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New Poll - Switching Japanese Language
This week's poll is from oGaga. If you had a chance to magically change your primary language to Japanese (and be totally proficient in it), would you take that opportunity?
You can submit poll ideas here (and try to keep them manga/anime-related)
http://www.mangaupdates.com/showtopic.php?tid=3903
Previous Poll Results:
Question: What's the most likely reason you'd stop reading a series you initially liked?
Choices:
Favorite character dies or isn't in story anymore - votes: 603 (5.2%)
Favorite character changes for the worse - votes: 306 (2.7%)
Too many unlikable characters - votes: 691 (6%)
No character development - votes: 679 (5.9%)
Plot veers off into a bad direction - votes: 2295 (19.9%)
Boring plot - votes: 2721 (23.6%)
Too many surprising moments - votes: 20 (0.2%)
Story too confusing - votes: 457 (4%)
Series just never seems to end - votes: 965 (8.4%)
Increase / decrease of fan service - votes: 148 (1.3%)
Increase / decrease of violence - votes: 27 (0.2%)
Pacing is too slow / fast - votes: 311 (2.7%)
Art style changed - votes: 83 (0.7%)
Irregular releases - votes: 1072 (9.3%)
I just didn't have time to keep up and forgot about it - votes: 1140 (9.9%)
There were 11518 total votes.
The poll ended: May 15th 2015
Seems like more people voted for the plot related problems
You can submit poll ideas here (and try to keep them manga/anime-related)
http://www.mangaupdates.com/showtopic.php?tid=3903
Previous Poll Results:
Question: What's the most likely reason you'd stop reading a series you initially liked?
Choices:
Favorite character dies or isn't in story anymore - votes: 603 (5.2%)
Favorite character changes for the worse - votes: 306 (2.7%)
Too many unlikable characters - votes: 691 (6%)
No character development - votes: 679 (5.9%)
Plot veers off into a bad direction - votes: 2295 (19.9%)
Boring plot - votes: 2721 (23.6%)
Too many surprising moments - votes: 20 (0.2%)
Story too confusing - votes: 457 (4%)
Series just never seems to end - votes: 965 (8.4%)
Increase / decrease of fan service - votes: 148 (1.3%)
Increase / decrease of violence - votes: 27 (0.2%)
Pacing is too slow / fast - votes: 311 (2.7%)
Art style changed - votes: 83 (0.7%)
Irregular releases - votes: 1072 (9.3%)
I just didn't have time to keep up and forgot about it - votes: 1140 (9.9%)
There were 11518 total votes.
The poll ended: May 15th 2015
Seems like more people voted for the plot related problems
Comments (limited to first 100 replies)
» blursotongkia on May 16th, 2015, 12:26am
I selected "For Sure!" since i really want to learn Japanese..but kinda lazy to sign up for classes and having to pay for the classes. :x i am poor...
But, I think i should have voted for "Sounds cool, but no thanks" instead...
Since English should remain my primary language even if i'm not too proficient with it...
haha. Afterall, English is like the International language.
(after Google-ing, seems like French is the international language of diplomacy .Bonjour)
But, I think i should have voted for "Sounds cool, but no thanks" instead...
Since English should remain my primary language even if i'm not too proficient with it...
haha. Afterall, English is like the International language.
(after Google-ing, seems like French is the international language of diplomacy .Bonjour)
» Gradonil_Ral on May 16th, 2015, 1:04am
Since English isn't my primary language and would still remain as my secondary... I gladly voted "for sure" ^^
I would love to know Japanese, but I'm just too lazy to actually put in the effort to learn it xP
And since I don't really care about my mother tongue, the choice seems obvious ^^
I wouldn't have changed it if English was my primary, though... It would be such a waste to lose it...
I would love to know Japanese, but I'm just too lazy to actually put in the effort to learn it xP
And since I don't really care about my mother tongue, the choice seems obvious ^^
I wouldn't have changed it if English was my primary, though... It would be such a waste to lose it...
» caitnap on May 16th, 2015, 2:20am
only if it comes with changing residence to Japan.
As far as i know japanese isn't used anywhere else but inside japan.
As far as i know japanese isn't used anywhere else but inside japan.
» Sogno on May 18th, 2015, 10:44pm
Quote from caitnap
only if it comes with changing residence to Japan.
As far as i know japanese isn't used anywhere else but inside japan.
As far as i know japanese isn't used anywhere else but inside japan.
yeah only if knew i could get to japan and live there and like... survive n stuff.
wouldnt do me any good in my current situation lol
» KaoriNite on May 16th, 2015, 4:18am
While I wish I could magically make myself fluent in Japanese, I wouldn't switch it with my native language of English. Having English as my primary language is much more beneficial since it's used in so many places.
» Trimutius on May 16th, 2015, 5:12am
Well my primary language is Russian, and English is my secondary and I'm fluent. But as it stands having Russian as a primary language is more beneficial for my line of work considering the country where I live (Canada by the way) I prefer to learn Japanese as a third language like I do now...
» residentgrigo on May 16th, 2015, 5:36am
My native language is Russian but i don´t need it and have forgotten so much so For sure! it is as there is no downside for me. Immigrants represent!
» ebisu on May 16th, 2015, 5:48am
That sounds very tricky. Would I learn how to read and write? It would be definitely handicapped by it where I live. What if you have more than one primary language...
Whatever, it sounds cool, but no thanks.
Whatever, it sounds cool, but no thanks.
» Natsuki@ on May 16th, 2015, 6:42am
While I've no problem with losing my native Dutch language I would rather replace it with English instead of Japanese because English is more usable worldwide. Also the poll does not state it but would you even be able to write kanji with the magic method ;p
Then there is the fact that I'm just to lazy to learn yet another language and it only makes sense to learn an extra language if you use it a lot in your daily life. My German is almost gone because I have not used it in ten years while my English totally improved because I read a lot of English and hear it more often.
Then there is the fact that I'm just to lazy to learn yet another language and it only makes sense to learn an extra language if you use it a lot in your daily life. My German is almost gone because I have not used it in ten years while my English totally improved because I read a lot of English and hear it more often.
» Caiman on May 16th, 2015, 7:44am
I took it as having a comparable skill level if you switched. If you're literate in your first language, you'll be literate in Japanese. If you're terrible at spelling, your ability to write kanji might not be good, like many Japanese people, but your reading would probably be fine.
As for me, I'd definitely keep English for the same reasons listed by everyone else. I'm very grateful that it's my first language.
As for me, I'd definitely keep English for the same reasons listed by everyone else. I'm very grateful that it's my first language.
» yuno19 on May 16th, 2015, 8:57am
Eh, the question entertained wishful, yet useless, thinking. You think native-like fluency is impossible for second acquired language? You think you need to be born as Japanese to speak like Japanese? Come on!
» CuthienSilmeriel on May 16th, 2015, 10:27am
I live in Japan and still wouldn't give up English as my native language even if you paid me.
Firstly, English is far more useful in international situations (which makes it essential to my job as a scientist), Secondly, fluency in Japanese isn't impossible. It may take longer, but you learn a lot about the culture and your own language in the process, plus sharing lingual mishaps is a great ice breaker.
EDIT: I read this as swoping my native language for Japanese, but I guess primary language could be the language you use most frequently, which isn't neccessarily your mother tongue. If I could keep English as my native language and magically be fluent in Japanese tomorrow then yes, definitely. Especially if it also came with instant Kanji knowledge. Kanji is the bane of my existence.
Firstly, English is far more useful in international situations (which makes it essential to my job as a scientist), Secondly, fluency in Japanese isn't impossible. It may take longer, but you learn a lot about the culture and your own language in the process, plus sharing lingual mishaps is a great ice breaker.
EDIT: I read this as swoping my native language for Japanese, but I guess primary language could be the language you use most frequently, which isn't neccessarily your mother tongue. If I could keep English as my native language and magically be fluent in Japanese tomorrow then yes, definitely. Especially if it also came with instant Kanji knowledge. Kanji is the bane of my existence.
» bloodydarkwitch on May 16th, 2015, 10:32am
maybe...
only if i keep my current level of proficiency in the other languages i currently know. It would be very akward if i were no longer able to speak my native language. since i doubt it comes with a transfer of residence.
and if i also gain the knowledge of writing it.
only if i keep my current level of proficiency in the other languages i currently know. It would be very akward if i were no longer able to speak my native language. since i doubt it comes with a transfer of residence.
and if i also gain the knowledge of writing it.
» nakie08 on May 16th, 2015, 11:20am
Just so I can read manga/LNs? Since that's the only reason think of why I would want to, I wouldn't. I feel like It'd take the mystery off of reading mangas and LNs anyway(I'm not sure why, I just feel like it would)
» Dionaea on May 16th, 2015, 12:30pm
Sure would! Dutch is pointless anyway. My English is awesome and I speak a bit of German and French as well, so I'd be just fine. And I'd move to Japan like tomorrow 
EDIT: LOL, read the other replies, I guess the answers to this poll depend more on what people's first language is then whether or not they'd like to learn Japanese. Also, if mine were English I wouldn't swap either
EDIT: LOL, read the other replies, I guess the answers to this poll depend more on what people's first language is then whether or not they'd like to learn Japanese. Also, if mine were English I wouldn't swap either
» SinsI on May 16th, 2015, 3:49pm
No way. I don't want a language where even a native speaker frequently can't read the text if he stumbles upon an unknown symbol (despite learning it for 2 years longer than in standard European school), so no languages that are written using hieroglyphs for me .
Also, notice how many Japanese and Chinese wear glasses - reading all those small and complex symbols is very bad for the eyes.
Such languages should be replaced by proper alphabet-based languages ASAP.
Also, notice how many Japanese and Chinese wear glasses - reading all those small and complex symbols is very bad for the eyes.
Such languages should be replaced by proper alphabet-based languages ASAP.
» SilverStorm on May 16th, 2015, 4:35pm
Yeah, no.
The only thing I'd do with Japanese is read manga/LNs and play Japanese games.
Unless I plan on become a resident of Japan (let's be real, being given Japanese citizenship is unlikely unless you have "Japanese blood"), which I don't, it's not really useful. Spanish or Mandarin would probably be more useful, but I don't think any language is worth trading fluency in English for, at least not yet.
That said, I am learning Japanese (very slowly!). I'll probably try learning Chinese once I get my Japanese to a decent reading level.
The only thing I'd do with Japanese is read manga/LNs and play Japanese games.
Unless I plan on become a resident of Japan (let's be real, being given Japanese citizenship is unlikely unless you have "Japanese blood"), which I don't, it's not really useful. Spanish or Mandarin would probably be more useful, but I don't think any language is worth trading fluency in English for, at least not yet.
That said, I am learning Japanese (very slowly!). I'll probably try learning Chinese once I get my Japanese to a decent reading level.
» MinatoAce on May 16th, 2015, 5:47pm
For me, it Sounds cool, but no thanks!...I love my Mother Tongue...
But, yeah...as far as the second or third language goes, there is certainly considerable room for it...^^
But, yeah...as far as the second or third language goes, there is certainly considerable room for it...^^
» dezin19 on May 16th, 2015, 7:25pm
My native language is English, and English is a nightmare to learn; Japanese is a cake-walk compared to it (with the exception of kanji). So, thanks but no thanks. I would hate to have to learn English as a second language. 
Now, if you said I could retain my knowledge of English while switching over to Japanese as my primary language, I would say sure!
Now, if you said I could retain my knowledge of English while switching over to Japanese as my primary language, I would say sure!» tolly_crimson on May 16th, 2015, 7:58pm
Sounds cool but no thanks. English? Sure, it's far more useful.
» nezushi on May 16th, 2015, 8:16pm
Japanese culture is absolutely beautiful and their language is really interesting. However, i love speaking English and i'm happy with my mother tongue. English is way more useful in life and has become one of the top languages in the world.
» Saibak on May 17th, 2015, 4:16am
I´m already learning Japanese by self-study. While the instant mastery of Japanese sounds cool, the only use I have for it now is to understand Japanese games and a few manga. German, my primary language, is far more useful to me. So, no thanks.
» BaiXing on May 17th, 2015, 6:38am
Sounds cool, but no thanks
considering that German is my first language, English my second, and if I was a native speaker of Japanese, thus living in Japan, I'd be in a very bad European-language-learning environment. So I would end up only being able to speak Japanese, and Engrish, not to mention German, which I wouldn't even touch with a 5 metre pole, if it wasn't my mother tongue.
considering that German is my first language, English my second, and if I was a native speaker of Japanese, thus living in Japan, I'd be in a very bad European-language-learning environment. So I would end up only being able to speak Japanese, and Engrish, not to mention German, which I wouldn't even touch with a 5 metre pole, if it wasn't my mother tongue.
» silencecomes on May 17th, 2015, 10:29am
"Sounds cool, but no thanks."
I'd rather just learn how to speak/read Japanese. English, even being the only language I know, is already hard enough (in stupid ways might I add). I'd hate to have to learn it as a secondary language.
I'd rather just learn how to speak/read Japanese. English, even being the only language I know, is already hard enough (in stupid ways might I add). I'd hate to have to learn it as a secondary language.
» RoxFlowz on May 18th, 2015, 6:09am
Since my first language isn’t English, I’m not concerned about that part. But I’ve been learning Japanese for a while now so it would make all my efforts pointless. Definitely no.
» Shourii on May 18th, 2015, 8:42am
Sounds cool, but no thanks
I like my native language, that is Polish, and some poeple even say it is one of the most difficult languages in the world - e.g. we have 17 different ways to say "two" and some awesome pronounciation ("w Szczebrzeszynie chrząszcz brzmi w trzcinie" anyone? XD). Also having English as the secondary language and knowing some basic German I'm okay with the way it is. Japanese is cool and I'm trying to learn it, but having it as a mother tongue kind of limits your possibilities - you will know perfect Japanese (plus maybe some Korean/Chinese) but trade it for a poor English and probably a nonexistent knowledge of other European Languages. And switching just to play some games or read manga... yup, not happening
I like my native language, that is Polish, and some poeple even say it is one of the most difficult languages in the world - e.g. we have 17 different ways to say "two" and some awesome pronounciation ("w Szczebrzeszynie chrząszcz brzmi w trzcinie" anyone? XD). Also having English as the secondary language and knowing some basic German I'm okay with the way it is. Japanese is cool and I'm trying to learn it, but having it as a mother tongue kind of limits your possibilities - you will know perfect Japanese (plus maybe some Korean/Chinese) but trade it for a poor English and probably a nonexistent knowledge of other European Languages. And switching just to play some games or read manga... yup, not happening
» NightSwan on May 18th, 2015, 1:42pm
Nah, I'm not that desperate. 
» Chainless on May 20th, 2015, 2:14am
Sounds cool, but no thanks. I actually like that my motherlanguage is a small one that only few can speak. And cos I'm already almost fluent in Japanese I don't feel that I'd need the magic to happen.
» israel8491 on May 20th, 2015, 8:05pm
So... would I like to switch my primary language from English to a language my family and friends do not understand? A language not spoken in my home country? A language only spoken in a country in which I would have a horrifically hard time getting citizenship in (not to mention there's practically no one of my religion in that country, which would make life hard)? No way, not even if you paid me.
» Nirhtuc on May 22nd, 2015, 4:14am
I love Japanese and the way it sounds, but I would never want a magical change of my primary language (which is English). I think English sounds the nicest, to my ear, anyway.
» ajmanga on May 22nd, 2015, 3:18pm
I don't think so. I really appreciate being a native English speaker. I've met too many people who would love to have English as their primary language. In fact, some would kill for it. And I'm sure I'd have to work through hell to learn it just like they do if it wasn't my native language. I've learned Spanish and Chinese, so if I really had a use for it, I probably would learn Japanese, but even then I probably wouldn't care to speak it at a native level.
