If you were to ask an American what three Japanese words they know, they would likely say konichiwa, domo (arigato mister roboto), and sensei. If you then asked them what sensei means, they would likely say teacher, and they would be right! But to say sensei means teacher is like saying Porsche is just a car maker, or the grand canyon is a rock formation; correct, yet a complete understatement.
Sensei is used to refer to doctors, lawyers, CPA, and politicians, clergymen, and other positions of authority. It is also used to refer to someone who has achieved mastery in in an art or some other skill: novelist, artist, and martial arts, to name a few.
The point is, Japanese culture holds the position of teacher at a much higher level than in the US. To be a teacher is to be one who is a holder of and deserving of great respect. US society does not hold their teachers to such high regard as a doctor, but in japan they are one in the same.
My point is, while US culture isn't going to change any time soon, you can start to respect your teachers from this moment onward a lot more. It is no wonder they deserve so much respect, after all a good teacher can change your life.
Which brings up another point. Of course not all teachers have an equal impact; regardless of respect, some teachers are average, and some are... not so good. Regardless, in Japanese you refer to them by saying 'I was their pupil,' their 教え子 (oshiego). When referring to a past teacher who you feel indebted to, who really changed your life, there is a different word. You say you were their 恩師 (onshi). It is beautiful to me that the distinction exists in Japan, and I feel it truly reflects how much respect they reserve for their teachers. Hopefully it inspires you to show a little more respect for the teachers in your life.
No comments:
Post a Comment