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Doeryaa Nagoyan (Nagoya Dialect) Lesson!

Welcome to a short but COOOOOL lesson to learn Nagoyan (English: Nagoya dialect) as Nagoyans, or Nagoya natives, speak!!  This post includes a bit of cultural learning.  

Subway operated by the City of Nagoya

Here you go:

First, a short introduction 

to three important figures featured in the following three posters made by the City of Nagoya.

Three famous Samurai Shogunates each preach three important aspects of manners when riding subways: Backpack Courtesy, Smart-phone Use, and Priority Seat Manners.  The three Shogunates (in the posters) called "San-Eiketsu" (English: Three Great Heroes) are Nobunaga (Oda), Hideyoshi (Toyotomi), Ieyasu (Tokugawa), who are closely related to this Nagoya area.  An annual parade commemorating the San-Eiketsu is hosted by and takes place in Nagoya.

In the 17th century, the unification of Japan (in chaos due to constant fights among Samurai warriors) was urgent.  It was launched by Nobunaga, was followed by Hideyoshi, and finally accomplished by Ieyasu.

The famous Haiku/Senryu (English: Japanese poems), which were allegedly made by these San-Eiketsu, all feature "Hototogisu" (English: Little Cuckoo, "ホトトギス").  The bird Hototogisu is also depicted in the following posters (read below). These posters are actually super-witty with a lot of historical and cultural elements included.

Okay, now the lesson starts....

Please consult the letters and figures in the posters while reading the given explanations.

1) Nobunaga (Oda) Version; Backpack Courtesy

IN CROWDED TRAINS, BE MINDFUL OF YOUR BACKPACK 
混むならば　まわりに気づかえ　そのリュック (in a Haiku/Senryu form)

The angry Samurai is Nobunaga

Nobunaga is said to have been a Shogunate with a pretty quick fuse.  The Hototogisu bird is singing "Nandaka Yabaiyo Hototogisu."  It gives a serious warning to subway passengers, saying "Nobunaga gets really angry and take pretty a drastic action (like killing) to those who have no manners of backpacks."  Nobunaga supposedly read "Nakanu nara koroshite shimae Hototogisu" (English: "Kill  Hototogisu, if it does not sing!"), which shows his character.

The phrases used in this poster, "たーぎゃーにしなかんゾ (tahgyahni shinakanzo" and  "たぁーけもンがー(tahkemon ga)," are Nagoyan, which mean "That's enough!  Mind your manners" and "Boorish morons!!" respectively.  "たぁーけ" or "たぁーけもン" is Nagoyan with a meaning of morons.

2) Hideyoshi (Toyotomi) Version: Smart-phone Use

WHILE WALKING, PUT AWAY YOUR SMARtPHONE
歩くなら　しまっておこう　スマートフォン

Hideyoshi is holding a smartphone

Hideyoshi is said to have been a very thoughtful Shogunate.  With strong ambition and tactics, he received a strong favour from Nobunaga (the above).  This Hototogisu gives a warning "Basho Wo Erabou Hotogogisu" (English: Beware of your circumstances!).  Hideyoshi allegedly read the famous "Nakanu nara nakasete miyou Hototogisu" (English: "Make Hototogisu sing, if it does not sing!").

"誰からなも？(darekara namo)" means "Who's calling?".  And, "ところかまわずは　ダキかんわぁ (tokoro kawamazuha dakikanwa)" means "It is really wrong to get a call wherever we go." "なも (namo)" and "ダキ (daki)" are Nagoyan used for showing emotion and emphasis.

3) Ieyasu (Tokugawa) Version: Priority Seat Manners

WHEN YIELDING, BE DECISIVE FOR PEOPLE IN NEED
ゆずるなら　迷わずゆずろう　優先席

The fatty-faced Samurai is Ieyasu

Ieyasu is well-known for being a patient and effective Shogunate, who can patiently wait, seize the moment, and accomplish his goals.  The Hototogisu says, "Maruku Nattane Hototogisu" (Translated as "You have become kinder and more generous").  Ieyasu's reported Haiku/Senryu about Hototogisu is "Nakanunara nakumade matou Hototogisu" (English: "Wait until Hototogisu sings!), which clearly shows how patient Ieyasu is!!

Ieyasu in the scroll (depicting younger Ieyasu) says, "ぜったゃあ　ゆずったれ　せんわ (zettya Yuzuttare senwa)," which means "I would NOT yeild my seat to anybody."
The older Ieyasu says,  "でえぇらぁ　若かったもんでかんわ！(derya wakakatta mondekanwa," meaning "It is a shame!! I used to be young and bold back then."
"でえぇらぁ" or "でえりゃあ" is typical Nagoyan used for emphasis. 

If you are more interested in Nagoya Dialect, a little more essential sounds/knowledge, please check this Nagoya Dialect post!!