While I think that the near flaming should end, I agree with a lot of what Sashimister is saying.
There is a VERY VERY easy way to end any doubt or suspicion regarding Japanese level.
Write something in it.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sashimister
I know you won't listen, but saying "I know a lot about ~~" or "I'm very good at ~~" is socially completely unacceptable in Japanese culture. We honor modesty and humility here. This is what I meant when you joined JF and said "I can speak and write a lot of Japanese!" to your prospective Japanese friends/penpals. Japanese people will not reply to someone who would say that. If you didn't know about that important part of Japanese culture, how good can your Japanese really be?
|
I had to laugh at this, as it`s pretty close to what I said to her in PM.
To quote myself - "The biggest reason this throws up flags is that someone who knows a lot of Japanese and a lot about Japanese should be pretty darned familiar with 能ある鷹は爪を隠す, and how incredibly grating and appalling it is to a Japanese person to ignore it."
I think, from her replies to me, that she doesn`t understand that she isn`t being picked on and that she could end any doubt with just a few lines of Japanese. Or that the biggest reason people are suspicious of her is that she refuses to take the easiest and simplest option to prove her skill... Instead choosing to become very defensive and hostile to anyone who doesn`t give her complete belief.
I`ve basically given up on having a reasonable discussion regarding it with her - especially as on other topics (such as moving to Japan) she only wants to hear support for a plan she`s come up with, and no "That isn`t legal" or "Perhaps you should visit Japan at least once before deciding to run about trying to illegally stay in the country forever..." The reaction was similar to any questioning of language skill - ie. I know I can do it! What do you know?! Why are you picking on me and trying to keep me out of Japan?!? What makes you think you`re so much better than me?!? etc.
*sigh*
However, simply being immature is not a ban worthy offense.