her she wasn't in pain. Sigh, so much for four years of Japanese in high school and two more in college. See what I learn.

PS - Eliza Dushku is gonna be on new episodes of That 70's Show all February long... Happy Valentine's Day to me.