Do you agree with the writer Minae Mizumura (“The Fall of Japanese in the Age of English”) when she says that”, “the dominance of English, especially with the advent of the Internet, threatens to reduce all other national languages to mere “local” languages that are not taken seriously by scholars. The education system, she argues, doesn’t spend enough time teaching Japanese.”Why? Give at least 3 reasons to support your answer.
I disagree with her.
Firstly, I think English doesn't have so much power in Japan now. Most of Japanese don't use English in our dairy life. Though she said English has a power especially with the advent of the Internet, I hardly check websites written in English because reading Japanese website is easier, faster and more comfortable. I know there is much information written in English on the web, but I check them only for the teacher's request. Maybe, many Japanese also don't see the websites written in English, and I think English don't affect Japanese life so seriously.
Secondly, I think learning foreign languages sometimes enables us to understand our first language more objectively. When I was a junior high school student, I can't understand Japanese grammar at Japanese classes. After I study English grammar deeply, I understand Japanese grammar more easily.
Thirdly, English is needed when we try to work internationally. Therefore, I think learning English is not bad thing. Learning proper Japanese is important. However, if we cling to learn proper Japanese and don't learn English hard, Japanese can't be active internationally.
2010年1月24日日曜日
December 21 Homework
I agree with author's opinion.
I also think that Japanese men are not so passionate and not so interested in ren'ai. The men like that are called"Soushoku Danshi（草食男子）", and this word was selected as one of the top 10 of the 2009 buzzwords-of-the-year contest(流行語大賞）. Therefore, I think many Japanese think there are many Soushoku Danshi in our country and will agree with the author.
The author of this article seems to think the men who are not interested in ren'ai are bad. However, I don't think they are bad, because I have the idea like theirs. I am also not so interested in ren'ai and I think uninterest in ren'ai is not so bad. (Of course, I think the man in the article have to avoid being futarikiri with the woman if he is not interested in love.) I think if they are not so interested in love and like working or doing hobbies with friends, they should do they want to do. Maybe, I am affected by out-of-love epidemic, too.
I also think that Japanese men are not so passionate and not so interested in ren'ai. The men like that are called"Soushoku Danshi（草食男子）", and this word was selected as one of the top 10 of the 2009 buzzwords-of-the-year contest(流行語大賞）. Therefore, I think many Japanese think there are many Soushoku Danshi in our country and will agree with the author.
The author of this article seems to think the men who are not interested in ren'ai are bad. However, I don't think they are bad, because I have the idea like theirs. I am also not so interested in ren'ai and I think uninterest in ren'ai is not so bad. (Of course, I think the man in the article have to avoid being futarikiri with the woman if he is not interested in love.) I think if they are not so interested in love and like working or doing hobbies with friends, they should do they want to do. Maybe, I am affected by out-of-love epidemic, too.
2009年12月15日火曜日
December 14 Homework
1.Have you ever eaten in a restaurant in a foreign country? Where? What did you eat? Did you make any mistakes? Please explain your experience.
I have never been abroad. So, I would like to talk about my experience of going to the French-like restaurant with my friend. The restaurant said their cuisine is based on French, but I know the restaurant is famous for its pizza. It is not a formal and traditional French restaurant. The dinner costed me less than 5000yen. Don't imagine the restaurant which is very expensive and has a dress-code.
Anyway, during the dinner, I was puzzled because I didn't know the proper way of eating the bread. I usually bite into a bread, but I knew it was not a good way. I tried to break the bread on the plate, but it was crumbled terribly. Maybe about half of the croissant was crumbled on the plate. In the end, I directly bit into a bread .
2. Did you learn anything?
I haven't knew what the proper way of eating a bread is. However, I learned that having dinner at the restaurant required table manner made me nervous and tired.
I have never been abroad. So, I would like to talk about my experience of going to the French-like restaurant with my friend. The restaurant said their cuisine is based on French, but I know the restaurant is famous for its pizza. It is not a formal and traditional French restaurant. The dinner costed me less than 5000yen. Don't imagine the restaurant which is very expensive and has a dress-code.
Anyway, during the dinner, I was puzzled because I didn't know the proper way of eating the bread. I usually bite into a bread, but I knew it was not a good way. I tried to break the bread on the plate, but it was crumbled terribly. Maybe about half of the croissant was crumbled on the plate. In the end, I directly bit into a bread .
2. Did you learn anything?
I haven't knew what the proper way of eating a bread is. However, I learned that having dinner at the restaurant required table manner made me nervous and tired.
2009年12月6日日曜日
November 30 Homework
1.Since Japanese weddings are expensive, do you think having a massive wedding like Korea or UAE is a good idea? Why?
In my opinion, a massive wedding is too expensive for me. If I am allowed to attend my friend's massive wedding, I will enjoy it. However, I don't want to spend so much of my precious money on wedding.
2. What do you think about eloping? Is it a good idea or romantic? Why?
It sounds romantic, but I don't want to do so. Because if I eloped with someone, we can't make a good relationship with both parents. After I get married, I have to live with my husband for a long time. I want to get parents' help when I have a problem. I think they will give me some advice and money.
3. Have you ever thought about having a wedding in a foreign location like Hawaii? Would you do it? Why?Or Why not?
I have thought about that, but I want to have a wedding in my country. Because I want my friends to come my wedding ceremony and reception. I think it is difficult for my friends to go abroad for my wedding.
4.What is your ideal wedding?
I don't want to have a big party because I am cheap and don't want to spend too much money. I want to have a small wedding ceremony and a small buffet-style party. I want to wearing a wedding dress. Also, I prefer a church style wedding ceremony to Japanese.
5.What would you definitely do, wear or go to on that big day? Why is that important?
I don't know the traditional things we should do. But, I would say thank you or something to my parents. I want to show them my appreciation because I can't express it during normal days. Also, I want to wear a wedding dress in my wedding ceremony. I just want to wear a wedding dress before I die. But, I don't want to move around with a dress. I am surprised when I saw the bride get in a car and go to the church in the movie. It looks very tough.
6. Have you ever been to a foreigner's wedding? What was your impression?
I have never been to it.
In my opinion, a massive wedding is too expensive for me. If I am allowed to attend my friend's massive wedding, I will enjoy it. However, I don't want to spend so much of my precious money on wedding.
2. What do you think about eloping? Is it a good idea or romantic? Why?
It sounds romantic, but I don't want to do so. Because if I eloped with someone, we can't make a good relationship with both parents. After I get married, I have to live with my husband for a long time. I want to get parents' help when I have a problem. I think they will give me some advice and money.
3. Have you ever thought about having a wedding in a foreign location like Hawaii? Would you do it? Why?Or Why not?
I have thought about that, but I want to have a wedding in my country. Because I want my friends to come my wedding ceremony and reception. I think it is difficult for my friends to go abroad for my wedding.
4.What is your ideal wedding?
I don't want to have a big party because I am cheap and don't want to spend too much money. I want to have a small wedding ceremony and a small buffet-style party. I want to wearing a wedding dress. Also, I prefer a church style wedding ceremony to Japanese.
5.What would you definitely do, wear or go to on that big day? Why is that important?
I don't know the traditional things we should do. But, I would say thank you or something to my parents. I want to show them my appreciation because I can't express it during normal days. Also, I want to wear a wedding dress in my wedding ceremony. I just want to wear a wedding dress before I die. But, I don't want to move around with a dress. I am surprised when I saw the bride get in a car and go to the church in the movie. It looks very tough.
6. Have you ever been to a foreigner's wedding? What was your impression?
I have never been to it.
2009年12月5日土曜日
November 16 Homework
please comment in your blog about Ms. Camilla's presentation. Which part surprised you the most? What kind of Danish food do you want to try?
I am surprised that ANDERSEN in Hondori was started by a man who was impressed on Danish bread. I have seen breads whose name are Danish roll or Danish pastry are sold at the supermarket. However, I didn't recognize they are from Denmark, because the name of the breads are written in Katakana. I think "Denish" is just a name of the bread. After her presentation, I first found デニッシュ means Danish and it makes me very surprised.
I want to eat a open sandwich with a fish. I seldom eat a bread with a fish, so I want to try it.
1.Do you think it is important to talk about superstitions in cross culture communication class? Why?
Yes. Because I think it is useful when we communicate with people in other countries.
2.Is communication affected by superstitions?
Yes. If a black cat walks through, I usually talk to my friend it is unlucky. (though I don't believe something unlucky will be really happened.) It sometimes can be a topic of conversation.
Also, I try to avoid doing something we think unlucky when I am talking with someone.
3.Do you believe in superstitions? If yes, what superstitions do you believe?Why do you do, use, or believe in them?
In fact, I think I don't believe in them. However, I will feel bad if someone do something we think unlucky. So, I try to avoid doing unlucky superstition in front of others in case they feel bad.
I am surprised that ANDERSEN in Hondori was started by a man who was impressed on Danish bread. I have seen breads whose name are Danish roll or Danish pastry are sold at the supermarket. However, I didn't recognize they are from Denmark, because the name of the breads are written in Katakana. I think "Denish" is just a name of the bread. After her presentation, I first found デニッシュ means Danish and it makes me very surprised.
I want to eat a open sandwich with a fish. I seldom eat a bread with a fish, so I want to try it.
1.Do you think it is important to talk about superstitions in cross culture communication class? Why?
Yes. Because I think it is useful when we communicate with people in other countries.
2.Is communication affected by superstitions?
Yes. If a black cat walks through, I usually talk to my friend it is unlucky. (though I don't believe something unlucky will be really happened.) It sometimes can be a topic of conversation.
Also, I try to avoid doing something we think unlucky when I am talking with someone.
3.Do you believe in superstitions? If yes, what superstitions do you believe?Why do you do, use, or believe in them?
In fact, I think I don't believe in them. However, I will feel bad if someone do something we think unlucky. So, I try to avoid doing unlucky superstition in front of others in case they feel bad.
2009年11月30日月曜日
November 9 Homework
1. Please explain a time proverb in your culture.
My favorite Japanese time proverb is "桃栗三年柿八年". It means peach trees and maron trees take three years to produce their berries, and persimmons take eight. So, everything needs time to be succeed.
2. What do the following proverbs mean
a. Time is money.
I think it means time is really important like money. So, we have to have a well-spent time.
b. A stitch in time saves nine.
I checked the meaning of proverb on a website because I have never heard about it. The website told me it means if you do something at an early stage, you won't have to panic later.
c. There's no time like the present.
The present is very special and never happened again. So, we don't have to spend the present lazily.
d.Let's meet at 4. If I'm not there by 5, leave without me at 6, and I'll be there at 7.
I think this phrase means that don't be so nervous about keeping time. I am often late for the time and can understand the idea like this.
My favorite Japanese time proverb is "桃栗三年柿八年". It means peach trees and maron trees take three years to produce their berries, and persimmons take eight. So, everything needs time to be succeed.
2. What do the following proverbs mean
a. Time is money.
I think it means time is really important like money. So, we have to have a well-spent time.
b. A stitch in time saves nine.
I checked the meaning of proverb on a website because I have never heard about it. The website told me it means if you do something at an early stage, you won't have to panic later.
c. There's no time like the present.
The present is very special and never happened again. So, we don't have to spend the present lazily.
d.Let's meet at 4. If I'm not there by 5, leave without me at 6, and I'll be there at 7.
I think this phrase means that don't be so nervous about keeping time. I am often late for the time and can understand the idea like this.
2009年10月25日日曜日
October 19 Homework
Clothes
1. Do you judge people according to what they wear? Why?
Yes. I can't see people without looking what they wear. Especially, I judge someone I don't know well according to what they wear, I think.
2. Do you think Japanese society puts an importance on clothing when judging other people from another country?
I think what foreign people wear isn't so important. But, I judge Japanese people by what they wear. I haven't found that until I try to answer this question.
3. What colors are you wearing now? Do they reflect your mood?
I am wearing a light blue sweat shirt. I don't care what I wear at home. I am wearing it because it was near me.
Friends
1. What are some subjects that you will never discuss with a friend?
I rarely talk about politics not because it may cause arguments, but because I'm not interested in it. Also, I don't like to ask about their family.
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.
I talk about high school days when I see junior high friends and talk about sports when I see my teammates. When I meet a friend who has a little child, I visit her house. I think going out with little baby is taugh.
1. Do you judge people according to what they wear? Why?
Yes. I can't see people without looking what they wear. Especially, I judge someone I don't know well according to what they wear, I think.
2. Do you think Japanese society puts an importance on clothing when judging other people from another country?
I think what foreign people wear isn't so important. But, I judge Japanese people by what they wear. I haven't found that until I try to answer this question.
3. What colors are you wearing now? Do they reflect your mood?
I am wearing a light blue sweat shirt. I don't care what I wear at home. I am wearing it because it was near me.
Friends
1. What are some subjects that you will never discuss with a friend?
I rarely talk about politics not because it may cause arguments, but because I'm not interested in it. Also, I don't like to ask about their family.
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.
I talk about high school days when I see junior high friends and talk about sports when I see my teammates. When I meet a friend who has a little child, I visit her house. I think going out with little baby is taugh.
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