Rant on Japanese Terms

First, I am no expert and I don't even come close to knowing about the use of Japanese terms along with the associated characters/ideograms. I do use them as a teaching tool especially to provide a sense of historical cultural beliefs that gave birth to the martial arts, especially Okinawan Karate. The terms I use are the written terms for teaching and as to the terms in the dojo they are few and far between simply because I am an American, not a Japanese or Okinawan. 

It is fun to use some terms that are seemingly necessary for teaching martial arts but those terms are few as well. I also use at least three dictionaries and about eight Internet translations sites to make sure I am at least close to the meaning. If someone provides me information that either refutes or corrects what I provide I change it. 

I get a bit ruffled when I see blatant ignorance using Japanese terms just so one can seem official, knowledgable and Asian like to give the impression of authenticity. I read an email, one I tried to get off of the list for but they insist on continually sending them to me, the use of the word compai for a celebration of several masters of Isshinryu. If you have even a modicum of understanding of the term you already know that compai is not a Japanese or Okinawan word or term. I understand what they intended for it to mean:

Kenpai [乾杯] meaning to toast; drink (in celebration or in honor of something); drinking one's glass dry; cheers. The first character means, "drought; dry; dessicate; drink up; heaven; emperor and counter for cupfuls; wine glass; glass; toast." 

I kind of get ruffled when such terms are used, for very excellent purposes in this case, but they don't bother to try to even get the term and the meaning validated as correct, as correct as these things can be done with the sources, before making use of them. 

Needless to say I provided the perceived more accurate term to the email senders and recepients. I have a feeling even tho I was polite that since it involves both ego and pride, they all were high ranked or called masters, I will finally be removed from that email list and even receive strong, flaming, rebuttals. 

I use terms, characters and ideograms as a teaching method for cultural belief and historical perspectives but welcome all relevant and validated corrections if and when I am wrong. I have a book of terms with unusual more philosophical definitions but what I did was look up all of them before I used them. I still expect to be wrong and welcome the chance for someone to show me the light. 

Ok, my rant on terms and terminologies is over now, get back to training and practice :-)