happy blog edited the following
Question: How to differentiate chinese vs. japanese speech during performance?

Hi,

I’ve often noticed that when comedians imitate chinese people talking in their acts they often also use the same style of “comic-speech” when imitating japanese people. Now that I’m thinking about it…I use the same “Ahhh Sooo Funnny” style of talk when imitating a chinese or japanese person talking, My question is…How can/should/do you do a chinese voice vs. a japanese voice when doing stand up comedy (voice/speech patternes, accents, gestures, etc.). If you told the same joke using your fake japanese voice…how is it different than when you use your fake chinese voice. Hopefully I’m being clear. Thanks in advance to everyon who offers good help. (Sorry in advance to anyone who take offense at ethnic comedy/jokes) I dish it out…cause I can take it back.

ANSWER:

Answer by Jeff
For the Japanese style, use the South Park episode “Chinpokomon.” For the Chinese style, use any of the South Park episodes featuring City Wok. I think one of them is “Christmas in Canada.”

Answer by St N
Leaving aside the taste and political correctness of the humour, try immersing yourself in each community until you can identify with them. You will then be able to tell the differences and do them in your act.

Answer by Ally
Well I’m not QUITE sure what you mean, but one of the differences between Japanese and Chinese is that in Japanese, all of their words end with a vowel sound, excluding ‘n’. This is because the symbols they use to make up words are like ‘wa’, ‘he’, ‘no’ etc and always end in vowels (again, with the exception of the ‘n’ sound)
This doesnt apply in Chinese =)
Hope that was helpful.

Answer by Dead Cat
One very distinct trait of the Chinese language is the intonation. They have tones that go from low to high, high to low, and even one that goes down and up. This isn’t as stressed in the Japanese language.

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