Foreign Rikishi and Japanese Language Skills

[Eikokurai]

Apologies if such a thread already exists – I can’t imagine I’m the first to ask this – but I’ve been wondering about the Japanese ability of the various foreign rikishi. Tochinoshin’s was described as not being that great and so he gave a simpler Ozeki-promotion acceptance speech than normal, but he’s always seems quite comfortable in his interviews. My own Japanese isn’t good enough to judge. Baruto and Kotoōshū are often on TV and of course the latter has done a degree at a Japanese university and opened a heya, so I’m assuming he is pretty proficient. If a foreign rikishi doesn’t get to grips with the language, which let’s face it is bloody hard, how do they handle living in Japan without compatriots to chat to? I’m sure they are fluent in ‘sumo’ and can handle life in the heya well enough. Plus their training and jungyo schedules keep them busy and most things are provided or done for them, but there must be times when they want to discuss something other than how to perfect their tachiai or ask what’s in the chankonabe today.

[Gurowake]

The only thing I have to say on this topic is that Kakuryu, whose father was a university professor, is said to speak better Japanese than natives do. 

Here's a very old thread:

 

[Kaninoyama]

Based on observations of active or recently active foreign rikishi (as a reasonably advanced non-native speaker):

Kakuryu: Near-native (limited mostly to sumo and yusho interviews)

Hakuho: Near-native (based mostly on sumo and yusho interviews but also some more extensive pre-basho interviews, TV appearances, etc.)

Kyokutenho: Near-native (based mostly on his NHK commentator appearances)

Kotooshu: Extremely good when talking about sumo in commentator role, but somewhat less so (though still more than adequate) when speaking on other topics

Baruto: Seemed limited when he was active, but post-retirement appearing on TV as a tarento, I was quite impressed with his improvement

Harumafuji: Had a noticeably thick accent (based on yuusho and pre-basho interviews), but I believe he pursued a degree at a Japanese university so perhaps is more advanced in reading/writing

Tochinoshin: As others have noted, sounds quite good in post-match interviews; can't comment beyond that

[Naganoyama]

7 hours ago, Gurowake said:

The only thing I have to say on this topic is that Kakuryu, whose father was a university professor, is said to speak better Japanese than natives do. 

Just as some of the non-native English speakers on this forum speak (or at least write) better English than some of the native English speakers.

 

[Washuyama]

2 hours ago, Naganoyama said:

Just as some of the non-native English speakers on this forum speak (or at least write) better English than some of the native English speakers.

 

Which has always amazed me.  Especially the proper use of idioms/humor/sarcasm, which, from what I understand, is especially difficult for non-native speakers to master.  

 

I'm envious of those that have the dedication/discipline to learn another language.  On a semi-related note, I know how to order a beer and ask for directions to the nearest toilet (usually in that order) in quite a few languages.  (<-- I have my priorities...)

Edited May 31, 2018 by Washuyama
Typo

[Fukurou]

1 hour ago, Washuyama said:

On a semi-related note, I know how to order a beer and ask for directions to the nearest toilet (usually in that order) in quite a few languages.  (<-- I have my priorities...)

I was once told by a language tutor that the four things that always seemed to stick with her students were please, thank you, where's the toilet, and curse words (and she didn't teach the last)  

Edited May 31, 2018 by Fukurou

[Gaijingai]

When I lived in Japan, I was told tongue-in-cheek  that all you needed to do to travel anywhere in Japan was to say "Hai domo" and "Hai dozo" every few seconds while people were speaking to you.

Oh yeah...nod your head a little each time, too.

 

[Gurowake]

8 hours ago, Gaijingai said:

When I lived in Japan, I was told tongue-in-cheek  that all you needed to do to travel anywhere in Japan was to say "Hai domo" and "Hai dozo" every few seconds while people were speaking to you.

Oh yeah...nod your head a little each time, too.

 

Sou, desu ne?

(That's about the only non-sumo words I can easily understand when listening to a broadcast.  And they say it ALL THE TIME.)

[Gurowake]

13 hours ago, Naganoyama said:

Just as some of the non-native English speakers on this forum speak (or at least write) better English than some of the native English speakers.

 

I was going to mention this, but I suspect given the ridiculous nature of English spelling, that foreigners on the internet tend to be *much* better writing than speaking, and the focus of the thread was more about how well rikishi could do in interviews.  How much of an obstacle it is, I don't know.

[Morty]

On 31/05/2018 at 21:08, Washuyama said:

  On a semi-related note, I know how to order a beer and ask for directions to the nearest toilet (usually in that order) in quite a few languages.  (<-- I have my priorities...)

Me too. And say hello, goodbye and thankyou. But mostly ordering a beer.