SHORT TAKES : Cavett Tongue-Tied in Japanese

CHARLESTON, W.Va. —  Talk show host Dick Cavett needed 35 tries to get it right while making a videotape to promote West Virginia.

But give him break: He was doing it in Japanese.

Gov. Gaston Caperton, scheduled to go to Japan Saturday for a nine-day visit, will take with him the promotional videotape in which Cavett extols the state’s virtues.

“We in America are quite proud of West Virginia,” the translated text of Cavett’s remarks show. Cavett says Japan and West Virginia have mountain ranges, a proud history and eyes on the future. The governor’s office said Cavett has done three documentaries for Japanese television.