MM! IW! 3M!
AdvertisementAhh, the youth of today! If it wasn’t hard enough to follow Japanese in the first place, the kids are using romaji (roman alphabet) abbreviations that make LOL, BRB and CUL8R seem so simple. This survey from goo Research in conjuction with the Yomiuri Shimbun into in-vogue abbreviations looked at their use and abuse.
Demographics
Between the 25th and 28th of March 2008 533 young people from the goo Research monitor panel completed a private internet-based questionnaire. The report says there was a 1:1 male to female ratio, but that would leave one extra. The age split is not noted, but 35% of the respondents were students, 30% were full-time employees, and 11% were home-makers.
I think most foreign residents of Japan will have heard of KY at least; indeed, one of the best selling non-fiction books these days is a KY Dictionary!
When the survey questions mention “conversation”, I believe it is referring to spoken language, not email.
Q3 is probably wrong in many places, so I hope my readers can point me in the right direction!
Which annoys you the most?
Research results
Q1: Do you use romaji abbreviations in normal conversation? (Sample size=533)
Often use Sometime use Don’t use much Never use All 6% 26% 39% 28% Male, all 6% 29% 35% 31% Male, teens 11% 39% 29% 21% Male, twenties 7% 30% 33% 29% Male, thirties 1% 17% 42% 40% Female, all 6% 24% 44% 26% Female, teens 13% 40% 39% 8% Female, twenties 3% 19% 48% 29% Female, thirties 1% 14% 44% 41% Q2: Do you agree with the use of romaji abbreviations in normal conversation? (Sample size=533)
Agree (to SQ1) Disagree (to SQ2) All 39% 61% Teens 51% 49% Twenties 38% 62% Thirties 29% 71% Q2SQ1: Why do you agree with their use? (Sample size=210)
Because language changes with the times 50% Because it makes for succinct transmission 23% Because can use them instead of phrases that are difficult to say 15% Because they strengthen friendship, feelings of connections 6% Because it’s cool to use things others can’t understand 0% Other 6% Q2SQ2: Why do you not agree with their use? (Sample size=323)
Because they jumble up the language 36% Because some people can’t understand them 24% Because can be rude even though one is being indirect 13% Because the details of talk may be misunderstood 11% Because one’s group could become closed-off 10% Other 6% Q3: Which of the following have you used in conversation? (Sample size=533, multiple answer)
Abbreviation 日本語 Translation Percentage KY 空気が読めない Can’t sense the mood 59% MK5 マジキレる5秒前 Five seconds from blowing my top 11% MM マジムカつく Seriously pissed off 8% KZ 絡みづらい Difficult to catch their drift 3% 3M マジでもう無理 Can’t take any more 2% IW 意味わかんない Don’t understand the meaning 2% NW ノリ悪い Not showing desire for or having a bad attitude regarding an activity 2% MMK モテてモテて困る Worried about too many guys/girls chasing you 2% CB 超微妙 Feeling just a little out of step 2% HT 話ついて行けない Slow on the uptake 2% ND 人間としてどうよ As a human, what do you think? 1% TK とんだ勘違い Got the wrong end of the stick 1% DK 大事なところでかむ Blow my key line 1% FK ファンデーション濃い Thick foundation 0% Other 5% None in particular 38%
Subscribe to feed