Dec 12

WIT LIfe #186: 今年の漢字

Earthquake Tsunami, Translating/Interpreting, Uncategorized, WIT Life, Writers Comments Off on WIT LIfe #186: 今年の漢字

WIT Life is a periodic series written by professional Writer/Interpreter/Translator Stacy Smith (Kumamoto-ken CIR, 2000-03). She starts her day by watching Fujisankei’s newscast in Japanese, and here she shares some of the interesting tidbits and trends together with her own observations.

At Kyoto’s Kiyomizu Temple, 今年の漢字 (kotoshi no kanji), or the kanji of the year was just announced to be 絆 (kizuna) or bonds between people.  According to the Japanese Kanji Proficiency Society, the rationale behind its selection by the based on ideas from the public was that in a disaster-ridden year that brought a nation closer together, kizuna best reflects the events of 2011.  These bonds include those among family members, friends and neighbors, as well as refers to support from abroad.  It was chosen with the hope that the world will continue to coalesce to help restore Japan.

As for how this year’s お正月 (oshougatsu) nine months after the disaster will be spent, it seems as if most people are being low-key and staying close to home due to 3-11.  Many are still in mourning for the lives that were lost, and this probably will continue until the one-year anniversary next year.  People aren’t even sure what to write on their new year’s cards, as the typical 新年おめでとう (shinnen omedetou) or “Happy New Year!” may not be appropriate.  Below are some suggestions (in Japanese) for what to write on 年賀状 (nengajou) to those in the disaster area.

被災地への年賀状

地震・風水害などで被災した知人に年賀状を出していいものか、悩むところです。避難生活の日々では年賀状どころではなく、「おめでとう」と新年を祝う気持ちになれない方が多いと思います。逆に、年賀状が励みになるかもしれません。元気を出してもらいたいから、あえて普通の年のように年賀状を送るという考えもあります。
また逆に、不安に駆られる日々の中では「頑張って」との励ましもかえって辛く思われるかもしれません。年賀状ではなく、年内にお見舞い状として送るか、時期を遅らせて年明けに寒中見舞いを送るのもよいと思います。年賀状ではなく年始の挨拶状として送るなら、「年始のご挨拶を申し上げます」などの挨拶語からはじめ、復興と幸福を願う内容にします。「賀」「寿」「おめでとう」などの祝いの語は使わず、以下のような言葉を送りましょう。

祝いの語を使わない例

  • 新年のご挨拶を申し上げます
  • 初春のご挨拶を申し上げます
  • 幸多き年でありますように
  • 平和な一年でありますように
  • 新しい年が明るい年でありますように
  • 一陽来復
  • 笑門来福
いずれにしても、自分の身に置き換えて先方のことを思いやり、気遣い、一日も早い立ち直りを祈りましょう。

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