Ask John: Should Japanese Terms Keep Their Japanese Meaning in America?

Question:
I find the previous piece “Are Americans Using the Word Hentai Incorrectly?” interesting because I’m aware that there seems to be difference as to definition of some anime terms. For example, in Japan “shoujo-ai” means pedophilia, and “yuri” implies tender relationship between young females such as “Mari-Mite,” while they refer respectively to stories that feature romantic ties between female characters and lesbian pornography among anime fandom in the English speaking world (See ANN’s lexicon). As a Japanese anime fan, I’m afraid that it would cause confusion across the ocean when you let incorrect usages be allowed.

Answer:
It’s not my intent to avoid commitment by refusing to provide a decisive answer, but I’m afraid that my response may inevitably be interpreted that way. Regardless of right or wrong, and regardless of what I may personally think I believe that it’s now too late to attempt a redefinition of particular terms within the English language. And I also don’t feel strongly that such redefinition is absolutely necessary.

For virtually as long as there’s been awareness of Japanese animation in America, there has been an evolution of Japanese terms imported into America. While mainstream Japanese society refers to “anime” as anything that has the look of 2D cel animation, since the early 1980s the word “anime” in English has only referred to animation of Japanese origin. While the word “otaku” carries negative implications in Japanese language, and refers to any obsessive hobby, in English the word “otaku” is a term of respect that refers to only intense devotion to Japanese comics and animation- not obsessive interest in guns or cars or golf or musical performers or any other hobby. Furthermore, the professional American translation industry has directly contributed to the English speaking fan community’s tendency toward loose adoption of Japanese concepts and terms. Loosely translated English dubs and the alteration of Japanese character names and titles have established a tacit tolerance and even approval of Japanese language being changed when it’s brought into America. To provide some specific examples: Ryo Saeba became Joe Saeba, Satoshi and Kasumi were re-named Ash and Misty, and Shinichi Kudo turned into Jimmy Kudo in the American releases of City Hunter, Pocket Monster, and Detective Conan respectively. And significant title changes such as Windaria becoming “Once Upon A Time,” Kakugo no Susume becoming “Apocalypse Zero,” and Kacho Ohji turning into “Legend of Black Heaven” establish an English language priority of convenience over respect for accurate translation. So it comes as no surprise that terms like “hentai,” “yuri” and “shoujo ai” have unique definitions in English that are different from their original Japanese definitions.

Regardless of whether or not it’s really appropriate for these imported Japanese words to have unique English language definitions, I suspect that they are now too entrenched in the lexicon of the English speaking anime fan community to be easily altered. Although there are other, more appropriate Japanese terms available to identify the specific characteristics English speaking fans wish to refer to, for various reasons these other Japanese terms are not used in English, possibly because they’re not as brief or concise, or because they’re not as familiar to native English speakers.

My personal opinion is that it’s logical for native English speakers to use their native language and terms which communicate efficiently with other English speakers. Jargon that’s commonly recognized between members of a local community should be used within that community to clarify and simplify communication. In practical terms, since there’s already a language barrier between native English and Japanese speakers, I don’t believe that the original English language use of isolated Japanese terms constitutes an isolated barrier to communication. The way English speaking anime fans use the words “hentai” and “yuri,” for example, are just two words within a far larger language barrier. However, I also believe that English speaking anime fans should have an awareness and respect for the Japanese cultural origin of anime. Therefore, I think that it’s responsible for native English speakers to be flexible in their communication with Japanese fans. Likewise, I believe that Japanese speakers should be prepared to accept that just as anime itself is sometimes altered when its exported outside Japan, Japanese language is also sometimes modified or appropriated by other cultures. The slight differences in the way words like “hentai” and “yuri” are used in Japan and America are only a hindrance to international communication to the extent that people want them to be an obstacle.

Although English speakers may not use select Japanese words with their exactly precise Japanese definitions, I’m encouraged by the mere fact that foreign anime fans are making an attempt to understand and appreciate aspects of Japanese pop culture in literal Japanese terms. I’m aware that some native Japanese fans may be shocked or offended or bemused by the way Japanese terms are used in English. I hope that these Japanese fans will set aside their outrage and instead respect the attempts that English speakers are making to understand and appreciate Japanese language and culture. Furthermore, I hope that Japanese fans will accept a degree of, possibly unavoidable, corruption to foreign words brought into the English language.