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Initial struggles with the language barrier (Japanese)

(Japanese) [Learning the] language was the first thing. It was all about the words. For the laundry job, we did all of the cleaning work, but my father had hired people for customer service. My father did the washing, and I did all of the ironing in the back room, since I didn’t understand any Spanish. At my father’s uncle’s store, I was in charge of the deliveries, so I ended up learning phrases like “anque sea un poco” (even just a little), or “anque sea mitad” (even at least half), in order to receive payment for the deliveries.


immigration languages

Date: November 28, 2006

Location: Buenos Aires, Argentina

Interviewer: Takeshi Nishimura, Ricardo Hokama

Contributed by: Centro Nikkei Argentino

Interviewee Bio

Ryoko Hokama was born in November 30th, 1917 in Heira of Ōsato Village, Okinawa. He studied at the former Dai-Ichi (First) Junior High School. Ran a laundry service in Rosario City, Santa Fe, and a flower nursery in Moreno City of the Pacheco district in Buenos Aires. Currently he lives in Caseros with his son’s family, who owns a flower shop. (November 28, 2006)

Vince Ota
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Vince Ota

Moving to and living in Japan

Japanese American Creative designer living in Japan

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Vince Ota
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Vince Ota

The reason to stay in Japan after his third year

Japanese American Creative designer living in Japan

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Aiko Yoshinaga Herzig
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Aiko Yoshinaga Herzig

Results of being more American than Japanese

(1924-2018) Researcher, Activist

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Francis Y. Sogi
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Francis Y. Sogi

Going to Japanese school

(1923-2011) Lawyer, MIS veteran, founder of Francis and Sarah Sogi Foundation

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Francis Y. Sogi
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Francis Y. Sogi

Volunteering to serve for the U.S. military in Japan

(1923-2011) Lawyer, MIS veteran, founder of Francis and Sarah Sogi Foundation

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Francis Y. Sogi
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Francis Y. Sogi

Feeling closer to Japan as a Japanese American

(1923-2011) Lawyer, MIS veteran, founder of Francis and Sarah Sogi Foundation

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Roberto Hirose
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Roberto Hirose

From the "middle" Nikkei (Spanish)

(b. 1950) Nisei Chilean, Businessman

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Roberto Hirose
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Roberto Hirose

The various realities of Nikkei in Latin America (Spanish)

(b. 1950) Nisei Chilean, Businessman

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Roberto Hirose
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Roberto Hirose

Retaining Japanese customs (Spanish)

(b. 1950) Nisei Chilean, Businessman

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Michie Akama
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Michie Akama

Reasons for immigrating to Brazil (Japanese)

Issei, Pioneer of women's education in Brazil

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Paula Hoyos Hattori
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Paula Hoyos Hattori

The arrival of her grandpa (Spanish)

Sansei Argentinean

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Paula Hoyos Hattori
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Paula Hoyos Hattori

To think in one language and live in another (Spanish)

Sansei Argentinean

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Paula Hoyos Hattori
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Paula Hoyos Hattori

Studying Japanese to understand her grandfather (Spanish)

Sansei Argentinean

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Paula Hoyos Hattori
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Paula Hoyos Hattori

Japanese language is the important aspect to keep identity (Spanish)

Sansei Argentinean

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Kazuomi Takagi
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Kazuomi Takagi

Decided to leave Japan to Argentina (Spanish)

(1925-2014) La Plata Hochi, Journalist

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