Constitution Haiku

May 10, 2007 on 8:45 pm | In Language, Society | | Email This Post

Article 23 of the Japanese Constitution says…

「学問の自由はこれを保障する」

Which translates to (technically, is translated from, as the constitution of Japan was initially written in English) “Academic freedom is guaranteed.”

Technically, the Japanese could have been written 「学問の自由は保障する」and saved a few characters without changing the meaning at all.

So why has the 「これを」been included? Is it style points? Is it someone looking for an extra few yen from the translation fee?

One of the teachers at my school thinks it’s because adding the 「これを」makes the phrase into the 5-7-5 syllable form of a Haiku, and gives the phrase a beautiful flow.

がくもんの - 5

じゆうはこれを - 7

ほしょうする - 5

A mere coincidence? Beats me.

- Harvey

Related Posts... (in theory)   Japan Constitution - Article 9    Pro-Constitution Revision Rappers and Protectionist Kansai Obaasan  

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2 Comments »

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  1. Gravatar

    Teehee. I am such a nerd. I really liked that. =P

    Comment by Grace — May 10, 2007 #

  2. Gravatar

    That is really interesting! And there is a nice flow to haiku form :) I noticed it while I was reading.

    Comment by Heather Meadows — May 10, 2007 #

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