Thursday, April 28, 2011
Golden Week
We have no class Friday the 29th or Saturday the 30th, and next Tuesday (the 3rd) is off as well. We do have class next Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday, as usual. Have a nice break, and we'll see you soon!
Saturday, April 23, 2011
Things that are unexpectedly the same, part 4
4. Names of countries
At some point growing up, you learn that the names you use for countries aren't the same as the names those countries use for themselves. I was very surprised when I first learned that Japan, Spain, and Germany all had different names than the ones we used for them.
When I first moved to Japan, I was surprised that people called Spain Supein instead of España. People also call Cuba Kyuuba, like Americans, instead of Cuba (koo-bah), which Cubans call themselves. Did Japan learn these words from Americans? I wonder what Spanish people think about this!
There are some cases where the Japanese word for a country is closer than the American version. Germany, for example, is Deutschland, closer to the Japanese Doitsu than the English Germany. Switzerland, too, is Suisse in French, Suisu in Japanese, but Switzerland in English. I think the Japanese name is closer.
Actually, Japan's name has changed again since then, too. When I was in high school, we learned that Japan was really called Nihon in Japanese, but people usually call it Nippon now.
At some point growing up, you learn that the names you use for countries aren't the same as the names those countries use for themselves. I was very surprised when I first learned that Japan, Spain, and Germany all had different names than the ones we used for them.
When I first moved to Japan, I was surprised that people called Spain Supein instead of España. People also call Cuba Kyuuba, like Americans, instead of Cuba (koo-bah), which Cubans call themselves. Did Japan learn these words from Americans? I wonder what Spanish people think about this!
There are some cases where the Japanese word for a country is closer than the American version. Germany, for example, is Deutschland, closer to the Japanese Doitsu than the English Germany. Switzerland, too, is Suisse in French, Suisu in Japanese, but Switzerland in English. I think the Japanese name is closer.
Actually, Japan's name has changed again since then, too. When I was in high school, we learned that Japan was really called Nihon in Japanese, but people usually call it Nippon now.
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Things that are unexpectedly the same, part 3
3. Politicians saying silly things after natural disasters
As you have probably read, the mayor of Tokyo, Shintaro Ishihara, said that the recent earthquake and tsunami were "divine punishment" for the selfishness of the Japanese people. Read here from the Guardian, and the Yomiuri.
But he's not the only one!
Many American politicians say things like this after natural disasters. Here's something to get your blood boiling. A popular radio and TV commentator named Glenn Beck agrees with Ishihara!
About other disasters, political and religious leaders have said many things like Ishihara and Beck about everything from hurricanes (like Katrina) to 9-11. A very popular religious leader named Jerry Falwell blamed 9-11 on gays, feminists, and abortionists.
Sometimes the similarities you find between countries are more disappointing than inspiring.
As you have probably read, the mayor of Tokyo, Shintaro Ishihara, said that the recent earthquake and tsunami were "divine punishment" for the selfishness of the Japanese people. Read here from the Guardian, and the Yomiuri.
But he's not the only one!
Many American politicians say things like this after natural disasters. Here's something to get your blood boiling. A popular radio and TV commentator named Glenn Beck agrees with Ishihara!
About other disasters, political and religious leaders have said many things like Ishihara and Beck about everything from hurricanes (like Katrina) to 9-11. A very popular religious leader named Jerry Falwell blamed 9-11 on gays, feminists, and abortionists.
Sometimes the similarities you find between countries are more disappointing than inspiring.
Saturday, April 2, 2011
Things that are unexpectedly the same, Part 2
2. Trends in baby names
What are some of your grandparents' friends' names? What about your parents' friends? What are your friends' names?
Chances are (if your family is Japanese), the first group includes a lot more Chiyokos and Saburos, the second group has more Michikos and 4-syllable names for men, and the last group has a lot of shorter names like Mika and Shota. I haven't done any real research on this, but I have definitely noticed that none of my adults students' names end in -ya, and almost none of the kids' names end in -ko.
In the US, you'll have a very hard time finding anyone under 70 named Gertrude or Walter. A few of my friends' parents were named Linda or Roger, but none of my friends were. My generation had a lot of Jennifers and Mikes, but apparently those are both a bit rare now.
In both the US and Japan, you can get a fairly good idea of how old someone is just from his or her name.
Interestingly, the authors of language textbooks often use names from their own generation when make up characters. My Japanese textbooks were full of characters named Hanako and Taro, and junior high schoolers in Japan read about characters named Steve and Mary - which haven't been popular names in at least 30 years!
The top names for babies in 2010 were Sophia for girls, and Aiden for boys. I've never met a Sophia or an Aiden in my life! I must be getting old.
What are some of your grandparents' friends' names? What about your parents' friends? What are your friends' names?
Chances are (if your family is Japanese), the first group includes a lot more Chiyokos and Saburos, the second group has more Michikos and 4-syllable names for men, and the last group has a lot of shorter names like Mika and Shota. I haven't done any real research on this, but I have definitely noticed that none of my adults students' names end in -ya, and almost none of the kids' names end in -ko.
In the US, you'll have a very hard time finding anyone under 70 named Gertrude or Walter. A few of my friends' parents were named Linda or Roger, but none of my friends were. My generation had a lot of Jennifers and Mikes, but apparently those are both a bit rare now.
In both the US and Japan, you can get a fairly good idea of how old someone is just from his or her name.
Interestingly, the authors of language textbooks often use names from their own generation when make up characters. My Japanese textbooks were full of characters named Hanako and Taro, and junior high schoolers in Japan read about characters named Steve and Mary - which haven't been popular names in at least 30 years!
The top names for babies in 2010 were Sophia for girls, and Aiden for boys. I've never met a Sophia or an Aiden in my life! I must be getting old.
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