Japanese in Fanfiction/Usage by Fans

[Rainbow]

1) crazydiamond, the word for "Goodnight" is "Oyasumi nasai." Or just "Oyasumi" if you're being informal.

2) Starscream, I just got scared when you said that about foreign characters because I have a fic character who's Japanese and she talks kind of like Shampoo and accidentally uses Japanese in her speech. (I always translate it when she does, though) She's not supposed to be a stupid character, though, just bad with languages. I know for a fact that a second language one speaks might have errors in it because when my family went to Quebec on a trip, I watched my dad butcher his French (I was to be the family translator). It's not just a stereotype, it's realistic. I've probably made some speaking errors in my foreign language classes too myself. The fic character I'm talking about doesn't fit the Japanese stereotype anyway, personality-wise.

[Starscream]

2) Starscream, I just got scared when you said that about foreign characters because I have a fic character who's Japanese and she talks kind of like Shampoo and accidentally uses Japanese in her speech. (I always translate it when she does, though) She's not supposed to be a stupid character, though, just bad with languages. I know for a fact that a second language one speaks might have errors in it because when my family went to Quebec on a trip, I watched my dad butcher his French (I was to be the family translator). It's not just a stereotype, it's realistic. I've probably made some speaking errors in my foreign language classes too myself. The fic character I'm talking about doesn't fit the Japanese stereotype anyway, personality-wise.

I might not have made myself that clear...like I said, it's not a matter of getting used to a new language that ticks me off...it's foreign characters who know PERFECT English, yet throw out words from their original language just for effect. People who have just learned English are going to have a tough time, in general, with speaking it; my family often has to throw out a Spanish word because they don't know/can't remember the English equivalent :)

Again, it's one thing to have just recently learned English, or be taking courses, or being startled and instinctively reverting to your own language. It's quite another to hear, "Oh wow! Those earrings are chou sugoiii!", when the character/person knows how to say "really cute" already.

[Cardcaptor Takato]

Come to think of it, why do the Sailor Senshi shout their attack and transformation phrases in Engrish? And I just realized that I'm using Japanese in my sentences, as well. ^^;; There's another time when I may use Japanese. When it's a word that doesn't translate well into English, or it can mean different things. For example, senshi can mean soldier or warrior, so rather than calling them "sailor soldier" or "sailor warrior," to avoid a debate on which is correct, I just call them Sailor Senshi.

[Starscream]

When it's a word that doesn't translate well into English, or it can mean different things. For example, senshi can mean soldier or warrior, so rather than calling them "sailor soldier" or "sailor warrior," to avoid a debate on which is correct, I just call them Sailor Senshi.

I do the same, although I've been trying to ween off of that, and say "Sailor Soldier" instead. Problem is, I'm so used to hearing them referred to as the "seeraa senshi" that it's stuck ><;

[Rainbow]

I might not have made myself that clear...like I said, it's not a matter of getting used to a new language that ticks me off...it's foreign characters who know PERFECT English, yet throw out words from their original language just for effect. People who have just learned English are going to have a tough time, in general, with speaking it; my family often has to throw out a Spanish word because they don't know/can't remember the English equivalent

Again, it's one thing to have just recently learned English, or be taking courses, or being startled and instinctively reverting to your own language. It's quite another to hear, "Oh wow! Those earrings are chou sugoiii!", when the character/person knows how to say "really cute" already.

I'm sorry, I didn't understand. I actually agree (what I said about the Hamlet in a Danish accent thing); it's just that I misinterpreted you.

[Tiff]

I agree; that's somewhat of what I was saying. It would be like doing Hamlet with a Danish accent...there's no accent if they're already "speaking" Danish. Accents only occur when someone speaks ANOTHER language.

Yes, there is. I've lived in Denmark. When people speak their own language or speak in their own dialect, it's an accent that's recognized by OTHER PEOPLE. Obviously, they wouldn't hear an accent within themselves, becuase it's what they're used to...but if you visit Denmark, and the Danes speak Danish, you can distinctly hear the accent, just as they can hear your accent when you speak English. Accents don't come about just from learning another language...you're also born with them, or you develop them from living in a certain area.
If you were an actor/actress, it would be appropriate to speak in the proper dialect while playing that character. You wouldn't play Scarlett O' Hara without a southern accent, would you? My friend had to play Eliza Doolittle from My Fair Lady...and had to learn to speak entirely with an English Cockney (sp?) accent.

do the same, although I've been trying to ween off of that, and say "Sailor Soldier" instead. Problem is, I'm so used to hearing them referred to as the "seeraa senshi" that it's stuck ><;

I always say "senshi". And when I describe "sailor moon" to people, I call them "senshi", and just breifly say "it means soldier" if they look confused.

[Rainbow]

I agree; that's somewhat of what I was saying. It would be like doing Hamlet with a Danish accent...there's no accent if they're already "speaking" Danish. Accents only occur when someone speaks ANOTHER language.

Yes, there is. I've lived in Denmark. When people speak their own language or speak in their own dialect, it's an accent that's recognized by OTHER PEOPLE. Obviously, they wouldn't hear an accent within themselves, becuase it's what they're used to...but if you visit Denmark, and the Danes speak Danish, you can distinctly hear the accent, just as they can hear your accent when you speak English. Accents don't come about just from learning another language...you're also born with them, or you develop them from living in a certain area.
If you were an actor/actress, it would be appropriate to speak in the proper dialect while playing that character. You wouldn't play Scarlett O' Hara without a southern accent, would you? My friend had to play Eliza Doolittle from My Fair Lady...and had to learn to speak entirely with an English Cockney (sp?) accent.

Huh, I thought we were just talking about foreign accents, not accents within a country. I meant that, for example, the characters wouldn't speak English with a Danish accent in Hamlet, unless you're doing a parody. I am aware of regional accents; they've been one of my secondary hobbies ever since I watched "My Fair Lady" when I was younger.

[Sailor Sapphire]

Okay, Sailor Sapphire feels the need to add her two cents (and a few other nickels contributed by her fellow Sailor Gemstones)

First I think it is perfectly fine to sprinkle in bits of other languages and/or accents. The honorifics, (Chan, san, sama, etc.) arigatou, gomen, and other common Japanese words are going to be known throughout the anime community so there's no need to translate those

You can give hints in the context of your story that gives the meaning of a word without having to insert an entire glossary page in the story.

Second is notating foriegn languages. While there are other ways to do this,I personally like to italicize any instance of foriegn languages, like this: Hola, como estas?

[Tiff]

Huh, I thought we were just talking about foreign accents, not accents within a country. I meant that, for example, the characters wouldn't speak English with a Danish accent in Hamlet, unless you're doing a parody. I am aware of regional accents; they've been one of my secondary hobbies ever since I watched "My Fair Lady" when I was younger.

I disagree. I think it would be proper to read Hamlet's dialog with a Danish accent. In fact, I think it would add a lot of flair and creativity to the performance.

[Starscream]

I don't mind accents in situations like this, either...Lord of the Rings sounds fine with the British accents, as do most Shakespearian plays. And the Three Musketeers and the Man in the Iron Mask (the recent remakes) would have been a much more enjoyable experience had the actors been able to pull off proper French accents ^^

[Sailor Sapphire]

Agreed on the LOTR part! I thought the accents were a nice touch!

[Rainbow]

Huh, I thought we were just talking about foreign accents, not accents within a country. I meant that, for example, the characters wouldn't speak English with a Danish accent in Hamlet, unless you're doing a parody. I am aware of regional accents; they've been one of my secondary hobbies ever since I watched "My Fair Lady" when I was younger.

I disagree. I think it would be proper to read Hamlet's dialog with a Danish accent. In fact, I think it would add a lot of flair and creativity to the performance.

Actually, I got the "Hamlet with a Danish accent is ludicrous" idea from elsewhere, not my own brain. Now that I think about it, it would be neat, probably because (as I've said) I have a thing for characters with different accents.

[Sailor Sapphire]

Accents and lilts in a character's voice can be a good thing. The bad part is when authors overdo it

[Starscream]

Or not at all *coughKevinCostner'sRobinHoodcough*

[Sailor Sapphire]

the key is finding a balance in using accents and/or lilts.

[Tiff]

Or not at all *coughKevinCostner'sRobinHoodcough*

...^^; I love that movie....
*ahem* but yes, I agree. I think the accents, if done right, make the movie/play that much more enjoyable.

[Sailor Sapphire]

The hard part is finding the balance between too little accent and too much.

[Jeff]

the key is finding a balance in using accents and/or lilts.

The hard part is finding the balance between too little accent and too much.

What's the difference between these posts?

[Sailor Sapphire]

I was emphasising my point.

[Tiff]

I was emphasising my point.

Emphasize it in the same post. It's a waste of space and pointless to post the same thing twice.