- 14 Mar 2002
- 21,056
- 18,912
For the first time, the Cultural Affairs Agency has examined the impact of social media on the Japanese language as part of its annual survey on attitudes toward the national language. The findings showed that nearly 90% of people felt that the rise of social media is having an impact.
The survey also tested whether people understood the original meaning of long-established words. One example was "yakubusoku" (役不足). While often used to mean "lacking ability," its original definition is that a role is too small for someone's abilities. Only 45.1% of respondents answered correctly.
Another word was "niyakeru" (にやける). Many in their fifties described it as smiling happily or sheepishly, but the original meaning is "to be effeminate or weak." Respondents were surprised, though some recalled being told not to "niyakeru" (にやける) when scolded at school. Similarly, "shiodoki" (潮時) is now widely understood to mean "the end of something" or "the time to give up," with nearly half of respondents using it in this sense. However, the original meaning is "the right or favourable time." One respondent in their twenties admitted, "I didn't really know Japanese. I got it wrong."
The survey also tested whether people understood the original meaning of long-established words. One example was "yakubusoku" (役不足). While often used to mean "lacking ability," its original definition is that a role is too small for someone's abilities. Only 45.1% of respondents answered correctly.
Another word was "niyakeru" (にやける). Many in their fifties described it as smiling happily or sheepishly, but the original meaning is "to be effeminate or weak." Respondents were surprised, though some recalled being told not to "niyakeru" (にやける) when scolded at school. Similarly, "shiodoki" (潮時) is now widely understood to mean "the end of something" or "the time to give up," with nearly half of respondents using it in this sense. However, the original meaning is "the right or favourable time." One respondent in their twenties admitted, "I didn't really know Japanese. I got it wrong."
Social Media Is Changing Japan's Everyday Language
The Cultural Affairs Agency has, for the first time, surveyed how the spread of social media is affecting the Japanese language in its annual survey on public opinion regarding the national language, revealing that nearly 90 percent of respondents believe there is some impact.
newsonjapan.com