The 1st Japanese Language Contest Guidelines
2023/11/20
1. Date and Time: 24 February 2024 (Saturday) 12:00-
2. Venue: Multipurpose Hall, Embassy of Japan in Zambia
(Address: No.5218, Haile Selassie Avenue, Lusaka)
3. Co-organizers: Embassy of Japan in Zambia, Hokkaido University Africa Office
4. Entry Categories
(1) Reading of Assigned Texts
Please choose one from the following two works and read the whole text aloud in Japanese. It is not necessary to memorize the text.
A: “Ame ni mo Makezu”, Author: Kenji Miyazawa
B: “Chieko Sho: Lemon Lament”, Author: Kotaro Takamura
(* For the texts, please refer to 10 below.)
Reading time: 2 minutes or less
Judging criteria: pronunciation and expression
(2) Free Theme Recitation
Please choose a text from a Japanese poem, novel, folktale, fairy tale, anime, manga, etc. of your choice, and recite it in Japanese. At the end of the reading, please explain in your own words why you chose the work. You may not look at the text or note when reciting or explaining. Please memorize what you will have to say. There will be no Q&A session.
Recitation time: 2 minutes or less
Explanation time: 1 minute or less
Judging criteria: pronunciation, expression and ability to compose sentences
5. Eligibility
(1) Applicants must be non-native speakers of Japanese.
(2) Applicants must reside in Zambia.
(3) Applicants must not have experience of residing in Japan for more than 5 years.
6. Application Procedure
Please access the following website to apply. After entering the required information, you need to upload the audio data of your reading. The deadline for application is 31 January 2024. (Those who wish to participate in the Free Theme Recitation may read the text, etc. to record the audio to apply. Memorization will be necessary on the day of the contest.)
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfvZ-IfC_zFr2kkFGqh1r-fSdp36yAjAhxZNUuK67Gbw71yAg/viewform?usp=sf_link
7. Prize Giveaway
Winners will be selected for the 1st to 3rd place in each category. Winners will receive a prize giveaway.
8. Number of Applicants
Up to 10 applicants in each category.
If there are too many applications, the secretariat will conduct the first round of judging based on the audio data submitted.
9. Terms and Conditions
Please apply only if you agree to all of the following:
(1) Participants who submit voice data by someone other than themselves or who are found to have made false statements on the application form will be disqualified.
(2) Participants may not apply for both the assigned reading and free theme recitation categories.
(3) The names, nationalities, photos, and comments of participants may be published on the website and social media of the co-organizers.
(4) The press may cover the contest.
10. Reference Information
Texts, English translations and sample readings of the assigned texts can be found on the following websites:
A: “Ame ni mo Makezu”, Author: Kenji Miyazawa
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ame_ni_mo_makezu
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tBYABW_ixG4
B: “Chieko Sho: Lemon Lament”, Author: Kotaro Takamura
https://aozoraroudoku.jp/voice/rdp/rd568.html
http://www.paularcher.net/translations/kotaro_takamura/the_chieko_poems/lemon_elegy.html
2. Venue: Multipurpose Hall, Embassy of Japan in Zambia
(Address: No.5218, Haile Selassie Avenue, Lusaka)
3. Co-organizers: Embassy of Japan in Zambia, Hokkaido University Africa Office
4. Entry Categories
(1) Reading of Assigned Texts
Please choose one from the following two works and read the whole text aloud in Japanese. It is not necessary to memorize the text.
A: “Ame ni mo Makezu”, Author: Kenji Miyazawa
B: “Chieko Sho: Lemon Lament”, Author: Kotaro Takamura
(* For the texts, please refer to 10 below.)
Reading time: 2 minutes or less
Judging criteria: pronunciation and expression
(2) Free Theme Recitation
Please choose a text from a Japanese poem, novel, folktale, fairy tale, anime, manga, etc. of your choice, and recite it in Japanese. At the end of the reading, please explain in your own words why you chose the work. You may not look at the text or note when reciting or explaining. Please memorize what you will have to say. There will be no Q&A session.
Recitation time: 2 minutes or less
Explanation time: 1 minute or less
Judging criteria: pronunciation, expression and ability to compose sentences
5. Eligibility
(1) Applicants must be non-native speakers of Japanese.
(2) Applicants must reside in Zambia.
(3) Applicants must not have experience of residing in Japan for more than 5 years.
6. Application Procedure
Please access the following website to apply. After entering the required information, you need to upload the audio data of your reading. The deadline for application is 31 January 2024. (Those who wish to participate in the Free Theme Recitation may read the text, etc. to record the audio to apply. Memorization will be necessary on the day of the contest.)
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfvZ-IfC_zFr2kkFGqh1r-fSdp36yAjAhxZNUuK67Gbw71yAg/viewform?usp=sf_link
7. Prize Giveaway
Winners will be selected for the 1st to 3rd place in each category. Winners will receive a prize giveaway.
8. Number of Applicants
Up to 10 applicants in each category.
If there are too many applications, the secretariat will conduct the first round of judging based on the audio data submitted.
9. Terms and Conditions
Please apply only if you agree to all of the following:
(1) Participants who submit voice data by someone other than themselves or who are found to have made false statements on the application form will be disqualified.
(2) Participants may not apply for both the assigned reading and free theme recitation categories.
(3) The names, nationalities, photos, and comments of participants may be published on the website and social media of the co-organizers.
(4) The press may cover the contest.
10. Reference Information
Texts, English translations and sample readings of the assigned texts can be found on the following websites:
A: “Ame ni mo Makezu”, Author: Kenji Miyazawa
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ame_ni_mo_makezu
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tBYABW_ixG4
B: “Chieko Sho: Lemon Lament”, Author: Kotaro Takamura
https://aozoraroudoku.jp/voice/rdp/rd568.html
http://www.paularcher.net/translations/kotaro_takamura/the_chieko_poems/lemon_elegy.html