Japanese Characteristics

Asian Languages and Japanese Characteristics

Asia is known for its cultural and linguistic diversity especially Japanese characteristics. Thousands of languages are spoken in India that are all equally unique. China is also home to multiple languages. Mandarin, which is the official language of China, has more than a billion native speakers. Since India and China have always been home to different civilizations, they have greatly influenced the cultures and languages of other countries of the continent. Even some languages of western countries have been influenced by Asian languages like Arabic and Hindi. The high percentage of Asian populations living in the United States have also affected the culture and language of the country. This goes to show how important and influential Asian languages are.

Translation of Asian Languages:

Many cultural elements are practiced religiously in Asian households. These elements can make it impossible for non-natives to understand the languages of the natives. So, if someone wants to visit Beijing, they will have to get their documents translated by a native before they can apply for their visa. Whether it is the verb forms or the grammar of these languages, they can only be understood by natives.

Google Translate is the most reliable translator for tourists today. But during its early stages, Google Translate had access to content that was written in European languages. As a result, the majority of the Asian languages cannot be translated by Google Translate accurately. If you are visiting China, you will find it difficult to communicate with the natives with the help of Google Translate. However, there are a few apps that can guide you about local customs. This way, you can avoid offending the natives when you are in China through your actions or speech. You can also hire a guide if you cannot get over the linguistic barrier yourself.

Unique Characteristics of the Nihongo Language:

Also known as Nihongo, Japanese is the national language of Japan. It is spoken by nearly 130 million people. Japan is popular all over the world for many things. It isn’t just the resilience of its population or the economic strength which has made the country popular across the globe. The animated TV series and manga comics made by the artists of the country also have fans all over the world. The cherry blossom trees are one of the biggest reasons why tourists visit Tokyo every year. Tokyo is also home to some of the most beautiful temples in the world. The language of the country is also equally fascinating.

Here are some unique characteristics of Nihongo:

• No Known Connection of Japanese Characteristics:

One of the most fascinating Japanese characteristics is the fact that it is not related to any other languages. Over the years, many linguists have presented theories about Nihongo’s connection with other languages. Some theorists presented the idea that Nihongo is related to Korean, but the relation between the two languages is debated. There is also no connection between Chinese and Nihongo. However, there are a few Chinese factors that have been adopted by Nihongo over the years. Cultural mingling is also the reason behind this. It is possible that future studies might prove the connection between Nihongo and other languages, but for now, it is a tongue with no relatives.

• Writing System of Japan:

The Nihongo language also has a unique writing system. Unlike other languages that have a single alphabet, it uses different scripts. Kanji, which is based on Chinese characteristics, is the most popular script for writing Nihongo. Kana is another writing system used for writing Nihongo. Hiragana and Katakana are the two syllabaries used to form the Kana writing system. Kana is becoming more popular these days. It is also the one used by the students of the Nihongo language. However, in cities like Tokyo, both Kanji and Kana are used on the majority of signboards. Latin script is used at times for writing acronyms. Numbers are written mostly using Arabic and traditional Chinese numerals.

• Cultural Influence and Japanese Language:

Cultures affect languages everywhere in the world. This is why when people decide to learn a new language, they also have to study a different culture than their own. Western countries are not familiar with the idea of etiquette and customs that are common among Asian societies. Nihongo has been heavily influenced by the culture of the Japanese population. Factors like using different terms for people of different ages is something unique to Asian languages. Whether you are visiting Beijing or Tokyo, it is important to keep this factor in mind. Such elements make it quite difficult for English speakers to learn Mainland Japanese.

Understanding the Mainland Japanese Culture:

If you wish to move to a country, you will have to learn about its culture first. You cannot adjust to a society if you are not familiar with its customs and values. But you cannot just ask Google about the culture of a country and expect to learn all about it. And if you are going to live in a country that has a mixed-race population, you will have to learn about multiple cultures. Asian ethnicity have very fascinating cultures, so learning about them will be a unique experience. And not to forget the culture difference in Business.

Here are the basic cultural values that are practiced by the Japanese population:

1. The Group is Above All:

The group mentality is followed by all the people of the country. It isn’t just the households where the older person is respected the most. Even in the office space, the orders from the seniors are valued highly. And the group is always placed before individuals. This mentality is prevalent in the workforce. As a result, individuals are expected to make sacrifices for the benefit of the group.

2. The Importance of Honesty:

One of the defining features of the Japanese population is their love for honesty. Finding lost luggage and informing the police is very common in the country. Many police boxes have been set-up around the country that work as lost and found centers. If you leave one of your belongings on the train, you don’t have to worry about the people finding it. In fact, they will make sure that you get it back. Sometimes they also follow-up to make sure someone got their belongings.

3. Discipline and Cleanliness:

You will never see the people of this country walk out of line. The love of discipline and order isn’t something that was developed over 5 years, it has been a part of the culture for centuries. The people of this country also pay heed to environmental factors. They value the environment which is why you will never see them littering on roads. The whole population is made up of participants who follow these unwritten rules to keep the country clean.

4. Not Readily Accepting of Foreigners:

Mainland Japanese are speaking more and more English words these days. If you are visiting the country for cherry blossom trees, you will end up seeing many street signs in English. However, the people of the country are not as accepting of foreigners as they are of foreign words. Your physical characteristics can keep you from gaining the trust of the people of this country. But if you continue to interact with them honestly over short intervals, they will warm up to you.

5. Morals Are Important:

Whether you are in the Southern part of the country or Northern, one thing to always remember is the importance of morality. There are different forms of sentences and words you can use for saying sorry in Nihongo. This goes to show the importance of apologizing to people when you are wrong. It also proves how important the opinion of others is in this country.