English and Japanese

[NameGoesHere1066]

So, considering that the turtles where raised by Splinter and their upbringing is very influenced by Japanese culture, does any one think that the turtles are also fluent in the japanese languange as well? The turtles, even if they are American turtles, are basicially Japanese American. There are a few times in series where the turtles seem to know the meaning of japanese words.

[Evenstar227]

In the third movie Donny says to one of Norinaga's soldiers, "ohayō wasabi", to which Raph remarks, "hello mustard?" So they know a bit, but they aren't fluent, considering Don was trying to say hello or good morning or something.

It's actually surprising that DON of all turtles wouldn't know how to speak Japanese. I guess all those drugs addled Cory Feldman's brain?

[gobo]

Corey = worst... Don... EVER! Any other actor would have saved him from being just a prop in the first movie...

[ToTheNines]

Originally Posted by gobo

Corey = worst... Don... EVER! Any other actor would have saved him from being just a prop in the first movie...

He was an awful Donatello, but that's beside the fact that the character was written horribly too.

I voted for the first option.

[Revan]

I wonder if they wrote the part of Donatello specifcally for Corey or if he simply auditioned for a turtle and Don was the one they decided to let him voice

[Kunoichi_Haruko]

I voted the first option as well. I figure even if they spoke quite a bit of it when they were younger, I'm pretty sure they would've forgotten a few things by now. Especially since they're surrounded by the English language daily. Although, doesn't Mike know a little Spanish as well, or am I horribly confused?

[Kendamu]

I figure that the Turtles probably know some basic Japanese. So, say, if they were ever to be in Japan and Splinter got captured or something, they could question people by being like:

「私の先生はどこですか！」

They probably also know the Japanese names of the techniques they train in and a few random Japanese phrases for dojo formalities like 「おねがいします！」

I doubt that any of the Turtles have focused on Japanese language skills enough to know how to have in-depth conversations.

[Kunoichi_Haruko]

A bit off-topic: I tried to study Japanese, Goon, but even though I could eventually read the characters and prounounce the words, I still had no clue what it actually meant. What do the phrases you've put up say?

[Scandia]

I put "some, but not a lot". But not all 4 Turtles would know Japanese at the same level. Leonardo and Donatelly would probably know A LOT more than Raphael and Michelangelo due to higher intelligence and interest.

[Kendamu]

Originally Posted by Kunoichi_Haruko

A bit off-topic: I tried to study Japanese, Goon, but even though I could eventually read the characters and prounounce the words, I still had no clue what it actually meant. What do the phrases you've put up say?

The first said "Where is my teacher?!"

The second said "Onegaishimasu." It literally means, "Regard me well, please." Usually when, in certain Japanese martial arts dojo, people break off into pairs to train they'll say that to each other while bowing before engaging each other in the assigned exercise. Its meant to sound something like "Oh-nay-guy-she-moss."

Onegaishimasu can be used for other things, too. Like, one phrase I learned that means, "Please repreat what you said," uses it at the end of the phrase as opposed to 「ください」　(kudasai) which is kind of like "please."

[Original TMNT Cartoon Fan]

They probably know some words, but of course English is their main language, since April and Irma never noticed any strange accents.

[gobo]

This is the most one-sided poll I've seen in a while.

Originally Posted by Goongasnootch

"Please repreat what you said,"

So many awesome jokes today...

[Original TMNT Cartoon Fan]

Originally Posted by gobo

This is the most one-sided poll I've seen in a while.

So many awesome jokes today...

Yes, like an "election" in the former USSR.

[Kunoichi_Haruko]

Thanks, Goongasnootch!

[Ninjinister]

Thank the Gods Splinter isn't Australian. The Turtles would have to dodge Vegemite sandwiches being thrown at them.

[gobo]

Originally Posted by Johan Sweden 1982

Yes, like an "election" in the former USSR.

If you want us to believe you're Johan, you should stop being funny. Johan never joked before, Mr. Impostor. Not as far as I could tell, anyway.

[Tinuvielsdreams]

I like the idea of them being bilingual and I really think Splinter would have taught them. It does seem to just pop up every now and again but they probably avoid it in most cases just to keep things simple with dialoguing

[Jelly Bean]

I like the thought of them being bilingual as well. I think it would make sence that the turtles speak fluent japanese (or niponese ). If anything they probably just know the spoken part of the language but not the written part. I wonder if the turtles spoke japanese or english first?

[gobo]

Originally Posted by Jelly Bean

niponese

Uhhhhh... Wuzzat?

[triplexxx]

Maybe Splinter raised the turtles teaching them basic math/literature/writing skills; it's possible he included some Japanese language tutorials when he taught them to speak, but since they live in America, where Splinter may have become accustomed to speaking English, and really for the first 15 years had no one to talk to but themselves, and then when they finally got friends were English-speaking ones, I suppose Splinter didn't think there was much a point in delving too much into it.