Comments by "" (@TheJapanReporter) on "How to pronounce 'Japan', 'Japanese', and 'Japanese people'" video.

  1. Thank you so much for providing informative contents. But maybe it's good to mention that in Japan, different region has a different pith-accent and there's no correct or incorrect. (unless you become a national TV reporter or something) I've been in Osaka recently and interviewing some of the Japanese people and Japanese learners at a language school. They actually said "日本人/日本語" in the way you said former. People in Gifu and Ibaraki prefecture also pronounce very differently. Even in the same region (Chiba prefecture), people have a different pith-accent. (ex. central Chiba and Choshi area) Also, being conscious about pith-accent can be disturbing your pronunciation. I noticed some of my students are conscious too much and become even more awkward. If they 'think' they speak in a flat way, sometimes it actually sounds to natural to us. It is possible that's why many Japanese teachers say "You should speak in a flat way." (Sorry if I'm wrong.) I think probably most Japanese people are completely not conscious about pith-accent at all. They 'think' they speak in a flat way. (When I speak English, it's completely opposite feelings. I feel I speak in an extremely unflat and stressed way) Having said that, for English-speaking or western Japanese learners, maybe it's good to be conscious about pith-accent. Anyway, I find your contents very helpful for Japanese learners. I really appreciate that. 誠にありがとうございます。 -Nobita from Japan
    190