Chris Kern wrote:

> On 3 Nov 2003 01:49:23 -0800, rcaetano7@yahoo.com (Rafael Caetano)
> posted the following:
>
> >The funny thing is that all this discussion (between Eric and cc)
> >started with a misconception. Namely, that to be fluent in Japanese
> >you need to "understand 100% of the Japanese culture". Nonsense.
> >Speaking a language fluently means being able to speak it naturally,
> >"smoothly", without unnatural pauses, etc. I know many people who
> >speak fluent Japanese but who don't understand "100% of Japanese
> >culture", whatever that means.
>
> I think that few, if any, native Japanese speakers could be said to
> understand "100% of Japanese culture".  Would even 50% be possible?
> I'm not sure.

I am sure it is not possible for an average human being, as we are not
walking encyclopedias, computers or libraries.

But there must be for example, some Japanese equivalent of _The New
Dictionary of Cultural Literacy: What Every American Needs to Know_ (but
note even such volumes are called "thumnails", "lists" or a"basic
reference") which people can strive for.