Class #14 Politics and Reflections
If you were working for the UN, which job would like to do using your English abilities? Why?
If I could work for the United Nations, UN, I would like be involved in the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).
FAO is a speciallized institution, mainly working on defeating hunger.
Its efforts range over several issues, such as "agriculture, forestry and fisheries practices, ensuring good nutrition and food security for all."
In June 2008, it held the High-Level Conference on World Food Security.
The former prim minister Yasuo Hukuda also joined the summit.
The food and agriculture is essential for our life.
In particular, Japan food self-sufficiecy rate is just 40%.
We should work on this issue, seriously.
2009年7月24日金曜日
2009年7月13日月曜日
Monday, July 06, 2009
What kind of work place do you think you will work best in? Choose a country other than Japan and research and explain 1 aspect of their business culture that is different than Japan. Do you think it is a good practice? Why?
I am interested in Sydney.
This is because half of the population living there are foreigners, and the culture is so diverse.
This is a really fascinating.
Also, I have heard that many Australians like Japan.
I guess, I can be involuved with some kind of jobs realating to Japan.
However, I know their custome in the work place is quite different from Japan.
I think this custom is the same as Western countries.
They do not humble at all in a interview.
For example, even thogh they cannot speak English well, they say that they have a good skill of English.
In that case, it might be difficult for me to find the job, I guess.
As for this practice is good or bad,
I do not think this is a bad practice because Japanese humble even though they have a good skill.
It is rather complicating.
I am interested in Sydney.
This is because half of the population living there are foreigners, and the culture is so diverse.
This is a really fascinating.
Also, I have heard that many Australians like Japan.
I guess, I can be involuved with some kind of jobs realating to Japan.
However, I know their custome in the work place is quite different from Japan.
I think this custom is the same as Western countries.
They do not humble at all in a interview.
For example, even thogh they cannot speak English well, they say that they have a good skill of English.
In that case, it might be difficult for me to find the job, I guess.
As for this practice is good or bad,
I do not think this is a bad practice because Japanese humble even though they have a good skill.
It is rather complicating.
2009年6月30日火曜日
Class #12 Dating Practices
My Ideal Partner's characteristics
honesty 67%
income 20%
sense of value 10%
looking 3%
honesty: Not betraing is the most important personality I require for my partner.
income: I know money does not necessarily make us happy, but I think we cannot live happily without money.
sense of value: I can not get along well the partner who has a big different sense of value, for example, about money.
look: I do not plave a special emphasis on how he look, I think...
2009年6月1日月曜日
Class Number 7 Names and Addresses
Sunday, May 31, 2009
In preparation for next week's class, please answer the following questions in your blog.
1.Are feelings, emotions and facial expressions universal across borders, happy, sad, etc..?
2. Try to name as many feelings as possible in Japanese. ( 10 minimum) Then, write the English translation.
3. Are there any feelings in Japanese that cannot be translated into English?
1. I think nonverbal communication such as feelings, emotions and facial expressions has a bigger power than we expected. Also, we can send the same feelings and emotions with each other even if we are from totally different backgrounds. However, nonverbal communication is interrupted in a different way according to the each religion, country, or personality. I suppose we have to keep in mind about it.
2. 悲しいsad、嬉しいhappy、落胆depressed、おかしいfunny、面白いinteresting、つまらないboring、郷愁nostalgic、つらいhard、つかれたtired、眠いsleepy、興奮したexcited、緊張したnervous、元気なfine、不安なtimid、恥ずかしいembarrassed、安心したuneasy、快適なcomfortable。
3. I cannot find any Japanese words which is difficult to translate into English right now. However, I always have trouble in communicating with native English speakers when I want to show my apology because they tend to show their appreciation rather than apology. Once, one American I know told me that I was always apologizing, but it is my custom. Suimasen does not mean such a bad feeling like what they expect.
In preparation for next week's class, please answer the following questions in your blog.
1.Are feelings, emotions and facial expressions universal across borders, happy, sad, etc..?
2. Try to name as many feelings as possible in Japanese. ( 10 minimum) Then, write the English translation.
3. Are there any feelings in Japanese that cannot be translated into English?
1. I think nonverbal communication such as feelings, emotions and facial expressions has a bigger power than we expected. Also, we can send the same feelings and emotions with each other even if we are from totally different backgrounds. However, nonverbal communication is interrupted in a different way according to the each religion, country, or personality. I suppose we have to keep in mind about it.
2. 悲しいsad、嬉しいhappy、落胆depressed、おかしいfunny、面白いinteresting、つまらないboring、郷愁nostalgic、つらいhard、つかれたtired、眠いsleepy、興奮したexcited、緊張したnervous、元気なfine、不安なtimid、恥ずかしいembarrassed、安心したuneasy、快適なcomfortable。
3. I cannot find any Japanese words which is difficult to translate into English right now. However, I always have trouble in communicating with native English speakers when I want to show my apology because they tend to show their appreciation rather than apology. Once, one American I know told me that I was always apologizing, but it is my custom. Suimasen does not mean such a bad feeling like what they expect.
2009年5月30日土曜日
Class Number 6 Greetings
Sunday, May 24, 2009
After today's discussions and presentations, answer these questions on your blog:
1. How do you greet members of your family? (mother, father, older brother, younger brother, grandparents, etc.)
2. How do you greet people that are important in society?
3. Do you greet people from the opposite sex in a different way?
4. Do you hug anyone? If yes, who and when. If no, why not?
1. I just say “Good-morning” when I get up in the morning.
2. As for important people in our society, I just bow.
3. I do not change my way of greeting according to the sex, and I do not want to.
4. I do no hug anyone because touching is a really exclusive matter in Japanese society.
After today's discussions and presentations, answer these questions on your blog:
1. How do you greet members of your family? (mother, father, older brother, younger brother, grandparents, etc.)
2. How do you greet people that are important in society?
3. Do you greet people from the opposite sex in a different way?
4. Do you hug anyone? If yes, who and when. If no, why not?
1. I just say “Good-morning” when I get up in the morning.
2. As for important people in our society, I just bow.
3. I do not change my way of greeting according to the sex, and I do not want to.
4. I do no hug anyone because touching is a really exclusive matter in Japanese society.
Class Number 4 World Religions
Monday, May 11, 2009
answer the following questions in your blog:
How do you greet people in your life?
Is it different for different people? How so and why?
Do you touch people when you talk to them? Why? Or Why not?
Almost all of the time, I bow when I greet someone without regarding of higher or lower position of people. However, to classmates, the people of the same age or grade, it seems to give unfriendly impression to bow to them. I do not want to make such a unfriendly mood, so when I see them, I just raise my right or left hand a little bit toward them.
Finally, I keep in mind not to touch people, even close classmates, when we are communicating because touching is a very sensitive matter for Japanese. One touches to show their friendliness, but the other feels uncomfortable. It depends on their personality, situation, etc.
answer the following questions in your blog:
How do you greet people in your life?
Is it different for different people? How so and why?
Do you touch people when you talk to them? Why? Or Why not?
Almost all of the time, I bow when I greet someone without regarding of higher or lower position of people. However, to classmates, the people of the same age or grade, it seems to give unfriendly impression to bow to them. I do not want to make such a unfriendly mood, so when I see them, I just raise my right or left hand a little bit toward them.
Finally, I keep in mind not to touch people, even close classmates, when we are communicating because touching is a very sensitive matter for Japanese. One touches to show their friendliness, but the other feels uncomfortable. It depends on their personality, situation, etc.
2009年5月29日金曜日
Class #3 Buddhism
How is your daily life affected by Buddhism? What do you do and why do you do it? Please give 5 examples and make sure you explain why you think you do them!
I think Buddhism influence myself not only physically but also phychologically. Exactly, Buddhism involves in Shinto, Japanese oldest religion, which worship thousands gods, and plays an important role in Japanese people. Below is the five examples of our customs relating to Buddhism.
1. Obon (お盆) or just Bon (盆)
Obon means the the interval in August, when we honor the spirits of our ancestors. Many families and their relatives reunite at their hometown.
2. Butsudan (仏壇)
Many Japanese houses are equipped with at least one butsudan, which looks like a small box. Inside of it, there are one or three Budda, which represent the ancestors.
In Japan, there is a kind of thought that people will be Budda after they die. Every day, my father joins his hands in player in front of the statues to appreciate his health.
3. Joya no Kane (除夜の鐘)
On New Year’s Eve at midnight, Japanese have the custom of listening to the sound of gongs as many as 108 times. Japanese await the New Year listening to the sound.
4. Bon-Odori, Bon-dancing (盆踊り)
Bon-Odori, or Bon-dancing is held during summer. This was originally performed to go to the heaven in the next world, but now just for fun. All of us come together in the evening and dance ranging from the younger and the elder. Some of them enjoy wearing yukata, Japanese traditional summer cloth, in particular younger women.
5. When I eat traditional Japanese meal, like rice, soup, accompanying food. I start eating soup, which is the Buddhist way. Besides, starting to eat side dishes is the Shinto way.
I think Buddhism influence myself not only physically but also phychologically. Exactly, Buddhism involves in Shinto, Japanese oldest religion, which worship thousands gods, and plays an important role in Japanese people. Below is the five examples of our customs relating to Buddhism.
1. Obon (お盆) or just Bon (盆)
Obon means the the interval in August, when we honor the spirits of our ancestors. Many families and their relatives reunite at their hometown.
2. Butsudan (仏壇)
Many Japanese houses are equipped with at least one butsudan, which looks like a small box. Inside of it, there are one or three Budda, which represent the ancestors.
In Japan, there is a kind of thought that people will be Budda after they die. Every day, my father joins his hands in player in front of the statues to appreciate his health.
3. Joya no Kane (除夜の鐘)
On New Year’s Eve at midnight, Japanese have the custom of listening to the sound of gongs as many as 108 times. Japanese await the New Year listening to the sound.
4. Bon-Odori, Bon-dancing (盆踊り)
Bon-Odori, or Bon-dancing is held during summer. This was originally performed to go to the heaven in the next world, but now just for fun. All of us come together in the evening and dance ranging from the younger and the elder. Some of them enjoy wearing yukata, Japanese traditional summer cloth, in particular younger women.
5. When I eat traditional Japanese meal, like rice, soup, accompanying food. I start eating soup, which is the Buddhist way. Besides, starting to eat side dishes is the Shinto way.
2009年5月27日水曜日
Class #2 What is Culture? What is CCC?
Monday, April 20, 2009
For homework, read the newspaper for the next week and find an article that has to do with cross culture communication problems. Post the link to this article, summarize it in your blog in English. It can be an English newspaper (Japan Times, New York Times, Washington Post, Yomiuri, Asahi) or a Japanese newspaper. Just remember to summarize it in English in your blog!
'09/5/28
http://www.chugoku-np.co.jp/News/Tn200905280090.html
Takeshima, Dokuto in Korean language, is still one of the biggest problems between South Korean and Japan. At present, the island is under control of the South Korean army although this problem is open to dispute. Also, Japan insists its sovereignty of the island.
The above article reports that Shimane prefecture has made the sub-texts for elementary school and middle school students to learn Takeshima. That teaching material is aimed at better understanding of Takeshima, and it is the first trial.
For homework, read the newspaper for the next week and find an article that has to do with cross culture communication problems. Post the link to this article, summarize it in your blog in English. It can be an English newspaper (Japan Times, New York Times, Washington Post, Yomiuri, Asahi) or a Japanese newspaper. Just remember to summarize it in English in your blog!
'09/5/28
http://www.chugoku-np.co.jp/News/Tn200905280090.html
Takeshima, Dokuto in Korean language, is still one of the biggest problems between South Korean and Japan. At present, the island is under control of the South Korean army although this problem is open to dispute. Also, Japan insists its sovereignty of the island.
The above article reports that Shimane prefecture has made the sub-texts for elementary school and middle school students to learn Takeshima. That teaching material is aimed at better understanding of Takeshima, and it is the first trial.
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