When studying second language acquisition, linguists often research how the native language (also known as L1) interferes with the target language (L2). For examples, a native English speaker who is learning Japanese might say “gomen nasai” when hearing that their friend has received bad news. They might have meant to say, “I’m sorry (to hear that),” but they are actually admitting fault for whatever happened. Likewise, a native Japanese speaker learning English might ask, “Are you busy?” and add more work when an English speaker replies that they are not. Yes, I’ve been there.
These linguists rarely look at how the L2 interferes with the L1. I mean, seriously, when’s that going to happen?
If you’re learning Japanese, all the freaking time.
I once overheard two English-speaking guys talking on the train. One said to the other, “I’m going into work at a shougakkou on Mokuyoubi.”
Wait, what? I can understand using shougakkou in place of ‘elementary school’ within Japan. After all, I attended a ‘primary school’ like many other Brits and so both expressions are equally unusual to me. I’ll happily tell you that I’m thinking of upgrading my ordinary keitai for an iPhone. Yeah, it makes sense to select the word you have in common when two or more dialects collide.
I also understand using a Japanese loan word for something so culturally specific that there’s no comparable word for it. Would you prefer to eat “vinegar rice, often served with raw fish” or sushi? I’m even a fan of the word kawaii. Sure, you can translate it as ‘cute’, but we all know there’s something more going on there.
So why Mokuyoubi when you mean ‘Thursday’? Is this really unique to those of us learning Japanese? Maybe those linguists should investigate.
Do you use Japanese words when you’re talking/writing in English? Which ones? If you’d like to read more about Japanese check out my article on the number eight and Japanese wordplay.
I am constantly using ‘naruhodo’ instead of ‘I see’. It just… encompasses the whole idea better. Same with ‘sasuga’ when someone does something typical of them. Katherine volunteered to do lifts for our evening out – sasuga Katherine. Hannah ate the last of the ice cream when we weren’t looking – sasuga Hannah ¬_¬
I can see why, although ‘sasuga’ hasn’t been adopted into English in the same way as ‘kawaii’. But it definitely combines two concepts (both good, but as expected) that a single English word doesn’t.
I’m having this with both English and Japanese, depending on what language I most associated with recently (i.e. usually English unless I binge on dorama for three days straight).
I’m actually a bit worried about my stay abroad now – most talking will be done in English/Japanese/Dutch for the next two years and since I don’t have to many German friends I talk in German with… this might be interesting.
Yeah. One of the most challenging things after work is to be able to speak fluent English. I been speaking Japanese and basic English all day.
If you aren’t able to talk much in German, I recommend… a blog. :P
I think “ganbatte” a lot, but never “good luck” or “do your best.” I think it just just encompasses the idea of “encouraging word” more wholly. I also don’t think there’s a very good English equivalent of “tadaima” or “okaeri.”
I can understand using ‘ganbatte’ too, although it took me a long time to separate the Japanese meaning and the common English translations for it. When people said I had ‘ganbarimashita’ at the end of the working day, I used to take it to mean that I had *tried* hard and it took me a while to realise there was, in fact, an element of success built in to the expression! :)
‘Tadaima’ and ‘okaeri’ are a bit more blurry for me. I can think of expressions we could use in English, although I’m not sure we really greet people as they come home (outside of “Honey, I’m home!” of American sitcoms). I remember running to my father as he came home from work, but I can’t remember what we really said.
I think the odd thing about translating “tadaima”/”okaeri” is that the order is interchangable, but in English as it’s commonly translated, you can really only say “I’m home”/”Welcome home” in that order. It doesn’t make much sense to say “I’m home” after someone has already said “Welcome home,” but “tadaima” following “okaeri” still makes sense.
Really sorry for commenting this late again, but i just had to. :))
My favorite Japanese words are “baka” and “yosh”. Ever since i watched Fruits Basket, i got stuck with this thing: “baka neko!” So every time someone or something annoys me, i keep yelling “baka neko!!” If i had yelled the same thing in my own language, people would have definetly said that i’d gone crazy, but in Japanese it sounds so cool! If i translate “baka” in Romanian, it has a whole different meaning, on a more serious note, more insulting.
As for “yosh!” i even corrupted my sister to say it whenever we’re getting ready to go somewhere or do something. It doesn’t really have a translation in Romanian… At least not one to express the exact meaning.
Well anywayz, these are my favorite words. :D
I have to admit that ‘baka neko’ sounds pretty odd to me, but I can’t deny the fun of bringing new words into ones personal vocabulary. :)
japan is like the coolest langues, except it’s not sexy enough to fall in lovwe with