There are all sorts of Kagoshima dialect. In fact there are 4 languages even in Kagoshima mainland. The Satsuma peninsula has 2 languages and the Oosumi peninsula has 2 languages too. And each island has their own language. So when a stranger come, they notice soon. All of language is difficult for strangers to understand. Why they have many languages in a clan? There are various views that they don't want to give sweetpotato or they don't want to let know about their smuggling.
We introduce a language used at the Kimotsuki county in the Oosumi peninsula mainly where we lived for 9 years. It is a little different from the general Kagoshima dialect which is always used in long-running historical drama series on NHK TV. We hope you feel its difference is interesting. If you can, please try to use them in ordinary conversation. Now Kagoshima dialect is influenced by the standard Japanese and young people gradually lose. But the dialect is very important calture. We hope they keeps Kagoshima dialect as many as possible. By the way, I didn't notice they talked the standard Japanese even they say the standard Japanese when I have just moved to Kagoshima prefecture, because they talked the standard Japanese using Kagoshima dialect's pronunciation. (- -;)
Because we introduce the naturall pronunciation we heard, it may be not exact.
Attarashika! ・・・ Mottainai!
|
It means it can be used more. It is famous for people those who study Japanese ancient writing. Atarashii means "new" directly, but it show it is too new to dump it. When we drop confections, our grandmother always said us so.
|
Amame ・・・ A big and black...in the kitchen...Oh, no! We don't want to say the name! ＞＜ｑ
|
It is a harmful insect. Why Kagoshima people call it such as an elegant name. The word is convenient for restaurants. Out of Kagoshima people don't understand what the staff talk about.
|
Ikensuttoyo ・・・ How do you do?
|
Ikensukka. Ikensugga. There are some expression. The end of a sentence shows the individuality.
|
|
It is able to be heard it "Ishicha!" for me who was born in Tokyo. I have never watched man have used this word. So it may be a women's language.
|
Ittomakkuiya ・・・ Wait a minute.
|
Itto means a little or a minute.
|
Imakarakurukarane ・・・ Now I go.
|
The literal translation of Imakarakurukarane is that now I come. People who don't know the real meaning will confuse they hear at the first time. They may fail the appointment place. Kgoshima people turn something go come. We show an actual conversation between my friend and me. We had promised to meet at my home, but she didn't come on time. So I called her. : Tokyo people "You don't come yet, so I worry you and call." Kagoshima people "I'm sorry. Now (I) come." Tokyo people "Oh. Do I have to go, don't I?" Kagoshima people "No. I come." Tokyo people "??????!!!!!!"
|
Unnya ・・・ No, Fail, Different etc.
|
We sometimes hear it Una or Nna. Are our ears strange? This is an easy Kagoshima dialect.
|
|
Oi means you as Kansai region people, but it means I as Kagoshima people. On the other hand, Wai means I as Kansai region people, but it means you as Kagoshima people. They are opposite completely. Kansai people and Kagoshima people don't talk well each other. This is a male language, so women must not use.
|
|
It looks as Kyoto dialect. Some Kagoshima people said they had never heard this word, so it may be used in a small area only.
|
|
It is used for both of firm tofu and silken tofu. But now almost young people don't use the word and say Film, Silken or Tofu easily.
|
|
It shows a young woman from a good family. If you call older women using this word, they will be glad it.
|
Oyattosaa ・・・ Much appreciated.
|
Young people say "Otsukaresama" in general whici is a standard word. We don't know how many years do young people understand its meaning for.
|
|
The negative imperative form is Orabunna. Its free translation means "Don't be noisy!".
|
Onjyo ・・・ the old, useless Japanese silver leaf (Tsuwabuki)
|
It isn't rarely used for the old now. We feel it shows the useless Japanese silver leaf in general. When Kagoshima people go to a mountain for the collection of Japanese silver leaf in the season, they select the young and short it with a small leaf and a lot of downy on the fine stalk only. They call the smooth Japanese silver leaf without downy Onjyo and override. Its nuance show the useless material not the old.
|
|
It is Karaimo officially. But there is no people who pronounce so. Because sweetpotato came from the Satsuma clan for common Japanese, they call it Satsumaimo. But because it came from China(Kara) for Kagoshima people, they call it Karaimo. By the way, Kagoshima people call moso bamboo(Mousoudake) Karatake. Karatake glown up in Kagoshima prefecture is thick and huge. It is suitable for Float Thin Wheat Noodles. Then, people sometimes call the Kagoshima dialect the Karaimo standard language because it is too hard to understand.
|
|
When a mosquito bit someone, they are sometimes said "Kakajinna (Never scratch)".
|
Kibakkuiya ・・・ do one's best
|
Kibaranne (do one's best more) is also OK. The predicative form is Kibaru. There are many variation how to use.
|
|
When men ask somebody "Meshi Kuikeko (Let's go lunch)". Women sometimes say "Kuwanne (Do eat)", but it is a male language mainly. Women rarely use Kuu. They use Tamoru. When they ask someone, they say "Tamoranne (Do eat)". It is used by men too. Kuu may be commonly used by men. On the other hand, Tamoru mey be a polite language. My intuition tells that the regional difference of this word whould big.
|
|
It is used by women mainly. There are some variation for example "Gurashikakot (What a pitiful thing it is!)". But in generall, a only one word Gurashika is used.
|
|
Kagoshima people sometimes add Hiku to the the beginning of a word and say Hikkeshimu. Its mean is same as Keshimu. In case of a quarrel, they abuse and say Keshime (Kill you) as same as another prople.
|
|
It is a women's language roughly. Especially junior high girls call and call repeatedly. It just like a women's duty. Because they say desperately such as they are possessed by an evil spirit, out of Kagoshima people will be bewildered.
|
