AnimeSuki Forums

GN0010 Nosferatu · 2010-11-13, 03:41

I'm watching an episode of Full Metal Panic, and Kurz jumped infront of Chidori and her friend saying "Hi Japanese pretty girls!". But he said it in English, rather than Japanese...why do some animes do that?

risingstar3110 · 2010-11-13, 03:49

it's my guess, but it feels quite awesome if you can talk with someone in another language (especially if you spent time to learn them). And sometime people over-excited with that and did it randomly and inappropriately.

I don't watch and can't remember FMP. But in anime, the use of English most of the time was to make the character look silly and indicate he like to show off (in front of girls for example).

Vexx · 2010-11-13, 03:51

Um... why do english speaking people say, "Que pasa" ... or "Sayonara"... or any other foreign language phrase?

It is considered somewhat cool in Japan to know some English phrases (which is funny considering everyone there gets many years of English in K-12 which doesn't seem to stick well). Its common to hear "bai bai" or "tank you" for example. Obviously, this character "Kurz" was attempting to be worldly/cool.

GN0010 Nosferatu · 2010-11-13, 03:53

Thanks for the input guys.

0utf0xZer0 · 2010-11-13, 04:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vexx

It is considered somewhat cool in Japan to know some English phrases (which is funny considering everyone there gets many years of English in K-12 which doesn't seem to stick well). Its common to hear "bai bai" or "tank you" for example. Obviously, this character "Kurz" was attempting to be worldly/cool.

Kurz is actually European, not Japanese. That said, he's also a playboy, and in the scene in question, he's trying to pick up two Japanese girls by pulling a "lost foreigner" routine. So yes, definitely trying to play it cool.

Unlike many Japanese voice actors, the guy who plays Kurz actually pulled it off pretty well... contrast with say, Revy from Black Lagoon, who is supposed to be Chinese-American:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nWNx4p6FVRA

Vexx · 2010-11-13, 04:08

Ah thanks..... I've never watched/read FMP and the question was just phrased in a rather generic way.

NoemiChan · 2010-11-13, 04:52

Can anyone differentiate this usual lines that in my opinion has also similar meanings?

Nan desu ka?

Nanda yo?

Nan des te?

Nani yo?

Nani?

Khu · 2010-11-13, 05:06

Wrong thread, but whatevs. XD

they all 'basically' mean the same thing, though I do believe they are talking about different subjects...

uhh, not sure how to actually explain it though XD

Jaden · 2010-11-13, 07:21

They're different in tone. Japanese are very nitpicky about that stuff, they choose their words not only based on context but also their attitude. In english you could say "What is it?" in either a polite or demeaning tone, but in japanese many words will always sound impolite no matter how you say them

Vexx · 2010-11-13, 13:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by genjichan

Can anyone differentiate this usual lines that in my opinion has also similar meanings?

Nan desu ka?

Nanda yo?

Nan des te?

Nani yo?

Nani?

They are different in terms of formality, casualness, presumption/arrogance.

'yo' adds a degree of assertiveness or "informing" -- more often used by brash males.
"Nan desu ka" is probably the most neutral/polite of the choices.
"Nani?" is probably the most casual.
"Nan des te" ... is kind of weird to me but I'll take it as a "requestful what?"

.. and yeah there's already existing threads for japanese language (one for beginners, one for advanced). This thread was about why you hear characters attempting English dialog in anime.

Jan-Poo · 2010-11-13, 13:45

"Nan desu te" is usually a response to something that someone said, so it's more like: "what did you just said?"

"nani yo" and "Nan da yo" are often used to express annoyance from someone's meddling, so "What the hell do you want?"

Raiga · 2010-11-13, 15:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by genjichan

Can anyone differentiate this usual lines that in my opinion has also similar meanings?

Nan desu ka?

Formal/neutral

Quote:

Nanda yo?

Annoyed

Quote:

Nan des te?

Pissed off "What did you just say!?"

Quote:

Nani yo?

Annoyed

Quote:

Nani?

Neutral/curt/childish

synaesthetic · 2010-11-13, 15:47

My Japanese girlfriend just told me that "nan desu te" is more like saying "What the fuck did you say?!" without the cursing.

Vexx · 2010-11-13, 15:49

As you can see from the responses (which vary) - tone of voice can really modulate the words themselves. That's interesting about the des te form though - I wouldn't have guessed it was so annoyed just from the words.

LeoXiao · 2010-11-14, 06:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by synaesthetic

My Japanese girlfriend just told me that "nan desu te" is more like saying "What the fuck did you say?!" without the cursing.

Im no expert on the subject but it seems like a phrase generally reserved for use by women. I think men would say the same thing but with different grammar particles.

Sumeragi · 2010-11-14, 06:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by 0utf0xZer0

Kurz is actually European, not Japanese.

Who lived in Japan when he was a kid and (if I remember correctly) was actually more Japanese than Sousuke in many aspects.

2010-11-13, 03:41	Link #1
GN0010 Nosferatu Where's the monoeye? Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Hargenteen Age: 35	I have a question on English language in Japanese anime. I'm watching an episode of Full Metal Panic, and Kurz jumped infront of Chidori and her friend saying "Hi Japanese pretty girls!". But he said it in English, rather than Japanese...why do some animes do that?

2010-11-13, 03:49	Link #2
risingstar3110 ✘˵╹◡╹˶✘ Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Australia	it's my guess, but it feels quite awesome if you can talk with someone in another language (especially if you spent time to learn them). And sometime people over-excited with that and did it randomly and inappropriately. I don't watch and can't remember FMP. But in anime, the use of English most of the time was to make the character look silly and indicate he like to show off (in front of girls for example). __________________

2010-11-13, 03:51	Link #3
Vexx Obey the Darkly Cute ... Author Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: On the whole, I'd rather be in Kyoto ... Age: 66	Um... why do english speaking people say, "Que pasa" ... or "Sayonara"... or any other foreign language phrase? It is considered somewhat cool in Japan to know some English phrases (which is funny considering everyone there gets many years of English in K-12 which doesn't seem to stick well). Its common to hear "bai bai" or "tank you" for example. Obviously, this character "Kurz" was attempting to be worldly/cool. __________________ "It Really IS Rocket Science", Novel series rough drafts; vol. 1 thru vol. 3 complete Volume 4 in work, Visit the thread for short stories!

2010-11-13, 04:08	Link #6
Vexx Obey the Darkly Cute ... Author Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: On the whole, I'd rather be in Kyoto ... Age: 66	Ah thanks..... I've never watched/read FMP and the question was just phrased in a rather generic way. __________________ "It Really IS Rocket Science", Novel series rough drafts; vol. 1 thru vol. 3 complete Volume 4 in work, Visit the thread for short stories!

2010-11-13, 13:45	Link #11
Jan-Poo 別にいいけど Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: forever lost inside a logic error	"Nan desu te" is usually a response to something that someone said, so it's more like: "what did you just said?" "nani yo" and "Nan da yo" are often used to express annoyance from someone's meddling, so "What the hell do you want?" __________________

2010-11-13, 03:53	Link #4
GN0010 Nosferatu Where's the monoeye? Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Hargenteen Age: 35	Thanks for the input guys.

2010-11-13, 04:52	Link #7
NoemiChan Banned Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Philippines Age: 36	Can anyone differentiate this usual lines that in my opinion has also similar meanings? Nan desu ka? Nanda yo? Nan des te? Nani yo? Nani?

2010-11-13, 05:06	Link #8
Khu そんなやさしくしないで。。。 Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: NSW, Australia Age: 29	Wrong thread, but whatevs. XD they all 'basically' mean the same thing, though I do believe they are talking about different subjects... uhh, not sure how to actually explain it though XD

2010-11-13, 07:21	Link #9
Jaden Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006	They're different in tone. Japanese are very nitpicky about that stuff, they choose their words not only based on context but also their attitude. In english you could say "What is it?" in either a polite or demeaning tone, but in japanese many words will always sound impolite no matter how you say them

2010-11-13, 15:47	Link #13
synaesthetic blinded by blood Author Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Oakland, CA Age: 40	My Japanese girlfriend just told me that "nan desu te" is more like saying "What the fuck did you say?!" without the cursing. __________________ Indie science fiction author and all-around weirdo: Check out my original fiction here! Read an excerpt from my sci-fi novel Binary System!

2010-11-13, 15:49	Link #14
Vexx Obey the Darkly Cute ... Author Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: On the whole, I'd rather be in Kyoto ... Age: 66	As you can see from the responses (which vary) - tone of voice can really modulate the words themselves. That's interesting about the des te form though - I wouldn't have guessed it was so annoyed just from the words. __________________ "It Really IS Rocket Science", Novel series rough drafts; vol. 1 thru vol. 3 complete Volume 4 in work, Visit the thread for short stories!