“Kind and Clear Communications (#2): How Would You Like Me to Call You?”
When we meet someone new, one of the first things we think about is what to call them. As this is my second installment, I, too, have just met the readers of the newsletter. Here, I discuss polite ways to call someone’s name in the United States.
The PDF version of this month’s newsletter is available here.
あまり年齢に関係なく、周りのほとんどの人を下の名前で呼べるようになるのは、職場に入ってからでしょう（肩書が重要な政府機関など、一部例外はあります）。取引先など外部の方とやり取りをする際は、自己紹介における相手の名乗り方に従います。分からない時は名字を使えばよいでしょうし、相手が堅苦しいと感じれば、Call me Stacy. などと明示的に言ってくれるでしょう。しばらくメールなどでやり取りをして、十分親しくなった時には、冒頭で Hi Fred (if I may) と書けば、「よろしければ今後は下の名前で呼ばせていただきます」と一言で表現できます。
名字に関しては、もとは別の国のものでも、米国に移民した後で英語らしい発音に変わる場合があります（名字ではありませんが、たとえばアイオワ州のDes Moines（デモイン）市は、フランス語が英語化した一例です）。また、同じ名字でも、それぞれの家系の歴史によって読み方や綴りが異なる場合があります。私の知り合いにも、日本の「森さん」がMoreyさんになった日系アメリカ人の方がいます。いろいろと複雑ではありますが、名刺交換の際に発音を聞けば、会話のネタになります。どこから来た名字かを聞いても話が広がりますが、その場合には、「ヒスパニックのお名前ですか」などと決めつけず、May I ask the origins of your name? とオープンな形で聞いた方が丁寧でしょう。
下の名前に関しては、ニックネーム、2～3文字のイニシャル、ミドルネームを使う方もいます。日本の駐在員にも、本名を短くしたニックネームを使っている方がいますが、覚えてもらいやすいだけでなく、親しみも感じられて、素晴らしいと思います。 名字か下の名前か、どう発音するのか、ニックネームやミドルネームがよいのか。英語では、日本語以上に多様な呼び方があります。名前は相手の大切なアイデンティティです。憶測するより、How would you like me to call you? と聞くと、そこから会話が始まり、良い人間関係のスタートを切ることができるように思います。
Last week, I had the good fortune of interpreting for Governor Shiota of Kagoshima prefecture, who visited DC for a few days with a large delegation to promote local agricultural and fishery products. Apparently, half of Kagoshima’s agricultural and fishery exports come to the U.S. (mainly the West Coast), and they are looking to further expand their customer base to other regions within the U.S.
I accompanied the Kagoshima delegation as they participated in the Japanese Street Festival (part of the National Cherry Blossom Festival) and promoted its tea and shochu, among many other products. I was surprised to learn that Kagoshima is the largest producer of tea in Japan. This includes green tea but many other varieties as well, including black tea (for which they are also the #1 producer in Japan!), hojicha, and oolong.
Tourism banner at the Japanese Street Festival
One of the greatest highlights during the delegation’s visit was a reception held at the Japanese ambassador’s residence. Chefs of several local restaurants showcased creative dishes using Kagoshima ingredients, including yellowtail, wagyu, eel, bonito flakes, and burdock root. Tea and shochu from Kagoshima once again had their own booths, much to the delight of guests. (I was especially thrilled to see Hamada Syuzou, who I had interpreted for seven years ago at an event at the Smithsonian!)
Gov. Shiota brought four samurai (wearing armor made in Kagoshima!), who each carried banners promoting livestock, fishery, tea, and shochu
This was a particularly meaningful assignment for me because my grandparents (who were originally from Tokyo) used to live in Kagoshima City. I spent many summers visiting them, and even got to attend a local elementary school for a few weeks. I have great memories enjoying the view of the majestic Sakurajima, being fascinated by how the city is regularly covered in volcanic ash, relishing heaps of black pork, and learning about the unique history of the Satsuma Domain at the end of the Edo period (including taking on a fight with Great Britain!) .
Many thanks to Governor Shiota and the Kagoshima delegation for the opportunity, Ambassador Yamada and everyone at the Embassy of Japan for their wonderful hospitality, and Grace Eventive for kindly introducing me to the delegation!
Tiny and super adorable signage, tatami mat, and little bottle promoting Daiyame, one of Hamada Syuzou’s shochus
“Kind and Clear Communications (#1): For Yourself and for Others”
I feel very fortunate that I now have a new platform: starting this month, I will be writing a column in the newsletter of the Japan Commerce Association of Washington, DC. In this series, I will focus on communication practices in the U.S. and ways to express ourselves clearly in a low-context culture. At the same time, I will discuss how to be mindful and considerate of others—values Japan is known for—while remaining authentic in a way that builds empathy. I hope to discuss a communications style that is easy to understand and kind to both ourselves and others—in other words, sincere, straightforward, and open. In this first installment, I discuss my background and explain why I value communications.
The PDF version of this month’s newsletter is available here.
I appeared as a guest on “Washington Weekly,” a podcast produced by the DC bureau of the Japanese broadcasting company TBS.
For this episode, I had the opportunity to talk about the U.S.-Japan Summit that was held in DC on Mar. 19. Mr. Sunao Takao, a Japanese diplomat who’s renowned for serving as the interpreter for many prime ministers–and even noted by President Trump–interpreted for PM Takaichi. I discuss particular phrases during the summit and the dinner afterwards where I thought Takao-san’s renditions were especially wonderful.
I had the opportunity to work with Takao-san at the Embassy of Japan in DC a while ago. He’s now in Tokyo as the head of the Status of U.S. Forces Agreement Division at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), which must keep him incredibly busy, but he continues to interpret at these important meetings. He also met this year’s participants of the Japanese American Leadership Delegation Program (organized by my former workplace, the U.S.-Japan Council, and sponsored by MOFA) and discussed bilateral relations. I respect him immensely for balancing all of this!
The episode (in Japanese) is available at the above Spotify link.
“Compassionate Phrases in English (#24): Until We Meet Again”
Here’s the latest for my column in “Sakura Shimbun,” a Japanese community paper in DC and Houston. Sadly, the print edition of the paper is coming to an end, and this will also be the final piece of my column. Thank you for your support for the past two years (or nearly three years, if we include the previous column, “Polite Phrases in English”)! It’s been a wonderful journey reflecting on communications in various settings. For this last installment, I discuss how to say farewell and convey our gratitude to those who have supported us—while expressing our hope that we will meet again.
When I was writing my previous column, “Polite Phrases in English,” Sakura Shimbun was published twice a month. But due to COVID, it went on hiatus for a few years. I was so happy when it came back (now publishing once a month), and I was able to contribute again with this new column that focuses on compassion. Community papers like these, available for free in Japanese restaurants and grocery stores, are invaluable. Friends and acquaintances often told me, “I happened to pick one up and was surprised to come across your column!” It must have been incredibly difficult to operate solely on advertising revenue, and it’s truly wonderful that they continued to publish it for 20 years. While the end of the print version is an unfortunate symptom of ongoing changes in the media landscape, I’m glad to hear that the web edition will continue, and I look forward to reading articles and event announcements online.
I will be concluding this column for now, but I hope to write again on other platforms, so please be on the lookout for those!
まず、長らく働いた職場を去るとき。同僚には、After working together until the wee hours to prepare for our annual conferences, I feel like we’ve bonded like family. I’ll really miss our banter! などと言えるでしょう。同じ町や業界の中で転職する場合には、We’ll continue to be in the same industry, so I’m sure we’ll have opportunities to work together. Don’t be a stranger! Reach out anytime if there’s anything I can do to help. などと言えます。
定年退職する場合には、I ended up staying until retirement because I just couldn’t find a better workplace. But as much as I’d like to be here forever, I need to make way for the next generation. などという冗談でしんみりした雰囲気を和ませることもできます。I’m happy that Katie is succeeding me as Executive Director, and can think of no better person to lead this organization. But if you ever miss my sense of humor, you’re welcome to contact me anytime. と後任の紹介もできるでしょう。
卒業式もお別れの場です。卒論でお世話になった先生には、Thank you for kindly supervising my thesis. Your encouragement and insightful advice kept me going even when my research stalled. などと言えます。将来自分も研究者になりたい場合は、I look forward to reading your future publications, and cannot wait to continue our discussions at academic conferences! などと付け足せます。
別の町に引っ越すため、お世話になった隣人に挨拶することもあるでしょう。We cannot thank you enough for kindly taking care of our daughter when my wife and I could not find a babysitter. Our entire family will miss you! などと言えます。Few neighborhoods will be as friendly as this one, but we did find a nice new home, so please visit us anytime! とも補足できます。
エプスタイン問題の最新状況、投票に米国籍の証明を求めるSave America Act、テキサスからDCまで2千マイル以上を歩いた僧侶の皆さんによる「ピースウォーク」、バッドバニーによるスーパーボウルのハーフタイムショーなどについて話しています。また、涌井支局長、特派員の大橋記者、私がそれぞれお勧めする映画や本についても語っていますので、よろしければお聴きください！
I appeared as a guest on Washington Weekly, a podcast produced by the DC bureau of the Japanese broadcasting company TBS.
For this episode, we discuss the latest in the Epstein files, the Save America Act, the “Walk for Peace” led by Buddhist monks who traversed from Texas to DC, Bad Bunny’s halftime show at the Super Bowl, and more. In response to a listener’s request, we also each discuss films and books we recommend!
The episode (in Japanese) is available at the above Spotify link.
“Compassionate Phrases in English (#23): How to Share Gifts”
Here’s the latest for my column in “Sakura Shimbun,” a Japanese community paper in DC and Houston. The series of events triggered by the U.S. attack on Venezuela not only disrupted international order and harmed civilians, but led to another development that was shocking in its own way: Ms. Machado presenting President Trump with the Nobel Peace Prize medal. While publicly giving away a medal we’re awarded is rare, in everyday life, we sometimes share portions of gifts we’ve received. In this issue, I explore how we can share gifts with others who might appreciate them and, if needed, explain to the original gift-giver why you wanted to spread the joy.
日本語の「お裾分け」には、幸せも分けるような素敵なニュアンスがこめられていますが、英語ではぴったりの訳がないため、少し直接的な言い方になります。I know you enjoy drinking tea. We received a beautiful box of tea over the holidays, so I thought I might share some with you. などと言えます。お裾分けをする相手とはある程度親しい間柄でしょうけれど、I’m sorry it’s not properly wrapped, but I included each of the five flavors in the box! などと説明するとより丁寧でしょう。
ただ、元の贈り主とお裾分けをした相手が知り合いの場合は、それぞれに対し、誰から頂いたのか、誰に分けたのかを伝えた方がよいかもしれません。贈り主には、My mom is visiting me this week, and we both really enjoyed the chocolates you gave me. Thank you again! や、I happened to have lunch with our mutual friend Dan a day after you and I met. I remembered that he loved the brand of sweets you gave me, so I hope it was ok that I shared a few with him. などと言えます。
近年は「お裾分け」の言葉を頂き物以外に使う方も増えているそうです。実際、多めの料理や食べ物などを分けることもあるでしょう。I baked some cookies over the long weekend. Please help yourself! というメモとともにオフィスに持っていけば、気軽に食べてもらえるかもしれません。大学のキャンパスなどで会議やイベントを行った後は、We just had a faculty breakfast meeting in the English Department, and have a ton of bagels and muffins left over. If anyone’s hungry, please come get them in the next half hour! といったメッセージをゼミの学生に送ったりもできます。
I appeared as a guest on Washington Weekly, a podcast produced by the DC bureau of the Japanese broadcasting company TBS.
For this episode, we discuss the murder of Alex Pretti. The episode features an interview with a NY-based TBS journalist who covered Minneapolis following Renee Good’s death. On a lighter note, we also talk about how Nicki Minaj, Bad Bunny, and other artists have been making their positions clear on whether they support or oppose the president’s policies.
I have no words for the tragedy that’s ongoing in Minneapolis, and hope that this situation is resolved as quickly as possible. My heart goes out to the residents who are continuing to protest and record the activities of the immigration authorities. I’m moved by their strength, courage, and resilience.
The episode (in Japanese) is available at the above Spotify link.
Earlier this month, I had the opportunity to appear on three episodes of a Japanese podcast about English language education for kids. I very much enjoyed talking about my experience growing up going back and forth between the U.S. and Japan, the struggles/fun in interpreting between a high-context language and a low-context language, my thoughts on the future of interpretation as AI continues to evolve, etc. The episodes are available at the links above
