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I would love to hear some opinions on the usage of Japanese Terminology in class. Over the years, I have found two camps to this and some fight their point fervently. On one hand, you have people who believe in keeping the Japanese terms because that is the origin of the art. Others think that keeping those terms just makes it more difficult for newcomers to learn. First they have to learn the terminology and second they have to learn the technique. I have had discussions with some students who want to argue about the "correct" name of a technique. Different schools have different names for things and at the end of the day, I say it doesn't matter what you call it, does it work. If that is true, then why use the Japanese at all. Why not just use the English transalation and save everyone the trouble. I have run into this discussion my entire training career and would love to hear some thoughtful responses to this. Thank you.
I agree on the terms sticking in my head. But it has been so long since I struggled learning them, it is a bit fuzzy for me now. also, it sounds cooler.
People learn the names of the techniques as they keep doing them again and again, they don't just sit down and memorize them. So, it's mainly not an issue.
If the names of your techniques are descriptive, then I think translating in a language the person doesn't know would only hinder understanding the technique. You get a moment like, "Oh 'Ape Chagi' means 'Front Kick'? That makes a lot of sense as it is a kick we do to the front."
Then again, if you are doing 'Maiden Hides Her Torn Dress' which is apparently a kick, then I guess it really doesn't matter what you call it.
I gave up on using the the Japanese names I found it complicated things for some people, besides what does being able to count to 10 in Japanese have to do with MA.
"A rose by anyother name..."
__________________
My Personal Mantra:
Where I walk, I walk alone...
Given unto the winds, I am free...
And yet a slave to my own soul...
I got a lot of Japanese terms pounded into my head (sometimes literally) while training in Yokosuka, but, since returning to the states, I've forgotten most of them. I can understand wanting to use them to keep with tradition and link the art to its cultural roots. However, I don't like anything that unnessecarily inhibits training.
__________________ "An eye for an eye only blinds the world." - Ghandi
"Imagination is more important than knowledge." - Albert Einstein
"Without deviation from the norm progress is not possible." - Frank Zappa
I use the Japanese in class. The only reason is that if any of my students ever wish to go to Japan to train, they will have a BASIC understanding of what the instructor wants to see. I have found that when teaching a traditional martial art such as Okinawan Karate styles like mine, some of the students actually have either already been, or WANT to go to Japan. Whether it's for a visit, or to train, or for work, they want to go there. So this will help them in their training when they arrive there. Also, the learning of a new language in class assists in strengthening the mind. It's like any other muscle. If you work it regularly, it will last much longer and become stronger with time.
Thats just my .02 worth on this subject. Others may disagree, but they don't have to train in my school either. In an MMA structured school, I would never use the Japanese.
For Judo it's actually easier sometimes to use the japanese terms.
This may be true Joe. I'm going to find out soon enough though. But I may find it more difficult as the Judo instructor is from Cuba and speaks with a heavy Cuban accent.
This may be true Joe. I'm going to find out soon enough though. But I may find it more difficult as the Judo instructor is from Cuba and speaks with a heavy Cuban accent.
Wait until he forgets to not speak spanish and gives 20 minutes of instruction in cuba-spanish... lol
Had a friend from Perto Rico do that to me, I just shook my head like I was following then looked at him with real dumb look on face and said "I got everything you just said and I paying perfect attention but could repeat it in English..." I was my spanish was half as good as my Russian...
__________________
My Personal Mantra:
Where I walk, I walk alone...
Given unto the winds, I am free...
And yet a slave to my own soul...
This may be true Joe. I'm going to find out soon enough though. But I may find it more difficult as the Judo instructor is from Cuba and speaks with a heavy Cuban accent.
HA! A Cuban accent with Japanese terms! I am familiar with this, though, but with a thick Portuguese accent of course.
You know how hard it is to understand what's going on in a tournament when you're coach is yelling at you:
"OSOTO GARI!! OMOPLATA!!! UCHI MATA TO MATA LEAO!!!"
I'm like "WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?"
__________________ And who knows, he might could tap me. BUT I have enough confidence in my game to say he can't.
- Jade Dragon
Styles: Western Boxing, Tai Chi, Animal Form Kung Fu, and Wing Chun
Posts: 4,510
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I won't teach or learn Japanese terms in class, but that's causse I'm a Chinese stylist
I do think knowing the terms from the country of origin is helpful. It makes you think in a different way and I find that helpful when explaining concepts. Both the Mandarin term and the English translation are used by my instructor and when I start teaching again I imagine that I'll do it the same way. Someone being to lazy to learn the Mandarin terms for what we do seems a very thin reason not to teach it. Of course reinforcing the Mandarin terms with physical action helps a lot in retention.
I won't teach or learn Japanese terms in class, but that's causse I'm a Chinese stylist
I do think knowing the terms from the country of origin is helpful. It makes you think in a different way and I find that helpful when explaining concepts. Both the Mandarin term and the English translation are used by my instructor and when I start teaching again I imagine that I'll do it the same way. Someone being to lazy to learn the Mandarin terms for what we do seems a very thin reason not to teach it. Of course reinforcing the Mandarin terms with physical action helps a lot in retention.
Ooo...look at me I'm all fancy cause I speak Mandarin...oooo....
__________________ And who knows, he might could tap me. BUT I have enough confidence in my game to say he can't.
- Jade Dragon
I won't teach or learn Japanese terms in class, but that's causse I'm a Chinese stylist
I do think knowing the terms from the country of origin is helpful. ...
Thanks. I didn't mean to slight other languages but I did post in the Aikido forum and that being from Japan, I made certain assumptions. I meant no disrespect. Toa chie.
Use of Japanese Terminology.
Linear Mode
