Author Archives: dpogue2

Reflection of Learning

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So far I have really enjoyed the class! I honestly feel as if I have learned new concepts from taking a linguistics class that I wasn’t really aware of going into the class. Though what I really enjoy talking most about is the research that is done in this field, more specifically, the few recent classes we have had towards the end of term. Topics that can be argued from either side are interesting because I have never realized how differently languages can influence people to process the same situation or concepts. I also think its fascinating to compare myself and my understandings of things to what researchers have found in the past. From my brief exposure to these concepts, it seems I align more with East Asian tendencies then I do European American tendencies which raises several questions.

Mostly I wonder what or when in my life I have learned East Asian tendencies and if there was ever a point in my life where I aligned more with European American tendencies? Because I really don’t have any relatives in my family that are from East Asia, nor was he town that I have spent nearly my entire life in really all that diverse so I can’t imagine there was a major influence of their culture in my life. Though ever since taking Japanese Language courses in high school I was then exposed to it much more then I ever have been so maybe that’s when it started? Was I already born with it? Or was I influenced by my parents to learn those East Asian tendencies over European American tendencies conscientiously?  In which case am I pretty evenly split between the two?

So then I wonder how my brother or sister compares to me in terms of which tendency they processes situations more in?  Because arguably despite growing up in close quarters and living conditions,  we are all very different people and its very evident we process situations and concepts differently than each other so I wonder if we think the same way and just end up on different preference conclusions, or its because we tend to compute experiences to either an american standard or an Asian standard?

And then relate that to our family and friends furthermore onto larger populations of peoples. There is a lot that can go into concepts like these which I think makes for the most interesting conversation because each individual person can relate differently to the results. Whether that be in opposition to each other or in agreeance with each other, I think it’s a great way to learn about  a topic like these cause we can personalize it better rather then just memorizing information.

Blog Post 2

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There is a large influence of Asian culture incorporated through out Eugene! We see several examples of this in advertising for local businesses, restaurants, clothing and snacks. I was able to find a good example of Japanese writing incorporated into advertising on a large poster on the Duck Sushi restaurant around the corner from the university.
Though personally I am not sure of what the translation is from Japanese to English, but I can recognize that is  Japanese by the Hirigana “ki” used in the center of the text. I can guess that it is close to the English “hand rolls” included just above the Kanji. I think that this is a good example of the incorporation of Asian languages in our surrounding culture because both text are done in relatively easy-to-read font, and they have been finished in roughly the same size. By doing so, either text isn’t over powering the other which means one isn’t having to compete with the other in order to be seen resulting in a respectful environment for both texts.

I wonder which text is more recognizable to native English speakers or to native Japanese speakers? Because out of the 7 separate advertising  posters that were posted in the window of the restaurant, this is the only poster I saw that had Asian characters incorporated into the design.  Perhaps I wasn’t looking close enough or maybe their target clients are native English speakers? Though that brings us back to what we talked about in class this week of the real purpose of advertising in another language such as this example. Maybe by having Japanese characters on this specific poster, non-Japanese speaking clients feel like the hand rolls a product may feel more authentic through that incorporation of Asian lettering?

On another note the class has been good. I’d like to say that I am learning a lot and absorbing all of the information, but the midterm would say other wise. I am a bit overwhelmed because I’ve done all of the homework but one quiz so far, I’ve written everything down from every slide, I pay attention and participate when ever possible in class, and studied well before the exam, and yet I really didn’t do as good as I thought I would do which isn’t the best feeling. So I really enjoy that you do include discussion during class because its a good opportunity to recite the information you want us to understand. I also really enjoyed the inclusion of the tea lecture, it was very fascinating. I will continue to do my best and participate in class whenever possible.

Thanks again for this opportunity to get this assignment right!

Asian Writing Around Town

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It is very interesting to really start paying attention to the incorporation of culture around town, specially when it comes to the interrogation of Asian languages through out the streets. So when my friend visited from Bend, I wanted to take the opportunity to get a good photo while showing them around. We were on our way to a friends place out towards Spring Field actually when I saw a good example of signage with Asian lettering on it.

Now I am not sure how accurate the translation is, but I think for a simple sign, the red, white, and blue color scheme emphasizes the lettering even further. Unfortunately, we didn’t have the time to stop and visit in order to investigate what kind of place it really was, but from the title I would assume it was intended to be an Asian inspired food market. Both of the fonts to me seem pretty traditional when it comes to what I would expect to see in either case.

Also I wanted to include this example of Kanji that has been incorporated into the design of my friends wallet. This one I can tell more accurately translates to the English included directly above the text. I think the Asian lettering adds an interesting touch the composition of the wallet because it has been done vertically unlike everything else done on the wallet. I think this is also a great example of incorporating multiple cultures together because “lunch money” is a common reference made, so seeing that done with another culture on a wallet designed to hold money is a really cool idea.

 

This class has been a good mix of challenging and interesting. I am very excited to learn more about several Asian languages, but it is a bit challenging to get each concept aligned with the right culture since I am very new to most of these languages. I have a pretty good understanding of Japanese, which means I have a vague understanding of Chinese, but I struggle with understanding some cultural idea’s and concepts in Korean culture since I have no previous background in that area. Of course I show up to every class and make sure to write everything down and do the home works, it is just a lot of new information to digest. The most challenging part I think may be the homework just because its hard to keep up with through out the week, but I appreciate you taking the time to talk about them in class as well.

I guess we will see after this midterm, how much information has actually stuck and I will be sure to keep my eye out or more Asian lettering around this area!

 

 

Hello Everyone!

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Hi there! My name is Delaney and I have just recently moved to Eugene from Bend Oregon. I am working towards a major in Japanese and a minor in education so that when I graduate I will be able to teach English in Japan for while. I have already done 2 years at Central Oregon Community College and transferred with my AAOT. I live off campus with some great roommates and spend my time with friends when I can. I really enjoy movies, eating out with friends, and rock climbing whenever I have the chance!

I am very interested in education, and learning so I’ve known for a while that I wanted to be a teacher growing up. My mother and grandmother were also teachers since they graduated college themselves so I have been surrounded by it all my life, though in high school I took a Japanese language class, and I feel in love with Japanese! My teacher at that time was an incredible idol who I look up to!

Since then I have taken nearly 5 years of Japanese language classes and have even visited Japan as an exchange student for a little while a few summers ago and I have been planning to go back ever since! While staying with a host family I attended school along with adventuring around the area with my host family and class. That is for the most part, where I really became interested in Asian cultures and societies with a focus on Japan.

This is my dog Millie who was my best friend in Bend! She is an Australian Shepherd mixed with a Blue Healer.

So far I have really enjoyed the class! Since this is my first term at the university I am unsure of the expectations of the students and how forgiving the teachers may be. I strive to be an A plus student always but that doesn’t mean I always get there. I am worried that I will become quickly overwhelmed with homework and fall behind in classes. So far the homework for this class has been manageable and a similar structure to classes I have had previously.

I look forward to learning more about the Japanese language and other surround languages specially because it will be new information. I am very found of the teacher and GE already plus I already feel like the class is made up of a good group of people. I look forward to whats to come in this class and I will work hard to keep up with the work load this term!