2-Japanese Language, Script, and Pronunciation

Introduction to Japanese Language and Script

• Importance of language and script in Japanese culture.

• Japanese language is quite different from Western languages in its script and pronunciation.

• Japanese has a vibrant culture that values the written word, evident in busy urban environments like Tokyo's Times Square.

Japanese Writing Systems

• Total Writing Systems: Four main writing systems used in Japan.

  • Kanji:

    • Derived from Chinese characters; introduced from China during historical trade.

    • Used to represent ideas in pictorial forms and adapted for local use.

  • Hiragana:

    • Developed as a feminine script by women in Japan who were often not allowed full literacy.

    • Soft, flowing script; used primarily by children learning kanji.

    • Includes many connecting words still in use today.

  • Katakana:

    • More angular and rugged script used for foreign words and loanwords.

    • Example of usage: represents many contemporary foreign words phonetically.

  • Romaji:

    • Romanized script for writing Japanese in Latin letters.

    • Often used to help non-Japanese speakers read Japanese words.

Environments with Mixed Scripts

• Examples from Tokyo:

  • Signs incorporating kanji, hiragana, katakana, and romaji.

  • Use of kanji for local terminology (e.g., seafood as 'shihudo') alongside foreign adaptations.

  • Illustrates how different scripts serve diverse cultural contexts.

Examples of Kanji and Cultural Representation

• Kanji symbols: Each symbol carries layered meanings and cultural significance.

• Common kanji symbols:

  • Nihon (Japan): made up of symbols for "sun" and "book."

  • Yama (Mountain): visually resembles a mountain.

  • Kawa (River): implies movement and flow.

• Example names: Coalescing kanji concepts into place names (e.g., Yamagawa).

  • Small is pronounced "ko" and big is pronounced "oo" in kanji.

Language Structure and Pronunciation

• Japanese syllabary consists of:

  • 14 consonants and 5 vowel sounds.

  • Examples include combinations like "ka, ki, ku, ke, ko" and "sa, shi, su, se, so."

  • Emphasizes simpler pronunciation compared to English.

• Unique linguistic features:

  • Lengthening vowels by repeating them.

  • Flat intonation patterns with fewer accent variations compared to English.

Challenges of Pronunciation

• Common issues: Japanese names and words can be difficult to pronounce accurately for non-native speakers.

• Complex words often add additional vowel sounds to separate consonants (e.g., "Maku don ludo" for McDonald's).

• Celebrated example: Karaoke pronounced as "ka-ra-o-ke" with distinct syllables.

Cultural Nuances in Language

• Japanese language reflects cultural stratification and regional dialect variations.

• Politeness in speech often conveyed through intonation and sentence structure.

• Casual versus formal modes of addressing, useful when navigating social settings in Japan.

Conclusion

• Learning Japanese script and pronunciation requires time and practice.

• Not all writing systems can be learned quickly, but foundational knowledge can enhance communication.

• Encouragement to practice pronunciation in a classroom setting for immersive learning.