Japanese Help Questions/Translations

[LearnAmazingJapanese]

I personally don't think there's anything wrong with trying to *understand* hougen (regional dialects).

The danger is that some Japanese learners become obsessed with being able to *speak* hougen (mainly because Japanese natives think it's amusing), often neglecting to learn and speak standard Japanese.

I've seen it happen too often to count.

I think of Mr. Daniel Kahl, who became famous as a "tarento" with his exclusive use of the Yamagata dialect (his "schtick"). Anymore, it seems that no one takes him seriously, where I'm sure he's a very smart person.

The last time I saw him on TV (last year), his role seemed to be one of making funny/ interested faces and reacting to what the other presenters were saying.

Long story short, my advice is to *understand* dialects, but *speak* standard Japanese, unless you really are just goofing off with friends.

[MMM]

I would agree with that. Dialect-speaking foreigners sometimes bother native speakers as well.

It can sound as natural as Jackie Chan saying "Wassup, my bruthah?"

[enyafriend]

Long story short, my advice is to *understand* dialects, but *speak* standard Japanese, unless you really are just goofing off with friends.

Yes, I guess that says it all. Use with reservations and try not to get overly obsessed with them. I find foreign learners often try to mimic the native speakers so much that, at times, they find it cool to be blurting out these regional dialects. Sometimes, it is such irritation to hear them do it. They sounded so robotic and unnatural.

I would never answer a question in Kansai-dialect, but at the same time I don't want to hold any information

MMM, I guess you are right, in a way. Holding off information is not the way. Instead, we ought to explain to them farther as a footnote or something. I saw you did that. My apology, you certaintly weren't out of line.

[MMM]

No problem, enyafriend. It is a gray area, I agree. Since there are SO many users here and SO many different needs, it's hard to know what's the perfect balance.

Since we are on the subject, I am an American who lives in a Kansai-ben speaking household. I only speak Kansai-ben with my family and close Kansai friends (especially when we are eating and drinking late into the night), but am strictly standard Japanese for business and everyone else.

I have seen every reaction to the dialect, and living in Kansai for three years (and with a Kansai-ben speaker for about 10) has affected my accent, a little. (I tend to say "na-NI" rather than "NA-ni", for example) but only to the point that native speakers say "That makes sense" when they hear my situation. I am also a big fan of Japanese comedy, and some of the best are from the Kansai area. I enjoy the fast and loose style of conversation, and found that going out with friends from Kansai is very different from going out with friends from, say, Tokyo. Not worse or better, just different. Kansai folks are constantly berating each other (and themselves) and look for any opportunity to insert a joke into the conversation. I have found that people from Tokyo, though just as fun-loving and care-free, tend to have more straight-forward conversations.

OK, those were just a few thoughts on the matter, as it seems there are some people here who might have an opinion about this stuff while we wait for the next question.

[Zagato289]

Can someone please translate this?

Ryokou ha sukidesuka? watashiha daisukidesu

Dono game ga suki?

Toshiue sugimasuka?

[markos]

hello i have trouble to understand some phrases as:

見えちゃったんだ、しょうがないだろ！
miechattanda, shouganaidaro!

since japanese don't use any separation from two terms it's very difficult translate a phrase

[MMM]

Originally Posted by Zagato289

Can someone please translate this?

Ryokou ha sukidesuka? watashiha daisukidesu

Dono game ga suki?

Toshiue sugimasuka?

Do you like to travel? I really do.

What games do you like?

(A little weird) but I am guessing "Are you older than me?"

[MMM]

Originally Posted by markos

hello i have trouble to understand some phrases as:

見えちゃったんだ、しょうがないだろ！
miechattanda, shouganaidaro!

since japanese don't use any separation from two terms it's very difficult translate a phrase

Without any context, I would guess:

"I was caught (seen), I have no choice (or "what can I do?").

[markos]

thanks, the phrase continue with
マリオのだもの！見たいに決もってるだろ！

[jmusiclover]

I'm writing a letter to someone in Japan and I was wondering how do I write the greeting in kana? And what would the greeting be? All I can think of is "konnichiwa", but I'm not sure if that would be the most appropriate word to use.

Also, how would I close it in kana? Again, the only thing I can think to use to keep it semi-formal but not like I'm speaking to royalty is "arigatou gozaimasu".

Thanks for any help!