The Kansai dialect is one of the most distinctive in Japan. You’ve probably heard it frequently on TV dramas and comedy shows. But how different is the Kansai dialect spoken by actual Kansai natives compared to the “fake Kansai dialect” imitated by those from other regions? We asked Kansai locals directly to find out if the fake dialect is easily detectable!
Characteristics of the Fake Kansai Dialect
First, let’s explore the characteristics of the fake Kansai dialect. We asked Sekiguchi-san, a Kansai native, for his thoughts.
Fake Kansai dialect tends to overemphasize the ends of words, like “yade” or “nen.” They use these excessively compared to real Kansai dialect.
According to Sekiguchi-san, the fake Kansai dialect often exaggerates the emphasis on word endings and has an unnatural intonation.
Can Kansai Natives Easily Detect the Fake Dialect?
So, can Kansai natives quickly spot the fake dialect? We asked another Kansai native, Okado-san, for his opinion.
In most cases, we can tell right away. If you weren’t born and raised in Kansai, the nuances are different. However, there are some people who can imitate it really well, so I can’t say it’s 100% detectable.
Okado-san says that in most cases, Kansai natives can immediately detect the fake dialect. However, some people can imitate it quite well, so it’s not always 100% recognizable.
Tips for Mastering the Kansai Dialect
If you want to improve your Kansai dialect, what tips are there? We asked Sekiguchi-san and Okado-san for their advice.
The best way is probably to live in Kansai. By talking with locals a lot, you’ll naturally pick up the Kansai dialect.
Yeah, actually living in Kansai is the quickest way. Another good idea might be to make friends from Kansai. As you talk with them, you’ll gradually improve.
Both agree that the most effective way to master the Kansai dialect is to actually live in Kansai. Interacting with locals and naturally absorbing the dialect seems to be the most direct path to improvement.
Conclusion
We asked Kansai natives directly whether the fake Kansai dialect is easily detectable. The fake dialect tends to overemphasize word endings and has an unnatural intonation. While Kansai natives can usually spot the fake dialect right away, some people can imitate it quite well. To master the Kansai dialect, the most effective method is to actually live in Kansai and interact with locals.
