Japanologists have often talked about uchi and soto, which are roughly translated as “inside” and “outside.” These terms are used to denote that certain things apply to those who are “in the know” (inside) and other things apply to “foreigners” (outside).

Interestingly, though, contemporary Japanese teens have developed such a rich and particular version of slang, that police have been forced to compile a dictionary in order to understand what kids are saying, giving the whole uchi and soto concept a new twist.

The Mainichi Interactive explains the methodology.

New words are formed by shortening existing words, reversing their syllables or adding “ru” to nouns, thereby creating the infinitive forms of new verbs, such as in “biniru.” Which sounds like the word for “vinyl,” but actually means to go to a “konbini” (convenience store).

It appears that the Japanese language is undergoing a profound change, partly because of the creativity of teens, and partly because of the widespread adoption of English words. But, like all things that cross from one culture to another, the English words are often morphed once they enter Japan. Here are a few of my favorites, again from Mainichi.

Chihuahua — to borrow money from consumer finance company Aiful, whose TV commercials feature “Qu-chan,” a cute miniature dog.

M4 — not a magnitude 4 earthquake, but an appointment to meet someone at 4 pm at McDonalds.

Zenbei ga naita — literally, “the entire United States wept.” Means nothing important.

One might be moved to wonder how the above expression could possibly take on such an unrelated meaning. After checking the blogs, your reporter came up with this explanation: When many U.S. films open in Japan, they are accompanied by posters claiming that American viewers were moved to tears. But the such films have little emotional impact on viewers here. So Japanese filmgoers have learned, apparently, to disregard such promotional claims as largely meaningless.

I think that the alteration of these words isn’t a misuse of language, but a creation of something entirely new. Certainly we do it here in the US; words and cultural items are often reinterpreted once they reach American shores. If language is a living reflection of what is going on among Japan’s youth, I imagine we will continue to see many more such changes reflected in the arts and wider culture.

I just wonder; will the entire United States weep when Memoirs of a Geisha is released?