That's Why I Think Japanese Language Is Negative
- 221
- 10
- 1
I'd like to write about my latest blog's sequel entry. As I mentioned that I think Japanese language is negative on my last entry, there is another reason.
A couple of days ago, I was chatting with my Jewish friend over Skype. He and I are really good friends. At that time my British friend was staying at our house. Although he didn't join our conversations, while sitting next to me and working with his PC, he was listening to our conversations. We were speaking in English at the time.
My Jewish friend told me that he finished reviewing 2000 Kanji (Kanji is one of our characters in Japanese language). When I heard his story, I thought it was great! However, instead of saying congratulations, and it was great I said that there were more than 2000 kanji. It isn't enough for you to read something in Japanese. Your Kanji level is the same as Japanese middle school kids. You have to study more Kanji, and your next goal was 3000. I knew that he already has memorized 2000 Kanji. He reviewed all of them. So, I would like to encouraged him.
When my British friend listened to that, he told me, "Yumi!!! It's really rude to David! I know it's a Japanese way, and not a Western way. However, you should say, "Congratulations!" first to him." Until I heard it from Martyn (My British friend's name is Martyn), I never ever thought my comment sounded rude to David. I was shocked. Of course, David is my good friend, and he knows Japanese culture very well. So, he didn't say that I offended him at all. Although I just wanted to encouraged him, my encouraging comment sounded negative to both my British friend and Jewish friend.
Thinking about this, I think Japanese language is negative. I think all languages relate to their own culture tightly. So, if you have been learning other languages, I really want you to learn the culture at the same time.
A couple of days ago, I was chatting with my Jewish friend over Skype. He and I are really good friends. At that time my British friend was staying at our house. Although he didn't join our conversations, while sitting next to me and working with his PC, he was listening to our conversations. We were speaking in English at the time.
My Jewish friend told me that he finished reviewing 2000 Kanji (Kanji is one of our characters in Japanese language). When I heard his story, I thought it was great! However, instead of saying congratulations, and it was great I said that there were more than 2000 kanji. It isn't enough for you to read something in Japanese. Your Kanji level is the same as Japanese middle school kids. You have to study more Kanji, and your next goal was 3000. I knew that he already has memorized 2000 Kanji. He reviewed all of them. So, I would like to encouraged him.
When my British friend listened to that, he told me, "Yumi!!! It's really rude to David! I know it's a Japanese way, and not a Western way. However, you should say, "Congratulations!" first to him." Until I heard it from Martyn (My British friend's name is Martyn), I never ever thought my comment sounded rude to David. I was shocked. Of course, David is my good friend, and he knows Japanese culture very well. So, he didn't say that I offended him at all. Although I just wanted to encouraged him, my encouraging comment sounded negative to both my British friend and Jewish friend.
Thinking about this, I think Japanese language is negative. I think all languages relate to their own culture tightly. So, if you have been learning other languages, I really want you to learn the culture at the same time.
You haven´t to give more importance.
I don't know that it is that Japanese is negative, or Western languages are more positive. I think it is that we interpret things differently.
You are always very kind and polite and I wanted to explain the differences in how I say things and what you said. I listened to your conversation with David and I know he would not have been offended by what you said. He probably, like me, would have laughed at your honesty :)
That's Why I Think Japanese Language Is Negative.
I'd like to write a sequel to my previous entry.
As I mentioned that I think Japanese language is negative on my last entry. Since then, I have another example that I would like to share.
Although he didn't join in our conversations, while sitting next to me and working with his PC, he was listening to what we were saying.
My Jewish friend told me that he had finished reviewing 2000 Kanji (Kanji is one type of characters in the Japanese language).
However, instead of saying congratulations and it was great, I said that there were more than 2000 kanji. [Moved the comma.]
I then said that it isn't enough for him to read something in Japanese
and that his Kanji level is the same as Japanese a middle school kids.
I told him that he would have to study more Kanji and that his next goal should be 3000.
So, I wanted to encourage him.
When my British friend listened to what I said, he exclaimed, "Yumi!!!
It could sound really rude to David!
However, you should say, "Congratulations!" to him first to him." Until I heard this from Martyn (My British friend's name is Martyn), I would never ever have thought my comment sounded rude to David.
Although I just wanted to encouraged him, my encouraging comment probably sounded negative to both my British friend and Jewish friend. [It may not have sounded negative to David. Your tone of voice said more than your words, Yumi. It was clear that you were pleased for him.]
Did you arrive in Hong Kong safely?
I hope that you and your family are well.