Japanese/Dialects/Tsugaru Dialect

The Tsugaru Dialect (津軽弁 / つがるべん / tsugaru-ben) is a Japanese dialect spoken in Tsugaru, the western region of the Aomori Prefecture. There are often times when Tsugaru dialect is mistaken for "Aomori Dialect." Assuming that this dialect is used throughout the entire prefrecture is a misconception. Tsugaru-ben is reputed to be too divergent from standard Japanese for those who are not native speakers, to the point that even people living in the same prefecture may have trouble understanding it. In 1988, fans of the Tsugaru dialect proclaimed October 23 to be Tsugaru Dialect Day (津軽弁の日 Tsugaru-ben no hi). October 23 is the anniversary of the death of Kyōzō Takagi, a famous poet who wrote in the Tsugaru dialect. In Tsuruta, there is an annual summer Tsugaru-ben competition (津軽弁大会 Tsugaru-ben taikai) in which teams of foreigners create short skits or performances, usually humorous, using Tsugaru-ben. In June 2009, a short segment featuring the competition was broadcast nationally on NHK (Japan Broadcasting Corporation).

Example Of A Conversation In The Tsugaru Dialect

 * Wow, what'll you do in a place like this?


 * 1) The Five Riverbeds: The Appointment