Last name, then first name

by **Otaku** on Mon Sep 07, 2009 8:09 pm

My translation skillz aren't up to par, but I think this page explaining why the New Horizon seriesx uses last name + first name.

I think the first paragraph say that Japanese people need to be aware about how foreigners use names.
I think paragraph two talks that if Japanese people switch to first name+last name format that they would lose their identity.
I think the third paragraph say that the Japanese Language Council proposed the idea that last name+first name be adopted from here on out in the New Horizon series.

Is that about right?

http://www.tokyo-shoseki.co.jp/e-mail/qanda/q-js-english/q01-07.htm (Japanese)

by **jessen100** on Tue Sep 08, 2009 1:19 pm

Otaku wrote:I think paragraph two talks that if Japanese people switch to first name+last name format that they would lose their identity.

no its saying that more like " its not like you lose your identity by just changing the order of your name."

then is says
"if you are to say, that you must not change your name so much then you wouldnt be able to use nicknames or pen names either"
*which is either poor logic, or they dont understand what identity is imo* but they might not mean this sentence in relation to identity i guess.
then it goes on to say that because you name is written in romaji it going to be pronounced incorrectly anyways, so to just worry about the order getting changed is senseless.

then then the last part says, basically, "but were gonna do lastname+ firstname anyways."

didnt read the first paragraph

by **Otaku** on Tue Sep 08, 2009 2:05 pm

Even more interesting...

It's crazy. I've never seen such a clash of cultures when teaching a foreign language. But, I guess every other country in the world is pretty much more multi-ethnic, or at least more accepting. It's crazy that such a little thing is being justified as to why the names in the textbooks are written in the order that they are.

The question isn't if but rather when is Japan going to lose its hemogenous culture? I would argue with the way Japanese women are flocking to foreigners for various reasons, Japan is going to end up with only men in the country. :)

by **TENGU** on Tue Sep 08, 2009 8:31 pm

Otaku wrote:Even more interesting...

It's crazy. I've never seen such a clash of cultures when teaching a foreign language. But, I guess every other country in the world is pretty much more multi-ethnic, or at least more accepting. It's crazy that such a little thing is being justified as to why the names in the textbooks are written in the order that they are.

The question isn't if but rather when is Japan going to lose its hemogenous culture? I would argue with the way Japanese women are flocking to foreigners for various reasons, Japan is going to end up with only men in the country. :)

would you want to be a woman here when you see how women overseas live??

by **Paul** on Tue Sep 08, 2009 8:42 pm

Both are acceptable now a days.

However IMO the individual (Japanese) introducing themselves to a foreigner for the first time should keep in mind that not everyone in the world is going to understand nor realize that the names have been reversed and it behooves the speaking to ensure that there is no misunderstanding.

by **TENGU** on Wed Sep 09, 2009 9:12 pm

let them introduce themselves however they see fit, they're japanese and as such difference if they want to introduce themselves as tomida ken, they I hope they don't complain at being called Mr> Ken.

by **Otaku** on Wed Sep 09, 2009 9:27 pm

TENGU wrote:...if they want to introduce themselves as tomida ken, they I hope they don't complain at being called Mr> Ken.

I doubt that would happen...McD's Mr. James. Mr+first name is coming into mainstream Japan.

by **jessen100** on Wed Sep 09, 2009 9:37 pm

some people call me Mr jesse.
im okay with it because i hate being called Mr. <mylastname>

by **TENGU** on Thu Sep 10, 2009 9:28 pm

cool, reinforce the wrong image of our culture. they couldnt comprehend the truth anyway.

by **Paul** on Thu Sep 10, 2009 9:33 pm

TENGU wrote:cool, reinforce the wrong image of our culture. they couldnt comprehend the truth anyway.

I take it you never lived in any of the southern states?

I know plenty of men and women down south that are called Mr, Mrs, or Ms first name and it is perfectly acceptable as well.

That is just as much a part of "our" culture as calling someone by their surname.

by **jessen100** on Fri Sep 11, 2009 11:13 am

my judo teacher in the US has called me mr jesse for a long time.
thats probably the only reason i accepted it.
anyone who calls me that knows that its not correct anyways. (at least it was talked about)

Im a proponent of going against such rediculous "rules" as if you say "Mr." a last name must follow.

furturmore, i dont care

Last name, then first name

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