Language Cheat Reincarnation – Young Girl VTuber Saves the World

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.