In looking through my file for information I needed for today's column, I was diverted by notes from readers that amused me, or might someday be useful. Here are a few of them:
A gentleman wrote about the confusion in Japan when it comes to names and titles. Somehow one of his Japanese listings was transferred in part to a mail-order house in the U.S. From them, he receives mail addressed to Mr. Brown P. Sama (the honorific "san"). Similarly, there is a phone response I occasionally receive when I say, "This is Jean Pearce calling." What I hear: "Just a moment, Miss Calling."
Then there was a TV commercial with a father making a bowl of instant ramen for his son. The boy says: "Watashi no papa GOOD desu." Understandable in either language.