Japanese... A dying langauge?

[MMM]

He is saying we SHOULDN'T forget the past.

Japanese language isn't going anywhere. The attempts by the French to keep the language "pure" are noble, but fruitless. Japan accepts and understands that a language is a living and breathing thing. It's an art, not a math formula. It moves grows and changes as the world does.

And, trust me, there is no threat of Japan dropping Japanese to be taken over by English. Spend 10 minutes there and you will understand that to be true.

[Pax]

Si senor! Same situation in China. Try talking to people or buy something. You´re lost without knowledge of the native language.

[JuSan]

Yeah. I'm sure English will spread more but I think that pretty much every country will keep they're main language the same and just incorpurate English into it. And yes Dumb was a bad word to use, I think slack, or even better Free (meaning make your own rules as long as they understand) would be better. And I think that English being influenced by other languages IS part of the reason for it's spread, a lot of words are easier to pick up (at least for European languages) stem from similar root words or orgins. Andn the past isn't necessarily bad it's just that we've made mistakes along the way and if you don't learn from them, you'll repeat them. I mean no one wants a new Hitler. I think there will always be a group to keep the traditions and culture of each nation alive. I mean here in the US there are groups that reinact civil war things, museum of all sorts are around and with the internet (though they say it might overload soon) I think cultural info will be passed pretty well...I mean we are currently on a website designed to discuss the culture and all of Japan. Oh and does anyone know where I can find stuff on Japanese sign language. I'd love to see the differences as a learning experience

[MMM]

Originally Posted by JuSan

Yeah. I'm sure English will spread more but I think that pretty much every country will keep they're main language the same and just incorpurate English into it. And yes Dumb was a bad word to use, I think slack, or even better Free (meaning make your own rules as long as they understand) would be better. And I think that English being influenced by other languages IS part of the reason for it's spread, a lot of words are easier to pick up (at least for European languages) stem from similar root words or orgins. Andn the past isn't necessarily bad it's just that we've made mistakes along the way and if you don't learn from them, you'll repeat them. I mean no one wants a new Hitler. I think there will always be a group to keep the traditions and culture of each nation alive. I mean here in the US there are groups that reinact civil war things, museum of all sorts are around and with the internet (though they say it might overload soon) I think cultural info will be passed pretty well...I mean we are currently on a website designed to discuss the culture and all of Japan. Oh and does anyone know where I can find stuff on Japanese sign language. I'd love to see the differences as a learning experience

You talk about Japanese culture like it's already dead. The Japanese find a balance between preserving the old and accepting the new. The fact that you can have a meal prepared for you exactly the same way as it was prepared hundred of years ago is almost unthinkable in many places. Preservation of Japanese culture is the least of our worries.

[IhrTodeswunsch]

Originally Posted by emiluvsjmusic

english will die? yay! i think english is the stupidest language -__-

/agree

Originally Posted by MMM

He is saying we SHOULDN'T forget the past.

Japanese language isn't going anywhere. The attempts by the French to keep the language "pure" are noble, but fruitless. Japan accepts and understands that a language is a living and breathing thing. It's an art, not a math formula. It moves grows and changes as the world does.

And, trust me, there is no threat of Japan dropping Japanese to be taken over by English. Spend 10 minutes there and you will understand that to be true.

Thanks. This puts my mind to rest.. but not that it's going to be dropped for English. I'm sure NO country would drop a Language over it's mother Tounge, but I mean as English becoming VERY dominate in Japan. Are you saying that it's not as bad as I think it is?

[MMM]

Originally Posted by IhrTodeswunsch

/agree



Thanks. This puts my mind to rest.. but not that it's going to be dropped for English. I'm sure NO country would drop a Language over it's mother Tounge, but I mean as English becoming VERY dominate in Japan. Are you saying that it's not as bad as I think it is?

Yes. I am saying it is not as bad as you think it is. English is NOT becoming "very dominate" in Japan. Far from it.

To make a sweeping generalization, Japanese are genius adopters. They can take something (like a car, a CD player, a word) and make it their own.

[MMM]

Originally Posted by Tenchu

... Ah yoo serious? Those reinactments are history lessons on a dead culture. Going to a mueseum to see how things used to be done is not seeing a liveing culture. Silly. Japanese traditional culture is long dead. There are things stilla round that came from what once was, but the fall of the Tokugawa Shogunate (GREAT SHOGUN) sealed the fate of Japanese tradition, the docks were opened and the culture died out. What you see today is completely different. As is with almost all countries.

I am not quite sure what you mean, Tenchu. Many of the traditions have been passed down generation to generation. The fact that kendo is a national sport taught in most high schools (and in a very traditional manner, in respect of the tradition and of those that have passed it down) is only one example of traditional culture still living in Japan. Calligraphy schools exist in every neighborhood in Japan, and are taught to the young and old, alike. The kimono is hasn't changed much. Shasen and Shamisen music is still taught, learned, played. Karate, Judo, the tea ceremony, flower arranging, traditional hanko making. All still very much alive in Japan.

[Pheonix1337]

Originally Posted by JuSan

The thing about it is that English is a (for lack of better phrasing) a dumb language (no offense I am an English Primary person). It's just super easy, there is no stern sentence structure (least not much anymore), words don't change based off of use or gender, and slang eventualy ends up in the dictionary (I HATE AIN'T,especialy when I catch myself use it). I mean there is a reason they teach monkeys and apes to sign in English. I really don't think (and sincerly hope) that English won't become the standard language of the world, I think it's currently a trend and the hot thing. Don't forget there are German and Portugese (amongst others) words used in Japanese. Ironicaly spainish is looking like it's becoming the national language of the US.

The funny thing about that is, while it is a dumb language, its also supposed to be the hardest language to learn. Makes sense though, you have so many intelligent people in the world, its hard for them to "dumb down" to learn there, thier, and they're, etc. And when things like "bling" and "Ice" make it into the dictionary to describe jewelry it just makes it worse. I hope the japanese language doesnt die for a long long time. And between the hispanics, slang, and somalians, I agree that the english language in america is taking a blow.

[Pheonix1337]

Originally Posted by Tenchu

But the world is a liveing and breathing thing also. English is growing in non English countries. I have been many places, you know this, and there are few people who I can not talk to due to language barrier. It is not going anywhere right now, but conveinience seems to be popular in the culture of this new world *Spews*. Slowly, but steadily, more and more things contain English words and letters. Every country has adopted our number system, it seems to me the language is following. It will take a long time, but I reckon that is where it is going. But when all is said, it is only speculation.

I may be mistaken, but isnt "OUR" number system the "arabic" number system?

[MMM]

Originally Posted by Pheonix1337

The funny thing about that is, while it is a dumb language, its also supposed to be the hardest language to learn. Makes sense though, you have so many intelligent people in the world, its hard for them to "dumb down" to learn there, thier, and they're, etc. And when things like "bling" and "Ice" make it into the dictionary to describe jewelry it just makes it worse. I hope the japanese language doesnt die for a long long time. And between the hispanics, slang, and somalians, I agree that the english language in america is taking a blow.

You are from the mindset that English is one thing. Like there is a textbook that says what is right and what is wrong. You can call English as "dumb" as you want, but just like its speakers, I doubt there is a language that is made up of such a diverse group of sources, and has come together to be the most taught second language in the world. Latin, Greek, French, Italian, Spanish, heck, Japanese, Chinese, Hawaiian, Native American tongues, the list is almost endless. And no two people speak English the same way.

I'll say it again, it's a living breathing entity. It's expansion doesn't mean it's being "dumbed down". Intelligent people are losing words and ways to express themselves.

And I wont even comment on your last sentence.