指著圖畫書來對話：群馬縣餐館利用插圖交流

A few weeks ago the Mainichi News on-line reported the following:

指差し会話ブック:イラストで意思疎通　群馬の飲食店に

毎日新聞　2015年03月09日　21時11分（最終更新　03月09日　22時09分）

　飲食店で外国人客とのやりとりがスムーズにできるよう、群馬県飲食業生活衛生同業組合は、イラストを指して意思疎通できる「指差し会話ブック」を作成。県内２０００店に設置した。

　草津、伊香保など有名温泉地や世界遺産の富岡製糸場があり、外国人観光客が増加していることから作成を決めた。イラストと共に料理の種類を英語、中国語、韓国語、タイ語で表記している。

　来店から会計まで場面ごとに構成。営業時間や禁煙・喫煙の別、食材や調理法、食器の種類や「トイレはどこですか」といった会話例まであり「おもてなし」の心もたっぷり盛り付けた。【角田直哉】

(試譯文)

In order that communication with foreign visitors could be done smoothly in restaurants, Gunma prefecture’s Restaurant Business Life Hygiene Trade Association had made a "Pointing conversation book" to enhance the dialogue by pointing at an illustration. It was set up in 2,000 shops in the prefecture.

 Because there were famous spa at Kusatsu and Ikaho etc. and the Tomioka Silk Mill was the world's cultural and natural heritage, a decision was made noting that foreigner tourists were increasing. Along with the illustrations, the different kinds of dishes were being translated into English, Chinese, Korean and Thai.

 It consisted of every situation from entering into the shop to making payments. A lot of heart felt "hospitality" tips were being laid out such as business hours, differentiation on smoking and no-smoking, cooking ingredient and the recipe, types of tableware, and even conversation example on "Where is the restroom"?

So tourists will feel more comfortable when they communicate with the shop keepers etc. through these picture books.