AKJ_Cultural/Language Points

Hi all,

This is just a bit of a random post about a cultural point and language points that I've been experiencing here in Japan, for those who are interested.

First, I'll do the more interesting bit, and talk about Omiyage...



Cultural Point: Omiyage (souvenirs)

Well, in the course of my Japanese studies, I have come to understand the concept of obligatory souvenirs in Japan. If a Japanese person goes overseas, or travels domestically, it is expected that he/she brings souvenirs back for family, class mates, colleagues etc. However, I was recently surprised by the extent the giving of Omiyage is taken to. 

After the Golden Week holiday a few weeks ago, I received various Omiyage, including some from the workers at the International Centre at the University. One person had gone to a farm, and brought back cookies to give everyone.

What I found interesting was that another had returned to their hometown, and had also brought Omiyage back...Cookies as well, just for your information. It seems like cookies are the popular Omiyage of the moment...they're good if you have to give something to a lot of people I suppose.

Anyway, the point is, even if you go somewhere for a reason other than tourist activities or work, you still seem to be expected to buy Omiyage...

Language Points: Some more things I've noticed...

Again, whether it's just Nagoya or just the university environment etc. is something I could only speculate on, but, here are some more language points I've noticed as I go about in Japan.

Both of these bits are usually used at the start of a sentence, or by themselves.

The first is 確かに (tashika ni), which means something similar to 'certainly.' I often hear it quite a bit in the average conversation, probably because it can be used as aizuchi* when said by itself. 

The second phrase is とりあえず (toriaezu), which means approximately 'for the moment'. I really do hear this phrase used all of the time, which might be somewhat to do with the environment I'm in...but then, both of these phrases might be, as in previous visits to Japan, I didn't hear either enough to be conscious of it.





Well, I haven't posted anything for a while, so hopefully this is interesting after that break, and I'll try to think of some more things to post!

Thanks!



* a sound made by the listener in a conversation to show that they are listening/that they agree. In English, the most common one is probably just 'mmm...'