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people before alluded to, a medley of many different dialects is the result, which to a traveller is utterly incomprehensible. The harsh language of Kaga, the dialects of Nambu with its peculiarities of intonation, expression and pronunciation, the nasal twang which distinguishes the dialects spoken near Hirosaki, and in the old provinces of Aidzu—combined with the hard and clipped language of Hakodate, in itself a compound of many dialects, when jumbled up together combine to produce a jargon the disagreable effect of which on the ear of a stranger may readily be imagined. As an instance of the local peculiarities of dialect which fell under our notice I may state that we met with no less than five different expressions for the common word “Yes”[1] namely Hé, Hai, Né, Na, and Chi. By this alone some idea may be found of the difficulties which stand in the way of a traveller understanding and being understood by the people with whom he is thrown into communication.
The coast line from Hirazawa on loses much of the dreary desolateness noticeable between Kubota and Hirazawa. Hitherto the coast has extended in a straight unbroken line varied by no indentations or bays, while endless sand, and nothing but sand, has reigned uninterrupted everywhere. Here, however, the monotony is broken by several tiny bays, the entrances to which are almost concealed by high fierce-looking rocks which bar the passage to all but small fishing boats, and on the shores of which stand little fishing villages, whose inhabitants were actively engaged when we passed by in the ordinary pursuits of a fishing population. The character of the country too softens and improves. The hills run down close to the water’s edge. Wild lilies of a bright orange colour, harebells and wild pinks grow in great profusion, and little hillocks rich in trees and shrubs are dotted all over the rice-fields. Such is the country between Shokoshi and Kosagawa.
The road from Shokoshi on towards Sakata lies along
- ↑ The affirmative “Yes”—“Sayo” as opposed to “No” is of course not meant.
