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6 Nov 2005, 02:21
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#1
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Caveat Lector
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Tucson, Arizona
Posts: 3,038
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Mama-chan and Papa-chan
When your life partner is from another, drastically different culture, you pick up on some things that stand out from expected norms. This true of Ayako and I. I have noticed one thing in particular that I wanted to share with you guys. I studied anthropology of Hawai'i and Japan there's this whole thing about contextual identity I can go into, but I just want to show you how as my relationship with Ayako has changed, so have our names. It's a Japanese thing.
Ayako and Bjorn
When Ayako and I first met (I was her resident assistant in the university dorms in Hawai'i), I called her Ayako and she called me Bjorn. A little over a year later the names remained the same as we dated. Once Ayako moved in with me she stared calling me 'Bjorn-o.' Now a lot of couples have 'pet names' but it's different for Japanese, people actually have different names with different people depending on their relationship. 'Bjorn-o' I think was a pet name.
Ayako-chan and Bjorn-kun
A few months to a year after being together, Ayako started referring to me as 'Bjorn-kun.' The -kun suffix applies to familiar, related boys. So I started calling her 'Ayako-chan' and 'Aya-chan,' the -chan is for girls and for very familiar, close family members. This continued for the next two years.
Mama-chan and Papa-chan.
After Ayako and I came back from Japan, where I met her family, she started calling me 'Papa-chan.' She also began to refer to herself in the third person as 'Mama-chan' and I've started calling her that too. I've also started to refer to myself in the third person while speaking to her. I'll tell her 'Papa-chan has to go to work,' and the like. We also, because of our dog and cat, sort of see ourselves as a family and I think that also let to the change to mama-chan and papa-chan.
It's interesting to reflect back on it and see how the relationship and the names have evolved over time. I wonder what's next.
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6 Nov 2005, 02:23
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#2
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I am.
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 6,580
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Re: Mama-chan and Papa-chan
I think that it's awfully sweet
__________________
hi
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6 Nov 2005, 05:13
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#3
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WANNASEEMYNEWCHAINSAW
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Éire
Posts: 2,738
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Re: Mama-chan and Papa-chan
I think it's ever so slightly disturbing. Like getting you missus to call you 'Daddy'.
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I came, I saw, I shouldn't mix pleasure with carpentry.
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6 Nov 2005, 07:06
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#4
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Caveat Lector
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Tucson, Arizona
Posts: 3,038
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Re: Mama-chan and Papa-chan
Well I'm trying to highlight a cultural difference of Japan and how names for people change over time depending on your relationship and status with them.
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6 Nov 2005, 07:16
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#5
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WANNASEEMYNEWCHAINSAW
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Éire
Posts: 2,738
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Re: Mama-chan and Papa-chan
And I'm trying to highlight how damn creepy it is that your girl calls you 'Daddy' (basically).
Never mind though. I still love you*.
*this may not be true
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I came, I saw, I shouldn't mix pleasure with carpentry.
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6 Nov 2005, 08:37
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#6
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Heh, Leeds !
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: In The Redfern
Posts: 3,790
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Re: Mama-chan and Papa-chan
The same thing happens here as well.
My fiancees' father used to call me the paper boy when I was 16. Then it became 'That long haired bastard' It's only now a few years later he actually calls me by my given name.
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The George Harrison of BlueTuba
Yes, I know he is dead !
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6 Nov 2005, 12:25
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#7
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Clerk
Join Date: Jun 2001
Posts: 13,940
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Re: Mama-chan and Papa-chan
Quote:
Originally Posted by IncubusGod
I think it's ever so slightly disturbing. Like getting you missus to call you 'Daddy'.
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That's disturbing?
Oh.
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6 Nov 2005, 23:11
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#8
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________
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Somwhere I belong
Posts: 4,474
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Re: Mama-chan and Papa-chan
Pretty cute.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by blink 182
Breathing deeply, walking backwards,
finding strength to call and ask her
Roller coaster favorite ride,
let me kiss you one last time.
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6 Nov 2005, 23:22
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#9
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Caveat Lector
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Tucson, Arizona
Posts: 3,038
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Re: Mama-chan and Papa-chan
Quote:
Originally Posted by IncubusGod
And I'm trying to highlight how damn creepy it is that your girl calls you 'Daddy' (basically).
Never mind though. I still love you*.
*this may not be true
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It doesn't really translate as 'daddy.' It's closer to 'old father.'
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7 Nov 2005, 12:38
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#10
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Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: South Pacific
Posts: 4,911
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Re: Mama-chan and Papa-chan
my wife and I do something similar, with the exception of course of her being Chinese and me being English, and so cultural things tied to these two nations instead.
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I think it's time we blow this scene, get everybody and the stuff together..........
ok 3..... 2..... 1.. let's jam
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