Comments on: Grammar Pages http://www.1nichi1kai.com/2007/08/20/grammar-pages/ Exploring fun Japanese and following the antics of Makoto Thu, 20 Nov 2008 17:27:22 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.3 By: Clay http://www.1nichi1kai.com/2007/08/20/grammar-pages/#comment-279 Clay Tue, 21 Aug 2007 12:11:27 +0000 http://www.1nichi1kai.com/?p=302#comment-279 There are many ways to say the same thing as there are in English. In fact, the history is strikingly similar. For English, the Norman Conquest in 1066 brought French (Latin) based words into the language. The Anglo-Saxon words (usually short syllables describing basic necessities and nature) were used by the peasantry and French by the aristocracy. That is why in English we have two words that mean basically the same thing (albeit with a slightly different connotation) - 'win' (Old English - Germanic) and 'conquer' (Middle English - French/Latin) Well, a similar thing happened with the Japanese. Instead of being invaded, they willingly imported Chinese characters and words into their language. Chinese kanji jukugo (two or more kanji stuck together), like Latin derived words for English, probably give a more sophisticated feel. There are many ways to say the same thing as there are in English.

In fact, the history is strikingly similar. For English, the Norman Conquest in 1066 brought French (Latin) based words into the language. The Anglo-Saxon words (usually short syllables describing basic necessities and nature) were used by the peasantry and French by the aristocracy. That is why in English we have two words that mean basically the same thing (albeit with a slightly different connotation) - ‘win’ (Old English - Germanic) and ‘conquer’ (Middle English - French/Latin)

Well, a similar thing happened with the Japanese. Instead of being invaded, they willingly imported Chinese characters and words into their language. Chinese kanji jukugo (two or more kanji stuck together), like Latin derived words for English, probably give a more sophisticated feel.

]]> By: Maria http://www.1nichi1kai.com/2007/08/20/grammar-pages/#comment-278 Maria Tue, 21 Aug 2007 10:32:36 +0000 http://www.1nichi1kai.com/?p=302#comment-278 Is there no different verb in Japanese to differentiate "to win" from "to conquer"? Or is that just one of the many joys of English, with its multiple words for any concept ;-D? Is there no different verb in Japanese to differentiate “to win” from “to conquer”? Or is that just one of the many joys of English, with its multiple words for any concept ;-D?

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