By Koichi
In the past we’ve written a bit about Google Image search and how it’s useful for Japanese learning. For example, if you don’t know what a Japanese word means, or if you just aren’t sure about the translation you’re getting, put it into Google Image search and see what pops up. That’s all well and good for practicing Japanese language learning, but searching for images in Japanese will also tell you a lot about the Japanese society as a whole. The results will be different from your language’s search because that culture will be reflected.
I thought it would be fun to go through a bunch of image searches like this. First in English, then in Japanese. Afterwards there might even be some commentary.
*I’m using incognito mode to hopefully offset any past search bias on Google’s part. They might be using my location though, so results may vary!
Puppies
Let’s start with something adorable: the word “puppy,” or 子犬 in Japanese.
You can see that there are some similarities here, but the Japanese version has way more Japanese dogs (shiba inu). When a “dog” comes to mind in Japan, I think the image of a shiba inu (or another Japanese breed) comes to mind. Of course, there are other dogs too, but you can see the difference clearly here.
Dinner
When you put in the English word “dinner” and the Japanese word 晩ご飯, you get two completely different results.
I think what you see here is the idea of what a “traditional” dinner is. Of course, there are a lot of small plates and bowls on the Japanese side and there is a lot of meat and turkey on the English side. It really highlights the difference between our perceived ideal “dinners.”
Anime
When you type in “anime” and アニメ, this is the result.
I’m not sure what this says about anything, but the difference is kind of interesting. Seems like the English results produce way more fan art whereas the Japanese one produces actual anime. Maybe in terms of ratio fan art is more prevalent in English-speaking places just because of how saturated “official” anime is in Japan?
Monkeys
If you type in “monkey” in English and 猿 in Japanese, here’s what you get.
In English, you get a smattering of monkeys and apes. In Japanese, you almost exclusively get the Japanese macaque. Some of them are the infamous “Snow Monkeys” as well.
Letters
If you look up “letters” in English (talking about the kind you write and send to people in the mail) or 手紙 in Japanese, you’ll see a big difference.
Notice how the Japanese side is almost entirely handwritten and the English side is almost entirely typed out? I think that really highlights how important letters are in Japanese culture compared to how they’ve become in places like America. In fact, you might remember my earlier article “How To Write Letters In Japanese: An Introduction” where I mention the importance of hand writing (personal) letters.
Beer
Let’s see what “beer” and ビール come up with.
As you already know if you read Tofugu, there isn’t a ton of variety when it comes to Japanese beer types. You have your Sapporo, Kirin, Asahi, and Yebisu. Everything else is tiny in comparison. With the English image results, you still see some of those light beers, but there’s wayyy more variety. This basically just parallels the actual beer situation in Japan and in the West.
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I’m sure that’s just the tip of the iceberg, too. As you can see, though, you can gain some cultural insight into a culture just by looking at the Google Image Search differences. Beer is lighter. Monkeys are more homogenous. Dinner is completely different… you get the idea.
For this kind of thing, though, one person can’t think up all of the good comparisons. So, I need your help! If you post up an English (or whatever your native language is) and Japanese Google Image Search comparison in the comments, I’ll add your name to a raffle and pick out three of your names. The winners will get Tofugu stickers because we just got some new designs in.
Yum, looking good stickers. So, three of you could win both a crabigator and a Tofugu, just for contributing your image comparisons in the comments of this article. Deadline is Friday whenever I decide to choose someone, PST. So… get it in before then. I look forward to seeing all the creative comparisons that you come up with!
Want the wallpaper version of this article’s header image? Here it is in 2560×1600.
