Current location:Global Grandstand news portal > travel
VOX POPULI: Contrary to forecasts, spring hasn’t quite sprung yet
Global Grandstand news portal2024-05-22 00:14:41【travel】0People 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://gambia.fightbigfood.org/content-15f999975.html
Very good!(85216)
Related articles
- FDIC chairman Martin Gruenberg to step down, White House says
- Which celebs have had the 'Biden facelift'? Top plastic surgeons spill all
- On a wing and a prayer! Watch the nail
- Prince Harry WILL attend King Charles' Coronation but not Meghan Markle
- Eleanor Tomlinson puts on a leggy display in sparkly black minidress as she joins co
- Super Tuesday: What is it and why is it so important?
- Bernie Sanders wants to spend $10BILLION on long Covid 'moonshot' operation
- Ryan Gosling makes rare comment about daughters while discussing I'm Just Ken performance at Oscars
- New York Liberty improve to 4
- Distressing moment horse is rescued after falling into a Florida pond
Popular articles
Recommended
Dodgers acquire pitcher Yohan Ramírez from Mets for cash
Horoscope today: Daily guide to what the stars have in store for YOU
Ryan Gosling makes rare comment about daughters while discussing I'm Just Ken performance at Oscars
Ministry of Health proposes 134 job losses
'Constantly learning' Imanaga off to impressive start with the Chicago Cubs
Scoop review: Netflix's Prince Andrew drama divides critics
Sarah Ferguson breaks her silence after being snubbed for a coronation invite by King Charles
Lucy Hale reveals what her current equation is with her Pretty Little Lies co
Links
- Now THAT'S a holiday photo album: Couple who sold everything they own to travel share 15 jaw
- Unclear whether there's funding to continue extra hospital security guards
- Muslim organisation questions why hate speech law reforms abandoned
- On Your Side: Who needs a will, and how do you create one?
- Māori communities must be at forefront of emergency management plans, hapū say
- Revealed: Hilariously scathing one
- Next generation will pay the price for critical transport projects, councillor warns
- Tipping etiquette: Your questions answered
- Small bump in Covid vaccine uptake, but still well below 2021 peak
- Next generation will pay the price for critical transport projects, councillor warns