11月16日の日記に戻る

Learning Language



Keiichi UCHIDA

Today I will talk about learning Language.

My specialty is Chinese linguistics.

Recently I interested about the influence that the works of pre-modern age(from 17 century to 19 century) Western missionaries gave to Chinese Language and China culture.

Those missionaries brought the new science and technology and culture of Europe in modern China. In the case they needed to produce the new vocabulary corresponding to new concept.They produced so many new translated expression that is used until the present.The missionaries in that time were also an on the other hand excellent linguist.

They were always considering the one that is always easy to be accepted by the Chinese on the occasion of translation. Namely, they consider the thinking method of the Chinese and created the new vocabulary. I think that the thought with regard to the language of such missionaries is very important.



There are 2 reasons that I participated in this ESL class. As for one, I hope that I want to speak English skillfully. But probably expectation will not possible this much in my age. The other point, I have already taught Chinese as a second language or major language in Japan, so I am very interesting that how to teach English as a second language in America.Accordingly, this lesson is very beneficial for me.To learn a foreign language I think that it is insufficient just to memorize the grammar and vocabulary, sentence patterns only. The culture and history of the race who speak that language in the background of the language, exist. Language is the one that reflected the viewpoint and thought of the race. It is also that comprehends the culture and history of the race, to master the certain language. It needs Practical part and "different culture comprehension". I am always thinking the difference of English and Japanese, Chinese, after I come in America on such a viewpoint. For example,such matter that expresses below are very interesting.

1. Japanese can not say "No".

We have the bag check, when we leave from Widener Library. That moment they ask me "No library’s books?" When I have no library’s book,I often answer "Yes!" .Then he say "You are a Japanese or Korean? Japanese or Korean often answer ‘Yes’ in this case. But you should say ‘No’." This is a problem of the way of answering on the"Denial interrogative sentence".It becomes opposite in English and Japanese.



2. Today-Tomorrow-the day after tomorrow-??

The other day, I asked to Mrs.Barbara."Today,tomorrow.Then how do you say the next day of tomorrow?" She answered."It call the day after tomorrow." Then I asked again."How do you say the next of the day after tomorrow ?" Barbara said "If today is Tuesday,Today,tomorrow,the day after tomorrow,and this Friday." I said that But if I didn’t know today was Tuesday,how can I say ? May be can not say this Friday." Then Barbara was angry and said "Are you crazy ? Why don’t you know today is Tuesday ?" I think that English must have not word express for "The next of the day after tomorrow".But Japanese or Chinese have this word.It is interesting that something that exist in English and not exist in Japanese and Chinese,or opposite one. And, how is it in Korean and Turkish, Spanish?



3. Good afternoon

I often go to the library of Salem recently. One day a conductor of Commuter says "good afternoon" when he check a ticket.It was about 11 o’clock in morning.That moment I thought that "good afternoon" this greeting may be used until when from when. In my linguistic sense Afternoon is after noon,so I think it should be used at afternoon.But It seems to be not so when it thinks well. Good afternoon means that "I hope you have a good afternoon",It may be expressing about the future. Even the good morning will be same. On the other hand, In Japanese or Chinese "Ohayo!""Konnichiwa!""Ni zao""Ni hao" these original meaning is "you are very early!" or "How are you today? " This is the expression that asks it to the partner namely. English is expressing the "the hope of speaker". If I say in other words,in English it is the one-sided thought of a speaker. This also is a big difference.



4. My beautiful wife

I watch "wheel of fortune" and "jeopardy" of quiz program with Mrs. Barbara from 7 o’clock to 8 o’clock every night. When I was watching this program, I noticed that when the American introduce the family of oneself,they have the different expression from Japanese.For instance,"My beautiful wife" "My great guy" "My wonderful child" Hearing this I thought that an Asian will never say in this way. An Asian never says "Beautiful wife" for the wife of myself,even though she is a beautiful wife really. In Japan we say "Foolish wife" . It may be the difference that in Asian races think that Modesty is Virtue, while the American prides own family.Even this is a very interesting problem.

There are many interesting problems. I think it is up to here today.



Finally I want to speak only one thing. After I came in America it already became 7 months. Every day I meet an interesting case.I feel many unpleasant things of the American. Wasting of the resources ,the badness of the manners,oneself basis and so on.But They also have so many good things.Nice greeting, the bright character, and freedom. Even musician of the street corner is one of them. It is prohibited that someone sing a song in the yard of the station from certain time in Japan.While, there are many street musicians at anywhere in America and Europe. If there is not such environment, the real general public music can not be born.When I hear that is singing the song of Bob Dylan, Joan Baez,Simon and Girfuncle with one acoustic guitar at Harvard Square,I am impressed very much.

My most favorite song is Bob Dylan’s "blowing in the wind".

"How many times must the cannon balls fly before thet’re forever banned ?"

"How many deaths will it take till he know that too many people have died?"

"The answer,my friend,is blowin’in the wind.The answer is blowing in the wind."

Many dispute case are breaking out every day on the earth, even if the cold war of the world ended. I am desiring that the people in the world should comprehend the meaning of this song well again. (11.16.98)

11月16日の日記に戻る