which is equivalent to standard Japanese and the western dialect is called “Kansai ben” which is
spoken in western Japan such as Kyoto, Osaka and Kobe. There are four main differences between
Tokyo ben and Kansai ben affecting vocabulary, spelling, pronunciation and grammar.
The first difference is vocabulary. Different dialects use different words for the same
things. For example, “arigato”(thank you) is used in Tokyo ben while “maido ookini”(thank you)
is used in Kansai ben instead (Rie-Higuchi,2002). The easterners say “yano-assatte”(the day after
tomorrow), “shoppai”(salty) and “-nai”(not) whereas the westerners use “shi-asatte” (the day after
tomorrow), “ka-rai”(salty) and “-n” or “-nu” (not) (Shibatani,2002).
The second difference between two dialects is spelling. The numbers of syllables decrease
in Kansai ben. Many words in Tokyo ben are shorten when are used in Kansai ben. For example,
the word “yoku”(very well) in Tokyo ben become “yo”(very well) in Kansai ben(Shibatani, 2002).
“Omoshiroi” (interesting) is spelled in Tokyo ben while Kansai ben spells “omoroi”(interesting)
( Shibatani,2002).
The most obvious difference between two dialects is pronunciation. Tokyo ben has such
features as “z”, “chi” and “ku” are pronounced like “j” and “gu” in Kasai ben. For example, “0”
(zero) is changed into “dero” or “jero”( Long,2002). “1”(ichi) is pronounced as “ iji” (Long,2002).
“6”(roku) is pronounced “rogu” in Kasai ben(Long,2002).Moreover, the first syllable is more
emphasized in Tokyo ben while the second syllable is more carefully pronounced in Kasai ben.
For example, “tabako” is pronounced like “tabako” in Kansai ben (Shibatani,2002).It is the
same as in the case of the name of a person. “Mr. Tekeda” is pronounced in Tokyo ben while
Kansai ben pronounces as “ Mr.Tekeda”(Shibatani,2002).
The last difference includes grammar which is concerned with the particle. The particle
“-su” is omitted from verbs in Kansai ben. Therefore, “masu ka” in Tokyo ben (standard Japanese)
become “makka” and “ desu ka” become “dekka” in Kansai ben. For example, the verb “tabemasu
ka”(eat) in Tokyo ben is changed into “tabemakka”(eat) in Kansai ben(Shibatani,2002).Also,
“nan desu ka”(what’s it?) become “nan dekka”(what’s it?) in Kansai ben(Shibatani,2002).
Furthermore, the particle “da”, which is thought to function as the verb “to be” or “ to do”, is
replaced by particle “ya” in Kansai ben. For example, “uso da”(you’re kidding) in Tokyo ben is
replaced by “uso ya” and “ So dattara”(if it’s true) is changed into “ So yattara”(if it’s true) in
Kansai ben(Palter,2002).
Reference List
DC Palter. (2002).Some differences between Kansai ben and standard Japanese [ Web Site].
Retrieved01/12/02,2002, from the World Wide Web:
http://www.coara.or.jp/ht/KANSAI/study2.html
Shibutani, M. (2002). Japanese language[Web Site]. Retrieved 01/12/02,2002, from the World
Wide Web:
Daniel, L. (2002). The Japanese dialects [Web site]. Retrieved 01/12/02,2002, from the World
Wide Web: http://www.threeweb.ad.jp/logos/japanese.html
Rie- Higuchi. (2002). How to be like a native Kansai-jin? [Web Site]. Retrieved 01/12/02,2002,
From the World Wide Web: http://www.rpa.net/joeroa/hogen.htm