CAA: Christian Anime Alliance

I've been arguing about this on another message board for a while now, and I was wondering what everybody's take here is. Is cursing considered offensive in Japan like in America? I don't think so. In anime, even little kids are allowed to curse. And they didn't have a problem with Sonic saying Sh** (IN CLEAR ENGLISH!) in Sonic X. (Yes, the Japanese version, not the U.S. dub). So, what does everyone here think? Are words like kuso, chikshou, shimatta, ect. considered offensive words?

Well, I'm no expert on the Japanese language so I'm not really sure how to answer the question. I do think cursing varies somewhat depending on the culture.

Are there any Japanese language experts here?

I am studying the Japanese language, but I have absolutely no contact with Japanese people, the only place I know of is the Japanese restaurant next to the store I work, but they shoplifted us, so I don't eat there anymore.

Chris4150 wrote:And they didn't have a problem with Sonic saying Sh** (IN CLEAR ENGLISH!) in Sonic X. (Yes, the Japanese version, not the U.S. dub). So, what does everyone here think?

Wait a minute. How can Sonic curse in clear English if it was the original Japanese version?

I think the "s" word in English means something different in Japanese if I remember correctly. I think the Japanese word for it is the infamous "K" word.

Come on dude... It's the Japanese we're talking about. They show everything from sex, violence, waaaay to much skin, and that's on the kid anime. Their Porn industry is 5,000 videos per year. What made ya think Cursing wasn't included .

I would say that could be Engrish. The Japanese use English words that would be I guess criminal in English speaking countries. Many times the most fowl explicatives and dirty slang.

In the Japanese version, Sonic uses English phrases on a regular bases. About one or two per episode I would say. The Japanese DVD's have a section at the end where one or two people teach you how to say a few of the English phrases in the series. (Sh** was not among them) In the second episode of Sonic X, he is sneaking into a military base to rescue cream, after rescuing Cream, security cameras notice his prescence and laser guns pop out. His response? (Sh**! Ikazou!) (Translation: Sh**! Let's go!) This is the only time so far an English curse word was used in the series. (That I can remember)

hmmm...i don't know if kuso is a REALLY bad word in Japan. That word is even used in the word for earwax (mimi kuso). But i guess it could be used as a curse word.

i think kuso is... i was on a site just the other day that defined it...

Let's try to keep from posting offensive links, 'k? No matter what the purpose. --Ashley

right at the bottom...

Hmm... I can't control what happens here, I'm not a mod, but can we refrain from discussing this here just for the sake of those bothered by it?... I have some serious beliefs on this issue that I believe I came to biblically, and as for Japanese, no they dont' have "cussing" like we have in english... Even among christians, the "k" word isn't offensive... One girl I talked to said "Some people might be bothered by it, but most people aren't..." It's more akin to us talking about, oh say, a fart... Some people are just bothered by the notion to begin with and don't discuss things like that, but it's not a "bad" word.

I know what your saying. When I went into middle school I was horrified at the amount of cursing there was... o.o High school is no better... *sighs*

hmm...

" wrote:Hmm... I can't control what happens here, I'm not a mod, but can we refrain from discussing this here just for the sake of those bothered by it?... I have some serious beliefs on this issue that I believe I came to biblically

So, yeah... I'm just asking that, at the very least, as a favor to me though I can't stop it from happening, please don't bring that topic up here. It is one that is very culturally specific- a loaded topic and fraught with semantics and not as clear cut as many make it out to be. It has been the source of bitter arguments here in the past, so please I just ask that it's not discussed anymore... I'm not saying it's a rule, or the mods are saying it, just as a favor "consider your brother" and I'm asking this for me... Thanks...

Out of respect for Bob's request, this thread is now closed.