So I just had someone point something out to me that makes me want to drive my head into a wall repeatedly. In case you all are not aware, Japanese is a very formal language with very different levels of formality. It is crazy and kind of cool and takes a while to get a feel for things. Given that I have not studied Japanese in about twenty years, that I have slipped about the language is not a surprise but what I slipped over is.
Here is what Sadarsa sent to me: Hi, just wanted you to know that i just started reading your Kit and Kin story--Great job by the way, im loving it so far.
But i did think you should know that although Haha does mean Mother in Japanese, it is extreamly formal. Like, over the top formal, something you'd only use during ceremonies and formal occations. So the day to day usage would be Okassan (and most often cut down even further to O-Kasa or even just Kasa)
GAH!!! The last site I looked at for this information had these things inverted. GAH!!
So, I am going to go through the story and change Haha to Kasa. And I will be using that from now on. Ugh... I hate it when that happens.
Thanks Sadarsa, I am pleased to know that.
Comments
Foreign languages
Korean is the same when referring to family. Although, in Korea they also use family terms for referring to non-family as well. They don't have the terms Sir or Mame over there. They use the Korean words for Uncle and Aunt to refer to older males and females who are not family members. The elderly are referred to using the Korean words for Grandmother and Grandfather.
Now off to correct the Gazetteer :)
No Worries!
It is a great story.....Ha Ha or Kasa, it doesn't really matter to me. Of course you want everything perfect with your art, but wouldn't it be a bit cute for him/her to use the formal version in the same way I refer to my significant other as, "Most beautiful and wonderful wife"? Keep writing and stop banging your head!
Have a great day,
Larimus
Need Japanese help?
Let me know, I am not an expert, but my wife is, she was born and raised there. She majored in Japanese like we would major in English.
Gambattane!
Megan
People say, "You don't know what you had until it's gone." Very true, but also equally true is, "You don't know what you've been missing until is arrives."
Don't bang your head too
Don't bang your head too hard, I still have trouble with English and its supposedly my first language. (and only) I took three years of french in high school and I can't even say 'hello', or 'which way to the restroom' which seem to be the first things you are supposed to learn. God bless those people that can learn other languages, with out them we would be stuck gesturing frantically while speaking very loudly and very slowly in the futile hope that the other person will suddenly learn the proper language of communication. :P
You mean..
Bonjour! Où se trouvet les toilettes? Or perhaps, Où est la salle de bain?
Depends on if you want the bathing room, or the toilet. :)
I'll get a life when it's proven and substantiated to be better than what I'm currently experiencing.
That is right AND wrong I
That is right AND wrong I have a friend who is third generation Japanese her grandmother is OLD school Japanese and she was born in Japan. The formal is the only form that speaks, if my friend would call mother anything but Haha she would be sore for the rest of the day. And if she would EVER call her mom Kasa it would be a month. Each region of Japan has it's own rules when it comes to formality some are country bomcims and never use formal and some use only formal it is getting rarer and rarer with each generation for the completely formal speakers but they are still out there. In the case of the story I not sure what would be better his Generation would be Kasa though a family of ninja I am not sure what they would do with formality. If he was a Samurai I would say that it would have to Haha on a side note I just thought of awsome story though would have to talk to use to see how the ninja will react to Samurai coming to town.
What to call your Father
Formal is Chi Chi, while this is fine in Japan, it's inappropriate in Mexico.
People say, "You don't know what you had until it's gone." Very true, but also equally true is, "You don't know what you've been missing until is arrives."
Banging heads against walls
Do you know why people bang their heads against walls? It feels sooo good when you finish :) Also, the beatings will continue until morale goes up...
Thanks everyone. It will take
Thanks everyone. It will take a while to catch everything up story wise but I will get to it.
Heather
We are the change that will save the world.
Chinese has similar issues too
All that Confucian formalism does introduce issues. Korean I think is even worse as how to say thank you even depends on a senior-junior ranking. There is a relatively informal way to say thank you in Korean in casual intercourse but one still has to be aware of all the ranking stuff.
Kim
Chinese and Korean
I have had experience with both. I lived in Tiawan as a youngster (1966 - 1968). I attended Kindergarten at a Parochial Nursury/Kindergarten then 1st and 2nd grade at the American School all of us Dependents attended. I can still remember a very little bit of the Chinese I was taught by our Housekeeper. I also was stationed in Korea for 2 years and got married over there. I can't carry on a conversation in Korean but do know enough to be polite in Korean Stores and Restaraunts here where I live.
Oh, I did not exactly enjoy Kindergarten either. I am left-handed and Sister Maria, my Kindergarten Teacher was from the Phillipines and I was shortly to learn that writing with my left hand was a very painful experience. I was forced to learn to write with my non-evil hand and became dyslexic because of that.
Sadarsa, eather should
send you the bill for all of the aspirin she wil need to cure her headache. :)
May Your Light Forever Shine