English speakers are from Mars
Kumiko Makihara
December 6, 2006
TOKYO: Despite some predictions that Chinese will become the next worldwide lingua franca, the acceptance of English as the global language, spurred by the spread of the Internet, is here to stay. Fluent English is increasingly expected, rather than respected, in the business community.
Considering Japan's economic prowess, and how many Japanese travel and work overseas, the country has a surprisingly low level of fluency in English. So rare is fluency here that my father was nicknamed "the alien" for speaking English and being Westernized. And this was in the 1990s, when he was the president of a major Japanese trading company where most of his business was conducted in English.
A growing divide between English speakers and non-English speakers doesn't bode well for a big economic power like Japan. Yet a government committee's proposal to introduce English into the elementary school curriculum has met surprising protest.
"Teaching English may be necessary in the global community, but as a Japanese, one must first be able to speak proper Japanese," declared Bunmei Ibuki, the education minister, upon his appointment in September.
Ibuki's remarks reflect a stubborn insular mentality still prevalent among Japan's elite. After all, Japan managed to become one of the world's largest economies without its people mastering much English. Foreign-language study doesn't need to be a high priority for children, they say.
Today in Opinion
The influential author and mathematician Masahiko Fujiwara even says that Japanese should be proud that their scores on the Toefl, the test that assesses English proficiency of non-native speakers, rank among the lowest in Asia. That is the result of the country never having been colonized nor forced to speak another language, Fujiwara writes in his best-selling book, "Kokka no Hinkaku" or dignity of a nation.
While Japan slowly debates the issue, its neighbors and rivals in Asia have taken the practical road and acquiesced to the English-speaking trend.
Like Japan, none of them have historical or cultural ties to the English language. China, South Korea, Taiwan and Thailand have all incorporated English into their elementary school curriculum.
Poor English skills didn't matter much for Japanese in the 70s and 80s when global customers clamored to do business with any Japanese company, says John Shook, an auto consultant based in Michigan. "The competition now faced by Japanese company A is not another Japanese company, but Chinese or Korean or American. The embarrassingly low level of English spoken by Japanese managers, while a mere embarrassment before, is now a major business liability," he says.
Opponents of introducing English into Japan's curriculum argue that children should spend those precious hours studying their own complex tongue: a difficult language with layers of honorifics and thousands of written characters that linguists lament young people are increasingly unable to master. But the government proposal only calls for one hour of English per week in the 5th and 6th grades, hardly enough time to confuse children linguistically or do damage to their Japanese. And that hour could go far in impressing upon children that there is a world beyond their borders accessible by language.
To be sure there are major hurdles to implementing English classes in schools here. Only about 4 percent of elementary school teachers are currently certified to teach English. And few can pronounce the language like a native speaker. But until training is complete, schools could use audio visual materials. Better to get an early start.
To forge ahead, Japanese students will also have to overcome their shyness in trying out new words.
In this extremely conformist society, even children are reluctant to stand out by speaking better or worse than their peers, so few students are eager to speak up in class. It doesn't help that English instruction in schools never encouraged speaking.
But any language student knows that on the road to fluency, it's no shame, no gain.
I take advantage of this cultural aversion to shame sometimes by speaking English to my son in public when he misbehaves, increasing my volume until he gets into line. It usually works.
My son doesn't want to stand out like an alien, after all. I myself would be happy to have him be from outer space in Japan, as long as he could communicate with the rest of the world.
Kumiko Makihara is a freelance writer based in Tokyo.
http://www.iht.com/articles/2006/12/06/opinion/edkumiko.php
I disagree with the writer. I agree to only this part" it's becoming global world, and it is necessary to speak English."
Now, people clamor to study English everywhere in Japan to prepare for global world. I expect more and more English is necessary for us to improve Japanese economy. when thinking about recently news like stock prices, we can see it's all connected to the world. However, poor English for Japanese and the fact we have the lowest English skills in Asia is viewed with suspicion. the reason is, as the writer says "Like Japan, none of them have historical or cultural ties to the English language". I think lots of our factors such as non-be colonized, island and Japanese grammar which is totally opposite range to English and Japanese shy let us be poor English Speaker.
However, I disagree to this part, "Opponents of introducing English into Japan's curriculum argue that children should spend those precious hours studying their own complex tongue: a difficult language with layers of honorifics and thousands of written characters that linguists lament young people are increasingly unable to master. But the government proposal only calls for one hour of English per week in the 5th and 6th grades, hardly enough time to confuse children linguistically or do damage to their Japanese."
I know many people have this kinds of opinion, and I had it that young people must learn their language and country at first. the reason why I changed my mind is that having interest in English is most important for children to start English. If they are warning that children does not have more time to study English in school to study their own complex tongue, then even more We have to try children to learn English from more young age.
I think when they start learning English, they do not need to study grammar and a lot of time because as I said before the most purpose for children to learn English is to having "INTEREST" in English. just they need a chance to learn what is English to meet with foreigner and learning other countries.
the reason why I focus on the interest is because learning other language needs so long time to study to get. Moreover, though mother language needs us to live but other language does not so to continue to study foreign language, we need the interest in them.
2008年1月7日月曜日
Japanese Times News
Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2006
BILINGUAL
Men retreat from 'hassle' of loving relationships
By KAORI SHOJI
We're told that the nation's economy is in its best shape in a decade. While this is "roho (good news)," other things are happening in this country that are not so hot. Literally.
According to sources, many eligible Japanese men are in the throes of what's become known as "Renai Ken-o Sho (Dislike of Love Relationships)" and, consequently, the number of loving couples has plummeted to probably the lowest in the last decade. Single women are complaining that the dating scene has never been so barren, and those fortunate enough to have boyfriends live in fear of the extremely high turnover rate: "Kyo no kanojyo wa ashita no moto-kano. (Today's girlfriend is tomorrow's ex-girlfriend)."
Yes, there is less relationship-security now than ever before, and it's all the result of the Japanese male's seeming reluctance to get close, get committed and become that most coveted of conditions: "jyounetsuteki (passionate)."
Out-of-love epidemic
"Korewa mohaya byokidane (this has officially become an epidemic)" says editor Michiyo on this out-of-love trend. This is her story: After three whole years of nurturing warm, friendly relations with a "doryo (colleague)," Michiyo confessed her love one morning after an all-night, "futarikiri (just-the-two-of-us) drinking stint. Instead of taking her in his arms and declaring likewise (as she had envisioned) he looked acutely embarrassed, turned away and muttered: "Sou yuno, nashini shiyoyo (Let's not go there)."
Shocked, Michiyo's professional antenna went up: This colleague had to be part of a bigger disease eating away at the hearts and minds of the nation's men. It should be noted that Michiyo is smart, attractive and sexy -- she owns eight pairs of skin-tight, pin-heel boots that, when combined with her collection of skin-tight Earl jeans, makes her look like a "wasei Kyameron (the Japanese Cameron Diaz)," the kind of look that, it might be assumed, would attract suitors.
Let's not go there? What was the guy thinking?
And this would seem to be the collective Japanese female wail. They just don't know what men are thinking, or want anymore. Before, it had been so simple. Men wanted women and that was all there was to it. It was the guy's job to deduce the workings of the female mind.
Now, the tables have turned. Men are constantly shying away and looking embarrassed while women lay bare their hearts and fling them at their reluctant, shuffling feet. "I sense a nation-wide wave of 'don-biki (a great, pulling away)' on the part of men" analyzes Michiyo. "They actually act affronted when women confess. They act like little girls, they act like 'otome (virgins)!' "
It's true. The widespread "ren'ai ken-o" goes hand in hand with the widespread otome-ization of the Japanese male. Ten years ago the media gasped when young men were discovered to shave their legs and buy skin-care products. Today the focus is on young men who see sexual relationships as something "kimoi (disgusting)" and who seem to have little interest in venting their physical desires with actual partners. They live for "shigoto (jobs)" and "shumi (hobbies)." Above all, they value their privacy.
Heavy burden
Behind the "shoshika (low birth rate)" phenomenon (which has mostly been palmed off as the fault of the nation's women), is this to consider: Japanese men are less interested in love, let alone such an "omoni (heavy burden)" as marriage and "kosodate (child-rearing)."
Michiyo did an informal survey among the single men in her department, and reports that six out of eight replied that the reason they choose to avoid ren'ai altogether is because they cannot see any merit in being with women. "Onnanoko wa mendoudashi, renraku shinakya-naranaishi, purezento toka okane kakarushi . . . (Girls are a hassle, they expect me to call, I have to buy them gifts and that would cost money)" was one 34-year-old male's sum-up. He would rather deploy his funds and time in other ways, ways that would be infinitely more rewarding than in a "kocchini nanno tokuni naranai (There's no profit to be gained)" love relationship.
Girls of Nippon, we live in glacial times.
(http://search.japantimes.co.jp/member/member.html?ek20060110ks.htm）
Q,Do you agree or disagree with the author (who is Japanese).
Yes, I definitely agree to this because I hear this in these days a lot from news, TV or even my friends.
Just two days ago, one of my friends talked about marriage. she told,
"Nowadays, this is a trend that boys choose girls who are tough and say her opinion a lot for the best partner."
It means male looks for strong female who can take care of him. On the other hand, there must be male who does not like the kinds of female and wants to be chauvinistic husband.
In my opinion, the reason why this happened is Japanese female is becoming strong and express their feeling to male directly. Moreover, nowadays, Working Japanese female is accepted in this society like foreign countries . They can work with having children. they can work and make money as same as male does. As a result, Japanese female does not need male to live so much. In the old days, female can not live without male because they do not have opportunity to work and make money. Likewise, female is getting strong than man so they say their opinion and what they want to do to male. It is not like "Otome" like before.
Thus, I think male thinks it is not interesting to have loving relationship without the feeling they does not be rely on female.
BILINGUAL
Men retreat from 'hassle' of loving relationships
By KAORI SHOJI
We're told that the nation's economy is in its best shape in a decade. While this is "roho (good news)," other things are happening in this country that are not so hot. Literally.
According to sources, many eligible Japanese men are in the throes of what's become known as "Renai Ken-o Sho (Dislike of Love Relationships)" and, consequently, the number of loving couples has plummeted to probably the lowest in the last decade. Single women are complaining that the dating scene has never been so barren, and those fortunate enough to have boyfriends live in fear of the extremely high turnover rate: "Kyo no kanojyo wa ashita no moto-kano. (Today's girlfriend is tomorrow's ex-girlfriend)."
Yes, there is less relationship-security now than ever before, and it's all the result of the Japanese male's seeming reluctance to get close, get committed and become that most coveted of conditions: "jyounetsuteki (passionate)."
Out-of-love epidemic
"Korewa mohaya byokidane (this has officially become an epidemic)" says editor Michiyo on this out-of-love trend. This is her story: After three whole years of nurturing warm, friendly relations with a "doryo (colleague)," Michiyo confessed her love one morning after an all-night, "futarikiri (just-the-two-of-us) drinking stint. Instead of taking her in his arms and declaring likewise (as she had envisioned) he looked acutely embarrassed, turned away and muttered: "Sou yuno, nashini shiyoyo (Let's not go there)."
Shocked, Michiyo's professional antenna went up: This colleague had to be part of a bigger disease eating away at the hearts and minds of the nation's men. It should be noted that Michiyo is smart, attractive and sexy -- she owns eight pairs of skin-tight, pin-heel boots that, when combined with her collection of skin-tight Earl jeans, makes her look like a "wasei Kyameron (the Japanese Cameron Diaz)," the kind of look that, it might be assumed, would attract suitors.
Let's not go there? What was the guy thinking?
And this would seem to be the collective Japanese female wail. They just don't know what men are thinking, or want anymore. Before, it had been so simple. Men wanted women and that was all there was to it. It was the guy's job to deduce the workings of the female mind.
Now, the tables have turned. Men are constantly shying away and looking embarrassed while women lay bare their hearts and fling them at their reluctant, shuffling feet. "I sense a nation-wide wave of 'don-biki (a great, pulling away)' on the part of men" analyzes Michiyo. "They actually act affronted when women confess. They act like little girls, they act like 'otome (virgins)!' "
It's true. The widespread "ren'ai ken-o" goes hand in hand with the widespread otome-ization of the Japanese male. Ten years ago the media gasped when young men were discovered to shave their legs and buy skin-care products. Today the focus is on young men who see sexual relationships as something "kimoi (disgusting)" and who seem to have little interest in venting their physical desires with actual partners. They live for "shigoto (jobs)" and "shumi (hobbies)." Above all, they value their privacy.
Heavy burden
Behind the "shoshika (low birth rate)" phenomenon (which has mostly been palmed off as the fault of the nation's women), is this to consider: Japanese men are less interested in love, let alone such an "omoni (heavy burden)" as marriage and "kosodate (child-rearing)."
Michiyo did an informal survey among the single men in her department, and reports that six out of eight replied that the reason they choose to avoid ren'ai altogether is because they cannot see any merit in being with women. "Onnanoko wa mendoudashi, renraku shinakya-naranaishi, purezento toka okane kakarushi . . . (Girls are a hassle, they expect me to call, I have to buy them gifts and that would cost money)" was one 34-year-old male's sum-up. He would rather deploy his funds and time in other ways, ways that would be infinitely more rewarding than in a "kocchini nanno tokuni naranai (There's no profit to be gained)" love relationship.
Girls of Nippon, we live in glacial times.
(http://search.japantimes.co.jp/member/member.html?ek20060110ks.htm）
Q,Do you agree or disagree with the author (who is Japanese).
Yes, I definitely agree to this because I hear this in these days a lot from news, TV or even my friends.
Just two days ago, one of my friends talked about marriage. she told,
"Nowadays, this is a trend that boys choose girls who are tough and say her opinion a lot for the best partner."
It means male looks for strong female who can take care of him. On the other hand, there must be male who does not like the kinds of female and wants to be chauvinistic husband.
In my opinion, the reason why this happened is Japanese female is becoming strong and express their feeling to male directly. Moreover, nowadays, Working Japanese female is accepted in this society like foreign countries . They can work with having children. they can work and make money as same as male does. As a result, Japanese female does not need male to live so much. In the old days, female can not live without male because they do not have opportunity to work and make money. Likewise, female is getting strong than man so they say their opinion and what they want to do to male. It is not like "Otome" like before.
Thus, I think male thinks it is not interesting to have loving relationship without the feeling they does not be rely on female.
Class #10 Table Manners
Table Manners
Q,Have you ever eaten in a foreign restaurant? Where?What did you eat?
Did you make any mistakes?Please explain your experience. Did you learn anything?
When I was a junior high school student, I went to Canada for home stay. It was the first time to go abroad and stay with forigners. There are two young children.
one night, we were eating dinner with them. There were long fried fish or meat on my plate. they has sauce for this so I put it on the fish/meat, then, suddenly, Briana(one of the kids) told me,
" Nami, what are you doing. Don't do that." and the mother said to her,
" it's OK, Briana."
I was not able to recognize why was she saying to me and what was she talking about my dinner. Also I was not able to have enough English skill to ask if there are somethings wrong with me.
At this time, they did not tell me the matter in detail by their consideration to me.
However, after I saw her way to eat the dish, I knew the different way of eating of mine and hers. I put sauce on it directly but she put it side of the dish and after cut it to be a small piece, dip it to the sauce, then they finally can eat it.
After learning it is rude to put sauce on dishes in another countries, I was really embarrassed and also I thought there are another different table manner between Japan and foreign countries so I have to be careful about this when I am in other countries.
Q,Have you ever eaten in a foreign restaurant? Where?What did you eat?
Did you make any mistakes?Please explain your experience. Did you learn anything?
When I was a junior high school student, I went to Canada for home stay. It was the first time to go abroad and stay with forigners. There are two young children.
one night, we were eating dinner with them. There were long fried fish or meat on my plate. they has sauce for this so I put it on the fish/meat, then, suddenly, Briana(one of the kids) told me,
" Nami, what are you doing. Don't do that." and the mother said to her,
" it's OK, Briana."
I was not able to recognize why was she saying to me and what was she talking about my dinner. Also I was not able to have enough English skill to ask if there are somethings wrong with me.
At this time, they did not tell me the matter in detail by their consideration to me.
However, after I saw her way to eat the dish, I knew the different way of eating of mine and hers. I put sauce on it directly but she put it side of the dish and after cut it to be a small piece, dip it to the sauce, then they finally can eat it.
After learning it is rude to put sauce on dishes in another countries, I was really embarrassed and also I thought there are another different table manner between Japan and foreign countries so I have to be careful about this when I am in other countries.
2007年12月8日土曜日
Homework#8
Q1. Do you think having a massive wedding like Korea or UAE is a good idea?
I do not think a massive wedding is a good idea because in a massive wedding, there must be many people, and it should be crowed. Moreover, some of them are strangers. We must care about them. It would be a uncomfortable place and time for me.
For another reason, I want to be a main character in my wedding. In a massive wedding, there are many main bridegrooms and brides who are main character. so I do not like that.
Q1-2 Eloping
Q2. What is your ideal wedding?What would you definitely do or wear or do to on that big day?
I want to have it in chapel. it would be better if it is white and new. I do not want to wear Japanese way of wedding in shrine because I do not think that chothes or Kimono and Tsunokakushi ( I do not know how I can say.) suit me.
I do not think a massive wedding is a good idea because in a massive wedding, there must be many people, and it should be crowed. Moreover, some of them are strangers. We must care about them. It would be a uncomfortable place and time for me.
For another reason, I want to be a main character in my wedding. In a massive wedding, there are many main bridegrooms and brides who are main character. so I do not like that.
Q1-2 Eloping
I never think about Eloping even if my parents will not agree with me because I think I will need my family's help after I married. I will have a lot of things I have to learn from them. Moreover, I think I do not want to take grandparents from my kids. maybe I can not take care of my kids everyday. I have to have a free time sometimes so for the time, I need my family's help. Therefore, Eloping is not a good idea for me.
Q1-3 Haiving it in a foreign location like Hawaii?
Q2. What is your ideal wedding?What would you definitely do or wear or do to on that big day?
I want to have it in chapel. it would be better if it is white and new. I do not want to wear Japanese way of wedding in shrine because I do not think that chothes or Kimono and Tsunokakushi ( I do not know how I can say.) suit me.
2007年12月3日月曜日
Homework #5
Superstitions Homework
Q1. do you think it is important to talk about them? Why?
I think it is important to talk about them because by searching superstitions and compared with ones of many countries, we can see what is important for their counties. For example, from the last presentation, there are many superstitions about religion in Germany. Moreover, it expresses each counties characters. this is some examples- we have a superstition about the sound. Number 4 has a "shi" sound and it is the same sound of "shi", death. there are Japanese superstitions that we must not cut nails in night. My parents told me it's from the sound. "Yo(夜）"(night) "Tsume(爪）"(nail) is like "Yo(世)" (our life) "Tsume(詰め)"(pass along or close up) so Japanese people afraid of the bad sound related with bad. we think it invites bad fortune.
Is communication affected by superstitions?
I have no idea that communication is affected by superstitions. However, some superstitions put bad image or impression to others because, if people do something that is bad superstition which invites bad fortune, we feel uncomfortable to see them. sometimes, we even think it is manner or polite not to do it. so we have to be careful about other superstitions another people believe.
Q2.Do you believe in Japanese superstitions? If so, what superstitions, what do they mean and why do you do,use, or believe in them?
I do not believe in Japanese superstitions because when I was a little, I believed it so my parents always told me about it. However, for my experiences, if I did it whatever good or bad superstition, it did not change anything and nothings happened to me so I do not believe. But I still feel uncomfortable to do some of them. I never stand chopsticks in rice because If I do this, I image the relation with death people. so I do not believe but feel unhappy about it.
Q1. do you think it is important to talk about them? Why?
I think it is important to talk about them because by searching superstitions and compared with ones of many countries, we can see what is important for their counties. For example, from the last presentation, there are many superstitions about religion in Germany. Moreover, it expresses each counties characters. this is some examples- we have a superstition about the sound. Number 4 has a "shi" sound and it is the same sound of "shi", death. there are Japanese superstitions that we must not cut nails in night. My parents told me it's from the sound. "Yo(夜）"(night) "Tsume(爪）"(nail) is like "Yo(世)" (our life) "Tsume(詰め)"(pass along or close up) so Japanese people afraid of the bad sound related with bad. we think it invites bad fortune.
Is communication affected by superstitions?
I have no idea that communication is affected by superstitions. However, some superstitions put bad image or impression to others because, if people do something that is bad superstition which invites bad fortune, we feel uncomfortable to see them. sometimes, we even think it is manner or polite not to do it. so we have to be careful about other superstitions another people believe.
Q2.Do you believe in Japanese superstitions? If so, what superstitions, what do they mean and why do you do,use, or believe in them?
I do not believe in Japanese superstitions because when I was a little, I believed it so my parents always told me about it. However, for my experiences, if I did it whatever good or bad superstition, it did not change anything and nothings happened to me so I do not believe. But I still feel uncomfortable to do some of them. I never stand chopsticks in rice because If I do this, I image the relation with death people. so I do not believe but feel unhappy about it.
2007年11月25日日曜日
Homework #4
proverbs
1. Time is money.
Time is a valuable resource, therefore it’s better to do things as quickly as possible(Oxford English Dictionary)
I do not understand why it should be money. What does "money" mean in this proverb? I guess its money means that if people do not use money, it's no worth. There are money to use so time has also the same meaning. Time pass fast and we cannot do the same thing at different time. For example, as we are students and have many time so we can hang out with friends. I think this proverb has meaning that time is always limited.
2.A stitch in time saves nine.
If a job needs doing it is better to do it now, because it will only get worse, like a hole in clothes that requires stitching.(UsingEnglish.com)
I think it is the same as this proverb "Never leave till tomorrow what you can do today". I n my view, starting is really important to do something. People are always lazy so if starting is late and bad, people stay in this bad situation and it keeps to the end. For example, I always keep this proverb in my mind. If teachers assign homework which probably have 1 week to hand in, I finish this as soon as possible. it makes me comfortable. Moreover, I try to feel this again for next homework. this structure is like domino topping or blocks for me.
3.There's no time like the present.
The present time is a good time to take action. (wiktionary)
It's pretty same meaning of No.1 "Time is money" and 2 "A stitch in time saves nine". Time is never the same with different time. Time is always changed and people and situation also change with time. I think action has a proper time to do. However, we do not know when it is so we would better to do it now and decide the appropriate time to take actions throw doing it.
4. Fashionable late.
It means it is good and looks cool if we show up a little late to think about inviters. But it is for parties and not for business because parties are always pretty big events for inviters and hard to prepare for a party so we would better to be late. we give more time to inviters to get ready and not rush if we are late. what we call this is "fashionable late".
However, never happened in Japan I think. whenever and wherever people show up late is so impolite even it is party. I think First inviters should think about what time can they get ready for their party and tell invitees the right time. then they should do it on time. If I will be late for the party, I email to inviters about it. I think it is etiquette for inviters.
1. Time is money.
Time is a valuable resource, therefore it’s better to do things as quickly as possible(Oxford English Dictionary)
I do not understand why it should be money. What does "money" mean in this proverb? I guess its money means that if people do not use money, it's no worth. There are money to use so time has also the same meaning. Time pass fast and we cannot do the same thing at different time. For example, as we are students and have many time so we can hang out with friends. I think this proverb has meaning that time is always limited.
2.A stitch in time saves nine.
If a job needs doing it is better to do it now, because it will only get worse, like a hole in clothes that requires stitching.(UsingEnglish.com)
I think it is the same as this proverb "Never leave till tomorrow what you can do today". I n my view, starting is really important to do something. People are always lazy so if starting is late and bad, people stay in this bad situation and it keeps to the end. For example, I always keep this proverb in my mind. If teachers assign homework which probably have 1 week to hand in, I finish this as soon as possible. it makes me comfortable. Moreover, I try to feel this again for next homework. this structure is like domino topping or blocks for me.
3.There's no time like the present.
The present time is a good time to take action. (wiktionary)
It's pretty same meaning of No.1 "Time is money" and 2 "A stitch in time saves nine". Time is never the same with different time. Time is always changed and people and situation also change with time. I think action has a proper time to do. However, we do not know when it is so we would better to do it now and decide the appropriate time to take actions throw doing it.
4. Fashionable late.
It means it is good and looks cool if we show up a little late to think about inviters. But it is for parties and not for business because parties are always pretty big events for inviters and hard to prepare for a party so we would better to be late. we give more time to inviters to get ready and not rush if we are late. what we call this is "fashionable late".
However, never happened in Japan I think. whenever and wherever people show up late is so impolite even it is party. I think First inviters should think about what time can they get ready for their party and tell invitees the right time. then they should do it on time. If I will be late for the party, I email to inviters about it. I think it is etiquette for inviters.
2007年11月1日木曜日
Homework #3
1. Do you judge people according to what they wear? Why?
Yes, I do. I know judging people by their clothes does not exactly tell what kind of person they are correctly. However, in my opinion, people do naturally and without knowing. if someone wear all bright color clothes or do unique fashion, I am in the habit of seeing them a little longer than others. It does not mean I am despising them. I think if they wear unique clothes, I think their inside has also different things with others. I am always finding something new or someone unique. then I also want to have something different characters with others. by contrary, I know it may be annoyance for them or they think it is prejudice.
2 Do you think Japanese society puts an importance on clothing when judging other people from another country?
No, I do not think so. especially I ,who is interested in another country, have never judge them according to their clothes. I think what they wear expresses their cultures. people think it is interested in another countries and people there because they have different things with us. I hope Japanese society does not these things and does not let foreigners to care about clothes.
3. What colors are you wearing now? Do they reflect your mood?
I am wearing gray clothes on the top. I think it is comfortable for me and it is important now because I am trying to sleep now so if it is bright color and let me excited, I would not be able to sleep and it tries to me awake.
Preparation for Next Class
1. What are some subjects that you will never discuss with a friend?
I may be unable to say "never" but I can not discuss My Best Friend to my friend. I may discuss this only with really close friend who think we are best friend. I think it is very complex feeling and topic for especially girls. for example, if I talk about my best friend to my friend who I do not think she is not my best friend, and if she thinks I am her best friend, she must feel sad and mad. on the other hand, I try to say "you are my best friend" but she does not think so, both I and she feel so uncomfortable and the friendship with her fragile after that so I do not want to have that kinds of trouble. therefor, I do not want to discuss about it with my friends.
2. Do you have different friends for different parts of your life? If so, how are they different to you? Do you talk about different things? Go to different places? Give me some examples.
Yes, I do. because if every my friends have a resemble personality, I will get bored. I can spend a good time to hang out many times with each of my friends having different character and merit. I also think we will be a close friends if we have something same or the same opinion even if it is a little part of myself.
For example,
Yes, I do. I know judging people by their clothes does not exactly tell what kind of person they are correctly. However, in my opinion, people do naturally and without knowing. if someone wear all bright color clothes or do unique fashion, I am in the habit of seeing them a little longer than others. It does not mean I am despising them. I think if they wear unique clothes, I think their inside has also different things with others. I am always finding something new or someone unique. then I also want to have something different characters with others. by contrary, I know it may be annoyance for them or they think it is prejudice.
2 Do you think Japanese society puts an importance on clothing when judging other people from another country?
No, I do not think so. especially I ,who is interested in another country, have never judge them according to their clothes. I think what they wear expresses their cultures. people think it is interested in another countries and people there because they have different things with us. I hope Japanese society does not these things and does not let foreigners to care about clothes.
3. What colors are you wearing now? Do they reflect your mood?
I am wearing gray clothes on the top. I think it is comfortable for me and it is important now because I am trying to sleep now so if it is bright color and let me excited, I would not be able to sleep and it tries to me awake.
Preparation for Next Class
1. What are some subjects that you will never discuss with a friend?
I may be unable to say "never" but I can not discuss My Best Friend to my friend. I may discuss this only with really close friend who think we are best friend. I think it is very complex feeling and topic for especially girls. for example, if I talk about my best friend to my friend who I do not think she is not my best friend, and if she thinks I am her best friend, she must feel sad and mad. on the other hand, I try to say "you are my best friend" but she does not think so, both I and she feel so uncomfortable and the friendship with her fragile after that so I do not want to have that kinds of trouble. therefor, I do not want to discuss about it with my friends.
2. Do you have different friends for different parts of your life? If so, how are they different to you? Do you talk about different things? Go to different places? Give me some examples.
Yes, I do. because if every my friends have a resemble personality, I will get bored. I can spend a good time to hang out many times with each of my friends having different character and merit. I also think we will be a close friends if we have something same or the same opinion even if it is a little part of myself.
For example,
- I love reading books and one of my friend does, too. so I am excited sharing our opinion of books we read with her.
- I and one other friend have the same fashion sense so we often go shopping and give advice to clothes in the store.
- I and one other friend love learning foreign language so we go to some international event togather.
2007年10月25日木曜日
Homework #2
1.Death and Funerals:
A. Do you have any international friends or a host family? If so, how would you express your condolences to them if a family member died? If not, then how would you express consolences to an American host family if their Grandmother died?
if one of the family members who I knew or met before died, I would express my condolence with my cry or sad face because the expression using with face like smile, cry and sad face is pretty common all over the world. so I think there are no country or somebody who tell us that we can not express my condolences with my face. it is very difficult to go to funerals without knowledge.
the other idea is that if I study or have information about the way of funeral and condolences in their country, I follow it and send flowers because sometimes, they may have some flower we can not bring to funeral like rose in Japan.
B. Have you ever been to a foreign funeral?
No. I have not. but I sometimes watch a part of movie having funerals and it is very different between counties. some people wear black net to hide their face. some other people put many flowers in coffin. there are many kinds of them.
2. The language of Clothes (preparation for next weeks topic):
A.Why are Japanese designer label crazy? Why is what you wear so important?
I do not care about any brand of clothes. I do not think wearing them is important so much. because they are expensive and now, I am a student and have a lot of thing I want to study and learn. so I need a lot of money to do them and no money to waste like buying brand.
However, I care about the material of clothes or the clothes that makes me person what I want to be. because If I wear ragged clothes, people think I am unclean and lazy person. what I wear put my image to others. I care about a look from others.
B.What does “Don’t judge a book by it’s cover.” mean to you?
It means "Do not judge people from outside. it is important to see and know their inside. "
People often decide others with looks. However, looks does not always fit with their interior.
I think the first impression of people is really important to meet people because good impression makes people feel easy to talk to me and bad one is difficult to talk to me. I mean good impression is somethings I can express from my inside. so it is making a good smile or wearing clean clothes. so I think we can judge people with first impression at fast but we should not judge person with wearing brand clothes or beautiful face or body style that they can not change.
A. Do you have any international friends or a host family? If so, how would you express your condolences to them if a family member died? If not, then how would you express consolences to an American host family if their Grandmother died?
if one of the family members who I knew or met before died, I would express my condolence with my cry or sad face because the expression using with face like smile, cry and sad face is pretty common all over the world. so I think there are no country or somebody who tell us that we can not express my condolences with my face. it is very difficult to go to funerals without knowledge.
the other idea is that if I study or have information about the way of funeral and condolences in their country, I follow it and send flowers because sometimes, they may have some flower we can not bring to funeral like rose in Japan.
B. Have you ever been to a foreign funeral?
No. I have not. but I sometimes watch a part of movie having funerals and it is very different between counties. some people wear black net to hide their face. some other people put many flowers in coffin. there are many kinds of them.
2. The language of Clothes (preparation for next weeks topic):
A.Why are Japanese designer label crazy? Why is what you wear so important?
I do not care about any brand of clothes. I do not think wearing them is important so much. because they are expensive and now, I am a student and have a lot of thing I want to study and learn. so I need a lot of money to do them and no money to waste like buying brand.
However, I care about the material of clothes or the clothes that makes me person what I want to be. because If I wear ragged clothes, people think I am unclean and lazy person. what I wear put my image to others. I care about a look from others.
B.What does “Don’t judge a book by it’s cover.” mean to you?
It means "Do not judge people from outside. it is important to see and know their inside. "
People often decide others with looks. However, looks does not always fit with their interior.
I think the first impression of people is really important to meet people because good impression makes people feel easy to talk to me and bad one is difficult to talk to me. I mean good impression is somethings I can express from my inside. so it is making a good smile or wearing clean clothes. so I think we can judge people with first impression at fast but we should not judge person with wearing brand clothes or beautiful face or body style that they can not change.
Homework#1-2 Preparation for the next class "Death and Funerals"
2. Preparation for the next class "Death and Funerals"
A,Where do you go when you die?
My body is buried in the soil and under the grave.
My soul go to Heaven or Hell.
B. Explain why do Japanese have death memorial services 1 month, 1 year, 3 years, 7 years, etc. after a person's death?
I think Japanese do death memorial services many times not to forget people who die because we are told that we have to take care and treat our ancestor even if they died. Japanese people think Our ancestor is really significant and important because we think we would have not been born without our ancestor. therefore There are death memorial services not to forget them. Moreover, there are this times of the services because I guess people getting to forget them on this times.
A,Where do you go when you die?
My body is buried in the soil and under the grave.
My soul go to Heaven or Hell.
B. Explain why do Japanese have death memorial services 1 month, 1 year, 3 years, 7 years, etc. after a person's death?
I think Japanese do death memorial services many times not to forget people who die because we are told that we have to take care and treat our ancestor even if they died. Japanese people think Our ancestor is really significant and important because we think we would have not been born without our ancestor. therefore There are death memorial services not to forget them. Moreover, there are this times of the services because I guess people getting to forget them on this times.
2007年10月19日金曜日
Homework #1-1 Wrapping
1. Reflecting about today's class:
Today we discussed the Japanese concept of "wrapping".
Do you agree with the web site's description?
Yes, I agree with that. I think it is because Japanese people care about the looks from other people so much and do not open to strangers. so we cover most of the things to avoid telling about what kinds of people we are.
What do you do that can be called "wrapping"? Give examples and reasons for your actions.
1. Engawa (Veranda-like porch) and Entrance in my house.
As Mrs. Meiki Said in last class, my family and I welcomed my school teachers only at an entrance or Engawa. some families welcome their teacher to their house and give them a cup of tea. However, some guest hesitate to come into their house or take a cup of tea.
Moreover, the construction of Japanese house is different with other house in other countries a little. Engawa is a good example and also we can see a big bump at entrance to take their shoes off in Japan.
one time, I read this book and it says"it(Engawa) is here that casual visitors can be offered hospitality without violating the privacy of the home---neighbors like myself, perhaps, a policeman on his rounds, or the weary postman. Japanese etiquette requires the extension of courtesies---at least a cup of tea---to any caller. But if invited into the house, a visitor must be received with great formality. The engawa provides the perfect middle ground between these extremes".(28-29)
Japanese people do not usually invite strangers or people who we do not know very well into the house and do not want to look at inside of our space. I think it is also"Wrapping". Moreover, as this article says, there are strict manner in Japan. ex (the way to take off their shoes, to drink a cup of tea, to greet another family members) so it is also for visitor not to invite into the house in Japan.
-Cited words-
Walter Nicholes. 30 Things japanese : Engawa, Yumi express, 1978
Today we discussed the Japanese concept of "wrapping".
Do you agree with the web site's description?
Yes, I agree with that. I think it is because Japanese people care about the looks from other people so much and do not open to strangers. so we cover most of the things to avoid telling about what kinds of people we are.
What do you do that can be called "wrapping"? Give examples and reasons for your actions.
1. Engawa (Veranda-like porch) and Entrance in my house.
As Mrs. Meiki Said in last class, my family and I welcomed my school teachers only at an entrance or Engawa. some families welcome their teacher to their house and give them a cup of tea. However, some guest hesitate to come into their house or take a cup of tea.
Moreover, the construction of Japanese house is different with other house in other countries a little. Engawa is a good example and also we can see a big bump at entrance to take their shoes off in Japan.
one time, I read this book and it says"it(Engawa) is here that casual visitors can be offered hospitality without violating the privacy of the home---neighbors like myself, perhaps, a policeman on his rounds, or the weary postman. Japanese etiquette requires the extension of courtesies---at least a cup of tea---to any caller. But if invited into the house, a visitor must be received with great formality. The engawa provides the perfect middle ground between these extremes".(28-29)
Japanese people do not usually invite strangers or people who we do not know very well into the house and do not want to look at inside of our space. I think it is also"Wrapping". Moreover, as this article says, there are strict manner in Japan. ex (the way to take off their shoes, to drink a cup of tea, to greet another family members) so it is also for visitor not to invite into the house in Japan.
-Cited words-
Walter Nicholes. 30 Things japanese : Engawa, Yumi express, 1978
2007年7月30日月曜日
Last Class Survey
Last Class Survey
1. Concerning Religion:
a) Which religion discussed in class was the least interesting and why?
All religions was very interesting for me.
b) Which religion was the most interesting or changed your attitude? Why?
Buddhism-Because it's our religion but I hardly heared and learned about it before. Moreover, I
realized there are many things and words around me meaning Buddhism.
2. Looking back at all the other topics discussed, which one do you remember as being the most interesting whereby you learned a lot?
Last one-one of the job in UN. I am interested in UN so I've studied and remembered about the Letter (ex.UNESCO. UNICEF.UNU.UNA) and I never thought about which job I wanna work and I consodered about it seriously.
3. Which topic was least important to cross culture discussions?
Every topic were important for me and interesting.
4. Which speakers were most interesting and what did you learn?
last speaker-Politician. that day he visited our class was near the polling day for selecting of house of the Councilors so I was thinking about young people's vote and I thought I have to vote for Japan in the future.
1. Concerning Religion:
a) Which religion discussed in class was the least interesting and why?
All religions was very interesting for me.
b) Which religion was the most interesting or changed your attitude? Why?
Buddhism-Because it's our religion but I hardly heared and learned about it before. Moreover, I
realized there are many things and words around me meaning Buddhism.
2. Looking back at all the other topics discussed, which one do you remember as being the most interesting whereby you learned a lot?
Last one-one of the job in UN. I am interested in UN so I've studied and remembered about the Letter (ex.UNESCO. UNICEF.UNU.UNA) and I never thought about which job I wanna work and I consodered about it seriously.
3. Which topic was least important to cross culture discussions?
Every topic were important for me and interesting.
4. Which speakers were most interesting and what did you learn?
last speaker-Politician. that day he visited our class was near the polling day for selecting of house of the Councilors so I was thinking about young people's vote and I thought I have to vote for Japan in the future.
2007年7月28日土曜日
Politics and International Relations
Politics and International Relations
If you were working for the UN, which job would like to have using your English abilities? Why?
I would like to work at UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) because I am really interested in Education in the world. I know many children do not have educational opportunities in developing country so I would like to help them to study and tell them the interesting of studying. I think education is really important for them to develop their country. They can not study without our help. so Especially I'm glad to join in teacher-training programmes and teach them how to teach in that countries. the reason why I chose UNESCO is because I am also interested in the world cultural and natural heritage. In the world, there are many beautiful and wonderful World Heritage Site. they have old history and we are learning many things from them. For World Heritage Site, many people travel around world and it is one of Cross Culture Communication. WHS is really important for us to know our country and for foreigners to know other countries so I would like to secure them.
Therefore, UNESCO is a best job in UN for me.
If you were working for the UN, which job would like to have using your English abilities? Why?
I would like to work at UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) because I am really interested in Education in the world. I know many children do not have educational opportunities in developing country so I would like to help them to study and tell them the interesting of studying. I think education is really important for them to develop their country. They can not study without our help. so Especially I'm glad to join in teacher-training programmes and teach them how to teach in that countries. the reason why I chose UNESCO is because I am also interested in the world cultural and natural heritage. In the world, there are many beautiful and wonderful World Heritage Site. they have old history and we are learning many things from them. For World Heritage Site, many people travel around world and it is one of Cross Culture Communication. WHS is really important for us to know our country and for foreigners to know other countries so I would like to secure them.
Therefore, UNESCO is a best job in UN for me.
2007年7月8日日曜日
Family Life
Family Life
For homework please answer the questions in the textbook on page 14, section 4 a-f.
Do not give one sentence answers, but explain them by giving evidence and examples.
a, when do children usually leave home?
they do when they have a job: after graduate high school or university.
They have a part time job when they are high school and university students however, they can not make money to live by theirselve.so their parents pay for the rent. Even if they can make it, their parents do not allow to live alone because they want their children to concentrate their study at school and home and do not worry about money to live.
b,How many people live in your home?
there are 6 of us. my grand mother,parents, sisters and myself.
c,Do you have a head of the family?
Yes, it's my father. because my father make most of money to live. so he does not cook,prepare for dinner and clean it.
d,Who does the housework?
My mother does. she cook and clean rooms and laundry. she does all housework. I really proud of her because she works everyday ,does the housework and care about family perfectly.
e,Who runs the family?
My mother does. I think it is becasue most of mother in Japan have to buy food or things to live every day for family so they have to have money.
f,How many rooms do you have to sleep in?
There are 6 rooms to sleep in. It is becasue my house is duplex house.
For homework please answer the questions in the textbook on page 14, section 4 a-f.
Do not give one sentence answers, but explain them by giving evidence and examples.
a, when do children usually leave home?
they do when they have a job: after graduate high school or university.
They have a part time job when they are high school and university students however, they can not make money to live by theirselve.so their parents pay for the rent. Even if they can make it, their parents do not allow to live alone because they want their children to concentrate their study at school and home and do not worry about money to live.
b,How many people live in your home?
there are 6 of us. my grand mother,parents, sisters and myself.
c,Do you have a head of the family?
Yes, it's my father. because my father make most of money to live. so he does not cook,prepare for dinner and clean it.
d,Who does the housework?
My mother does. she cook and clean rooms and laundry. she does all housework. I really proud of her because she works everyday ,does the housework and care about family perfectly.
e,Who runs the family?
My mother does. I think it is becasue most of mother in Japan have to buy food or things to live every day for family so they have to have money.
f,How many rooms do you have to sleep in?
There are 6 rooms to sleep in. It is becasue my house is duplex house.
Emotions
Emotions
1.Are feelings emotions and facial expressions universal across borders, happy, sad, etc..?
No. I don't think so. I think there are some differences. For example, in Japan, we do not often express our feelings with face because we have to think about others more than myself. If I express sad with my face, it may makes others sad or uncomfortable. it is OK to express happy though. but not when others feel sad. Recently I had a interview test and when I said I do not often express my feeling especially sad with my face, the interviewer said it is good for you to working with co-worker and meeting with customer. so Japanese people are taught not to express your feeling with your face. However, other countries do facial expressions so much so that 's why they often say they can not understand what Japanese thinking about.
2. Try to name as many feelings as possible in Japanese. ( 10 minimum) Now write the English translation.
・楽しい/happy (愉快でここちよい) ・悲しいSad(泣きたい）・寂しい/lonely (ものたりない) ・悔しい/regrettable (残念だ．不快だ) ・惨め/miserable (情けない) ・忙しい/busy （ひまがなく せわしい落ち着かない） ・渋い/tasteful ・苦い/bitter/hard （不快だ つらい） ・厳しい/strict （容赦がない ものものしい） ・憎たらしい/hateful （妬ましい）・ 羨ましい/envy ・退屈な/boring （あきる 暇）
大変/terrible （苦労） ・恋しい/miss （なつかしい） ・頑な/obstinately（頑固 強情） ・暑い/hot うれしい/glad （喜ばしい 心楽しい）・暑苦しい/sticky???? ・良い nice （いい） ・悪い bad （良くない） ・頼もしい/reliable （心強い 頼りになる）・ムカつく/disgusted ・冷たい/cold（冷淡） ・腹立たしい/annoying（尺にさわる）
＊ （ ）・・・・equivalent
3. Are there any feelings in Japanese that cannot be translated into English?
渋い/tasteful ⇒ it may be wrong a little bit because 渋い means a little old but still nice
憎たらしい/hateful ⇒憎たらしい has more meaning. it use for human or animals. it is used by the older to younger people. so people who use this word think they are distinguished and great than others or people who call 憎たらしい.
暑苦しい/sticky ⇒ it is used for not only weather but also human. if someone follows you all the time and you feel uncomfortable, or if you feel someone disturb you, you can used it to explain she or he.
1.Are feelings emotions and facial expressions universal across borders, happy, sad, etc..?
No. I don't think so. I think there are some differences. For example, in Japan, we do not often express our feelings with face because we have to think about others more than myself. If I express sad with my face, it may makes others sad or uncomfortable. it is OK to express happy though. but not when others feel sad. Recently I had a interview test and when I said I do not often express my feeling especially sad with my face, the interviewer said it is good for you to working with co-worker and meeting with customer. so Japanese people are taught not to express your feeling with your face. However, other countries do facial expressions so much so that 's why they often say they can not understand what Japanese thinking about.
2. Try to name as many feelings as possible in Japanese. ( 10 minimum) Now write the English translation.
・楽しい/happy (愉快でここちよい) ・悲しいSad(泣きたい）・寂しい/lonely (ものたりない) ・悔しい/regrettable (残念だ．不快だ) ・惨め/miserable (情けない) ・忙しい/busy （ひまがなく せわしい落ち着かない） ・渋い/tasteful ・苦い/bitter/hard （不快だ つらい） ・厳しい/strict （容赦がない ものものしい） ・憎たらしい/hateful （妬ましい）・ 羨ましい/envy ・退屈な/boring （あきる 暇）
大変/terrible （苦労） ・恋しい/miss （なつかしい） ・頑な/obstinately（頑固 強情） ・暑い/hot うれしい/glad （喜ばしい 心楽しい）・暑苦しい/sticky???? ・良い nice （いい） ・悪い bad （良くない） ・頼もしい/reliable （心強い 頼りになる）・ムカつく/disgusted ・冷たい/cold（冷淡） ・腹立たしい/annoying（尺にさわる）
＊ （ ）・・・・equivalent
3. Are there any feelings in Japanese that cannot be translated into English?
渋い/tasteful ⇒ it may be wrong a little bit because 渋い means a little old but still nice
憎たらしい/hateful ⇒憎たらしい has more meaning. it use for human or animals. it is used by the older to younger people. so people who use this word think they are distinguished and great than others or people who call 憎たらしい.
暑苦しい/sticky ⇒ it is used for not only weather but also human. if someone follows you all the time and you feel uncomfortable, or if you feel someone disturb you, you can used it to explain she or he.
Names and addresses
Names and addresses
Next weeks class is about names and addresses. To prepare for the class, answer questions in the textbook on page 9 number 1,3 and 7.
1, How do you choose a child's given name in your family?
I will choose my child's given name with my favorite Chinese characters and their meaning. that name will have my hope to a child in the future. it is not strict though. I may care about the number of strokes in a Chinese character because it's kind of trend in Japan.
3,Does your given name or your family name mean anything?
Yes, it has. My given name's Chinese character has a meaning but my given name have no meaning. one meaning of my Chinese character is vegetable and the other is beauty. I know it is funny. so when I was in the states, many friends laughed (^^) My family (actually, my mother) decided my name with her favorite form of Chinese character not meaning. she wanted my name to have two letter because my older sisters also have it.
Most Japanese family care about the number of strokes in a Chinese character, however, my family didn't. so maybe in my family.
7, How do you know if names are boy's names, girl's names, or both?
Most common reason is sometimes boy's names have "O" "ROU" and girl's names have "KO""MI" at the end of their name. the other reason is that since I have a friends, i have met many friends who have the same names and it always fits with girl or boy so I remember it is boy's name or girl's name unconsciously.
Next weeks class is about names and addresses. To prepare for the class, answer questions in the textbook on page 9 number 1,3 and 7.
1, How do you choose a child's given name in your family?
I will choose my child's given name with my favorite Chinese characters and their meaning. that name will have my hope to a child in the future. it is not strict though. I may care about the number of strokes in a Chinese character because it's kind of trend in Japan.
3,Does your given name or your family name mean anything?
Yes, it has. My given name's Chinese character has a meaning but my given name have no meaning. one meaning of my Chinese character is vegetable and the other is beauty. I know it is funny. so when I was in the states, many friends laughed (^^) My family (actually, my mother) decided my name with her favorite form of Chinese character not meaning. she wanted my name to have two letter because my older sisters also have it.
Most Japanese family care about the number of strokes in a Chinese character, however, my family didn't. so maybe in my family.
7, How do you know if names are boy's names, girl's names, or both?
Most common reason is sometimes boy's names have "O" "ROU" and girl's names have "KO""MI" at the end of their name. the other reason is that since I have a friends, i have met many friends who have the same names and it always fits with girl or boy so I remember it is boy's name or girl's name unconsciously.
2007年7月2日月曜日
Dating
"Considerration" and "Positive" is 30% and it's really important for me because My Ideal Man is generous and think about others very mush but not selfish. Sometimes It's OK to hear his Negative thing but not Always because I'm afraid to be Negative, too.
"Polite" is 20%. I care it a little because no one likes Rude, right? and I did not like boys breaking our School rules when I was high school even if many girls like him.
"Looks" and "Hard-working" is 10%. If someone ( doesn't matter boy or girl ) is hard-working, I am really respect he or she. it is also match every points I put on the pie. My Ideal Man is people who I can respect. "Looks" is 10 % though, always person who I respect fits my Ideal looks. so I don't really care about that.
2007年5月20日日曜日
Class#4 Islam
Class #4 Islam
what I learned about Islam last class is how much they hope the world peace. Islam means peace, and I think the reason why they do not drink alcohol and gamble or something like bad things is because if they take those things in their body, they become bad people and think negative way.Therefore the world peace be collapsed. From this class, I am really interested in the word "Arabic" because it is different from other religions. Most of the Bible was translated to other languages, and sometime, the meaning was changed. However, Arabic is common language among Islam in the world. some people say we have to have one religion and trust one god, then we can have strong mind. however, I think it is also good for us to learn any other religions because I learned religions including Islam have so many history and roots or many deep things in each religions. Every religions have each different ways of thinking and they are from their histories and minds.I do not think any religion has wrong ways of thinking. I think maybe people who have negative feeling of any religion is ignorance about them and their histories, or can not think other ways of thinking. therefore I want to learn it more to broaden my horizon of religions .
Q1. How do you greet people in your life?
I make a bow to greet my senior and superior to respect them. To my friends, I just say "Hi";konnitiwa or Ohayo to be friendly. I have to change the way of greeting depend on their age. It is one of Japanese cultures.
Q1-2 Is it different for different people? Why?
Yes, because Japan has a tradition which we have to respect our elders in many ways. I think this tradition come from Japanese mind that we think the elders are intelligent and experienced many difficulties and learn many things so we want to learn it and improve ourselves from elderly.
Q2. Do you touch people when you talk to them? Why? Or Why not?
I sometime do it to my friends on their shoulder because it makes more Images of friendly. but it depends on friends, some does not like it so I have to ascertain.
I do not do it to people I do not know well and elderly. It is because Japanese do not like to be touched by a strangers. If I do it to elderly, It will means I do not respect them and it will be rude. so friendly and respectful should be separated. it means too friendly will be rude and too respectful will be not friendly. It is difficult for even Japanese sometimes.
what I learned about Islam last class is how much they hope the world peace. Islam means peace, and I think the reason why they do not drink alcohol and gamble or something like bad things is because if they take those things in their body, they become bad people and think negative way.Therefore the world peace be collapsed. From this class, I am really interested in the word "Arabic" because it is different from other religions. Most of the Bible was translated to other languages, and sometime, the meaning was changed. However, Arabic is common language among Islam in the world. some people say we have to have one religion and trust one god, then we can have strong mind. however, I think it is also good for us to learn any other religions because I learned religions including Islam have so many history and roots or many deep things in each religions. Every religions have each different ways of thinking and they are from their histories and minds.I do not think any religion has wrong ways of thinking. I think maybe people who have negative feeling of any religion is ignorance about them and their histories, or can not think other ways of thinking. therefore I want to learn it more to broaden my horizon of religions .
Q1. How do you greet people in your life?
I make a bow to greet my senior and superior to respect them. To my friends, I just say "Hi";konnitiwa or Ohayo to be friendly. I have to change the way of greeting depend on their age. It is one of Japanese cultures.
Q1-2 Is it different for different people? Why?
Yes, because Japan has a tradition which we have to respect our elders in many ways. I think this tradition come from Japanese mind that we think the elders are intelligent and experienced many difficulties and learn many things so we want to learn it and improve ourselves from elderly.
Q2. Do you touch people when you talk to them? Why? Or Why not?
I sometime do it to my friends on their shoulder because it makes more Images of friendly. but it depends on friends, some does not like it so I have to ascertain.
I do not do it to people I do not know well and elderly. It is because Japanese do not like to be touched by a strangers. If I do it to elderly, It will means I do not respect them and it will be rude. so friendly and respectful should be separated. it means too friendly will be rude and too respectful will be not friendly. It is difficult for even Japanese sometimes.
2007年5月6日日曜日
Class#3 Buddhism
1, How is your daily life affected by Buddhism? What do you do and why do you do it?
I think most Japanese have a lot of things related with Buddhism in our house even if we do not care about this religion so much. For example, on the Bon Festival or a few times a year, we usually visit a grave to clean it. In my house, there are the place sacred to Buddha as most Japanese have it. my grandmather prays and we give them new hot rice and tea that anyone in my family doesn't have yet. Still I do not know why we have to do this exactly. However, I was taught if I do not do this, I will have the misfortune by my family when I was younger. even now I hear this from some Japanese people in TV. Moreover, the guest talked about Buddhism in last class let me understand this answer a little and his talk was really attracted me. Our usual life and behave that Japanese people do and have are always related with Buddhism and they all have important meaning and history, However, recently,Japanese people are doing this without knowing them. so when He told us about Buddhism and meaning, I understand why we are doing it everyday and about Buddhism. and I think we have to have more interest in history and meaning of Buddhism.Moreover I learned this religion is really more free to believe than others. It does not tell what is best at all and just tell people the way to think or spend a life.so I think this is one of the reason why Japanese people are not strict about our religion. This is a big difference between other religions and Buddhism.
2. The next class will be about Islam. Check the newspapers for the next 2 weeks and find articles about Islam. How are they talked about? Do you feel negative or positive about Islam because of these articles? Summarize one article in English and post it on your blog. Try to keep a list of adjectives used to describe Islam. Remember to put the name of the newspaper, date and page of the article you summarized.
The article "The 'freedom' to disrespect" by Hugh Cortazzi is started about One of the prophet and cartoons published in a Danish paper last September implied that Islam was a terrorist organization.Protests by Muslims in London against the Danish Embassy and starts the big demonstration. on one hand, Danish Embassy insisted "the right to freedom of speech and of the press should be curtailed in the interest of fairness and respect for the beliefs of others" and protest could not accuse it because of the law. the writer talk there are still many problem with prejudice of Islam and it is easy for them to be target.
Words Cited <http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/eo20060220hc.html>
I do not feel negative about Islam by this article because I do not think all people having religion, Islam think the same way all the time. Even if some people did the act of terrorism, they are Islam accidentally and all Islam do not agree with them and their act. Every people have different idea and ways of thinking. this article writes just what happened to them, but I think they takes sides to Islam because it tells me how poor the law is and I can see Islam are struggling by Danish Embassy's cartoons and prophet. they used the right to freedom of speech by the wrong way. the reaon they have negative feeling of some relision is because of media like cartoons and prophets. If some media tells people the relison is terrible, many readers think it only that way by media. so publisher should make sure they have huge responsibities and the article affect many readers in the wrold. Moreover,I think readers have also have it. We should not trust and believe medias all the time. We have to have more board view of thinking to others and try to understand them though many methods.
(A list to describe Islam)
I think most Japanese have a lot of things related with Buddhism in our house even if we do not care about this religion so much. For example, on the Bon Festival or a few times a year, we usually visit a grave to clean it. In my house, there are the place sacred to Buddha as most Japanese have it. my grandmather prays and we give them new hot rice and tea that anyone in my family doesn't have yet. Still I do not know why we have to do this exactly. However, I was taught if I do not do this, I will have the misfortune by my family when I was younger. even now I hear this from some Japanese people in TV. Moreover, the guest talked about Buddhism in last class let me understand this answer a little and his talk was really attracted me. Our usual life and behave that Japanese people do and have are always related with Buddhism and they all have important meaning and history, However, recently,Japanese people are doing this without knowing them. so when He told us about Buddhism and meaning, I understand why we are doing it everyday and about Buddhism. and I think we have to have more interest in history and meaning of Buddhism.Moreover I learned this religion is really more free to believe than others. It does not tell what is best at all and just tell people the way to think or spend a life.so I think this is one of the reason why Japanese people are not strict about our religion. This is a big difference between other religions and Buddhism.
2. The next class will be about Islam. Check the newspapers for the next 2 weeks and find articles about Islam. How are they talked about? Do you feel negative or positive about Islam because of these articles? Summarize one article in English and post it on your blog. Try to keep a list of adjectives used to describe Islam. Remember to put the name of the newspaper, date and page of the article you summarized.
The article "The 'freedom' to disrespect" by Hugh Cortazzi is started about One of the prophet and cartoons published in a Danish paper last September implied that Islam was a terrorist organization.Protests by Muslims in London against the Danish Embassy and starts the big demonstration. on one hand, Danish Embassy insisted "the right to freedom of speech and of the press should be curtailed in the interest of fairness and respect for the beliefs of others" and protest could not accuse it because of the law. the writer talk there are still many problem with prejudice of Islam and it is easy for them to be target.
Words Cited <http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/eo20060220hc.html>
I do not feel negative about Islam by this article because I do not think all people having religion, Islam think the same way all the time. Even if some people did the act of terrorism, they are Islam accidentally and all Islam do not agree with them and their act. Every people have different idea and ways of thinking. this article writes just what happened to them, but I think they takes sides to Islam because it tells me how poor the law is and I can see Islam are struggling by Danish Embassy's cartoons and prophet. they used the right to freedom of speech by the wrong way. the reaon they have negative feeling of some relision is because of media like cartoons and prophets. If some media tells people the relison is terrible, many readers think it only that way by media. so publisher should make sure they have huge responsibities and the article affect many readers in the wrold. Moreover,I think readers have also have it. We should not trust and believe medias all the time. We have to have more board view of thinking to others and try to understand them though many methods.
(A list to describe Islam)
strong believe
peacefull
strict
huge
respective
2007年4月22日日曜日
What is CCC ?
The article "ROCK MEETS KABUKI, A different kind of glam icon"from The Japan Times is about Nakamura Kanzaburo XVIII. A photographer Mick Rock took pictures of kabuki play "Natsu Matsuri" in New York, and he was attracted by the performance of Kanzaburo. As he said "Even though kabuki is very disciplined and rehearsed, Kanzaburo's performance flows with the same sense of intuition and connection with the audience that these rockers display. . . . To my eye, it is a very similar experience." , he found the similarities of the roker's and Kanzaburo's performance.
I think this is one of the cross culture understanding. Because An American photographer Mick Rock has a interest in Japanese Kabuki performed by Kanzaburo. It means he understands what is Kabiki which is one of the Japanese tradition. Moreover, he compared it with American tradition "Rock and Roll". In my opinion, Cross Culture Communication is not only to learn about other countries but also to learn about our own countries. Moreover, if we compare with other cultures and our culture, we can find differences and similarities about them and learn more about our country and the word deeply. When people tell foreigners about their countries each other by many ways like Kanzaburo, people in the world can know about other countries .so we have to tell more about our country. I am glad to be able to use English to tell them it. I think this is Cross Culture understanding and Communication.
Words Cited- Friday, April 13, 2007<http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/fq20070413a1.html>
I think this is one of the cross culture understanding. Because An American photographer Mick Rock has a interest in Japanese Kabuki performed by Kanzaburo. It means he understands what is Kabiki which is one of the Japanese tradition. Moreover, he compared it with American tradition "Rock and Roll". In my opinion, Cross Culture Communication is not only to learn about other countries but also to learn about our own countries. Moreover, if we compare with other cultures and our culture, we can find differences and similarities about them and learn more about our country and the word deeply. When people tell foreigners about their countries each other by many ways like Kanzaburo, people in the world can know about other countries .so we have to tell more about our country. I am glad to be able to use English to tell them it. I think this is Cross Culture understanding and Communication.
Words Cited- Friday, April 13, 2007<http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/fq20070413a1.html>
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