Generations
The term Nikkei (日系) was coined by sociologists and encompasses all of the world's Japanese immigrants across generations. Japanese-Canadians (and Japanese Americans) have special names for each of their generations in North America. These are formed by combining one of the Japanese numerals with the Japanese word for generation (sei 世):
- Issei (一世) - The first generation of immigrants, born in Japan before moving to Canada.
- Nisei (二世) - The second generation, born in Canada to Issei parents not born in Canada.
- Sansei (三世) - The third generation, born in Canada to Nisei parents born in Canada.
- Yonsei (四世) - The fourth generation, born in Canada to Sansei parents born in Canada.
- Gosei (五世) - The fifth generation, born in Canada to Yonsei parents born in Canada.
Read more about this topic: Japanese Canadians
Famous quotes containing the word generations:
“What really distinguishes this generation in all countries from earlier generations ... is its determination to act, its joy in action, the assurance of being able to change things by one’s own efforts.”
—Hannah Arendt (1906–1975)
“The community and family networks which helped sustain earlier generations have become scarcer for growing numbers of young parents. Those who lack links to these traditional sources of support are hard-pressed to find other resources, given the emphasis in our society on providing treatment services, rather than preventive services and support for health maintenance and well-being.”
—Bernice Weissbourd (20th century)
“There is Israel, for us at least. What no other generation had, we have. We have Israel in spite of all the dangers, the threats and the wars, we have Israel. We can go to Jerusalem. Generations and generations could not and we can.”
—Elie Wiesel (b. 1928)