Quote:
Originally Posted by RandallGood
I'm really happy to find such knowledgeable people. I suppose what I'm really getting at is what a main islander's impression of a Ryukyuan is when he speaks. Essentially I'm trying to find out if there are any prejudices or stereotypes that stem from this accent, negative, positive or even neutral. Also, particular mannerisms or demeanor would be helpful.
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I'm Japanese and lived in Tokyo most of my life until I left for college so I guess I qualify to answer your question. To me, Okinawa/Ryukyu language is more of a foreign language than a dialect. There may have been prejudices in the past but during the past decade, being from Okinawa has become quite cool so the Okinawan/Ryukyu dialect is now seen in a more positive light. There are tons of singers that are from Okinawa and they sometimes sing in their language, making it more familiar. To a person from Tokyo, someone speaking a Kumamoto, Aomori, Akita, Nagasaki, etc dialect sounds more "country-bumpkin-esque" than someone speaking Okinawan.
I don't really have an insight into the mannerisms or demeanor of an Okinawan.