In a language, there are usually variants that emerge from it—variants such as dialects or different colloquial phrases. This usually happens when the language is split across different parts of the country or world. Different living situations call for different phrases or different ways of expressing that idea. In Japanese, these different dialects are known as hougen. There are several different Japanese hougen comprising that of the Tokyo area, the Tohoku region, the Kansai region, and even the Kyushu area to name a few places. Also within each certain areas, there may also be variants of each hougen with similar or minor changes such as in Kansai, there’s difference between Osaka and Kyoto for example. In general, the dialects in Japan can be split into about three different parts: Eastern, Western, and Kyushu.
Eastern Japan
The dialect of Japanese that is spoken in Tokyo is well known as the being called the “Standard Japanese” or hyoujungo for the language. The beginning of this adaptation started back in the Edo period as it was becoming the capital of the country. Other dialects were considered more countryside and less sophisticated. Now the spread of the standard Tokyo dialect is prominent due to the fact that it is heard widely on television, taught in schools for education, and even seen in official signs.
In the Northeastern region there’s Tohoku-ben. Tohoku-ben is spoken in the northeastern area of the main island Honshu, encompassing the prefectures of Akita, Aomori, Fukushima, Iwate, Miyagi and Yamagata and goes up all the way up to Hokkaido. Tohoku-ben is well known for its more country sounding tone, and it’s difficult for even Japanese people to understand sometimes. Also, Tohoku-ben is notorious...
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... This is the dialect spoken by comedians (many of whom are from Osaka) and TV gangsters.
Like the people of Kansai, their dialect is livelier. It has much more intonation and is generally spoken faster. They have their own words like akan, which means the same as dame in Tokyo speech (“no good.”). They use –hen as the negative verb form (wakaranai becomes wakarahen). They also say maido for “thank you” instead of arigatou.
Although Kyoto people technically speak Kansai dialect, Kyoto’s speech is slightly different. To most Japanese, Kyoto speech is considered beautiful and elegant, especially when spoken by women. They use more formal expressions and verb endings that are actually the remnants of an older form of Japanese. Some differences in Kyoto-ben with Osaka-ben include saying okini instead of maido for “thank you.”
Kyushu, Hakata-ben, Oita, Nagasaki, Kagoshima
As a long-term resident and self- proclaimed “avid tourist of the island”, Mooney has had the opportunity to observe the regional dialects first-hand. This exposure reinforces the credibility of her ethos.
It is an urban area, although it does have a countryside used for farming rice. However, it is mostly filled with government buildings and factories. One of the buildings would be Tokyo City Hall, costing more than a billion dollars, created by Kenzo Tange. This building looks like Notre Dame Cathedral along with two bell towers on the side soaring over 797 feet tall. As for physical, nature, characteristics, there is a mountain in Tokyo and several other mountains that are visible near Tokyo, one would be Mount Fuji. In Japan they speak Japanese, but they do have signs and posters that are in English. There is not a set religion in Japan, however; Jesuit missionaries were sent from America. Japanese people focus more on the teachings of Confucius instead of a main religion. The climate of Japan was not really described. However, we do know the time period for the book was throughout the 1990s and was published in 1999. This means that some of the descriptions of Tokyo or other cities are not as correct as they used to
The way people speak English is primarily affected by where and from whom they learned to speak it. In many cases,
Wright, Katy M. “The Role of Dialect Representation in Speaking from the Margins: “The Lesson” of Toni Cade Bambara.” Style. 42.1 (2008): 73-87. Proquest. SEMO Kent Lib., Cape Girardeau, MO. 12 April 2009. .
The people of America need to reshape the country in which we live, to show off the patriotism expressed so warmly after the horrific attacks of September 11. American citizens must come to unison with the most vital tool we can use to combat those problems, our communication between different dialects. Senator Hayakawa writes in his essay, The Case for Official English, that ?[i]t is with a common la...
“The Cambridge Companion to Modern Japanese Culture.” Cambridge University Press. Web. 23 Feb. 2011. .
Certainly, in many languages, dialects are dependent upon grammar, geographic location, and heritage, yet comprised of three separate systems of phonetic. These units manifest into their own rules, syllables, and pronunciations, which are unique to their own regions. The Outer Banks, Appalachian, and Cherokee dialects contribute to the rich heritage and culture of this particular region. In brief, depending on audience, geography, heritage and culture, rhetoric, syntax and semantics change but intent of communication is the same.
When looking at dialects, it is also important to be aware of the differences between Nonstandard English and Standard English dialects. According to Ross Burdette in his article, Developing Language in the Classroom, “the language spoken in schools, media outlets and the government, tends to be what is referred to as ‘Standard English’”. This referral attempts to rid both spoken and written language of regionalism and...
There square measure variations on the lobscuse accent, with the side of town adopting a softer, additional lyrical tone, and also the north a rougher, additional gritty accent. Those variations, tho' not universal, square measure most notable within the pronunciation of the vowels.
First and foremost, I will explain that a dialect function as a language in relations of its configuration and verbal features, therefore, a dialect is a diversity of a linguistic vocalized by a group of individuals that is analytically diverse from multiplicities of the language in relationships of phonological, morphological and syntactic. Therefore, Standard English itself is a social dialect, Chicano English is another social dialect for instance, and in Chicano English, the vowel in the word school shortens it sounds like “skul”
living on Long Island, that contribute to what others perceive as odd dialect. Its the culture that I
All human beings in this world are familiar with atleast one language and other might even speak more than one language. Language Is a way of expressing ourselves to others around us. Language doesnot only constitute speaking, but engulfs all major aspects such as body language, gestures, written language and also behaviours. Usually people who speak only one language also know more than one Dialect. Certainly no one talks exactly the same way at all times. Different people speak and act differently in different situations. Language tends to change at all times. There are several changes and variations in language. First, there is the Vocabulary Change. New words are added every now and then. Other than that, slang terms, in particular, come
Language variation, whether across different regions or different social groups, is a complex topic with a plethora of factors worthy of investigation. As Figure A and Figure B show, there are some interesting patterns that develop as a result of such factors. The following analysis will consider ways in which a variety of issues can begin to explain the reasons for such correlation in the data. Specifically, ways in which methodological factors, linguistic prestige, and the notion of speech communities and ‘class’, all play a contributory role, will be considered.
Looking at all the languages, dialects and accents that are spoken in The United States. I will be analyzing my own language, my own language variety and look at my accent and dialect in an effort to try to identify my speech community that shares the same language variety, dialect, and accent that I have. I see Dialect as a form of a language that is particular to a region or social group, for example, Japanese Versus English. I understand accent as a distinctive mode of pronunciation of a language, especially one associated with a nation, locality, or social class, for example, Australian English versus American English.
How would it be like if every Japanese could use English without hardship? Since Japanese people have poor English skills, they are not only losing confidence in speaking English, but also dropping in global competitiveness. These problems did not start recently: they arose a few centuries ago. Although English was primarily taught by foreign teachers, after a while, Japanese teachers, who hardly spoke English, started to teach English not to come in touch with Western cultures, but to prepare for college entrance examinations. Japanese English education should be ameliorated by reforms in university entrance examinations, a greater focus on nourishing teachers’ English abilities, and introducing English education at an early age.