Can older generation Japanese understand Japenglish words?

[watermen]

Can older generation Japanese understand Japenglish words? I feel that modern Japanese are using an unprecedented large amount of English words in their language. Just wonder if older generation Japanese understand all this English words?

[Psy]

I read something in the asahi a few months ago about that, talking about how the number of imported words (and the rapidity of which they're being absorbed) is starting to corrupt the intelligibility of the language, particularly amongst the older generation. There was talk about putting some kind of cap on it, though lord if I know exactly how they would put that into effect.

Based on that recollection, I'd say your theory is correct. It's certainly true when it comes to modern-day slang.

[JonB]

I don't recognise a lot of English (UK) slang these days - for one being a bit older and two not living there any more.

There was/is talk about trying to change imported words to something more Japanese but I doubt it will ever happen. I remember the French trying it and failing - that's the problem with progress

[watermen]

I read something in the asahi a few months ago about that, talking about how the number of imported words (and the rapidity of which they're being absorbed) is starting to corrupt the intelligibility of the language, particularly amongst the older generation. There was talk about putting some kind of cap on it, though lord if I know exactly how they would put that into effect.

Based on that recollection, I'd say your theory is correct. It's certainly true when it comes to modern-day slang.

I find Japenglish extremely ridiculous....they must well speak English.

When I revise my lessons, I start to feel that a lot of Japenglish words unnecessary..example like onion, checking in, front desk...etc...I am so dissapointed that Japanese are not using their own words...I really don't find it cool at all using all this Japenglish words when you speak Japanese...I am certainly not sure if Jpod101 is promoting Japenglish or reflecting reality??? Does most Japanese use all these words in daily conversation??? If all these Japenglish words are only use by those young people who always want to act cool...I really don't think Jpod101 should be promoting all these words... Jpod101 is using way too much Japenglish than any other traditional Japanese text books.

[watermen]

I don't recognise a lot of English (UK) slang these days - for one being a bit older and two not living there any more.

There was/is talk about trying to change imported words to something more Japanese but I doubt it will ever happen. I remember the French trying it and failing - that's the problem with progress

Well, English still remain pretty much English...French is still French...Japanese is still Japanese, but those imported words are ridiculous....too much unnecessary words...doesn't Japanese has their own word for front desk?

[Psy]

I really don't find it cool at all using all this Japenglish words when you speak Japanese...I am certainly not sure if Jpod101 is promoting Japenglish or reflecting reality???

You might not find it cool, but they do. It is also an accurate reflection of reality on how much English/imported words are used in everyday life. It's everywhere, everywhere, everywhere. You aren't the only person to feel annoyed about it either-- I've surely gone through my phases-- but it's the way of the language, and the only way to become proficient is to adapt to modern usage. Maybe someday Japanese words will come back into style, but as it is, keep with J-pod.

[maxiewawa]

I think that as learners of Japanese if we want to be understood, we should use whatever word the Japanese people use. Unfortunate but true.

[JonB]

English is many languages all melted into one! In London you don't go out for raw fish you eat sushi. And you drink sake (ok unfortunate that one) and not Japanese rice wine.

And as one shrub once said - "the problem with the French is they have no word for entrepreneur!"

Language is what people say to make themselves understood and rather than make up new Japanese words for new things they use a foreign equivalent - and it is not only English...

What I find strange though is that when they do borrow words they don't use them as is in that language even when then they could be said very easily using Japanese - for example it took make ages to work out who shumaha was - and that was in F1 context....

Surely シュマカ work in Japanese

[strugglebunny]

Eh, I figure eventually, Japanese will just become a different dialect of English.

I mean if you think about it, a lot of the language is actually borrowed from old Chinese. I guess kanji/hanzi and Japanifying Chinese isn't in vogue like it used to be.

[Jason]

Language is a living, breathing thing. And as such, no language in current usage will be "pure" in and of itself. Some people obviously find it annoying that lots of loanwords pop up in the language they study. But remember that it's their language, not ours. If they want to use English and other foreign words to express themselves (however badly they may butcher the original meaning), that's up to them. If you want to learn the "purely Japanese" term for "front desk", look it up. Delight the older generation by using it with them. Language is a vehicle to express thoughts and idea to others. If a word's effective, what does it matter where it came from?

[seto]

I think that eventually we will all be speaking some form of Venacular(one common language). So many languages importing words that eventually I imagine it will all just blend together. Of course not for a while though.