2022.04.27
There are many variations when calling others. In English-speaking countries, the first name is the mainstream, and it is relatively easy to understand because it is just a honorific title with Mr., Mrs., Ms, sometimes doctor, etc. in front of the last name. European languages are similar. I'm not sure about Chinese-speaking countries because I haven't lived there before, but as far as I read the Chinese subtitles of the in-flight movie and see the emails from my acquaintances, the teacher seems to be a general honorific title. The impression is similar to "sama" and "san" in Japan.
In comparison, there are various names in Japan. Without honorific title name is mainly for younger families and relatives. The last name is mainly abandoned by classmates. Within the organization, there are too many managers, chiefs, chiefs, advisors, etc., who are presidents, department managers, section managers, and other specially appointed department managers. Doctors, professionals, teachers are teachers. If you go to a restaurant, the master, the master, the master, the general, ... "HIRO" from the inside, "teacher" at the consulting destination, "director" when taking care of youth soccer as a volunteer, "president" from the business partner, "kun" from the seniors of schools and companies with whom we have been acquainted for a long time I don't understand.
In Japan, there is a universal name called "san". A really useful word that can be used without worrying about age, job title, or LGBT. Before it is called work style reform or globalization, it is necessary to have a culture of calling with "san" as much as possible. If you create a non-flat situation from the beginning of the conversation, such as "teacher", "OO chief", and "kun", the discussion will not be activated. The roots are the same as the "seat order" I wrote in my previous blog. It is impossible for visitors who come to Japan to understand. If you go abroad from Japan, it's not complicated because we use your first name or just calling honorific title name in front of last name, whether it's for work or not. And, when you call it "san", there are still many "teachers" who are in a bad mood, so it's a really bad tradition. It makes me feel uncomfortable to hear that teachers, doctors, and lawyers call each other.
In the United States today, people who are familiar with Japan are increasingly using "san" attachment. "Otani san" has helped, but its fairness, convenience, plain pronunciation and spelling must have been accepted as a linguistic rationality. There is no sense of discomfort by adding "san" to both the first name and the last name. "Dennis san" "Rawson san". It is also possible to create a slight difference in the sense of distance. By all means, I hope that "san" attachment will spread throughout the world. It's a good way to get an understanding of the depth, wisdom, and humility of Japanese culture.
Next time, I will write about the "Kun" attachment that I hate.
