[finnmontserrat]

In rare form a Flame thread took a positive turn. It was suggested in that thread that a new section dedicated to Japanese language be created. Let’s put it to vote and let Neil do the real work.

[gedsiz]

Im not sure whats more suprising: the fact that there is a NO on the poll or the fact that someone actually voted for it!!!! I cant think of a single reason why someone wouldnt want a Japanese Language section.. surely if you are not interesed in it you just dont read it?

[CathBraun]

I haven't voted because I don't want to try and stop people doing what they want, but I do wonder how much use it will be. After all, we have very few native speakers here, who are the only people who really have the voice of authority. That means that there's a good chance that people will end up feeding each other misinformation (with of course the best intentions), a situation not entriely dissimilar to the way that certain pieces of kendo trivia get mutated into something they were never meant to be once they take seed in foreign lands...

I've seen forums that have this kind of thing before, and they have invariably been a travesty. Still, just because I'm a pessimist doesn't mean others have to be as well... prove to me that I am the miserable cynic people paint me as!

[GennadiyRom]

There are often language queries in other areas of the forum: I think a new section would just help to keep it all organised. I also think that those of us non-native speakers who understand some Japanese are aware of our limits and are happy to do real research if we need to.

I think we should give it a go.

[KellyLynchIV]

I'm for it in principal, as long as it doesn't turn into a forum for show offs who decide to converse in it injapanese about various totally irrelevant (read not kendo and therefore should be in the lounge anyway) subjects just cause they want to lord their language skills about.

It its informative : yes

If its for people to chit chat in N-go : no

As mentioned by king, loads of other general japanese interest websites have sections dedicated to spooling off in pigeon japanese, and I think this forum needs one of them like a hole in the atama.

[pfcwlkxav]

It its informative : yes

If its for people to chit chat in N-go : no

Absolutely agreed. I can't imagine anything worse than the second option, in fact. If I want to chat in Japanese I can go and talk with any number of Japanese friends, and I'm sure it's the same for other people. There are dedicated sites for people who just want to practise their Japanese - this isn't the place for that.

[Slonopotam845]

Ugh, the last thing I want to do is chit chat in Japanese. Japanese all day everyday.... English please.

Good comments all around. King makes an excellent point.

[Brainpole]

I think its possilbe to have interesting discussions about Japanese language in relation to budo without falling into Japanese cock size comparison or pidgin Japanese drivel discussions.

There is a section on E-budo like this, but nobody ever posts in it.

[praboobolbode]

Japanese cock size comparison

Whoa! Where did that come from?

There is a section on E-budo like this, but nobody ever posts in it.

This is what I suspect. If it gets created it will probably be dead.

[duminyricky]

As long as at least one moderator is fluent in Japanese and can spot any wrongdoings going on in that forum, then it should be a fine addition.

[VINPELA]

I think it would be useful as we usually relate with japanese people and have no idea of comunicating with them, OK some know some basic things, but it´d still be helpful, also many of us try to learn some japanese with or without a formal teacher, and having help in kendo related things would be great.

I voted yes.

[movlabk]

For Japanese speakers: does the abilty to speak Japanese help in any way your study of kendo/iaido/whatever?

Wait, you dont have to reply... the answer is: absolutely.

For non-Japanese speakers: do you think that learning more about the terms and concepts that you use in the dojo would have a positive impact on your training?

Wait, you dont have to reply... the answer is: absolutely.

As long as we keep it Kendo/Iaido then - even if its not used much (urm, when did you last post in the Jodo forum?) - where can we go wrong? There is at least one extremely fluent person here who posts on KW a lot (the most pessimistic), one currently in full time Japanese study, one person who works as a translator, and others who live in Japan and have access to Japanese people, sempai, sensei etc who they can question... not to forget Kendo Worlds Alex - though he doesnt post a lot - is also more than fluent.

If we are talking Japanese, then I dont measure up with a lot of people.... against the locals in an onsen im pretty confident however.

[herawaq]

Whoa! Where did that come from?

I think I meant Japanese language ability cock size comparison but it looks like it came out wrong.

[lidya-sggf]

I don't know what the overall benefit would be.

Kendo World prides itself on being the only kendo magazine/website in English... although I really don't care if a japanese section is added.
Seems the vast majority of users here don't speak much Japanese, and so adding a "Japanese language -only" forum would seem to be somewhat divisive, in my opinion.

There are several German speakers here --- why not open a German-only forum? How about a Korean forum for the kumdo guys? On and on....

Anyway, I also am hesitant about the idea because I wonder if the Japanese speakers would wind up just hanging out in that one forum all the time... and if that were to happen, then some of us might lose out on getting advice/thoughts/help from them.

[johnsonjunior]

There is a section on E-budo like this, but nobody ever posts in it.

The difference between e-budo in here is that there are many more sections than there is here. I also notice a little less action going on over there from my perspective.

Personally, I wouldn't mind just having the forum to test to see if it works or not. If there isn't a lot of activity, then the section can be shut down. I don't really see too many problems with the forum cause, unlike martial arts, a foreign language can be researched for correct information and easily verified by more knowledgeable people on the forum.

And when they say Japanese language section, I think they mean questions about the Japanese language, not necessarily a forum for people to only type the language. I think the section's purpose should be elaborated on to get a better picture of what's going on.

[ananciguinter]

To clarify, I believe we are talking about an English language section for the discussion of Japanese language that relates to budo. Just having discussions in Japanese would be utterly pointless.

[unlomarma]

a "Japanese language -only" forum would seem to be somewhat divisive, in my opinion.

We did not mean a section for Japanese speakers to chat. That would be wank. It's for the reasons Oroshi and Kenshi wrote above; to organize the growing Japanese language inquiries, and to possibly help with the study of kendo or whatever, because understanding the language of kendo is pretty helpful.

*Beat me to it

[Emunsesoxmete]

I´m getting more and more convinced of the urge to have this sections as I´ve searched a little around and ther´s language-related posts everywhere it would be very helpful to have them together, and also, the topics I´m talking about seem to be helpful too!

[usaguedriedax]

I think I meant Japanese language ability cock size comparison but it looks like it came out wrong.

What you think you meant and what your really meant are probably different. We all know what you really meant.

---

As for Japanese-only chat forum.. no one mentioned that.

[gernica]

This section may be called "dancing floor for flies with legs full of ink"
I can't read japanese (I'm thinking about learning it) but I like how it looks.

BTW, I'm realising that writing smileys in kanji is a challenge.