【No. 0466】Right and Left [Part1]
Worldwide, it's thought that "right" is better and more canonical than "left" in many cases.
In fact, "right" has the meaning of something like "correct," and the right-hand side of the first place is the second place in a podium.
On the other hand, "left" has sometimes negative meanings, for example, "left-handed" contains the meaning of "awkward."
In addition, in Hinduism and Islam, a right hand is a sacred hand to eat meals, and a left hand is an impure hand to clean your bottoms.
However, Japanese people often think that "left" is superior to "right."
In our diets, we place staple food and main dish on left-side.
In our politics, the rank of Sadaijin (minister of the left) is higher than the rank of Udaijin (minister of the right).
(Since this post will be too long, I will write the rest part tomorrow.)
今日は、右と左について話します。
世界的には、右のほうが優れている、正統であるといった見方がされることが多いです。
実際、右（Right）は正しいという意味を持ち、表彰台でも一位の右手側が二位です。
一方、左はleft-handed（不便な）のように、マイナスの意味を持ちます。
また、ヒンドゥー教やイスラム教では右手は食事をする清浄な手で、左手はお尻を洗う不浄の手です。
しかし、日本では左が優位とされることが多いです。
食事においては、左側に主食や主菜など、重要なものを起きます。
左大臣は右大臣よりも位が高いです。
（長くなってしまったので、次回の投稿に続きます。）
Corrections (2)
- Today, I will talk about "right" and "left."
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Today, I will talk about "right" and "left."
This is fine, but I don't think the quotation marks are necessary. The same applies throughout.
- In fact, "right" has the meaning of something like "correct," and the right-hand side of the first place is the second place in a podium.
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In fact, "right" means something like "correct," and the right-hand side of the first place is the second place on a podium.
This is OK. A perhaps more natural way to say it would be "...and, on an award podium, first place is center, and second place is to the right."
- On the other hand, "left" has sometimes negative meanings, for example, "left-handed" contains the meaning of "awkward."
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At the same time, "left" sometimes has negative meanings. For example, "left-handed" can contain the meaning of "awkward."
"On the other hand" isn't wrong, but it feels a little unnatural in this case to me. Maybe others would disagree, though.
- In addition, in Hinduism and Islam, a right hand is a sacred hand to eat meals, and a left hand is an impure hand to clean your bottoms.
- In addition, in Hinduism and Islam, the right hand is a sacred hand for eating meals, and the left hand is an impure hand for cleaning your bottom.
- In our diets, we place staple food and main dish on left-side.
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In our place settings, we place the most important foods and main dishes on the left-side.
"staple food" sounds like an important part of your day-to-day diet over time, not really something you think about in the moment, at the table.
You might already know, but "place setting" means the arrangement of dishes and utensils at a table for eating.
- (Since this post will be too long, I will write the rest part tomorrow.)
- (Since this post will be too long, I will write the rest tomorrow.)
Oh, interesting! I'd never thought about that before.
Also, (and maybe you were going to write about this tomorrow) "sinister" in English usually means something like "evil," but can also mean "left."
Thank you very much for the corrections and your kind explanations!
Also, thank you for letting me know the interesting information! I didn't know that :)
- Worldwide, it's thought that "right" is better and more canonical than "left" in many cases.
-
Worldwide, it's thought that "right" is superior to "left" in many cases.
"canonical" is more about correctness than superiority. I'd suggest "superior" instead. :)
- In fact, "right" has the meaning of something like "correct," and the right-hand side of the first place is the second place in a podium.
-
In fact, "right" has the meaning of something like "correct," and the right-hand side of the first place is the second place in a podium.
These are two separate points, and would probably make more sense as separate sentences.
- On the other hand, "left" has sometimes negative meanings, for example, "left-handed" contains the meaning of "awkward."
-
On the other hand, "left" has sometimes negative meanings, for example, "left-handed" can mean "awkward."
In addition to Wcb's corrections. :)
- However, Japanese people often think that "left" is superior to "right."
- This sentence is perfect! No correction needed!
- In our politics, the rank of Sadaijin (minister of the left) is higher than the rank of Udaijin (minister of the right).
- This sentence is perfect! No correction needed!
There's also the French "gauche" for left, implying social awkwardness.
Thank you so much for correcting my post and letting me know the interesting information!
I learned something new :D