Hikikomori Morpheme Translation

“That's what it feels like when I write, like I have this beautiful world in my head, but when I try to remember it in order to write it down, I change it, and I can't ever get it back.” (395) This offhand statement is the one Ruth wrote when attempting to convey her feelings on the diversity of language. Unfortunately, however, this assertion is also applicable to the adaptation of certain words from one language to another. It is because of this limitation of language that Ruth Ozeki decided to include certain Japanese words in her novel, A Tale for the Time-Being. A case in point where this is germane would be with the word hikikomori. Instead of translating this word and risking its loss in adaptation, Ruth decided to provide an explanation
Although it may not make sense, the interpretation is technically correct. Later on, the word or phrase is translated into how a native speaker of the language may say it. Unfortunately, this may not be ideal in every situation, and the true meaning of the word in question may be lost. The word hikikomori, for example, has a morpheme by morpheme translation of “pulling in” or “withdrawal”. Regrettably, as the word was translated, its ability to convey what Harry experienced was lost. It is due to this reason that Nao chose to write the word in Japanese, and describe the meaning of it as a person who refuses to leave the house, or a
Unlike the morpheme meaning of hikikomori, Harry Yasutani could not be simply classified as withdrawn. He still talked with his daughter and wife, despite it being with less frequency. Instead, he refused to leave the house and find a proper job. The only thing he was able to do was lie about working in a “productivity software” company, so that his family would be less worried. (38) By choosing to leave the Japanese word, Ozeki made sure to not brand Harry with something that is not particularly true. Instead, the reader was given the opportunity to determine how powerful the original word was. In incorporating this, an explicable justification was provided between Harry turning into a hikikomori and Nao’s decline. Because Harry could no longer go outside to bring his daughter to school, Nao started showing up in school right before the bell rang, and her attitude towards gaining an education also declined. (75) This may have even led to Nao’s decision to fail her entrance exams. Furthermore, since no one led Nao to school, the other students were able to bully her even more. If Ozeki used the word withdrawn, the essence of the word hikikomori would not have been captured and the reader would not comprehend what Harry actually experienced. Therefore, there would be no reason for Ozeki to include the detail that Harry stopped bringing his