Sketch 2026/04/29

I was born in Tokyo.
I cannot speak anything other than the standard language.

When I was a child, I used to watch a morning serial drama called Futarikko.
That was where I first learned of a Japanese language other than the one I spoke.

Kansai dialect.

I want to try speaking it. It's interesting.
Even though it's the same language, the sounds are different.
The rhythm is different, too.
I was intensely drawn to it.

I like the expression 'regional dialect'.
There are many ways to say a single thing.
It is packed with the local climate and culture.

Knowing something and being able to speak it are completely different things, and
since I don't live there either,
I felt a vague resistance to speaking it in a fake way.

But I had always admired it.

I guess my perfectionism was at work even in a place like this.
I thought I might try it, even if it was fake,
or rather, I had no choice but to do it,
and when I took the plunge and spoke it,

'Oh? Do you live in Kansai?'

I was surprised to be asked that.
Of course, I think there are many parts that are wrong.
But I think I was able to capture the vibe.

Although I am far from the native speaker I admire,
observing, listening carefully, and imitating is fun.

Even if someone says it doesn't sound like it,
or that it's completely different,
I felt like that was fine, too.

After all, I, the one doing it, know best.
Even so, it's fine.

I felt a little proud of myself
for being able to think that way.

……Well, what I'm doing
is just playing around (laughs).