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Hmmm. What could it be? Could they have blown their minds on insane anime?! |
Posted on 02/07/2005 7:29:07 AM PST by Al Simmons
Konnichi what? Japanese are forgetting how to be polite
Justin McCurry in Tokyo Monday February 7, 2005 The Guardian
The Japanese have become so poor at speaking their own language that they may soon have to refer to a government manual for advice on how to be polite.
A damning report issued by a cultural affairs agency panel says that although most Japanese believe keigo - honorific or self-effacing speech - would remain an important part of their language, many are using it incorrectly.
The misuse of keigo, a series of complicated conjunctions of nouns and verbs used when addressing superiors, clients or formal gatherings, prompted the panel to call for the publication of a manual on how to speak properly.
Mangled Japanese is more than a pet hate for pedants. The ability to humble oneself and elevate the listener is essential to the smooth operation of Japan's hierarchical society. Mistakes can cause considerable embarrassment.
"Not just young people, but adults are not using honorific Japanese properly," an education ministry official told Agence-France Presse. "With the language guidelines we hope to spread the correct use of the Japanese language."
Traditionalists blame irreverent TV variety shows, manga comics and a general decline in educational standards.
But it is not just the spoken word that is causing concern. A survey by the National Institute of Multimedia Education said many young people had a poor command of Japanese, with a fifth of students at private universities unable to meet the standards formally required of high school students.
The government panel also called for a study into the public's mastery of kanji characters - one of Japanese's three alphabets - amid fears that the widespread use of word-processing software has lead to a deterioration in reading and writing skills.
In addition, the proliferation of foreign words, and the slang beloved of teenage girls, has left many older Japanese wondering whether they speak the same language as their children and grandchildren.
Anyhow, funny the Japanese should have thought that their cultural barrier could have protected them forever from the disgusting informality that has plagued the West for a generation now.
Honestly, every time I get addressed by my first name upon calling the plumber (or someone else) for the first time, I want to scream.
If I am real ornery, I'll reply: "Since you are neither a family member, nor a friend, nor an acquaintance, you will kindly adress me as 'Mr. Simmons'"
But usually I just think 'he/she means no harm', and ignore it.
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Hmmm. What could it be? Could they have blown their minds on insane anime?! |
Oh, great. Now that it's sourced, we need to repeat our earlier threaded comments? Feh!
Reminds me of the story of when a famous US athlete (perhaps Babe Ruth - can't quite remember), was introduced to the Queen of England, and instead of saying "Pleased to meet you, Your Majesty," said "Hello, Queen."
Where's Chris?
*ROTFLMAO*!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Oh, I'm dying!!!!!!!!
*BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAH*!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!*
You're a GENIUS!!!!!!!!!!!!
Oh I'm crying!!!!!!!!!!!
Such a curt reply to the lead moderator?
It was Babe Ruth, but he was addressing the King of Norway or Denmark. "Hiya King".
Then again, he WAS the Babe. He could get away with anything.
You got me. I plead 'GUILTY'
I was tweaked because he had never done that to me before (plus he made me WORK for it).
:-(
As a person of Japanese ancestry I can only hope to see the day that the rigid hierarchical formalities vanish. The Japanese are reminded constantly through their language where they exist socially, economically, culturally.
If they're losing such formality, they can give up and kiss it goodbye. When language evolves, it can't be held back. I have my own pet peeves--but no one is more peevish than the French. They speak a language that dwindles in speakers every year. It is on the way to linquistic death.
Well, granted I do not have your background; but I am of Central European birth, and can recall the stately formality of my father (born in 1907 and a world-traveling diplomat with 8 languages), as well as that of my aunts/uncles/grandparents.
It was so much more DIGNIFIED. But, those days are gone forever (in the old country as well as here).
So, while I may be speaking out of ignorance, the formality and reserve of Japanese society has always seemed more natural to me than its opposite here in the U.S.
Put another way - I do not think that it is such a bad thing to have a society held together by "rigid hierarchical formalities". To someone bewildered by the insane INformality of Western life, it might seem like a breath of fresh air.
I note you said "Japanese ancestry". So you weren't born there, were you? Have you lived there? Do you speak the language? My own personal experience is that, regrdless of your 'ancestry', you can never really understand a foreighn culture unless you are "of it" (ie. grew up there for some period, speak the language, intuitively know how people relate, etc.) I can honestly tell you that, having lived in the USA since the age of 11, I can still have more 'fellow-feeling' with someone from the old country after just a half-day's conversation that I have practically ever had with anyone in America.
I have (belatedly) learned that, if you're an immigrant, you give up an awful lot when you come here and turn your back completely on your heritage in order to become 100% Americanized.
Fail your master and you are ronin. ;-)
Now, now. We'll have none of that linguistic racism here!!
Wanna hear an original joke:
Q: Why were the Germans and Japanese such natural allies during WW II?
A: Because they speak the only two world languages that are BARKED instead of spoken.
*Chuckle* Funny. But no one will top post #1 above. EVER.
Hmmmmm, sarcasm and a curt reply to a moderator?
I believe Mr. Simmons has his shorts in quite a twist. Mr. Simmons is clearly not ready to lead by example.
I surely hope that this gentleman's day gets better.
"As a person of Japanese ancestry I can only hope to see the day that the rigid hierarchical formalities vanish."
It certainly is a delicate balance isn't it? I admire much of what I know of the Japanese culture, (which is not expansive). But, I can see where the constant reminder of one's "place" can be a method of keeping people down. And ultimately hurt society by demotivating otherwise talented individuals.
On the other hand, the disrespectful and irreverent society we have leads to other problems, such as crime, and a youth that demotivates itself.
Somewhere in between would be nice, but it seems that is difficult to achieve.
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