Current location:politics >>
VOX POPULI: Contrary to forecasts, spring hasn’t quite sprung yet
politics2714People have gathered around
IntroductionThe Japanese word for spring, “haru,” has a really light and cheerful ring to it.But what if the wor ...
The Japanese word for spring, “haru,” has a really light and cheerful ring to it.
But what if the word were “baru” and not “haru”? The difference is almost negligible, but the image of the season we get may differ greatly between the two.
I once came across a Japanese linguistic study claiming that any word containing a syllable with the “dakuten” diacritic, or “voice mark,” gives an impression of being “heavy.”
The study also posited that the more syllables a noun contains, the “stronger” it sounds.
Perhaps that explains why “haru” sounds light and airy--the opposite of heavy and strong.
In Korean, the word for spring is pronounced “pom." This, too, gives a lighthearted and soft impression.
As for the English “spring,” it sounds--well, bouncy. No surprise: Synonyms of “spring” include “leap” and “jump.” One associates these words with a feeling of anticipation for the start of something new.
In reality, however, spring as a season is obviously not all mild and pleasant. On the contrary, the weather can be outright rough and nasty, with cold rains and gusty winds.
“March comes in like a lion, out like a lamb” is a famous British saying.
In Japan, the “higan” equinoctial week ends on March 23.
According to weather forecasts, the mild winter we had this year was supposed to be followed by an early arrival of spring. But we still need warm jackets. It is as if spring is now being sullen and mean, having taken offense at being told off, “You’re too early.”
A haiku by Fusei Tomiyasu (1885-1979) goes to the effect, “Time has passed/ For all I know/ higan is already over.”
Gazing up at cherry blossom buds that don’t seem to be opening any time soon, I murmur to myself: Come quickly, mild and warm spring.
--The Asahi Shimbun, March 23
* *
*Vox Populi, Vox Dei is a popular daily column that takes up a wide range of topics, including culture, arts and social trends and developments. Written by veteran Asahi Shimbun writers, the column provides useful perspectives on and insights into contemporary Japan and its culture.
Tags:
Reprint:Friends are welcome to share on the Internet, but please indicate the source of the article when reprinting it.“World Watchers news portal”。http://iraq.cassettedesign.com/news-26b099973.html
Related articles
Kristin Cavallari, 37, ignores critics of her age
politicsKristin Cavallari is enjoying a romantic rendezvous with her much younger cowboy lover Mark Estes in ...
【politics】
Read moreChina Invests Heavily in Tibet's Cultural Heritage Affairs
politicsContact Us HomeNewsHighlightACWF NewsSocietyWom ...
【politics】
Read moreMiao Girl Embraces New Life Thanks to Poverty Alleviation Efforts
politicsContact Us HomeNewsHighlightACWF NewsSocietyWom ...
【politics】
Read more
Popular articles
- Brazil replaces injured goalkeeper Ederson in Copa America squad
- China Achieves Full Coverage of Educational Assistance
- China Unveils Shenzhou
- World Children's Day Celebrated with Light Shows Across China
- Six killed in a 'foiled coup' in Congo, the army says
- China's 40th Antarctic Scientific Expedition Begins
Latest articles
Student fatally shot, suspect detained at Georgia's Kennesaw State University
Efforts to Improve Child Development in Rural Areas
Rural Tourism Route Injects New Momentum into Countryside in SW China's Chongqing
China's New Visa
California congressman urges closer consultation with tribes on offshore wind
Beijing Greets the 3rd Belt and Road Forum for Int'l Cooperation
LINKS
- Chinese, Dominican Presidents Exchange Congratulations on 20th Anniversary of Diplomatic Ties
- Multinationals committed to China
- Xi Presents Order to Promote Military Officers to Rank of General
- Draft rules to improve data security released
- FM hopes enterprises will cherish opportunity to invest, develop in Xinjiang
- Xi, Honduran President Exchange Congratulations on 1st Anniversary of Ties
- Chinese FM mourns passing of renowned Japanese conductor Seiji Ozawa
- Safe, healthy cyberspace key for young people
- Objection to cease
- Xi Extends Condolences to Putin over Deadly Moscow Concert Hall Terror Attack