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Anne Crescini

From EverybodyWiki Bios & Wiki


Anne Crescini
PronunciationAnne Larson Crescini
Born (1974-05-21) May 21, 1974 (age 52)
 United StatesWytheville, Virginia
🏡 ResidenceMunakata, Fukuoka Prefecture
🏳️ Nationality( United States)→
 Japan
💼 Occupation
Anne Crescini
YouTube information
Channel
Subscribers1,760 subscribers
Total views33,094 views
Updated April 9, 2022

Anne Crescini (born (1974-05-21) May 21, 1974 (age 52)) is a Japan-based Linguist (overseas language training, Linguistics). She holds a Master's degree in Applied Linguistics (Old Dominion University, 2002). Currently, she is an Associate Professor at Kitakyushu City University Hibikino Branch Foundation Education Center.

She is also a writer, columnist, blogger, commentator, YouTuber, Munakata Support Ambassador, and mother of three.

Her catchphrase is "I love Japan so much I can't stand it."

On November 21, 2023, she acquired Japanese nationality[1].

Her business representative agency is Hav Mercy[2]

Biography & Persona

Early Life

Born on May 21, 1974, in Wytheville, Virginia, USA[3][4]. Her father is a professor teaching Sociology[5]. Her mother is a French language teacher[6]. During high school, her dream was to become a basketball player[7].

She lost 20 kg in a few months to improve her basketball skills[8], but for the following 25 years, she suffered from Eating Disorder[9].

Student Years

She attended Mary Washington College in Fredericksburg, Virginia, where she studied Philosophy of Religion[10]. (Mary Washington College later became part of University of Mary Washington) and graduated in 1996[10].

After graduation, she enrolled in a seminary in Boston[6]. During her studies, she participated in a Christian conference in Illinois[6] and got engaged to a man she met there, but[7] her fiancé was assigned to Japan to participate in a Foreign Language Youth Recruitment Project[7]. Consequently, she moved to Japan with her fiancé in September 1997[7].

A memorable story from her first visit to Japan is that she spent a year unaware of how to use a Japanese-style toilet, wondering, "Why is the toilet paper behind me?" and kept questioning this[11].

First Visit to Japan and Marriage

She married her fiancé the following year[7] and started her life as a newlywed in a 1K apartment in Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture[7]. She struggled to adapt to Japanese customs and food culture, often crying inside her futon[7].

When moving, she bought detergents to greet neighbors politely and practiced saying "It's a small gift"[9]. However, when she knocked on the door, someone asked "Who are you?", catching her off guard[9]. She couldn't understand the phrase "I'm your neighbor," and, flustered, she accidentally answered "I'm a foreigner"[9].

Return to Japan - Graduate School Enrollment

In 2000, she returned to the US[7].

She became close with local Japanese students and was introduced to Japanese songs at Karaoke[7], which deepened her interest in Japanese language[7]. She discovered the joy of teaching language, and enrolled in the Graduate School at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia to study Applied Linguistics[10]. She completed her Master’s program in 2002 and obtained a Master’s degree in Applied Linguistics[10].

Return to Japan - As a Linguist

She then moved to Japan again[4] and was hired by Kitakyushu City University (a sister school of Old Dominion University)[10], where she taught language at the School of International Environmental Engineering from 2003 to 2008[10]. In 2005, she passed the Japanese Language Proficiency Test Level 1[12]. (In 2005, Kitakyushu City University was incorporated as a Public University Corporation, transferring its ownership from Kitakyushu City to a public university corporation with the same name, but she continued working as a language instructor.) In 2008, she was appointed as a Lecturer at the Foundation Education Center's Hibikino Branch[10]. She mainly provided foundational education to the School of International Environmental Engineering[10]. Subsequently, she was promoted to Associate Professor at the same center[10], continuing her foundational education duties[10].

Moving to Munakata and Meeting a Close Friend

In March 2014, she moved from Kitakyushu to Munakata, Fukuoka[13]. That same year, she acquired permanent residency[14]. She now deeply enjoys life in Munakata, describing it as "the most wonderful place in the world"[15]. She formed cross-cultural friendships, including with a Japanese friend who believes in Buddhism and an American country girl who believes in Christianity[9]. Her Japanese friend requested her to write a blog in Japanese, leading her to create the bilingual blog "Anne’s View of Japan" in June 2017[16]. As a "Foreign Yankee Associate Professor and Bilingual Blogger," she gained attention[17]. The blog's popularity increased after Kazuyo Kato, a renowned economist, shared it[18].

In January 2019, she was appointed as a Munakata Support Ambassador[19].

Personality

During her university days, she had no particular interest in Japan[7] and said she "knew nothing about Japan"[7]. However, because her father drove a Japanese car, her only impression of Japan was that it was "reliable and never broke down"[7]. Over time, as she lived longer in Munakata, Fukuoka, she developed her own perspective called the "Worldview"[9][20], gaining a deeper understanding of Japanese people's behavior[9] and overcoming her Eating disorder[9]. Using the abstract concept of "Moment" (刹那), she now speaks highly sophisticated Japanese[21], though she speaks in Munakata dialect rather than Standard Japanese[22].

Chronology

Research

Her specialty is Linguistics[10], with a focus on Wasei-eigo (Japanese-made English). In 2018, she appeared on the TEDxFukuoka stage[4][9].

She notes that the definition of Wasei-eigo varies depending on the researcher[23]. For example, some consider words like "part-time job" (which is not originally English) as Wasei-eigo[23], and even words originating purely from Japanese, like "Chaku" (zipper), are called Wasei-eigo by some[23]. She argues she does not consider such words as Wasei-eigo[23] and distinguishes her view.

Keywords to Know About Her

Japanese Language

She loves Japanese language, saying, "I am happier when speaking Japanese" [3]. She describes Japanese as a language "full of words of prayer and gratitude," emphasizing its beauty[4]. Among her favorite Japanese words are "Ōbanburi" (lavish), "Chiribameru" (scattered), "Kakki kyūka" (summer vacation), "Chimi-mōryō" (chimera), and "Suga Kanbō Chōkan" (Chief Cabinet Secretary Suga)[24].

Wasei-eigo

Since her university days, she has researched Wasei-eigo, which refers to Japanese words that sound like English[25]. Its emergence is largely attributed to the Katakana script[26]. The habit of representing foreign words with Katakana, combined with the tendency to create new words by combining or abbreviating[26], facilitates the creation of Wasei-eigo like "PC" (personal computer).

Her interest in Wasei-eigo began when a friend used the term "Pipe Cut" (vasectomy)[27], and she fell in love with Wasei-eigo at that moment[27].

She emphasizes that Wasei-eigo is "not real English"[28] and warns that using Wasei-eigo abroad may lead to misunderstandings[28]. For example, she mentions "Baby Bed" and "Stroller" as common Wasei-eigo that are more understandable than their actual English counterparts[29]. The correct English terms are "crib" and "stroller," respectively, but Wasei-eigo is often clearer[30] and considered "creative."

She also warns about words where the meaning deviates from standard English, such as "Aggressive" (which means "attack" in English but is often used to mean "active" in Japanese) and "Nieve" (which means "delicate" but actually means "ignorant" or "naive")[27].

Worldview

Her 2018 TEDxFukuoka presentation centered on this topic. She argues that understanding "worldview" is essential to understanding others, including different cultures, spouses, and friends[9].

The concept of worldview refers to "how you see the world," and influences "human thoughts, lifestyles, relationships, morals, child-rearing, etc."[9]. She explains that Japanese customs like saying "Itadakimasu" before eating and co-sleeping with babies are part of culture, but the deeper question of "why" these customs exist relates to one's worldview[9].

She points out that worldview also manifests in attitudes toward food[31]. In Shinto, which is deeply rooted in Japanese culture, "all life is equally valuable," so the belief behind "don't waste food" is based on respecting the animals and plants that sacrificed their lives[9].

She stresses that studying language and culture alone is not enough; understanding the worldview behind a language is crucial[32]. Superficial understanding can lead to disrespect or unconscious teasing[33]. Recognizing another's worldview enables seeing the world from different perspectives[32] and enriches life[9].

Miso

Her struggle with Eating disorder began in high school due to an extreme diet, and in her first year at university, she was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis[8][34]. Her eating disorder improved temporarily during university but relapsed after childbirth and parenting[35]. She held the belief "Food is the enemy"[35] and suffered from poor health, but her Japanese friend encouraged her to cook Japanese dishes[35]. This changed her relationship with food[9]. Inspired by Japanese food culture, she began eating everything, including fish she previously hated, and finally overcame her 25-year battle with Eating disorder[9]. She now feels she will never be controlled by food again[36].

A key factor in shifting her diet to Japanese food was Miso[37]. Her friend suggested she try making her own[38]. By making miso herself, her resident bacteria mixed into the ingredients, allowing her to consume a type of miso suited to her[38]. As a result, her Ulcerative Colitis symptoms lessened, and her health visibly improved[38].

Media Activities

TV Appearances

Newspaper Columns

  • Nishi-Nippon Shimbun Lifestyle section “Anne’s Japan GO!”, biweekly Fridays (since January 2018)

Various Websites

  • ARC Learning Site GOCHA![44]
  • KADOKAWA Study Walker[45]
  • Toyo Keizai Online “Did You Know That ‘Drink Bar’ is Not English?”[23]

YouTube

  • TEDxFukuoka presentation “Knowing Worldview Changes People” (January 27, 2018)[9]
  • TEDxFukuoka presentation “Magic to Bring Out Youth’s Potential” (December 12, 2020)[46]
  • Anne’s Language Cafe (Official YouTube channel)[47]
  • Anne Tube (Within Munakata City Official YouTube Channel)[48]
  • Anne’s Funny Japan (Produced by COLT Inc.)[49]
  • Anne’s One Phrase English Conversation (Produced by COLT Inc.)[50]

Blogs

  • Bilingual Blog “Anne's View of Japan” (since June 2017)[51]

Publications

Solo Works

  • Anne Crescini, Driving Me Crazy about It -- Reflections of an American in Japan, Createspace, 2012. ISBN 9781481147729
  • Anne Crescini, Bathhouses and Bodybags -- And 98 Other Things You Need to Know about Japan, Createspace, 2013. ISBN 9781492217329
  • Anne Crescini, WEEK SOURCES: My Life, the Power of Jesus, Our Stories, 2017 ISBN 9781542588867
  • Anne Crescini, Bari Bari Ukeru! Japan English Alc, 2018.
  • Anne Crescini, Do You Know That PET Bottles are Not English!? Pia, 2018. ISBN 9784835638843
  • Anne Crescini, Quick Hospital English Handbook Alc, 2018.
  • Anne Crescini, From Katakana English to Communicative English Alc, 2019
  • Anne Crescini, How Do You Translate "Bimyo" in English? The Japanese-English Word That Is Difficult to Translate Alc, 2019
  • Anne Crescini, Anne-chan’s Japan Love Obsession! LLC Ribbon Ship, 2021. ISBN 978-4434289316
  • Anne Crescini, Why Do Japanese Always Mis-Translate 'Upset'? Thinking in English Frames Alc, 2023. ISBN 978-4757440425

Co-Authored Works

  • Anne Crescini, Ryuji Miyamoto, Teach Me! Miyamoto-san: The Mysterious Japanese Unconscious Use of Japanese! Sunmark Publishing, 2020 ISBN 9784763138095

References

  1. ↑ Notice!, her personal blog dated November 23, 2023
  2. ↑ "Anne Crescini - Hav Mercy". Hav Mercy (in 日本語). Retrieved 2025-01-22.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 テレビ東京・ＢＳテレ東. 在住18年！ピアスに革ジャンの米国人准教授：ワタシが日本に住む理由 | テレビ東京・ＢＳテレ東の読んで見て感じるメディア テレ東プラス (in 日本語). Retrieved 2025-07-29 – via www.tv-tokyo.co.jp.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 Kyoko Tomiyasu, “Enchanted by Japanese-made English words such as PET bottle and Morning Call—Associate Professor Anne Crescini at Kitakyushu City University,”『Zakzak』, November 7, 2018.
  5. ↑ "'Yankee Associate Professor'". Anne from Japan (in 日本語). Retrieved 2019-08-07.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 "'A Love Story with Japan by Anne-chan (Part 1)'". Anne from Japan (in 日本語). Retrieved 2019-08-07.
  7. ↑ 7.00 7.01 7.02 7.03 7.04 7.05 7.06 7.07 7.08 7.09 7.10 7.11 7.12 7.13 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named tvTokyo20180422
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 "'Japan's Excellent Healthcare System'". Anne from Japan (in 日本語). Retrieved 2019-08-07.
  9. ↑ 9.00 9.01 9.02 9.03 9.04 9.05 9.06 9.07 9.08 9.09 9.10 9.11 9.12 9.13 9.14 9.15 9.16 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named :0
  10. ↑ 10.00 10.01 10.02 10.03 10.04 10.05 10.06 10.07 10.08 10.09 10.10 10.11 10.12 10.13 10.14 10.15 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named profile
  11. ↑ "'I was deceived about how to take a bath'". Anne from Japan (in 日本語). Retrieved 2019-08-07.
  12. ↑ :5
  13. ↑ "Munakata City Official Site - Munakatagraph". www.muna-brand.jp. Retrieved 2019-07-25.
  14. ↑ "'A Love Story with Japan (Part 2)'". Anne from Japan (in 日本語). Retrieved 2019-08-07.
  15. ↑ "'Be Careful with English Expressions'". Anne from Japan (in 日本語). Retrieved 2019-08-07.
  16. ↑ "This Person! : Kitakyushu City University Associate Professor Anne Crescini / Fukuoka". Mainichi Shimbun (in 日本語). Retrieved 2019-08-06.
  17. ↑ "'Anne's Saturday [Japanese-English Language Course] #2'". Anne from Japan (in 日本語). Retrieved 2019-08-07.
  18. ↑ "'Anne's Saturday [Japanese-English Language Course] #2'". Anne from Japan (in 日本語). Retrieved 2019-08-07.
  19. ↑ "Message from Anne upon appointment as Munakata Support Ambassador". Munakata City. 16 April 2019. Retrieved 2019-08-06.
  20. ↑ "'What is a worldview?'". Anne from Japan (in 日本語). Retrieved 2019-08-07.
  21. ↑ "'Living in the Moment: How Japanese Live'". Anne from Japan (in 日本語). Retrieved 2019-08-07.
  22. ↑ "How to Improve Your English with Essential Tips". StudyWalker (in 日本語). Retrieved 2019-08-06.
  23. ↑ 23.0 23.1 23.2 23.3 23.4 Anne Crescini, “Do you know that ‘drink bar’ isn't English? The wonderful world of Japanese-made English,”『Toyokeizai Online』, September 27, 2018.
  24. ↑ "'Top 10 Japanese Words by Anne'". Anne from Japan (in 日本語). Retrieved 2019-08-07.
  25. ↑ "'Foreign words and Wasei-eigo are different!'". GOTCHA!. 18 October 2017. Retrieved 2019-07-28.
  26. ↑ 26.0 26.1 "'Pet Bottles, Morning Calls… The Wonderful World of Japanese-made English'". zakzak. 7 November 2018. Retrieved 2019-07-30.
  27. ↑ 27.0 27.1 27.2 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named :6
  28. ↑ 28.0 28.1 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named :11
  29. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named :12
  30. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named :13
  31. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named :1
  32. ↑ 32.0 32.1 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named :10
  33. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named :16
  34. ↑ "'Close call for Anne the Blogger! The biggest crisis in a country where she couldn't speak the language'". StudyWalker (in 日本語). Retrieved 2019-08-06.
  35. ↑ 35.0 35.1 35.2 "'Friendship Across Borders'". Anne from Japan (in 日本語). Retrieved 2019-08-07.
  36. ↑ "'Friendship Beyond Borders (Added)'". Anne from Japan (in 日本語). Retrieved 2019-08-07.
  37. ↑ "'Miso Saved Anne'". Anne from Japan (in 日本語). Retrieved 2019-08-07.
  38. ↑ 38.0 38.1 38.2 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named :18
  39. ↑ "Mentai Wide - FBS Fukuoka Broadcasting". Mentai Wide - FBS. Retrieved 2019-08-07.
  40. ↑ "Fukuoka News File CUBE". Fukuoka News File CUBE (in 日本語). Retrieved 2019-08-07.
  41. ↑ "Suki-chan Kitakyushu". TVQ Kyushu. Retrieved 2019-08-07.
  42. ↑ "Gogatsu ni Muchu! in Kitakyushu". NHK. Retrieved 2023-11-22.
  43. ↑ "Matsuko's Unknown World". TBS. Retrieved 2023-11-22.
  44. ↑ "Articles on Anne Crescini". GOTCHA!. Retrieved 2019-08-07.
  45. ↑ "Articles on Anne Crescini". StudyWalker. Retrieved 2019-08-07.
  46. ↑ "Magic to Bring Out Youth's Potential". YouTube. 8 January 2021. Retrieved 2021-09-29.
  47. ↑ "Anne's Language Cafe - YouTube". YouTube. Retrieved 2021-09-29.
  48. ↑ "Anne Tube vol.1 "Why Did Anne Come to Japan!?"". YouTube. 17 April 2020. Retrieved 2021-09-29.
  49. ↑ "Anne-chan's "OMOSHIROI" JAPAN - Anne's Funny Japan - YouTube". YouTube. Retrieved 2019-08-07.
  50. ↑ "Anne's One Phrase English Conversation - YouTube". YouTube. Retrieved 2019-08-07.
  51. ↑ "Anne's View of Japan". ameblo.jp. Retrieved 2019-08-07.

External Links

Category:Japanese bloggersCategory:People from Virginia Category:1974 births Category:Living people



References


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