The problem of Shouganai: What can be done? (Language)

[yuiyoshida]

Shouganai is a widely used phrase in Japan, but the philosophy behind it goes much deeper, embedded at the very core of the society. Erik recently wrote to great extent about this phrase over at his travel journal. I also have come to feel the desire to examine the phenomenon of shouganai.

Shouganai (しょうがない ) is actually a shortened or slurred way of saying shiyou ga nai. Directly translated, shiyou ga nai means, “there is no way of doing/going.” It is used interchangeably with shikata ga nai, which translates identically.

The idea of “it can’t be helped” or “nothing can be done” isn’t distinctly a Japanese idea. Americans like me occasionally encounter situations that we have no way of handling the outcome. The difference is that Americans don’t live their lives by this continual acceptance of defeat and helplessness. I like to think that I take great interest in the direction of my life and enthusiastically put forth the effort to ensure that I’m headed in a favorable direction.

The problem of shouganai is so deeply ingrained into the very fiber of Japanese society. There is an understandable degree of shouganai toward being nonintrusive to others, but by my observation Japanese people allow their acceptance of situations go far beyond just being considerate to a point where it’s self degrading.

Japanese society has created a tense atmosphere where the expression of opinions contrary to the popularly accepted (in other words, the first expressed idea unconsciously absorbed and allowed to take precedence) views is looked upon unfavorably. Even with the chance that a new opinion would be seen more favorable than the presently existing view, the idea of shouganai suppresses the desire to allow that opinion to be suppressed. One fears being stigmatized if they express their ideas.

Even worse, the response of shouganai is met with agreements and praise. I hate using the expression, but when I do my dislike for it is only strengthened when the Japanese listeners respond with, “Oh, you understand shouganai well. Good for you!” The same goes for responses to Japanese people, “That’s right; there’s nothing that can be done about the situation.”

There comes a point where one questions whether people are just too lazy to put any effort into improving situations and outcomes. Surely not everything in their life is the result of things unrelated to their own doing. Japanese people need to take the reins and recognize the outcomes of their efforts and either accept that it is good or accept it as a self failure and quit relying on the umbrella of “things are out of my hands.”

Granted, there are some situations where shouganai is appropriate in meaning, such as the weather, but the feeling behind it is still overwhelmingly like the emotions of a beached whale (I don’t like that such a metaphor popped into my head, but it seemed to sum things up most, and not to mention the irony of comparing Japanese people to whales… but that’s another story).
Posted by Evan Benner at 8:12 PM
http://evansjapanexperience.blogspot.com/2011/02/problem-of-shouganai-what-can-be-done.html

[JuJuYoshida]

1. wonderful post honey

[yuiyoshida]

2. Found it interesting

[Jim Lane]

3. Is there a phrase for "reverse shouganai"?

As you point out, Americans sometimes encounter situations we can't change -- although there are also times when Americans, too, are too defeatist, and give up on something that could be changed.

What I mean by "reverse shouganai" is that the opposite happens: people getting all agitated about something that actually can't be changed. It applies even to things that are over and done with. I used to chair a local nonprofit, and I got sick of people who wasted time at meetings complaining about what had been done in the past. At one point I threatened to appoint them to a Pointless Recriminations Committee.

I think it was the Greek philosopher Epictetus who stressed the importance of distinguishing between the things that are in our power and the things that are not in our power. One can make a mistake in either direction. The piece you've posted suggests to me that Japanese culture is more prone to one mistake while American culture is more prone to the other one.

[yuiyoshida]

4. I suppose there is...

IF you say "Ganbatte kudasai" (がんばてください ) means do your best... when you wish a Japanese person to do their best their response is " hai, arigatou" Yes, Thank you.

[PoorMonger]

5. I actually heard about this issue

In a different context via an anime podcast. {Anime Addicts Anonymous} The hosts ( who had lived in japan for a number of years teaching English) in a discussion of the falling birth rates in the country said that even amongst married couples there is often a distance to relationships and both husbands and wives throw their hands up and say Shouganai.

[soryang]

6. Sounds like 불가능 in Korean

not possible, incapable of...

bul ga nung

不可能 in Han Ja

[yuiyoshida]

7. ooh very cool, thanks

for sharing this with us!