Learning Japanese key to enjoying Okinawan culture

Pfc. Antwain J. Graham

CAMP FOSTER, Okinawa (July 25, 2008) -- Communicating in a foreign language can be difficult, however, several resources are available to make the process easier for Status of Forces Agreement personnel on Okinawa desiring to learn the Japanese language and customs.

Learning the Japanese language and culture allows personnel to better communicate with locals, allowing for a richer understanding and more enjoyable experience in Japan, according to officials with the Marine Corps Community Services Personal Services Center.

Personal Services Centers on Okinawa, located on Camps Foster and Hansen, and Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, offer free monthly courses that teach the basics of the Japanese language and culture.

Students who have taken the course are thankful for the opportunity, said Erika Vaughan, PSC operational readiness support program coordinator.

"Feedback is always positive, people really appreciate the classes," she said.
Students first attend "Survival Japanese," a one-hour class focused on basic day-to-day dialogue, before moving on to more advanced classes.

With Japanese levels two and three, students are given a more detailed look into the structure of the language, the culture, as well as the history and geography of Japan, said Vaughan.

Another resource available for SOFA personnel to learn Japanese is the Lifelong Learning Program offered at the University of Maryland University College.

The university offers intermediate to advanced language courses at the Education Center on Foster.

The course is $585 plus the cost of books, according to Bob Stenard, supervisory guidance counselor for the Lifelong Learning Program. However, service members may use tuition assistance to cover the cost, he added.

One student currently attending the course said he is surprised at the quick progress he has made in the class.

"The class is great," said Master Sgt. Miroslaw Zuczkeiwicz. "I have learned more here in the past month and a half than I have in the past five years."

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hey, mike: Uncomfortable silences

I have been studying Japanese for a about six months, and I thought I was progressing. However, many times there are gaps of awkward silence in conversations with Japanese friends, as well as blank looks when I give the standard “okay” sign. What am I doing wrong?

— Mitchell Harris

Some people find silence oppressive in a conversation, and feel an irresistible urge to fill every five-second gap with sometimes unnecessary words. However, to many Japanese people, silence can be just as significant as words. It can be a moment to “digest” all levels and implications of what has just been communicated or a pause to ponder and respond in a manner that causes the least negativity on both parties. Sometimes silence, or what is left unspoken, can also be just as important as what is said. Occasionally when communicating with a Japanese person, one must read between the lines a little bit more and watch for non-verbal cues and body language that can differ from what you are used to seeing. Japan’s principal religions are Shinto and Zen Buddhism, and many aspects of these religions deeply permeate Japanese culture and daily life. Many Zen Buddhists believe in stark simplicity; that by ridding oneself of earthly attachments, including attachment to the notion of “self” or “I," one can be free of suffering. Many aspects of Shinto morality are rooted in de-emphasizing “self," and emphasizing everything of benefit to the group. Even during modern times, these deep-seated ideals affect the mannerisms of many Japanese.

The expressionless, uncommitted appearance of the Japanese is fairly common. In Japan, it is usually considered rude to overtly express your emotions in public. The “poker face” is often used to cover up negative emotions, save other people from embarrassment, as well as to protect privacy. Every so often, even the universal smile can carry unfamiliar meanings. In addition to being an expression of joy, a smile can also be an expression that conceals embarrassment, and it can also hide pain, or anguish. In an uncomfortable situation, it is not uncommon for Japanese to give a nervous laugh or an awkward smile to conceal their true emotions. Direct eye contact, which is often seen as a sign of honesty, confidence, or sincerity can be considered a rude gesture that signifies defiance or challenge. A Japanese person also may sometimes shift their eyes or look down to show respect to another person.

Certain hand gestures that may mean one thing to a person from one culture could mean something completely different to a Japanese person. For example the concept of “Me” or “I” can be signified by either pointing to one’s nose, or touching their nose—as opposed to a thumb to one’s chest. Fanning one’s hand back and forth in front of the face as if to fan away flies usually means “no." And, pointing the index fingers up from the temples—mimicking a devil’s horns— can convey anger. Forming a circle with the thumb and index fingers together—similar to what is sometimes used by many of us to mean, “okay”—usually means money.

These are just a few of the little differences between Japanese and Western cultures’ ways of communication. And, although communicating can sometimes be difficult, the rewards are great—don’t give up!

—Mike Daley

Got questions for Mike? E-mail editor@okinawa.usmc-mccs.org.

Cologne's Japanese Lesson (3 April)

Let’s study Japanese word.

(1) wa-ta-shi (I)

(2) a-na-ta (you)

(3) o-to-ko (male)

(4) 0-nn-na (female)

(5) ni-nn-ge-nn (human)

(6) hi-to (human)

(7) i-nu (dog)

(8) ne-ko (cat)

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Cologne's Japanese Lesson - 6 March

Let’s study Japanese student definition.

(1) shi-yo-u-ga-ku-se-i (primary school student)

(2) chi-yu-u-ga-ku-se-i (junior high school student)

(4) ko-u-ko-u-se-i (high school student)

(5) da-i-ga-ku-se-i (university student)

culture corner: VVord Up! Japanese Slang

I g2g. Whatup? TTYL (talk to you later)! While LOL (laugh out loud) and ROTFL (rolling on the floor laughing) have become a part of modern English (giving grief to school teachers and baffling parents in the process), people in Japan are facing their own modern lingo epidemics, largely popularized by comedians and entertainers.

When someone makes a comment that utterly kills the mood during a conversation, it is typically followed by an embarrassing awkward silence. In Japan, it’s not uncommon for someone (or even several people) of Japan’s younger generation to break that silence by shouting, “KY!" This is an abbreviation for “Kuuki yomenai." The phrase literally translates as “Can’t read the air," but it is interpreted as “Wow. Awkward,”“Clueless,” or “What the—.” Most of the time the phrase is used in e-mails, chat rooms, blogs, and instant messages.

“KY language” is the Japanese equivalent to American internet slang. In fact, Japanese teens (and even adults) are so absorbed in this conversational craze that there are online dictionaries and TV specials devoted to KY language (KY; KY-go). While IT is either a pronoun or an abbreviation for “information technology” in the English language, in Japan it means “Aisu tabetai?“ or "Wanna get ice cream?” The number sequence 4649 becomes “Yoroshiku,” or “Nice to meet you.” And a shortcut to asking someone about their plans for college is “ODD," an acronym for “Omae daigaku dousuru?”

Some other popular Japanese slang words/phrases include:
Omoroi (Omoshiroi): “interesting”
Muzui (Muzukashii): “difficult”
Uzai (Urusai): “annoying”
Mendoi (Mendo kusai): “What a pain."
Kimoi! (Kimochi warui): “Gross!” or “Eew!”
Mecha: “very”
Ikeru!: “Cool!," “Sweet!," or “Oh yeah!”

Currently, one of the number one slang phrases is “Dondake?!” This phrase is often coupled with a little "tsk tsk” shake of the index finger. Like many modern Japanese slang phrases, it was popularized by an entertainer, in this case, lkko—an okama (drag queen) who frequently appears on national TV. Dondake was originally used by residents of the Shibuya area in Tokyo. But this phrase became a part of modern Japanese jargon when Ikko popularized it in a music video. The approximate meaning would be something along the lines of “What the—?!” and it is interjected into normal (informal) conversation among friends.

So, even in a country known for its formality and sense of tradition, Japan has its own language quirks that rival American teen’s OMG and C u 2morrow! —Ja-na-- ! Bye-bye!

—Mina Furusho

Cologne's Japanese Lesson - 3 Jan

Let’s study Japanese word.

(1) ji-nn-ji-ya
(shrine) jinjya

(2) to-ri-i
(gateway at the entrance to shrine)

(3) da-i-bu-tsu
(a huge statue of Buddha)

(4) ka-ne
(bell)

Cologne's Japanese Lesson - 25 October

Let’s practice Japanese Words!

(1) mu-ka-shi (a long time ago)

(2) ka-ko (past)

(3) i-ma (now)

(4) ge-nn-za-i (present)

(5) mi-ra-i (future)