What languages are very popular in Japan?
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What languages are very popular in Japan?
I had a japanese foreign exchange student tell me that spanish is becoming very popular in Japan and i was just wondering if it was true and if there are also many other languages that are practiced in japan?
I'm not exactly sure about Spanish; that's a new one for me.
As for other languages, English is still the number-one second language in Japan. French has also been quite popular, and I believe it is the number-one European language among the Japanese, as I heard in at least two travel shows. Portuguese has been spoken in certain parts of Japan for decades, as many Japanese have links to Brazil when many of their family members fled to that country prior to WWII.
Korean is starting to catch on, as well as the various Chinese dialects, which explains why many Japanese dramas get translated into these two within hours after airing. Also keep in mind that there are also other languages that use Japonic, such as Okinawan and Ainu.
--- groink
As for other languages, English is still the number-one second language in Japan. French has also been quite popular, and I believe it is the number-one European language among the Japanese, as I heard in at least two travel shows. Portuguese has been spoken in certain parts of Japan for decades, as many Japanese have links to Brazil when many of their family members fled to that country prior to WWII.
Korean is starting to catch on, as well as the various Chinese dialects, which explains why many Japanese dramas get translated into these two within hours after airing. Also keep in mind that there are also other languages that use Japonic, such as Okinawan and Ainu.
--- groink
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I'm not sure if I have the chicken or the egg here.
Over the summer, I heard the songs "Daite Seniorita" and "Seishun Amigo" often enough that I still remember the tunes. At the time I wondered if they just got tired of throwing a couple of English words/phrases in every J-pop song and switched to a different language for a change. I'm not sure if interest in Spanish propted this or if a trend in pop songs got people interested. I don't really follow J-pop much.
Over the summer, I heard the songs "Daite Seniorita" and "Seishun Amigo" often enough that I still remember the tunes. At the time I wondered if they just got tired of throwing a couple of English words/phrases in every J-pop song and switched to a different language for a change. I'm not sure if interest in Spanish propted this or if a trend in pop songs got people interested. I don't really follow J-pop much.
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I agree that Spanish is becoming to be a bit popular. Some (many) of my friends over there are actually learning Spanish (and are quite good) so maybe it's starting to catch on. They have pretty much the same pronunciation so..I don't know...maybe that has something to do with it. My pen pal is actually in Spain right now to learn Spanish so that's a wired coincidence..
and it isn't only the JE's that made spanish inspired song in 2006, Miyavi was on the wave too with his "Señor, Señora, Señorita (セニョール セニョーラ セニョリータ)"!!feedmeister wrote:Over the summer, I heard the songs "Daite Seniorita" and "Seishun Amigo" often enough that I still remember the tunes. At the time I wondered if they just got tired of throwing a couple of English words/phrases in every J-pop song and switched to a different language for a change. I'm not sure if interest in Spanish propted this or if a trend in pop songs got people interested. I don't really follow J-pop much.
on youtube here!!
Well, im spanish, and i noticed myself theres a fact ive seen of spanish being popular in japan: spanish is being popular in japan, yes, but only the words about happiness and enjoy. For example, words like fiesta (party), amigo (friend), viva! (hooray!), señor/señorita (sir, lady), siesta (siesta, that sleep-time after having lunch), alegria (joyness) and stuff like that. It means that the stereotype of spain that japan ppl have (i can prove it seeing the jap tourists here in Barcelona, the most tourist city in spain) is the land with ppl too lazy, always happy, always in party, always smiling, living the life and **** off the job and responsable stuff (well, that might be true, spain ppl is too lazy and these things, but practically at same lvl than other europe developed lands). Japan is a land where ppl has a big amount of work, too developed and rich, with a high cost of life, and when work is one of the most important things. That's why japan ppl is attracted by spain (well, their image of spain), cos their image of spain has all the things they havent, lazyness, party, being stupid with dont think in anything, etc.
That's exactly what I was wondering; if Spanish (or any language) is popular, there must be some kind of purpose for the use of the language. I haven't seen an increase in Spanish-spoken entertainment in Japan, so it can't be because they want to watch Spanish dramas. Even if you went to a Spanish restaurant in Japan, everything's written in kana.
By comparison, Hawaii's most popular 2nd language is Spanish. Several reasons: 1) it is similar to certain Filipino dialects (and Hawaii's Filipino population is still increasing.) 2) In the mainland U.S., it can be quite useful seeing Spanish is similar to other Latino dialects like Mexican or Puerto Rican. And the population of people speaking Latino is increasing.
So unless there's a flood of Spanish people and things flowing into Japan, including Spanish pop culture, I can't see how this language can increase in popularity. Even the Makarena wouldn't drive a Japanese to learn the language.
--- groink
By comparison, Hawaii's most popular 2nd language is Spanish. Several reasons: 1) it is similar to certain Filipino dialects (and Hawaii's Filipino population is still increasing.) 2) In the mainland U.S., it can be quite useful seeing Spanish is similar to other Latino dialects like Mexican or Puerto Rican. And the population of people speaking Latino is increasing.
So unless there's a flood of Spanish people and things flowing into Japan, including Spanish pop culture, I can't see how this language can increase in popularity. Even the Makarena wouldn't drive a Japanese to learn the language.
--- groink
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That's a given. Just about every Japanese student study English at one time or another. But although they can understand English, more likely they won't use it unless it is necessary (speaking to a tourist, at work, etc.) It is also interesting to note that many Jpop songs include English in their songs, so English is indeed mainstream in Japanese pop culture.kuvli wrote:i think english is most common.....not sure though....
--- groink
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Not sure there is a flood, but there has been a recent surge in interest in doing business with Latin America recently among the major Asian countries. My cousin just came back from a business tour to Japan, South Korea, and China. Apparently their is alot of interest in establishing new business ties. My cousin said they met several VIP's while there including the Prime Minister of Japan I believe. I've also seen a lot of new scholarship and internships being offered in Mexico, for Japan in particular.groink wrote:So unless there's a flood of Spanish people and things flowing into Japan, including Spanish pop culture, I can't see how this language can increase in popularity. Even the Makarena wouldn't drive a Japanese to learn the language.--- groink
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Actually... if something does appear in entertainment repetitively and is broadcasted nationally to a wide demographic, it does mean the entire country. Otherwise, it'd be assumed to be due to integration of that language into spoken Japanese.foofeh wrote:Just because something appears in entertainment, does that mean the entire country does it? I don't think so...English is definitely at the top, and then mandarin maybe?
i've been to japan the past two years and spanish is pretty popular there. i was kind of shock..
English - most definate....while I was there, i remember hearing my host mother telling me that they might consider adding that as a second language that is required to learn? i don't know correct me if i am wrong
English - most definate....while I was there, i remember hearing my host mother telling me that they might consider adding that as a second language that is required to learn? i don't know correct me if i am wrong
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English is by far the most popular foreign language in Japan. Under teenager it´s still cool and useful, but they also use it much more commonly and confidently now.
Which is great.
But mostly only in Tokyo or bigger cities.
And then there pop up other languages here and there, which are currently "trendy", because they are especially exotic. A few years ago it was German, then followed by French and Spanish. But mostly only "fragments". It would not be enough for a good conversation.
Which is great.
But mostly only in Tokyo or bigger cities.
And then there pop up other languages here and there, which are currently "trendy", because they are especially exotic. A few years ago it was German, then followed by French and Spanish. But mostly only "fragments". It would not be enough for a good conversation.
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