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oday we will take a
look at an interesting aspect of the Japanese language,
dialects. For a very long time, people in
Japan were very limited in movement. (I am no
history teacher, but I believe feudal lords prevented
people from moving from area to area) As a result
individual areas developed distinct dialects.
Today most prefectures have their own dialect.
(Tokyo's dialect is considered standard Japanese)
Today's focus is on the dialect of Osaka, Kyoto and the
surrounding area. MOOD SETTING: You are brushing up on your kansai ben with a nice obaasan outside an udon shop when suddenly a ninja jumps out and says, 'Goodo Morningu!' |
NOTE: 'BEN' means dialect in Japanese. So the dialect of the Kansai area (Osaka, Kyoto...) is 'KANSAI BEN.' Likewise the dialect of Fukui prefecture (my prefecture) is 'FUKUI BEN,' etc... For the kanji-lovers: This 'BEN' is [弁] - the same as in BENTOU (lunch box) and BENGOSHI (lawyer)
1. GREETINGS [あいさつ]
毎度おおきに maido ookini - Thank you (used instead of ARIGATOU)
毎度 maido = every time
This is often shortened to 'OOKINI'
USAGE: All over KANSAI area
儲かりまっか moukarimakka? - How are you? [lit. "Are you bringing in a profit?"]
This comes from the word 'MOUKARU' [儲かる] (pay, to bring a profit) My wife says people in Osaka are very business oriented, is this true? I dunno.
The "correct" form would be "MOUKARIMASU KA?"
USAGE: mostly Osaka
ぼちぼちでんなぁ bochi bochi denna - I'm fine (lit. So-so, you know)
BOCHI BOCHI - so-so, little by little
DENNAa - a contraction of DESU NA/NE
USAGE: mostly Osaka
おいでやす oideyasu - Welcome (used instead of IRASHAIMASE)
This has a softer feel than the cattle-call, "IRASHAI!!!" Often said by women in stores
USAGE: only Kyoto (maybe)
2. FUN STUFF
さぶいぼ sabu ibo - goose bumps (when cold or scared)
'SABU' from 'SAMUI' (cold)
IBO means 'a wart'
USAGE: KANSAIあかん akan - instead of 'DAME' which means - no good, don't do that, bad, must not...
USAGE: KANSAIおもろい omoroi - fun, interesting
From 'OMOSHIROI (interesting)'
Stick a 'na' at the end for a more natural sound -- 'OMOROI NA!' (Man, that's cool!)
USAGE: KANSAI
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