Liltay in China

Peace sign: worthy of an entry

Wow! Look what I found when I typed in, "History of hand peace sign in photos" on Google:

During the 1972 Winter Olympics in Sapporo, figure skater Janet Lynn stumbled into Japanese pop culture when she fell during a free-skate period—but continued to smile even as she sat on the ice. Though she placed only 3rd in the actual competition, her cheerful diligence and indefatigability resonated with many Japanese viewers, making her an overnight celebrity in Japan. Afterwards, Lynn (a peace activist) was repeatedly seen flashing the V sign in the Japanese media. Though the V sign was known of in Japan prior to Lynn's use of it there (from the post-WWII Allied occupation of Japan), she is credited by some Japanese for having popularized its use in amateur photographs.

Through the 1970s and 1980s in Japan, the V sign was often accompanied by a vocalization: "piisu!" This gairaigo exclamation, which stood for "peace", has since fallen into disuse, though the V sign itself remains steadfastly popular.

The V sign is also commonly used in anime and Japanese live-action shows. When characters show this sign, it is often accompanied by an exclamation of "Vui!" (pronounced "vwee!"), an exaggeration, or possible slurring (see Engrish) of the English pronunciation "vee".

Perhaps due to Japanese cultural influence, the V sign in photographs has become popular with young Koreans, Hong Kongers, and Taiwanese as well. The sign is ubiquitous in Taiwan and is closely associated with the English word, "happy". Print and television advertisements read "happy" with hands waving while displaying the V sign, and the average Taiwanese person will invariably give that word as the meaning of the sign.

For even more info on the PEACE SIGN, visit Wikipedia here:

http://anonymouse.org/cgi-bin/anon-www.cgi/http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/V-sign

And, thanks to Wikipedia for the info up above...

2006-09-10 08:02:36 GMT

Comments (2 total)

Author:Anonymous

Lillis, I see that the sly comedian side of you is being used in a most efficacious manner. If anything, this business is a great way to develop stand-up comedy skills. I also have difficulties remembering students names, but I have an excuse, I don't care. Actually, I do care to some extent but it's only because they really seem to be upset if I forget their names. So to remedy that, I have assigned names that are easy to remember, names that sort of fit individual personalities or physical attributes, such as liver lips, afro dude, pointy shoes, sleepy head, shark teeth, punky, pinky, etc. or I just let them choose an English name. They seem to prefer the English name, I suppose because it allows them to step outside of their Japanese persona for awhile and pretend that they are westerners.
By the way, the font size that you are using in your journal is much easier to read. However, The spacing is too close, at least on this PC, it is. Could be just fine on other computers, however.
--Shaun

2006-09-17 03:23:13 GMT

Author:liltayinchina

But Shaun, I DO CARE! These children will grow up and most likely do business with the Western world and I just don't think Mr. Lips (first name Liver) would be taken seriously in the soy bean exporting world. So, I've given them names like "Oxford" and "Petunia", but mainly because Petunia looks like a little flower smiling up at me all through class and Oxford's little white-framed glasses hint at a most erudite persona.

As for the font size, leading, etc. I give up and suggest that not all worthwhile ventures are easy or forthcoming. I'm searching for die-hard fans, here : )

2006-09-17 10:39:20 GMT

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