Language Cheat Reincarnation – Young Girl VTuber Saves the World

Chapter 329: [The Difficulties Of The Japanese Language]

Chapter 329: [The Difficulties Of The Japanese Language]

<Japanese is really unique! I want to talk about the difficult parts I've noticed… as well as the interesting or strange things I've found!>

<Since we're at it, let's also talk about the differences with English. I got a comment earlier saying, "I want to know about English, too.">

<Yes, please! I'm curious, too!>

However, this language discussion might end up being pretty lengthy.

Well, that's understandable, given that it's three years of Ilyena's life.

<First, let's talk about word order. Ukrainian and English are SVO, but Japanese is SOV, right?>

<That's a classic one.>

?When I first studied Japanese, I was confused (Ukrainian)

?Same here. Plus, the word order keeps changing with inversion and all (US)

<Right? I want to say that, but… actually, in Ukrainian, word order changes and subjects are often omitted, too.>

<Oh, really?>

<But, the number of first-person pronouns is really troubling. "Watashi," "Atashi," "Boku," "Ore"—at first, I couldn't tell them apart. Why are there so many?>

<It might be because Japanese pronouns reflect relationships? Just one theory, though.>

<Relationships?>

<For example, when my older sister talks to me, she often refers to herself as "Onee-chan." It might have evolved from that.>

<I see! Now that you mention it, there are also many second-person pronouns like "Anata," "Kimi," "Omae," and "Kisama.">

<That's said to be for the same reason. To differentiate based on the other person's position. Also, ‘politeness inflation' might have played a role.>

<Politeness inflation?>

<Yes. "Omae" and "Kisama" were originally polite terms. Now, they’re almost insults.>

<Is that so!?>

<Yes. But over time, as they were used sarcastically or as more polite terms emerged, the ‘value' of the words declined.>

<I see. Hmm… Being polite isn't a bad thing, but I think people in Japan could speak more casually!>

<Haha, you're right.>

<The different levels of politeness like "Sonkeigo," "Teineigo," and "Kenjougo" are confusing and difficult. I didn't understand them at all at first.>

<Wait, do you always speak in polite language?>

<Ah, no! That's just a habit!>

?So, Illysha can switch between polite and casual language? Impressive (Ukrainian)

?She's a Japanese language master (Ukrainian)

?I'm not at that level yet… I'll study by watching Illysha's stream! (Ukrainian)

<Well then, Ilyena-chan, why don't you try calling me without honorifics?>

<!?!?!? N-no! That would be too much!>

<Come on, just try it. "Iroha.">

<I-Iroha…>

<Yes?>

<…Sama.>

<Didn't work, huh?>

?Why did you chicken out there!? (Ukrainian)

?Illysha, that was a big chance! (Ukrainian)

?A rare invitation from Iroha-chan! (Ukrainian)

<B-but, Iroha-sama is too important to me!>

She turned me down when I suggested casual language before, too.

Just like I have lines I don't cross as a fan, Ilyena probably has her own standards I can't understand.

<But, if you're always polite, you won't offend anyone, and you can use it in both private and business settings. It's good, right? Well, using "sama" is a bit much, though.>

?I get the polite language, but how do I know which honorifics and pronouns to use? (Character)

?Just stick with "~san" for honorifics and "watashi" and "anata" for pronouns (Ukrainian)

?But isn't "watashi" a pronoun women use? (Ukrainian)

<It's true that in private settings, women often use "watashi" and men use "ore." But it's not weird for a man to use "watashi.">

<For basic communication, that should be enough.>

?That's just how it is (Ukrainian)

?Japanese is delicate and difficult, with all the polite language, honorifics, and pronouns (Ukrainian)

?I heard that translating Japanese anime and manga into other languages can be a headache because of this? (Ukrainian)

<Yes. Oh, speaking of manga, Japanese has a lot of onomatopoeia, right? Especially, non-sound-based ones like ‘gitaigo' and ‘gijougo' are rare globally.>

<That's why they're so detailed. There's giongo, giseigo, gitaigo… and then gijougo and giyougo.>

<Giyougo is like "furafura," right?>

<Yes. Gijougo is like "wakuwaku".>

?In contrast, English barely has any onomatopoeia (Ukrainian)

?In comics, they just write "SMAAAASH" or "COOOOL" (Ukrainian)

?There's "BANG" and "BOOM," so not none at all (U.S.)

<Whenever I’m with Iroha-sama, my heart goes dokidoki and I feel melomelo!>

<Yeah, yeah.>

<And, also…>

It seems the stories about the Japanese language are far from over.