これはさくぶんです。二十年ごなにおしますか。わたしのしごとはどうですか。こどもがいますか。どうぞ：
わたしはベンジャミン●メイヤソンです。十九さいですが、二十年ごのわたしは三十九さいですね。
にじゅうねんごニューヨークのマンハッタンにいます。にぎやかなまちがすきですから。うちはとてもちさいですが、やちんはたかいです。わたしとつまはやちんをはらいます。つまは医者です。わたしはコロンビア大学のけんきゅうしゃです。かぞくはぜんぶでよ人です。こどもが二人います。
こどもは月曜日から金曜日まで学校へいきます。そして、わたしとつまははたらきます。わたしは午前八時から午後よじまではたらきます。でも、四時からパソコンでけんきゅうをします。しごとがすきですが、むずかしいです。
しゅうまつはひまです。土曜日にこどもとセントラル・パークへいきます。こうえんでフリスビーをします。月曜日はとてもいそがしいですから、日曜日にやすみます。
二十年ごのわたしはすばらしいひとですね。
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
かたかなのけにゅう （Ｆｉｎａｌ）
The purpose of this assignment is to determine the situations in which Japanese literature and advertisements use かたかな by looking at specific sources. I have found two sources that I think will give readers insight into some of the uses of かたかな: a package of cookies called “Couque D’asses: langue de chat cookies & chocolate” (クックダッセ 「チョコレート」) by the company さんりつ; and a presentation to the Japanese Prime Minister in 2002 that relies heavily on かたかな, such as “outsourcing” (アウトソーシング), to describe how Japanese tech companies can reduce their costs. These sources can help us understand why かたかな has become ever more popular in recent years.
1) Choose at least 2 かたかな words/expressions that you found and think about what kinds of effects / purposes there may be in these words/expressions writing in かたかな instead of ひらがな or かんじ.
The two words that I have chosen are クックダッセ from the package of cookies by さんりつ, and アウトソーシング from the presentation to the Prime Minister. I believe that the first かたかな word, which is a phonetic representation of “couque d’asses”, produces a “Western” effect of sorts. The company most likely used French words in order to convince customers that its product is a high-quality, delectable European treat. According to Barbara Mueller, a professor and contributor to the Journal of Advertising Research: “Japanese manufacturers are said to have a ‘marked preference for foreign-sounding brand names because they are supposed to lend a touch of class or prestige to the product’…” (Mueller 16). This becomes even more obvious in the case of “couque d’asses”, which is neither a dessert nor a coherent French expression; but because the phrase sounds French, it may appeal to curious Japanese consumers.
Some Japanese fashion magazines also do this with the English language, and go as far to string together English words to invent brand new loanwords: "Some loanwords found in...Japanese magazines do not even exist in English. Instead, Japanese speakers have coined them as a way to provide a cachet of authentic English words" (Tamaoka 70).
The second word, アウトソーシング, is the かたかな for “outsourcing”. In 2002, minister for public management かたやま とらのすけ delivered a speech to Prime Minister こいずみ じゅんいちろう about Japanese IT strategies. According to an article in Japan Inc. magazine from July 2002, かたやま used “about 30 katakana business terms” (PM Blows Lid 5) before the Prime Minister interrupted the speaker to ask about these words. The minister for public management explained to the PM that “the Japanese language just doesn’t have the vocabulary yet for relatively new business concepts like outsourcing, back office, and incubator” (5). Thus, the reason for かたかな use here is practical. Some words are written in かたかな until a native equivalent is developed and agreed on. The Prime Minister argued that there was no point in using these words if Japanese citizens had no idea what they meant. However, they do suffice for businessmen who know English, and these are the people who use these terms regularly.
As some commenters have rightly pointed out, there are other uses of かたかな, such as emphasis and onomatopoeia. However, I chose to stick with loan words because I feel that they bring other important issues to the surface that aren't explicitly linguistic (e.g. the impact of the West on Japanese culture). While an author's particular use of emphasis with かたかな may be equally riveting, loan words are probably a more useful indicator of cultural trends that natives have seen.
2) Also, think why there are such effects/purposes.
While both sources use かたかな to represent foreign loanwords, the effects that they create are different. The chocolate cookies may appeal to consumers because they contain elements of Western culture. Of course, this does not imply that Western cuisine is inherently superior; for Westerners also admire and have a fascination with Japanese culinary delights like すし, さしみ, うどん, and そば. I believe that since Japan ended its policy of isolation at the start of the Meiji Era, and especially since its extended encounter with Westerners in World War II, Japan has grown curious about culture on the European and North American continents. With regard with the katakana-laden speech delivered to the Japanese Prime Minister, the effect is not so much psychological as it is linguistic. It addresses the issue of incorporating a flood of new English vocabulary into the Japanese lexicon. かたかな seems like a convenient and practical way to describe business concepts like “outsourcing” until new words are developed. But there is a chance that foreign words can undermine the effectiveness of native Japanese, as the Prime Minister pointed out.
3) Think about why each textbook is different in explaining katakana, and why the textbooks explained katakana in the manners that they did.
In class we received material from several different textbooks explaining the Japanese writing systems. All of them were very general in describing かたかな as useful for writing (1) foreign loanwords, (2) onomatopoeia, and (3) emphatic words. I feel that the two books I used to analyze the かたかな above give us much insight into the first and perhaps most common of the categories that I listed. The other two uses are also important; onomatopoeia use かたかな because the words themselves are nonsensical, and should not be misread to have any meaning; and emphatic words use it because かたかな is bolder and more easily noticed than ひらがな
The first book, which I used to analyze the cultural appeal of foreign words, is the Journal of Advertising Research. This particular article, titled “Standardization vs. Specialization: An Examination of Westernization in Japanese Advertising”, was published in the January/February 1992 issue. It makes sense that this source explained かたかな from a cultural/psychological perspective because it comes from an advertiser’s point of view. Advertisers look for ways to tap into the consumer’s psyche and get him/her to buy a product. Thus, the journal writers probably saw the “Western” effect immediately and determined that かたかな was commonly used for this purpose.
The second source was an article called “PM Blows Lid over Katakana Terms” in the July 2002 issue of J@pan Inc. magazine. J@pan Inc. is targeted towards foreigners living in Japan who want information on IT companies and trends within various Japanese industries. It makes sense that such a magazine would see かたかな as it relates to the business world: a practical means by which to acquaint Japanese businessmen with new business lingo. It also makes sense that the magazine would expect its English-speaking audience to be familiar with the terms “outsourcing” and “back-office”.
Thus, these two sources show us that both cultural curiosity and practical necessity are two important motivations for using かたかな.
Sources
Barbara, Mueller. Standardization vs. Specialization: An Examination of Westernization in Japanese Advertising. Journal of advertising research 32.1 1992: 15. Cambridge University Press. 29 Oct 2010.
PM Blows Lid over Katakana Terms. J@pan Inc. 33 2002: 5. LINC Japan. 29 Oct 2010.
Tamaoka, Katsuo. The cognitive processing of Japanese loanwords in katakana. Japanese psychological research 45.2 01 May 2003: 69-79. Blackwell Publishing. 30 Nov 2010.
 |  |
The two words that I have chosen are クックダッセ from the package of cookies by さんりつ, and アウトソーシング from the presentation to the Prime Minister. I believe that the first かたかな word, which is a phonetic representation of “couque d’asses”, produces a “Western” effect of sorts. The company most likely used French words in order to convince customers that its product is a high-quality, delectable European treat. According to Barbara Mueller, a professor and contributor to the Journal of Advertising Research: “Japanese manufacturers are said to have a ‘marked preference for foreign-sounding brand names because they are supposed to lend a touch of class or prestige to the product’…” (Mueller 16). This becomes even more obvious in the case of “couque d’asses”, which is neither a dessert nor a coherent French expression; but because the phrase sounds French, it may appeal to curious Japanese consumers.
Some Japanese fashion magazines also do this with the English language, and go as far to string together English words to invent brand new loanwords: "Some loanwords found in...Japanese magazines do not even exist in English. Instead, Japanese speakers have coined them as a way to provide a cachet of authentic English words" (Tamaoka 70).
The second word, アウトソーシング, is the かたかな for “outsourcing”. In 2002, minister for public management かたやま とらのすけ delivered a speech to Prime Minister こいずみ じゅんいちろう about Japanese IT strategies. According to an article in Japan Inc. magazine from July 2002, かたやま used “about 30 katakana business terms” (PM Blows Lid 5) before the Prime Minister interrupted the speaker to ask about these words. The minister for public management explained to the PM that “the Japanese language just doesn’t have the vocabulary yet for relatively new business concepts like outsourcing, back office, and incubator” (5). Thus, the reason for かたかな use here is practical. Some words are written in かたかな until a native equivalent is developed and agreed on. The Prime Minister argued that there was no point in using these words if Japanese citizens had no idea what they meant. However, they do suffice for businessmen who know English, and these are the people who use these terms regularly.
As some commenters have rightly pointed out, there are other uses of かたかな, such as emphasis and onomatopoeia. However, I chose to stick with loan words because I feel that they bring other important issues to the surface that aren't explicitly linguistic (e.g. the impact of the West on Japanese culture). While an author's particular use of emphasis with かたかな may be equally riveting, loan words are probably a more useful indicator of cultural trends that natives have seen.
2) Also, think why there are such effects/purposes.
While both sources use かたかな to represent foreign loanwords, the effects that they create are different. The chocolate cookies may appeal to consumers because they contain elements of Western culture. Of course, this does not imply that Western cuisine is inherently superior; for Westerners also admire and have a fascination with Japanese culinary delights like すし, さしみ, うどん, and そば. I believe that since Japan ended its policy of isolation at the start of the Meiji Era, and especially since its extended encounter with Westerners in World War II, Japan has grown curious about culture on the European and North American continents. With regard with the katakana-laden speech delivered to the Japanese Prime Minister, the effect is not so much psychological as it is linguistic. It addresses the issue of incorporating a flood of new English vocabulary into the Japanese lexicon. かたかな seems like a convenient and practical way to describe business concepts like “outsourcing” until new words are developed. But there is a chance that foreign words can undermine the effectiveness of native Japanese, as the Prime Minister pointed out.
3) Think about why each textbook is different in explaining katakana, and why the textbooks explained katakana in the manners that they did.
In class we received material from several different textbooks explaining the Japanese writing systems. All of them were very general in describing かたかな as useful for writing (1) foreign loanwords, (2) onomatopoeia, and (3) emphatic words. I feel that the two books I used to analyze the かたかな above give us much insight into the first and perhaps most common of the categories that I listed. The other two uses are also important; onomatopoeia use かたかな because the words themselves are nonsensical, and should not be misread to have any meaning; and emphatic words use it because かたかな is bolder and more easily noticed than ひらがな
The first book, which I used to analyze the cultural appeal of foreign words, is the Journal of Advertising Research. This particular article, titled “Standardization vs. Specialization: An Examination of Westernization in Japanese Advertising”, was published in the January/February 1992 issue. It makes sense that this source explained かたかな from a cultural/psychological perspective because it comes from an advertiser’s point of view. Advertisers look for ways to tap into the consumer’s psyche and get him/her to buy a product. Thus, the journal writers probably saw the “Western” effect immediately and determined that かたかな was commonly used for this purpose.
The second source was an article called “PM Blows Lid over Katakana Terms” in the July 2002 issue of J@pan Inc. magazine. J@pan Inc. is targeted towards foreigners living in Japan who want information on IT companies and trends within various Japanese industries. It makes sense that such a magazine would see かたかな as it relates to the business world: a practical means by which to acquaint Japanese businessmen with new business lingo. It also makes sense that the magazine would expect its English-speaking audience to be familiar with the terms “outsourcing” and “back-office”.
Thus, these two sources show us that both cultural curiosity and practical necessity are two important motivations for using かたかな.
Sources
Barbara, Mueller. Standardization vs. Specialization: An Examination of Westernization in Japanese Advertising. Journal of advertising research 32.1 1992: 15. Cambridge University Press. 29 Oct 2010.
PM Blows Lid over Katakana Terms. J@pan Inc. 33 2002: 5. LINC Japan. 29 Oct 2010.
Tamaoka, Katsuo. The cognitive processing of Japanese loanwords in katakana. Japanese psychological research 45.2 01 May 2003: 69-79. Blackwell Publishing. 30 Nov 2010.
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
サンクスギヴィングがとてもすきです。
せんしゅうのもくようびはサンクスギヴィングでした。わたしはりょうしんとサンクスギヴィングにそぶとそふのうちへいきました。TVをみました。それから、ターキーやパンプキンパイなどをたべました。たべものをたくさんたべましたから、これからあるきました。
らいげつの２５にちはクリスマスですが、サンクスギヴィングのほうがすきです。かぞくはまいねんクリスマスにえいがをみます。それから、ちゅうごくのりょうりをたべます。ちゅうごくのりょうりがすきですが、ターキーのほうがすきです。
しゃしんおとりませんが、これはGoogleのしゃしんです：
こんばんSajisでばんごはんをたべました。さばやしいたけなどがたべました。おいしかったです。そして、たかくなかったです。にほんのりょうりがとてもすきです :D。
らいげつの２５にちはクリスマスですが、サンクスギヴィングのほうがすきです。かぞくはまいねんクリスマスにえいがをみます。それから、ちゅうごくのりょうりをたべます。ちゅうごくのりょうりがすきですが、ターキーのほうがすきです。
しゃしんおとりませんが、これはGoogleのしゃしんです：
こんばんSajisでばんごはんをたべました。さばやしいたけなどがたべました。おいしかったです。そして、たかくなかったです。にほんのりょうりがとてもすきです :D。
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
かたかなのせんりゅうですか？かしこまりました。
おはようございます！わたしはせんりゅうが four (don't know the counter) かきました。 I hope that you enjoy. I may add more to the list if I think of any more.
(1)
カフェじゃない。
きっさてんです。
ちがいます。
(2)
ニューヨーク：
しんせつじゃない；
きれいです。
(3)
かたかなは
アメリカじんの
かのじょです。
(4)
まちでした。
ゴジラきました。
なにもない
----------------------
あたらしいせんりゅうをかきました。どうぞ：
(5)
ビープビー...
でんはをかける
いそがしい。
(6)
かいしゃいん
おさけをみます。
ハードジョブ。
(1)
カフェじゃない。
きっさてんです。
ちがいます。
(2)
ニューヨーク：
しんせつじゃない；
きれいです。
(3)
かたかなは
アメリカじんの
かのじょです。
(4)
まちでした。
ゴジラきました。
なにもない
----------------------
あたらしいせんりゅうをかきました。どうぞ：
(5)
ビープビー...
でんはをかける
いそがしい。
(6)
かいしゃいん
おさけをみます。
ハードジョブ。
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Composition 2 - 山田さんへ
これは山田さんにてがみです。にほんへいきませんが the assignment says I am :D.
山田さんへ、
はじめまして。ベンジャミン●メイヤソンです。アメリカのニューヨークからきました。どうぞよろしく。
らいねんのなつにとうきょうだいがくでにほんごをべんきょうします。ことしどこへもいきません。アメリカでべんきょうします。
いまコロンビアだいがくのエンジニアのにねんせいです。だいがくのせいかつはいそがしいですが、たのしいです。にほんごのせんせいはしんせつから、にほんごのクラスがすきです。そして、けんきゅうしゃはゆうめいです。
ここのたべものがだいすきです。まいにちしょくどうでひるごはんとばんごはんをたべます。
らいねんの６月５日ににほんへいきます。よろしくおねがいします。
１１月９日 ベンジャミン●メイヤソン
山田さんへ、
はじめまして。ベンジャミン●メイヤソンです。アメリカのニューヨークからきました。どうぞよろしく。
らいねんのなつにとうきょうだいがくでにほんごをべんきょうします。ことしどこへもいきません。アメリカでべんきょうします。
いまコロンビアだいがくのエンジニアのにねんせいです。だいがくのせいかつはいそがしいですが、たのしいです。にほんごのせんせいはしんせつから、にほんごのクラスがすきです。そして、けんきゅうしゃはゆうめいです。
ここのたべものがだいすきです。まいにちしょくどうでひるごはんとばんごはんをたべます。
らいねんの６月５日ににほんへいきます。よろしくおねがいします。
１１月９日 ベンジャミン●メイヤソン
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
カタカナのけんきゅう
The objective of this assignment is to determine why katakana is used in Japanese literature and advertising by looking at specific sources. I have chosen two sources that I think will give readers insight into some of the purposes of katakana: a package of cookies called “Couque D’asses: langue de chat cookies & chocolate” (クックダッセ 「チョコレート」) by the company さんりつ; and a presentation to the Japanese Prime Minister in 2002 that relies heavily on katakana, such as “outsourcing” (アウトソーシング), to describe how Japanese tech companies can reduce their costs. These sources can help us understand why katakana has become ever more popular in recent years.
1) Choose at least 2 katakana words/expressions that you found and think about what kinds of effects / purposes there may be in these words/expressions writing in katakana instead of hiragana or kanji.
The two words that I have chosen are クックダッセ from the package of cookies by さんりつ, and アウトソーシング from the presentation to the Prime Minister. I believe that the first katakana word, presumably a katakana translation of “couque d’asses”, produces a “Western” effect of sorts. The company may have intentionally used French in order to convince customers that its product is a high-quality, delectable European treat. According to Barbara Mueller, a professor and contributor to the Journal of Advertising Research: “Japanese manufacturers are said to have a ‘marked preference for foreign-sounding brand names because they are supposed to lend a touch of class or prestige to the product’…” (Mueller 16). This becomes even more obvious in the case of “couque d’asses”, which is neither a dessert nor a coherent French expression; but because the phrase sounds French, it may appeal to curious Japanese consumers.
The second word, アウトソーシング, is the katakana for “outsourcing”. In 2002, minister for public management Toranosuke Katayama delivered a speech to Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi about Japanese IT strategies. According to an article in Japan Inc. magazine from July 2002, Katayama used “about 30 katakana business terms” (PM Blows Lid 5) before the Prime Minister interrupted the speaker to ask about these words. The minister for public management explained to the PM that “the Japanese language just doesn’t have the vocabulary yet for relatively new business concepts like outsourcing, back office, and incubator” (5). Thus, the reason for katakana use here is practical. Some words are written in katakana until a native equivalent is developed and agreed on. The Prime Minister argued that there was no point in using these words if Japanese citizens had no idea what they meant. However, they do suffice for businessmen who know English, and these are the people who use these terms regularly.
2) Also, think why there are such effects/purposes.
While both sources use katakana to represent foreign loanwords, the effects that they create are different. The chocolate cookies may appeal to consumers because they contain elements of Western culture. Of course, this does not imply that Western cuisine is inherently superior; for Westerners also admire and have a fascination with Japanese culinary delights like sushi, sashimi, udon, and soba. I believe that since Japan ended its policy of isolation at the start of the Meiji Era, and especially since its extended encounter with Westerners in World War II, Japan has grown curious about culture on the European and North American continents. With regard with the katakana-laden speech delivered to the Japanese Prime Minister, the effect is not so much psychological as it is linguistic. It addresses the issue of incorporating a flood of new English vocabulary into the Japanese lexicon. Katakana seems like a convenient and practical way to describe business concepts like “outsourcing” until new words are developed. But there is a chance that foreign words can undermine the effectiveness of native Japanese, as the Prime Minister pointed out.
3) Think about why each textbook is different in explaining katakana, and why the textbooks explained katakana in the manners that they did.
In class we received material from several different textbooks explaining the Japanese writing systems. All of them were very general in describing katakana as useful for writing (1) foreign loanwords, (2) onomatopoeia, and (3) emphatic words. I feel that the two books I used to analyze the katakana above give us much insight into the first and perhaps most common of the categories that I listed.
The first book, which I used to analyze the cultural appeal of foreign words, is the Journal of Advertising Research. This particular article, titled “Standardization vs. Specialization: An Examination of Westernization in Japanese Advertising”, was published in the January/February 1992 issue. It makes sense that this source explained katakana from a cultural/psychological perspective because it comes from an advertiser’s point of view. Advertisers look for ways to tap into the consumer’s psyche and get him/her to buy a product. Thus, the journal writers probably saw the “Western” effect immediately and determined that katakana was commonly used for this purpose.
The second source was an article called “PM Blows Lid over Katakana Terms” in the July 2002 issue of J@pan Inc. magazine. J@pan Inc. is targeted towards foreigners living in Japan who want information on IT companies and trends within various Japanese industries. It makes sense that such a magazine would see katakana as it relates to the business world: a practical means by which to acquaint Japanese businessmen with new business lingo. It also makes sense that the magazine would expect its English-speaking audience to be familiar with the terms “outsourcing” and “back-office”.
Thus, these two sources show us that both cultural curiosity and practical necessity are two important motivations for using katakana.
Sources
Barbara, Mueller. Standardization vs. Specialization: An Examination of Westernization in Japanese Advertising. Journal of advertising research 32.1 1992: 15. Cambridge University Press. 29 Oct 2010.
PM Blows Lid over Katakana Terms. J@pan Inc. 33 2002: 5. LINC Japan. 29 Oct 2010.
| |
The two words that I have chosen are クックダッセ from the package of cookies by さんりつ, and アウトソーシング from the presentation to the Prime Minister. I believe that the first katakana word, presumably a katakana translation of “couque d’asses”, produces a “Western” effect of sorts. The company may have intentionally used French in order to convince customers that its product is a high-quality, delectable European treat. According to Barbara Mueller, a professor and contributor to the Journal of Advertising Research: “Japanese manufacturers are said to have a ‘marked preference for foreign-sounding brand names because they are supposed to lend a touch of class or prestige to the product’…” (Mueller 16). This becomes even more obvious in the case of “couque d’asses”, which is neither a dessert nor a coherent French expression; but because the phrase sounds French, it may appeal to curious Japanese consumers.
The second word, アウトソーシング, is the katakana for “outsourcing”. In 2002, minister for public management Toranosuke Katayama delivered a speech to Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi about Japanese IT strategies. According to an article in Japan Inc. magazine from July 2002, Katayama used “about 30 katakana business terms” (PM Blows Lid 5) before the Prime Minister interrupted the speaker to ask about these words. The minister for public management explained to the PM that “the Japanese language just doesn’t have the vocabulary yet for relatively new business concepts like outsourcing, back office, and incubator” (5). Thus, the reason for katakana use here is practical. Some words are written in katakana until a native equivalent is developed and agreed on. The Prime Minister argued that there was no point in using these words if Japanese citizens had no idea what they meant. However, they do suffice for businessmen who know English, and these are the people who use these terms regularly.
2) Also, think why there are such effects/purposes.
While both sources use katakana to represent foreign loanwords, the effects that they create are different. The chocolate cookies may appeal to consumers because they contain elements of Western culture. Of course, this does not imply that Western cuisine is inherently superior; for Westerners also admire and have a fascination with Japanese culinary delights like sushi, sashimi, udon, and soba. I believe that since Japan ended its policy of isolation at the start of the Meiji Era, and especially since its extended encounter with Westerners in World War II, Japan has grown curious about culture on the European and North American continents. With regard with the katakana-laden speech delivered to the Japanese Prime Minister, the effect is not so much psychological as it is linguistic. It addresses the issue of incorporating a flood of new English vocabulary into the Japanese lexicon. Katakana seems like a convenient and practical way to describe business concepts like “outsourcing” until new words are developed. But there is a chance that foreign words can undermine the effectiveness of native Japanese, as the Prime Minister pointed out.
3) Think about why each textbook is different in explaining katakana, and why the textbooks explained katakana in the manners that they did.
In class we received material from several different textbooks explaining the Japanese writing systems. All of them were very general in describing katakana as useful for writing (1) foreign loanwords, (2) onomatopoeia, and (3) emphatic words. I feel that the two books I used to analyze the katakana above give us much insight into the first and perhaps most common of the categories that I listed.
The first book, which I used to analyze the cultural appeal of foreign words, is the Journal of Advertising Research. This particular article, titled “Standardization vs. Specialization: An Examination of Westernization in Japanese Advertising”, was published in the January/February 1992 issue. It makes sense that this source explained katakana from a cultural/psychological perspective because it comes from an advertiser’s point of view. Advertisers look for ways to tap into the consumer’s psyche and get him/her to buy a product. Thus, the journal writers probably saw the “Western” effect immediately and determined that katakana was commonly used for this purpose.
The second source was an article called “PM Blows Lid over Katakana Terms” in the July 2002 issue of J@pan Inc. magazine. J@pan Inc. is targeted towards foreigners living in Japan who want information on IT companies and trends within various Japanese industries. It makes sense that such a magazine would see katakana as it relates to the business world: a practical means by which to acquaint Japanese businessmen with new business lingo. It also makes sense that the magazine would expect its English-speaking audience to be familiar with the terms “outsourcing” and “back-office”.
Thus, these two sources show us that both cultural curiosity and practical necessity are two important motivations for using katakana.
Sources
Barbara, Mueller. Standardization vs. Specialization: An Examination of Westernization in Japanese Advertising. Journal of advertising research 32.1 1992: 15. Cambridge University Press. 29 Oct 2010.
PM Blows Lid over Katakana Terms. J@pan Inc. 33 2002: 5. LINC Japan. 29 Oct 2010.
Monday, October 25, 2010
ゴンザレスのたんじょうびに...べんきょうします！
きょうはゴンザレスのたんじょうびです。いまじゅうきゅうさいです。わたしはスターバクスのカードをあげます。わたしたちはまいにちコーヒーをのみます。
ゴンザレスのたんじょうびはたのしいですがひまなじゃありません。がっこうはいそがしいです！こんばんごぜんにじまでべんようします。スターバクスのコーヒーをのみます！
さようなら！
ベンジャミン.メイヤソン
ゴンザレスのたんじょうびはたのしいですがひまなじゃありません。がっこうはいそがしいです！こんばんごぜんにじまでべんようします。スターバクスのコーヒーをのみます！
さようなら！
ベンジャミン.メイヤソン
Monday, October 11, 2010
きょうのにほんごのクラス
きょうにじよんじゅっぷんにクイズをしました。それからわたしたちはクラスメイトのオーディオをききました。Then we discussed what makes a good blog.
それからブログのコメントをかきました。わたしはNotre Dameだいがくのがくせいのブログにコメントをかきました。One of them にちようびにすしをたべました (http://fomeara.blogspot.com/2010/09/blog-post_26.html)。わたしも！
On a random note, きのうロングアイランドへいきました。I went pumpkin picking! これはウェブサイトです：
http://www.harbesfamilyfarm.com/mattituck_farm_vineyard.cfm
- ベンジャミン メイヤソン
それからブログのコメントをかきました。わたしはNotre Dameだいがくのがくせいのブログにコメントをかきました。One of them にちようびにすしをたべました (http://fomeara.blogspot.com/2010/09/blog-post_26.html)。わたしも！
On a random note, きのうロングアイランドへいきました。I went pumpkin picking! これはウェブサイトです：
http://www.harbesfamilyfarm.com/mattituck_farm_vineyard.cfm
- ベンジャミン メイヤソン
Monday, October 4, 2010
わたしのうちへLIRRのでんしゃで いきました。
せんしゅうのどようびわたしはかえりました。ごごはちじかえりました。ちかてつでえきへいきました。でんしゃのなまえは LIRR です。どようびににひゃくきゅうじゅうにえんです (I converted USD -> Yen)。
まいしゅうでんしゃでいきます。これわでんしゃです：
まいしゅうでんしゃでいきます。これわでんしゃです：
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
わたしはきょうなにをしましたか。
こんばんは。わたしはけさはちじにおきました。くじからじゅうにじまでべんきょうしました。ひるやすみはじゅうにじじゅうごふんからいちじまででした。じゅぎょうはいちじじゅっぷんからにじにじゅうごふんまででした。
いまわたしのへやにです。こんばんべんきょうします。じゅういちじにねます (I hope!)。
- ベンジャミン.メイヤーソン
いまわたしのへやにです。こんばんべんきょうします。じゅういちじにねます (I hope!)。
- ベンジャミン.メイヤーソン
Friday, September 24, 2010
はくぶつかん @ FIT
わたしはゴンザレズさんとはくぶつかんにきょういきました。 It was at the Fashion Institute of Technology. Some of the clothing was semi-Western in nature, as Japanese fashion designers of the late 20th century were influenced by the punk movement in the UK. Others were unique to Japan, such as the sailor and military school uniforms. We were only there for about さんじゅっぷん, but it was worth it!
- Ben M.
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Why I'm Studying Japanese
Hi all!
I chose to study Japanese for several reasons. First, I believe that learning the language will give me greater access to the rich culture of Japan. I take great pleasure in viewing Japanese art works (especially the woodblock prints of the Edo period) and enjoying Japanese cuisine. And the social customs, which are very much about showing respect and acknowledging superiors, interest me greatly. I believe that learning the Japanese language will provide me with insight into this culture that I would otherwise be unable to obtain.
Second, I like the way that the Japanese program is set up at Columbia University. Constant studying is encouraged, and homework assignments are given every night for practice in penmanship, conversation, and grammar. Thus, I know that this class will be rewarding and teach me what is considered a very difficult language.
After these first two weeks, I feel that the most difficult part of learning Japanese is understanding the spoken language. I can pick out certain words here and there, but sometimes the speech is so quick that I have trouble translating sentences in my head. However, I'm hoping that the daily practice CD we use will help me become more comfortable with spoken Japanese.
Anyway, I need to go now, but I'll post some new content soon (in Japanese I hope)!
- Ben M.
I chose to study Japanese for several reasons. First, I believe that learning the language will give me greater access to the rich culture of Japan. I take great pleasure in viewing Japanese art works (especially the woodblock prints of the Edo period) and enjoying Japanese cuisine. And the social customs, which are very much about showing respect and acknowledging superiors, interest me greatly. I believe that learning the Japanese language will provide me with insight into this culture that I would otherwise be unable to obtain.
Second, I like the way that the Japanese program is set up at Columbia University. Constant studying is encouraged, and homework assignments are given every night for practice in penmanship, conversation, and grammar. Thus, I know that this class will be rewarding and teach me what is considered a very difficult language.
After these first two weeks, I feel that the most difficult part of learning Japanese is understanding the spoken language. I can pick out certain words here and there, but sometimes the speech is so quick that I have trouble translating sentences in my head. However, I'm hoping that the daily practice CD we use will help me become more comfortable with spoken Japanese.
Anyway, I need to go now, but I'll post some new content soon (in Japanese I hope)!
- Ben M.
Introduction
はじめまして。わたしは Ben M. です。じゅうきゅうさいです。アメリカからきました。
コロンビアだいがくのにほんごのがくせいです。わたしのせんせいはまついせんせいです。
どうぞよろしく。
コロンビアだいがくのにほんごのがくせいです。わたしのせんせいはまついせんせいです。
どうぞよろしく。
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