For this blog post I was asked to learn a bit of the local dialect and then talk about it, so I went about trying to learn at least a little bit of Akita-ben, the accent native to the prefecture. I don’t have friends who are from Akita, so I had to go outside native speakers to learn. This led me to the internet and our school’s library. There is not a comprehensive dictionary of Akita dialect, as even within the region it can vary, but there are plenty of examples and even a small flashcard booklet I saw in a souvenir shop at the Akita Airport that compares “standard” Japanese phrases and their Akita-ben counterparts.
 |
| The first buttons I saw in the airport. |
The dialect is notoriously impenetrable, though through the use of one to one comparisons to phrases I already knew, it became easier to simply switch words out. Some of the nuances of the specific vowel pronunciations that are different from the Japanese I was taught are still unfamiliar to me, but I think that listening to native accent speakers could help me become more accustomed to it.
Another interesting thing I found at the airport’s souvenir shop was a variety of buttons with Akita-ben phrases and their English equivalent with a cute Akita dog character on them. What I found most interesting is that the translations were in English, not in “standard” Japanese. I asked myself if this was an attempt to appeal to the relatively few international tourists who make their way through this further northern region, or just an aesthetic choice as the phrases are common enough in English that ESL speakers would be familiar with them.
 |
| Some more buttons featuring Akita-ben |
In conclusion, the dialect of Akita is a little harder to seek out than perhaps in regions like Kansai where the accent is more well known. Even with the difficulties in finding resources to learn, I found that I enjoyed learning about how it is similar and different from the Japanese I’d learned before and the ways that it is used both in the region and out.
5 comments:
It is very interesting hearing how your dialect is less common. Since I live with a host family, I hear the Kansai dialect everyday. I also find it interesting how you found the most examples of Akita dialect from tourist-heavy areas. I feel like it shows some local pride to show it off to foreigners. Have you heard the phrases on the buttons in person before?
How often do you encounter Akita-ben during trips off campus? You kind of mention it is more difficult to seek out, so is there a reason behind why it is less commonplace?
I only hear Akita-ben if I seek out interactions with more rural people as even the Akita natives on campus speak in "standard" Japanese as the accent is usually trained out in high school because accents are seen as unprofessional in business settings.
Going off of Keatons comment, I actually learn more Kansai ben at AIU than Akita ben. I think the poeple from Kansai that I have met want to teach others Kansai ben while those from Akita I have to ask. I think it is because most of the students speak standard Japanese who are from Akita while the older generations have a stronger dialect. I hope I can pick up one of the Akita ben buttons before I leave!!
Post a Comment