English paper
Feb. 7th, 2007 07:27 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
foolish_m0rtalMy friend submitted this for an English assignment. Needless to say, he got an A.
From the Desk of an Otaku.
The teenage girl sitting at her computer screen is chatting away with her friends online. Apparently, the group’s favorite bishy—who was so t3h smex—in their most adored yaoi was killed off, and there was great discussion over the direction that slash made after this event would take. Suddenly, the girl notices the time flickering in the lower right-hand corner of her computer screen. As she releases a squeal, she rapidly types, “OMG, gotta go Naruto on bye!” and logs off. She sprints over to the television and flips it on with the remote just in time to see the opening credits to her favorite anime roll by.
For many people, this past story is almost completely unintelligible. However, the story is not pulling a Jabberwocky on its readers. On the contrary, a very detailed series of events has taken place. To understand these events, however, there is a certain sociolect that one must learn: the language of the anime fan. A combination of English, Japanese, internet-speak, and l337 (pronounced “leet”) make up the anime fan’s vocabulary, dictate the fan’s pronunciation, and emphasize and anime fan’s emotions.
From the Desk of an Otaku.
The teenage girl sitting at her computer screen is chatting away with her friends online. Apparently, the group’s favorite bishy—who was so t3h smex—in their most adored yaoi was killed off, and there was great discussion over the direction that slash made after this event would take. Suddenly, the girl notices the time flickering in the lower right-hand corner of her computer screen. As she releases a squeal, she rapidly types, “OMG, gotta go Naruto on bye!” and logs off. She sprints over to the television and flips it on with the remote just in time to see the opening credits to her favorite anime roll by.
For many people, this past story is almost completely unintelligible. However, the story is not pulling a Jabberwocky on its readers. On the contrary, a very detailed series of events has taken place. To understand these events, however, there is a certain sociolect that one must learn: the language of the anime fan. A combination of English, Japanese, internet-speak, and l337 (pronounced “leet”) make up the anime fan’s vocabulary, dictate the fan’s pronunciation, and emphasize and anime fan’s emotions.
The summation of the four major components of anime-speak gives the sociolect a very diverse and ranged vocabulary. The majority of all words used are English. This does imply that the average person could, in theory, understand anime-speak. There is much more to this, though, than a simple understanding of English. Since anime (pronounced “animay”) is Japanese in origin, it follows that many Japanese terms are used in anime-speak. The two most important words for anime fans, anime and manga, are both taken directly from Japanese. Anime is simply the Japanese word for animation. In Japan, all cartoons are referred to as anime. In America, though, the word only applies to animated shows or movies that either originate in Japan or mimic the Japanese style of animation.
The other term, manga, is a noun referring to the Japanese version of comic books. Also called graphic novels, manga (pronounced “mahn-gah”) are bound like a small paperback novel, but the story within the manga is depicted as it would be in a comic book. These two words are the words that are most often bantied about amongst anime fans. Unlike those terms, however, not all words retained the same meaning when they migrated from Japanese to English. The term otaku in Japan used to refer to an anime fan. Then a child molester who was obsessed with anime became known for calling himself an otaku. Since that day, the word has meant someone who is unhealthily obsessed with anime, especially young women and girls depicted in anime. In America, though, the term does not have such a grave weight. Otaku, as used in English, simply means an above-average anime fan.
Vocabulary-wise, all other terms used in anime-speak come from internet-speak and l337. Internet-speak is the group of abbreviations, acronyms, words, and phrases that people use when speaking over instant messengers or e-mail, including such common phrases as “LOL,” “IM me,” and “<3.” L337 is a more select dialect that arose from internet-speak. This language rests on two premises: first, that letters can be replaced with shapes that look similar to them; and second, that going one key away from the actual letter on a keyboard can still represent the actual letter, as long as the letters look somewhat alike (i.e. “p” can represent “o”). An example of this is the language itself. “3” looks like a backward “E.” “7” looks like a badly-drawn “T.” With that in mind, one can read and interpret “l337.” The two most common phrases used in anime-speak that are borrowed from l337 are “pwn” (translation: own) and “n00b” (translation: newbie). Few terms in anime-speak come from l337, as it is a difficult and sometimes exclusive language. However, there are numerous terms that come from internet-speak.
Considering that the vocabulary of anime-speak comes from such varied sources, pronunciation and grammar is very important. Within the anime-speak-speaking realm, the more fluent one is in the sociolect, the more rigid one becomes in their pronunciation and grammar. According to the unwritten rules of anime-speak, all Japanese terms should be pronounced as they would be in Japanese. Anime is pronounced “animay” and not “anihm,” as it would be pronounced in English. English words and grammar must be used correctly with the exception of when internet-speak or l337 is being used. Even within internet-speak and l337—languages that seem to be the antithesis of grammar—certain unstated “grammatical” rules that were established as each of the two languages developed must be followed. The sociolect is cunningly constructed so that these multiple sets of rules never conflict. English grammar and pronunciation is the base rule and is used in all situations unless Japanese pronunciation or internet-speak and l337, is used, in which the rules of those languages are used instead.
The speakers of anime-speak only bring forth this unique and multi-faceted sociolect when they discuss anime. When this sociolect is used, an inexplicable rule seems to be set as to the manner and conditions in which anime-speak is used. In almost every circumstance, anime speak is used in the context of some extreme emotion. “Oh noz! Inuyasha isn’t a high-quality anime?” is used in extreme sarcasm. “OMG the funniest pucking thing 3vr happened in today’s episode of Outlaw Star!” would represent a great amount of amusement and hyper-ness. “God, why doesn’t Naru stop being a beotch and stop hurting Keitaro?!” expresses deep remorse and frustration. “Vash needz to have mah bebies!” would represent idolism and desire. With few exceptions, anime-speak is used to express an extreme of some emotion or idea.
There are people fluent in anime-speak all around. Almost anyone who watches anime or reads manga would be able to easily interpret the story of the teenage girl. Often the people fluent in this sociolect seem no different from everyone else. If other anime fans meets them, however, and the subject of the latest volume of Bleach comes up, anime-speak will suddenly burst forth from their collected mouths, and the previously inconspicuous people seem to stand out in a new light. From the desk of an otaku, this is the definition of anime-speak.
The other term, manga, is a noun referring to the Japanese version of comic books. Also called graphic novels, manga (pronounced “mahn-gah”) are bound like a small paperback novel, but the story within the manga is depicted as it would be in a comic book. These two words are the words that are most often bantied about amongst anime fans. Unlike those terms, however, not all words retained the same meaning when they migrated from Japanese to English. The term otaku in Japan used to refer to an anime fan. Then a child molester who was obsessed with anime became known for calling himself an otaku. Since that day, the word has meant someone who is unhealthily obsessed with anime, especially young women and girls depicted in anime. In America, though, the term does not have such a grave weight. Otaku, as used in English, simply means an above-average anime fan.
Vocabulary-wise, all other terms used in anime-speak come from internet-speak and l337. Internet-speak is the group of abbreviations, acronyms, words, and phrases that people use when speaking over instant messengers or e-mail, including such common phrases as “LOL,” “IM me,” and “<3.” L337 is a more select dialect that arose from internet-speak. This language rests on two premises: first, that letters can be replaced with shapes that look similar to them; and second, that going one key away from the actual letter on a keyboard can still represent the actual letter, as long as the letters look somewhat alike (i.e. “p” can represent “o”). An example of this is the language itself. “3” looks like a backward “E.” “7” looks like a badly-drawn “T.” With that in mind, one can read and interpret “l337.” The two most common phrases used in anime-speak that are borrowed from l337 are “pwn” (translation: own) and “n00b” (translation: newbie). Few terms in anime-speak come from l337, as it is a difficult and sometimes exclusive language. However, there are numerous terms that come from internet-speak.
Considering that the vocabulary of anime-speak comes from such varied sources, pronunciation and grammar is very important. Within the anime-speak-speaking realm, the more fluent one is in the sociolect, the more rigid one becomes in their pronunciation and grammar. According to the unwritten rules of anime-speak, all Japanese terms should be pronounced as they would be in Japanese. Anime is pronounced “animay” and not “anihm,” as it would be pronounced in English. English words and grammar must be used correctly with the exception of when internet-speak or l337 is being used. Even within internet-speak and l337—languages that seem to be the antithesis of grammar—certain unstated “grammatical” rules that were established as each of the two languages developed must be followed. The sociolect is cunningly constructed so that these multiple sets of rules never conflict. English grammar and pronunciation is the base rule and is used in all situations unless Japanese pronunciation or internet-speak and l337, is used, in which the rules of those languages are used instead.
The speakers of anime-speak only bring forth this unique and multi-faceted sociolect when they discuss anime. When this sociolect is used, an inexplicable rule seems to be set as to the manner and conditions in which anime-speak is used. In almost every circumstance, anime speak is used in the context of some extreme emotion. “Oh noz! Inuyasha isn’t a high-quality anime?” is used in extreme sarcasm. “OMG the funniest pucking thing 3vr happened in today’s episode of Outlaw Star!” would represent a great amount of amusement and hyper-ness. “God, why doesn’t Naru stop being a beotch and stop hurting Keitaro?!” expresses deep remorse and frustration. “Vash needz to have mah bebies!” would represent idolism and desire. With few exceptions, anime-speak is used to express an extreme of some emotion or idea.
There are people fluent in anime-speak all around. Almost anyone who watches anime or reads manga would be able to easily interpret the story of the teenage girl. Often the people fluent in this sociolect seem no different from everyone else. If other anime fans meets them, however, and the subject of the latest volume of Bleach comes up, anime-speak will suddenly burst forth from their collected mouths, and the previously inconspicuous people seem to stand out in a new light. From the desk of an otaku, this is the definition of anime-speak.
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no subject
Date: 2007-02-08 01:15 am (UTC)A+
no subject
Date: 2007-02-08 05:49 pm (UTC)O_O;;
no subject
Date: 2007-02-09 01:12 am (UTC)I kind of find it hilarious.
The Science of Poky
P.S. Guess what roxorz? I found out I can fit my music player in my strawberry Pocky box, so now I'm gonna cut out holes and make it into a music player case. How sick-wonderful is THAT?
no subject
Date: 2007-02-09 05:41 pm (UTC)Apparently my school has an entry there (mildly disturbing...)
Most of the anime-related ones are disappointing because they're written by egotistical fans without too much thought.
-sku
Ps. This would be much better if I knew what kind of music player you had. A creative? I kill apple users because I don't like Apple's ethics... (HAXOR!)
no subject
Date: 2007-02-10 12:49 am (UTC)I should look up my school on wikipedia...
Ha, funny thing about egotistical fans; the Gundam Wing article was written by someone who was so obviously a 1x3x1 fan. So disgustingly obvious! What IS 1x3x1? It wouldn't exist! They'd never TALK to each other!!
no subject
Date: 2007-02-13 01:11 pm (UTC)It's funny that my school's there because we're grades PreK-3 to 12th and we have a little over 1000 people. So small we shouldn't HAVE an entry. Ie. Someone from our school is an egotist.
I honestly ahve no idea what you're tlaking about. ^_^;; I don't watch or read Gundam, but I DO share your howls of outrage about people who ship people that never meet. *growl* So bloody stupid... (Oh wait...like I can talk witht eh weird pairings I've been accepting...)
no subject
Date: 2007-02-19 01:32 am (UTC)1x3x1 shipping is like if...hmm..okay, I can't do it. Every time I think of a crazy JO pairing, I sit back and think about writing about it...
Okay, so Heero (1) is like a very antisocial taciturn Kaname. Trowa (2) is the same way, basically. Trowa is already paired up with Quatre (4), who is a bit like a combination of Mana and Tsukasa except he pilots a giant robot of death. "Kaname" is usually shipped with either Duo (2) who is scarily like Itsuki, or Relena (R) who is like a super pacifist powerless Mana with a pink limousine.
Wow...you know, EVERYTHING can be compared to JO! EVERYTHING! JO is the Eightfold Path!
no subject
Date: 2007-02-20 07:25 pm (UTC)that said, and following you so far, where does the 3 come from? (It sounds as bad as yugiph--those people should KNOW better than to make that many menin a series though...)
no subject
Date: 2007-02-20 08:59 pm (UTC)yugiph?
no subject
Date: 2007-02-20 11:36 pm (UTC)*cackles riotously at typo* Pardon me. Yu-gi-oh. Kid with tricolored porcupine head saves the world by plying cardgames, Yu-gi-oh. Source of my uber PWNED icon, Yu-gi-oh. Spawner of the most awesome youtube spinoff ever, Yu-gi-oh.
Yes. Forgive my typos--you can see why I edit most things rigorously before I post fanfiction. I type like a madwoman.
no subject
Date: 2007-02-23 09:12 pm (UTC)But my friend will come over to talk to me, and I'll turn my head to listen to them but keep on typing. It freaks them out. One of my friends slammed his hand on the keyboard to make me stop and I shouted "NUR, Caius!!"
THen he looks over. "Who's Caius Cadmuionjhehnuhshdo?"
Then I get to rant.
Life is good.
no subject
Date: 2007-02-26 12:22 pm (UTC)Then I get asked questions about my "security laptop". Gor.
Cadmus is worth any number of typos.
Cadmus: *preen* heee! I have fangirls.
Katsuragi: *mopes in the background*
no subject
Date: 2007-02-27 02:24 am (UTC)I write in ancient runes. (you know, elder futhark?)
So, no one else can read it but fellow fantasy and Witch Hunter Robin nerds who may, by freak chance, know futhark.
I just learned it because I was bored last year in Math. It's pretty comparative to English characters, but Elder Futhark is very confusing to read sometimes, so I mixed in some Anglo-saxon futhark so I can READ what I wrote.
no subject
Date: 2007-02-27 05:43 pm (UTC)I don't write 'Azrael', i write "death" or sometimes "violet", and Micahel is "crimson" or "war", Rayyu is "gold", Ragshiel is "dream"...it gets complicated since I don't have this stuff up yet, so you can't see the correlations, but it would likewise be simple for anyone who had the information.
Luckily, very few peopel will ever have that much information. they'd ahve to read the fics to understand. And those who read the fics woul be free to look at my brainstorming. It's a self-solving problem. ^_^
no subject
Date: 2007-02-27 08:03 pm (UTC)Then, later on when I have to type up this grossly cluttered up piece of notebook paper on my computer, I confuse myself, because I can't tell the difference between what I really wanted to type and what was pure exuberance manifested in tactile form.
*smacks herself in the face*
no subject
Date: 2007-02-27 09:38 pm (UTC)But i have a sort of um..."production diary" thing where I fangirl over inspirations and talk to myself about new things I've figured out. Then I go off and write down the ideas in rough form, and come back to them later when i'm inspired again. It works pretty well most times. *shrug*