Monash Students Successful in Japanese Speech Contest
Stop Press!
The National (Final) Japanese Speech Contest was held on Saturday 18 October in Sydney. Lance Truong (Japanese 10 and Advanced Reading this semester) participated in the contest as the Victorian representative for the Open Division, and won the first prize. He has been rewarded with tickets to Japan and other benefits. Well done Lance!
The 39th Annual Japanese Language Speech Contest Victorian State Final 2008 was held at The University of Melbourne on Saturday 6 September.
This annual event is attended by both high school and tertiary students. The afternoon session consisted of Background Speaker, Open Beginner, and Open Divisions.
In the Open Division, where 14 contestants from various universities in Victoria competed, a Monash student won the first prize. Lance Truong, who is taking Japanese 10 this semester, argued in his speech that the word "kawaii" ("cuteness"), used widely in Japan, had gone through various stages of meaning and usage shifts, and impressed both the audience and the judges. As a Victorian representative, he will compete against students from other states in the national final to be held on 18 September in Sydney.
Other Monash students who were awarded a prizes are: Sovira Chhum (Japanese 4), Commendation, Open Beginner Division; Hannah Gould (Enhancement), Senior Secondary Division; Ivy Wo (Enhancement), Senior Secondary Division.
Congratulations to all!