STUDENT INTERVIEW: Tomas O Canainn (SILAC)

Tomas O Canainn

Tomas from Ireland was in the middle of his four week program on SILAC when I interviewed him for this week's newsletter.

Jon: How's everything going so far Tomas?
Tomas: Going great. It's harder work than I expected, more intense but very satisfying. My honest opinion is that the teachers are excellent and the program is very well organised.

J: So what's the reason for you to study Japanese?
T: I don't really know.......Years ago a Japanese guy from the University of Dublin came to me in Cork to learn traditional Irish singing. He gave me some Japanese language tapes and that sparked my interest.
J: That was the main reason?
T: Not completely. University College Cork offered Japanese language courses for a year but they stopped them recently so I looked for a school in Japan to come and study at.

J: Why did you pick Yamasa?
T: My friend, Liz Cranitch, applied for the Private program and she recommended it to me.

J: How much of the Japanese that you learned in Cork have you managed to use whilst you've been here?
T: Quite a lot of the things I've been taught.

J: What do you find is the most difficult part of the language?
T: What I can't do, but I'd like to do in the future, is write kanji. The counting system that they use takes some time to learn as does the different words you have to use depending on whether you're talking about your family or someone elses.

J: Do you speak any other languages?
T: Spanish fluently - I lectured in Valencia, and I've done a fair bit of Greek. At home I speak Gaelic. I grew up speaking English as my first language but when I married my wife and I decided to bring up our children speaking Gaelic.

J: I remember reading on your application form that you were retired.
T: That's right. I was the Dean of Engineering at the University of Cork and I also taught Irish traditional music.
J: Tell me a little bit more about your interest in music.
T: I play the uilleann pipes and have made a few CD's and written quite a few books about traditional Irish music. I travelled around Europe and America with a famous group called 'Na Fili'.

J: What have been your impressions of Okazaki?
T: The biggest disappointment was probably the weather (it's been raining for the past few days). I think I expected something a little more picturesque. People seem to totally ignore each other when they pass on the street which is something that I'm not used to, but once you talk with them they are very friendly.

J: And how is the accommodation?
T: I'm staying in Residence U and I've been surprised how comfortable it is. The air conditioning worked well and there were more TV channels than I expected. You don't meet many of the other people living there though as there are no communal facilities.

J: Is this your first time in Japan?
T: Yes, my first time in East Asia. I've played in Iraq, just after the Iran-Iraq war had finished and that was an experience.

J: Have you managed to travel much since you arrived?
T: I haven't been able to so far as I've been trying to get my pipes working. I will play at the Ambassador's reception at the Irish Embassy in Tokyo on March 17th, St. Patricks Day. I'll also be playing at an Irish bar called Foleys in Roppongi (Tokyo) on Sunday.

J: Any plans after you finish studying?
T: No real plans. There's a certain time in your life when you shouldn't be planning too far ahead, but I will be doing some composing when I get back to Ireland.

J: Do you have any hints or tips for students coming to Yamasa?
T: If you come in March, bring a coat because it's cold! Also, find out a bit about the food before you come. I have a wheat allergy which can be difficult and I wish I knew more kanji as it would makes things easier.

J: And finally; any message for our readers?
T: Ganbatte kudasai! Oh, and Ki o tsukete!