Introduction: Let's Master Expressive Language!
Hello everyone!
As you reach 5th and 6th grade, you will find more and more opportunities to polish your writing and speaking so that your feelings and ideas reach others even more clearly.
*Note: Since we learned about "sentence structure" and "honorific language (keigo)" in another unit, here we will take a close look at "expressive techniques (rhetorical devices)" and the "origins and changes of words."
It might seem a little tricky at first, but don't worry! Let's uncover the secrets of the words we use every single day, one by one.
1. "Expressive Techniques" to Convey Feelings and Scenes Vividly
When you read or write, noticing the special techniques the writer uses makes both reading and writing essays so much more fun!
① Figurative Language (Simile and Metaphor / Hiyu)
This is a way of describing something by comparing it to something else that is similar.
Rather than just saying "He runs fast," comparing it to something else paints a vivid picture in the reader's mind!
[Main Types of Figurative Language]
・Comparisons using words like "like" or "as" (Similes / Chokuyu)
Example: He dashed across the sports ground just like the wind.
・Direct comparisons without using "like" or "as" (Metaphors / In'yu)
Example: A carpet of clouds floating in the blue sky. (The clouds are compared to a carpet.)
・Describing non-human things as if they were human (Personification / Ginjinhō)
Example: The spring brook is singing cheerfully. (The babbling sound of the stream is expressed as if a person were singing.)
② Repetition (Hanpuku)
This is a method of repeating the same word or similar expressions multiple times.
It creates a rhythm that makes the text memorable and emphasizes the strength of emotions.
Example: Running, running, he finally reached the goal line.
Example: A long, long time ago...
By repeating "running," it powerfully conveys just how hard and for how long the person ran!
[Key Point]
Expressive techniques such as figurative language and repetition are used not only in poetry and stories, but also in everyday conversations and essays. It is important to ask yourself, "What kind of scene are they trying to convey?" or "Why did they repeat this word?"
[Common Mistake]
Just because you want to emphasize a feeling in an essay does not mean you should repeat the same word over and over without reason—that actually makes your writing harder to read! Use it effectively in crucial, impactful moments.
2. Word Origins and the Characteristics of Scripts
The Japanese words and characters we use every day all have their own long histories and origins.
① Origins of Vocabulary (Wago, Kango, and Gairaigo)
Japanese vocabulary can be broadly divided into three main categories based on where the words originated:
・Native Japanese Words (Wago / Yamato-kotoba): Words that have been used in Japan since ancient times. Many are read using kun'yomi (native Japanese readings) and have a gentle, soft sound.
Examples: yama (mountain), hanasu (to speak), utsukushii (beautiful)
・Sino-Japanese Words (Kango): Words formed from Chinese characters (kanji) that entered Japan from ancient China. Many are combinations of characters read using on'yomi (Sino-Japanese readings), giving them a formal or crisp, solid feel.
Examples: tozan (mountain climbing), kaiwa (conversation), shinsetsu (kindness)
・Loanwords / Foreign Words (Gairaigo): Words that entered Japanese from foreign countries—primarily Western nations—and are usually written in Katakana.
Examples: pan (bread), nōto (notebook), konpyūtā (computer)
② Origins and Characteristics of Kanji and Kana (Hiragana & Katakana)
Japanese is a unique writing system that mixes Kanji and Kana together. Let's learn the distinctive traits of each!
・Kanji: Originating in ancient China, they were brought over to Japan. They act as ideograms / logograms (characters representing meaning), where each individual character carries a specific meaning.
Example: Just by looking at the character "木" (tree), you immediately understand that it means a wooden plant.
・Hiragana: Created in Japan by simplifying the whole shapes of cursive kanji into smooth, flowing curves. They are phonetic characters representing sounds (pronunciation).
・Katakana: Created in Japan by taking parts or fragments of kanji. Like Hiragana, they are phonetic characters representing sounds, and are mainly used for loanwords and onomatopoeia.
[Fun Fact]
It is said that the Hiragana "あ" was created by simplifying the kanji "安", and the Katakana "ア" was created by taking the left part of the kanji "阿". They are packed with the ingenious wisdom of ancient people who wanted to make writing easier!
3. How Language Changes and Expands
Language changes across time, people, and regions, showing a rich and diverse variety.
① Changes in Language Over Time
Just like living things, words evolve as times change.
Comparing the past and the present, some words fall out of use, while entirely new words are born. Furthermore, the meaning of the exact same word can change over time.
Example: Words in classical tales might mean something different from what they mean today, while new words have been invented to describe convenient modern gadgets that never existed before (such as smartphones).
② Differences in Language Across Generations
Even living in the same era, the words and phrasing commonly used by grandparents, parents, and elementary school students like you differ slightly.
By choosing your language to match the person you are talking to, you can communicate your feelings comfortably and smoothly with one another.
③ Differences Between Standard Japanese and Dialects
The standardized form of Japanese designed to be understood anywhere across the country is called Standard Japanese (Kyōtsūgo). On the other hand, unique regional varieties passed down through generations in specific areas are called Dialects (Hōgen).
・Benefits of Standard Japanese: Just like in TV news broadcasts and textbooks, it can convey information accurately to anyone.
・Benefits of Dialects: They carry regional warmth, friendliness, and the living culture and history of one's hometown.
Neither is better or worse; the key is learning to use them appropriately depending on the situation and whom you are speaking with.
[Key Points]
・Standard Japanese is best suited for public presentations or communicating with people from all over the country.
・Dialects help close the emotional distance when relaxing and chatting with local friends or family.
Review Quiz
Let's do a quick check of what you've learned!
Question 1: What do we call the expressive technique of describing "heavy, pouring rain" by comparing it to something else, such as "like a waterfall"?
Answer: Figurative Language (Hiyu / Simile)
Question 2: Which Japanese phonetic script was created by taking parts of kanji, and is mainly used to write loanwords?
Answer: Katakana
Question 3: While language understood anywhere across the nation is called "Standard Japanese," what do we call the unique words used in specific regions?
Answer: Dialect (Hōgen)
Understanding expressive techniques and the history of words broadens your horizons when reading books and expressing your own thoughts. Be sure to look out for the fascinating quirks of language in your daily life!