VOX POPULI: Contrary to forecasts, spring hasn’t quite sprung yet
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.
Related articles
Russian theater director and playwright go on trial over a play authorities say justifies terrorism
TALLINN, Estonia (AP) — A Russian court on Monday opened the trial of a theater director and a playw2024-05-21Netanyahu says Hamas No. 4 killed
JERUSALEM, March 11 (Xinhua) -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a video statement2024-05-21Two French schoolgirls aged six and 11 are stabbed by knifeman near their school
Two schoolgirls aged six and 11 were injured in a knife attack close to their school in the east of2024-05-21Attack blamed on IS militants kills 22 pro
BEIRUT (AP) — An attack on pro-government fighters by suspected members of the Islamic State group i2024-05-21Verona confirms Serie A status for another year after beating Salernitana
SALERNO, Italy (AP) — Verona secured a place in next year’s Serie A after beating Salernitana 2-1 on2024-05-21- April 12-18, 2024Shoppers are terrified after a lone assailant started stabbing people at a shopping2024-05-21
atest comment