Two years ago I had a Japanese roommate who told me that Zico never learned Japanese during his time there. I'm just wondering if he has decided to try and learn the language, now that he is their coach. Anyone know?
Are you serious? Hasn't he been there 10 yrs. or so? I would have figured he's picked up on the language by now. Also, wasn't he picked because he was such an "insider" in Japanese football? Also, can anyone explain the label "ZICO JAPAN." Is it referring to him or the national team under the coaching of Zico?
The media labels national teams in many sports as "(name of coach) Japan". So from 1998 to 2002, it was "Troussier Japan", and they do the same thing in rugby. They often use it to describe the philosophy, style or accomplishments of the team under a regime.
he must have picked up japanse football terms by now so even if he isnt fluid in the language im sure he knows what to say when in training etc
i dont know jack about japanese but a friend of mine (salvadoran) told me in six months you figure it out what are they saying!
I think Zico is yelling "watashi ha Brazil jin" "watashi ha sakka no kamisama" or maybe he is just yelling "gyaku saido"
Ha ha. Funny stuff. Actually, I think "Watashi wa sakka no Kamisama" might sound better with "washi" instead. Sounds more preposterously arrogant. Don't flame me guys. I'm not making any statements on the man. Just having fun.
Nah, just some jokes. The first phrase said, "I am a Brazilian." The second one said, "I am a soccer god." The third one...well, I'm not sure. "Gyaku" means the reverse or other side, so..."other side" doesn't make sense. I think Japanese say "ofusaido" for offside, so I don't know. Also, in Japanese, there are many ways to say, "me" or "I," depending on who you are. "Watashi" is the generic polite term. Most young men say "boku." Women say "atashi." "Ore" is a casual term. And "washi" is an archaic term used by nobility, like a samurai, when addressing an inferior.
Other essential Japanese football terms: Pasu Shuuto Sentaringu Saido Tackuru Faaru Haahu Taimu Furii Kicku Pii Kei
I just returned from Tokyo and was able to catch a J-League match (Verdy vs. Shimizu) last weekend. Not bad, I think probably better than MLS, but not miles ahead(although the Shimuzu supporters certainly are!) , but too hard to tell from one game. A quick couple of question that someone here might be able to answer. Excuse my niavety in advance, I am just trying to educate myself more on Asian leagues. -It seems there are many Brazilians playing in Japan? If so, is it correct to make the assumption (as general as it is) that many Brazilians playing in Japan use it as a stepping stone for Europe? Are they not good enough (or too good) for Brazialian leagues, or is it all about economics? -There seems to be a fair amount of "high profile" players like Edmundo, Zico, Ahn, Linekar, etc..is the avergae salary much higher than MLS? What's the 1969 in Verdy for, assuming the club was started back then, but was there a league before the J-league? -Are the girls that hot outside of Tokyo too
What "mystery"? The question of what "washi" means? Unlike what Hyok wrote, "Washi" is a common term of self-reference among older men, especially in northern Kanto and Tohoku. Maybe he didnt know that because he lived in Kansai? If Zico said "washi ha sakka no kamisama", it would sound more natural because he is an older man and ait sounds a bit more arrogant. I think that is what Skip Shady meant. As for the "mystery" of Zico's language ability, I dont think he speaks that much, although it isnt unusual for people to live in Japan for 10 years and not become fluent. Some do. Some dont. Zico always uses an interpreter 100% of the time. He probably understands a lot more than youd think based on how much he relies on an interpreter, but I think he uses one for the reason of making sure his meaning is absolutely clear. I have a friend who is president of an importing company, and his Japanese is excellent but he still always uses an interpreter when doing business because he doesnt want to take any chance of being misunderstood. Other people -- like Gert Engels, for example, think it is more valuable to try to speak Japanese, even if not completely fluent, because it means your are communicating directly with the players, and that makes it a more "personal" conversation. If you ask me , I think its just a matter of personal style. Zicos Japanese is not that great, and he knows it. He prefers to use interpreters rather than sound like a stumbling, half-literate person.
Glad you enjoyed your first J-League match. - The quick answer is economics. J-League pays more (and on time) than Brazillian teams. Not that many J-League Brazillians make it to Europe (the only ones I can think of are Leonardo, Dunga and Cesar Sampaio). I don't know much about the Brazillian league, but since almost all the best players are headed to Europe eventually, my guess is that those in the J-League fall in the 2nd tier. - I don't have exact numbers, but J-League pays a lot more than the MLS (isn't the max salary around $300,000?). In fact, except for the very best players, J-League pays more than the European leagues. Plus, endorsement opportunities are much greater for the top players, both foreign and domestic - players like Nakata, Ono, Zidane, and even retired players like Rui Ramos have high Q-ratings. Lineker and Zico played for the J-League when the league started, when the economy was booming so the clubs' parents companies had money to spare. But with the economy stuck in recession and the soccer "boom" long gone, J-League can no longer afford those big names - even if there are recognizable names, they aren't there for the long haul or to finish their careers. Ahn is most likely headed to Europe when the season is done and Edmundo was trying to (unsuccessfully) resucitate his career. - Before J-League, there was JSL, a league of semi-pro corporate teams. Players were, at least officially, employees of the companies - like your company softball team, but better paid ringers and no beer keg on the sideline. Most of the current J-League clubs are former JSL teams. For example Verdy was Yomiuri (newspaper/TV network), Yokohama Marinos was Nissan and Nagoya Grampus Eight was Toyota. - I like Kobe girls better, but I'm heavily biased.
I think the "mystery" being referred to is the meaning of "gyaku saido." From a quick research I did, it seems to mean your side of the field, as opposed to the opponent's side. I lived in the Kanto region (Kanagawa specifically), but I have never heard anyone, regardlesx of how old or elite he was, using the term "washi." But, you lived in Japan much longer, so I'd have to accept your account. Terms seem to change very quickly. Words go in and out of style within a few years. When my father was receiving Japanese colonial education back in the 40's, soccer was called "futoboru." Now everyone calls it "sakka." Oh well, at least baseball is still "yakyuu," though I've heard "beisuboru" a couple of times.
No, actually my "mystery" was whether or not Zico really could speak Japanese, and it's been answered. The topic kind of went off course. But these things happen.
It has? Can anyone confirm if he can actually speak the language or simply knows a few football terms?
That Zico employs an interpreter seems to suggest his grasp of Japanese is less than 100%. I'm sure he knows enough to get by in everyday life, and you don't really have to know Japanese to talk football, considering most of the words are straight from English (i.e. pasu, shuuto, booru). Matsu is probably the most knowledgeable poster when it comes to Japanese soccer and if he doesn't know, I doubt anyone else does.
The tendency of the Japanese is to pick whatever is the easiest to say, and "futtoboru" doesn't exactly roll off the tongue in Japanese, and the same with "Besuboru". Also, "sakka" is easier to distinguish from "Ame Futo".
You answered most of the question pretty well, but I have to disagree with this: This is not really accurate. Although Id agree that J.League would generally be viewed as a second choice by most Brazilians, after the top 3 leagues in Europe (England, Spain, Italy ), a lot of very good Brazilians come to Japan and move on to Europe. The ones you mentioned are just the tip of the iceberg, and all had actually been to Europe first, and moved to Japan later Many more, however, decide to pass on Europe while still being top-notch players. Edilson joined Kashiwa Reysol as a youngster, returned to Brazil for two years in order to ensure that he made the Brazil national team in 2002, and is now back in Japan. If you go to the World Cup in the Canary Yellow, you definitely are one of the best players in the world, yet Edilson has never played in Europe. Other Brazilians who have played in Japan (Im excluding those who played during the "bubble" when the league was booming) include Jorginho, Bebeto, Adilson, Bentinho, Euller, Oseas, Benson, Mazinho, Santos, and Cesar Sampaio. All of these players have started for the Brazil national team in World Cup matches, though NOT all have played in Europe. Remember, Europe has the non-EU player cap, and it has been even stricter in the past, depending on the country. It is not that easy for a young, talented Brazilian player to get into a team in England, Spain or Italy. Many of them choose to make their living in the J.League instead. Nevertheless, they may be among the best Brazilian players on the planet, despite never having played in Europe. Emerson is probably the best example at present. At just 20 years old, he has lots of important Brazilians arguing loudly that he should be a fixture in the national team between now and 2006. But he is playing in Japan and apparently loves it. He has said that if he does leave, he would do something similar to what Edilson did -- go back to Brazil for 1-2 years during the WC2006 qualifiers, and then come back to Japan. For a player like Emerson, the difference in salary isnt really significant. Its true that he is one of the top-paid players in Japan right now, but his salary is supposedly around US$2.5 million, which would put him in the top echelon of players even in Europe (especially among 20-year-olds).
Stinkey Turner Here's my answers/views for your 1st questions. The nationality of the heighest number of foreign players(and maybe coaches) in Japan has been Brazil now and then. And you are correct on both. They come to Japan to develop their careers AND/OR they(their Brazilian clubs) can make more money. But I think there's one more reason to add, and that'd be the case of Zico, Sampaio, Edilson, Dunga etc. They love to live in Japan and also love to share their knowledge with the Japanese players/clubs as someone has pointed out. For those who used J.leauge as a stepping stone would be(well I don't think this doesn't exactly fall in this case but...) Amoroso(spelling??). He came to Verdy(mostly plaing in a sattelite league) and then succeeded first in Italy's Serie A by being the top scorer and then Dourmund in Bundesliga. And for your 3rd question...Kobe girls are not hot but very nice ones.
that's the best part. i've been slapped, kicked, punched, adn beaten many times by them and i really miss those good old days.