[Dialect Series] "Chuchu-mange" vs. "Ogame-gatosan"
I visit the library a few times a month as part of my walks, and after more than ten years, I finally encountered this.
As the saying goes, "it is darkest under the lamp," I had been overlooking something right in front of me.
The other day, I found this book.
Compiled in 1972, the beginning states "Yame Dialect: Interim Research Report." It was written by the principals of Tadami Elementary School and Fukushima Junior High School at the time, and it is the first time I have seen such a broad and deeply researched document.
In the [Introduction], the editor explains:
"Dialects have a flavor that only dialects possess," and quotes a tanka poem by Takuboku Ishikawa.
The dialect of my hometown is nostalgic; I go to the train station
to hear it among the crowd.
The editor continues:
However, sadly, today, dialects are on the verge of disappearing.
(Omitted)
The desire to stop falling flowers is the sentiment of one who loves flowers. If so, the desire to preserve a dialect that is about to perish can be called the earnest wish of one who loves language.
It was out of such a heartfelt wish that the research activities for "Yame Dialect," centered on Yame City, were initiated by the research group... (Omitted)
"Yame Dialect" covers a vast number of dialects, divided into "Grammar" and "Vocabulary Classification." In this [Dialect Series], I have chosen words that I personally found particularly interesting.
Chuchu-mange and Ogame-gatosan
First, let's start with the two dialects used in the title.
(By the way, I just came up with a similar title thinking of "Mothra vs. Godzilla." Please note that the two do not actually fight.)
If I were to illustrate it, it might look something like this.
Chuchu-mange means "butterfly," and Ogame-gatosan (also known as Ogama-gatosan) means "praying mantis."
I have heard elderly people in neighborhood gatherings use the term "Chuchu-mange." However, it is almost never used in everyday conversation.
Let me introduce some dialects that describe such "creatures".
Jiisan-Baasan: Sack spider
Kinkobu: Jorogumo spider
Kurotsuchi: Cricket
Hyutango: Tadpole
Jikujikussho: Large brown cicada
Renkonkuu
Next, I have picked up some dialects that describe states, situations, and personalities.
Renkonkuu: To be stylish (*Sui o kikasu means to show off one's sophistication in handling things. It refers to being tactful and understanding in matters between men and women, etc.)
Saadara-Baadara: The state of being scattered and unmanageable.
Ingatto: Properly; neatly.
Shirengoren: To pretend not to know.
Oyonkoyon: The state of being unable to move. Being bewildered.
Nigirigintama: Living a quite comfortable life without working.
"Katakata-yan," "Mogai-nasanna," and other dialects I have experienced.
I have lived in the Chikugo region for over 30 years. Before that, I lived in Kitakyushu City and Munakata City, so I felt the differences in dialects firsthand.
My wife is from Omuta City, so she sometimes uses a dialect close to the Chikugo dialect. For example, she used to speak in situations like the following.
Katakata: When a pair of things do not match. One side. When Rino Sashihara, who had just transferred to HKT48, stood on the stage at the Dontaku Festival and introduced herself.
My wife, who was watching TV, pointed something out.
"Sashii, her socks are katakata."
She meant that the socks Rino Sashihara was wearing were at different heights on each leg.
Dokkiri: Feeling full
When my wife uses this, the nuance sounds like "feeling full and on the verge of indigestion."
When cheese tteok-bokki, which became popular from South Korea, appeared on a food show...
"If you put that much cheese on it, just looking at it makes me feel dokkiri."
Something like that.
Mogau: To tease
When my nephews, who are still in elementary school and kindergarten, are fighting. Words my mother-in-law says to the older one.
"Sogen mogai nasanna" (Stop teasing him so persistently.)
Tsunnau: To be a companion. To go together.
Words my mother-in-law says when my nephews and nieces are going to play together.
"Tsunnute asobi ni kanne" (Go play together as a group.)
Yora: 1. Quietly. Slowly. 2. Without reason. 3. Empty-handed. Without pretense. 4. As is. Calmly.
・When you leave luggage you brought home in the room without putting it away.
"Mata yora shitorou" (You're leaving it as is and neglecting it again, aren't you?)
"Nya" and "Sai"
In "Yame Dialect," this is touched upon in the section on "Grammar/Yoon (contracted sounds)."
It is said that the Higo region has many yoon sounds like "nya," "kya," and "cha"—so much so that it's called "Nagasaki Batten Higo Nya-Nya"—but the Yame region also has quite a lot...
I also often hear "nyaa" when I speak at local community meetings. It is characterized by adding "nyaa" or "sai" to the end of sentences.
Wouldn't it be easier to understand if you listened to actual recorded conversations? Please watch the following video.
This is a video of young people living in Yame having a conversation on the theme of "speak in thick Yame dialect."
You can catch a glimpse of the reality that good old dialects are falling out of use.
However, "nyaa" and "sai" were the first things to come out.
Examples of "long sentences" with a high degree of difficulty
Among the "Dialect Forms / Long Sentence Examples," there were several that I could not decipher.
"Tsukkiyudesshouru, beerabakubenka"
"Kono dadabutchyauumindzurubai"
These are the two. Since the long sentence examples do not have "translations," their meanings remain unknown.
When I listen to what people from the Higo province say these days, I hear them using terms like "miyuru" and "kikoyuru" instead of the "mieru" and "kikoeru" used in the world. This is an elegant way of speaking that is no longer heard in the present age...
In "Yame Dialect," before the "Vocabulary List," the words of the late Edo period scholar Motoori Norinaga are quoted.
Perhaps dialects have had an "elegant" ring to them since ancient times.
Even in the Reiwa era, the heart that feels "elegance" should still remain. I would like to pass on these wonderful dialects so they are not forgotten.
I hope to continue with the spirit of "Sonkurenkotsu oddenshikittze" (I can do at least that much myself).
Thank you for reading until the end.
In addition, the "Dialect Series" covers other interesting dialects. Please take a look at those as well.
[Dialect Series] Let's compare. Four words from "te-te-te" to "ke-ke-ke".
[Dialect Series] The truth about Hakata dialect and the rumors of "tsu" | Let me talk about Kyushu dialects
[Dialect Series] What is "buri-okoshi" that even appears in a song composed by Yuming?
[Dialect Series] Examining the enduring charm of the song "Dendera Ryuba"
[Dialect Series] What if you sang "Let It Be" in a dialect? (Which dialect? Audio included)
[Dialect Series] I saw it! The moment "a-ne" became popular (Wait, which dialect is that?)
[Dialect Series] How does a "kabechoro" chirp?
[Dialect Series] A rabbit breed? Heartwarming episodes of "koporatto"
[Dialect Series] Hearing "binte-iteeshisse" and having a question mark in your head: "What?"
[Dialect Series] "Nanshiyonka-cha" which even Punk Boo Boo uses in their routines
[Dialect Series] Memories of "bibinkoshicharou"
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