Japanese
Why Study Japanese?
Japan is a country rich with traditions and modern technology, and its economy is the second largest in the world; the international Japanese corporations with their offices and factories in every corner of the globe are a testament to this economic strength and its importance in the global market. It is a geographically isolated island nation, like Britain, and poor in natural resources with a large population. This condition, however, serves as the strength of the country in promoting “creativity” and “scientific know-how.” The flourishing of all areas in the arts, from music, literature, theater, to film and popular culture, as well as high tech innovations such as robotics and semiconductor proves this national enthusiasm for peaceful, ecological use of knowledge.
An understanding of the Japanese language opens up its vast culture for study. Japan has developed a diverse civilization, from the world’s first novel written by a woman a thousand years ago, The Tale of Genji, to the medieval samurai culture of loyalty and honor, while absorbing many elements of Asia’s older civilizations. Sharing similar religious beliefs and ethics with India and China, Japan’s further development in modern times under new Western influences has positioned the country in the present status on perhaps the cutting edge of the new world, East and West. A study of the Japanese language and culture is a gateway to other Asian cultures.
Already familiar Japanese words in the Western vocabulary, such as sushi, kimono, anime, manga, bonsai, origami, judo, karate, kendo, karaoke, Haiku, Zen and Kabuki have all become a part of international culture. In the increasingly sophisticated world of business, academic studies and other areas, proficiency in the language skills of this world-leading innovator, Japan, becomes more and more important today. Language study cannot be picked up at short notice when the necessity arises. The subtlety of Japanese expressions, such as the use of honorifics and “I” in many different ways depending upon social relationships, has been elaborated and enriched by literary works. To learn Japanese is to see the world from a new perspective, one that differs from the Euro-American point of view. It meets our demands for dealing with today’s complex reality which requires deeper insights for mutual understanding between individuals and countries.
- Login to post comments
