New languages

[bushido_man96]

Not all schools use all of the terms, though. I know some of the basic terms, but not all of the discriptors for the different types of side kicks. Therefore, to it would be easier to keep it all in English. Plus, it gets confusing if the TKD guy visits with Karate guys.

Well I would understand wanting to keep it in English if you had someone from a different style visiting, however there are differences across schools about how techniques are named in English anyway. For it to work properly you'd need standardisation in all schools. Also, if I were to go on a seminar in another country, say Spain for example, I would understand more if the seminar was conducted in Korean than Spanish. Training in the native language of the art allows students from any background to understand what is being asked whereas if someone asked me to punch in any language other than English (and Korean) I wouldn't have a clue what they'd just asked me. They could have asked me if I'd wanted a drink and I would be still standing there just as ignornt, wondering what was going on.

For me personally, I like to find out what techniques are called in languages other than English. It usually helps me to understand better.

For example (sorry but I can only give a TKD / Korean example and its not a very good one):

Sang makgi <-- we call this W-shape block

Sang palmok makgi <-- twin forearm block

Both blocks use the Korean word which we translate as "twin", unless someone had explained to me that I must use both arms I wouldn't know unless I looked at the translation. I'll try and think of a better example but hopefully you can understand my point!?!?

I can see the point you are trying to make, but it still doesn't really hold. If you are in Spain, at a Karate seminar, and they tell you to do a kick in Japanese, I am sure you can do that. However, they are going to go into detail in Spanish most likely, so therefore, unless you know Spanish as well, you aren't going to learn much from him, unless he can speak your native language as well. Therefore, unless you know 3 languages, that example doesn't really hold up. You would have to have translators and such.

Everyone wants to site the "tradition" side of the arguement to learning the language. However, many times a "tradition" begins for a reason, then continues for years and years, and somewhere along the way, the initial reason is lost, and no one changes because of a "tradition" that no longer really holds a meaning.

[bushido_man96]

exactly, as an instructor or someone 'majoring' in an art, it helps to be able to interact with practitioners of that style throughout the world. Besides, learning other languages is good for you!

I agree that learning other languages is good for you. However, if I want to learn another language, I'll go to a class that focuses on the language. I just think that it can become too much of a focus at times.

[Athena]

In my previous MA experiences, I came to learn that I was going to a DOJO to be taught by a SENSEI, and when we did rolls etc. we said ICHI NI SAN SHI GO...

i know a dojo is like a school place..

sensei= teacher

ichi= 1

ni=2

san=3

shi=4

go=5

(i believe )

Edited April 27, 2007 by Athena

[Athena]

Learning other languages is good XD

I am taking french right now while trying to home study Japanese (going to college later hopefully)

learn from a danish friend some danish..

going to be taking spanish later in school ^.^

Here's how I figure it..2 years french, 2 years spanish..

And I absolutely love latin and old english and err shakespeareian XD

(oops..looks like you can't delete this...oh well)

http://www.shotokankarate.ca/counting%20in%20japanese.htm