The more I learn, the more I feel the difference between JPN & ENG. Another word I struggle in translation is “想像力”. The direct translation is “Imagination”. However, what I would like to convey is more like “an ability to imagine to the point of ‘what if I were’”. Some Japanese social issues happen due to lack of this imagination. An example, “自己責任” which is also difficult to translate. It is a phrase to blame a socially vulnerable with no imagination how they became vulnerable. “You didn’t do your responsibility, therefore, you are there” is a phrase we often hear(d). Sure. Some of them may deserve the harsh situation. However, we must have an ability to imagine to the point of “caring” in any situation. The Sashiko with “Imagination” is my favorite.
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Why is Sashiko still practiced in Japan (despite similar hand-stitching which should have existed everywhere in the world). Why can he talk so much about Sashiko with so much energy? Please keep imagining “why“. The “quick answer” and “accurate information” is important. The straightforward message is a key to success. Many will follow the loud & clear voice. However, we now live in a society where we “can” choose what we would pass down to the future. Please imagine why there are not so many Japanese who have a loud voice in Sashiko/Boro. Please imagine why I write here in English prior to Japanese. Please imagine why we can stitch so much & so beautifully. Please imagine why I ask you to “respect”. Please imagine the Japanese people who exist(ed) behind the word. Please do not stop imagining… which will lead us to learn. Learning will bring respect. The respect enables us to care more. Sashiko is more than a trend.
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連日長々と英文のみの投稿で申し訳ないです。今回は単純な思いを言葉にしているので、機械翻訳でも大丈夫だとは思うのですが、一言で要約すると、「想像力を大切にする社会であってほしい」という、刺し子配信を聞いてくださっている人なら、耳にタコができるくらい聞いた僕の根本的な願いです。想像力、実は英語に直訳できる単語 – Imagination が微妙にしっくりきません。僕が願うのは、「もし自分だったら」という想像力を絶やさないことです。様々な刺し子がありますが、僕は想像力が感じられる刺し子が好きです。だからこそ、英語でも伝えなきゃと。
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2020-12-15 09:56:18
Bellísimo 💛🧡💚
so in English we have the phrase “to put yourself in someone else’s shoes”
It sounds like your “imagination” word would be some kind of imagination, together with empathy or feeling what someone else might be going through. a beautiful concept, even if we don’t have one specific word to describe it.
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👏👏👏👏❤️
The words I’d use in this situation would be empathy and humility. Japan and US a totally different value system that makes it difficult to bridge the ideas.. Japanese society has such an emphasis on humility or the look of humility, while humility is not always rewarded in the US, in comparison. That’s why I think how we approach tradition from other cultures so differently.