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Monash student wins language competition

19 November 2008

Kenta Koshiba and Lance Truong.
Sessional tutor and coach Mr Kenta Koshiba (left) with competition winner Lance Truong.

Monash student Lance Truong has taken out the final of the 39th Japanese Language Speech Contest in Sydney.

Mr Truong, who has studied Japanese at Monash for the past three years, talked about "cute culture" in Japan such as Hello Kitty and Pokemon at the competition, saying that it began as a protest against the feudal society but was now used as a marketing tool.

He has been rewarded for his efforts with a return ticket to Japan.

Mr Truong said the competition was invaluable.

"It was a pleasure to meet other people with the same interest in Japan and the language," Mr Truong said.

"I was particularly surprised at the high level of oratory and language skills from all contestants -- actually winning came as quite a shock!"

For more information visit the Japanese Studies Centre website.