Current location:Horizon Herald news portal > sport
VOX POPULI: Contrary to forecasts, spring hasn’t quite sprung yet
Horizon Herald news portal2024-05-21 18:11:47【sport】4People 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.
Address of this article:http://northernmarianaislands.antjekoch.com/html-60c099935.html
Very good!(41159)
Related articles
- Hall of Fame outfielder Ken Griffey Jr. to lead Indianapolis 500 field in Corvette pace car
- Kate will 'lean on' her trusted nanny Maria Borrallo as she recovers from abdominal surgery
- Queen Letizia and King Felipe arrive at funeral of Fernando Gomez
- 'It has taken us time to explain to George, Charlotte and Louis
- ‘The Blue Angels,’ filmed for IMAX, puts viewers in the ‘box’ with the elite flying squad
- A slippery, dim
- KEIR STARMER: My commitment to the UK's nuclear deterrent is... Unshakeable. Absolute. Total
- Prince William spotted on 'low
- The unstoppable duo of Emma Stone and Yorgos Lanthimos
- Sophie Wessex and daughter Lady Louise are Queens of the royal hand
Popular articles
Recommended
Tom Brady and Jay
When the touchy
Hong Kong gov't contacts police over satirical fake press release congratulating porn star
Crown Prince Hussein and Princess Rajwa of Jordan announce they are expecting a baby this summer
Ohio judge to rule Monday on whether the state’s abortion ban stands
Who is Tiggy Legge
JAN MOIR: Why JK Rowling SHOULDN'T forgive the weaselly band
Listen up: Northland to test tsunami sirens
Links
- President Biden says he's 'happy to debate' Trump: Election 2024
- Shocking moment Las Vegas substitute teacher, 27, brawls with student 'who called him the n
- Terrifying moment gunman, 22, opens fire on Birmingham street packed with bars and pubs
- Ashley Judd, #MeToo founders react to ruling overturning Harvey Weinstein's conviction
- Antiques Roadshow guest receives SHOCKING appraisal after learning the secret history of her grandma
- Florida's Bob Graham remembered as a governor, senator of the people
- A ban in Kansas on gender
- Microsoft quarterly profit rises 20% as tech giant pushes to get customers using AI products
- Mississippi legislative leaders swap proposals on possible Medicaid expansion
- Shocking moment Las Vegas substitute teacher, 27, brawls with student 'who called him the n