On this episode of Ichimon Japan we ask: What katakana words do you hate? Basically, we're talking about funny, quirky and annoying katakana words!
Topics Discussed
- Katakana-ified words that people hate
- Annoying katakana pronunciations
- Some possible reasons for why katakana words are pronounced in peculiar ways
- How katakana words are sometimes closer to the original pronunciation of the word they were adapted from than the English counterpart
- The use of the letter W in Japanese
- The puzzling way some Western names are transliterated into Japanese
- Paella in Japan
- How katakana can be helpful when reading foreign names
- Katakana words that sound like they are plural even though they may not be
- How the word "taco" is written both tako and takosu in Japanese
- And much more!
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Sources, Links, Videos, Etc.
To check out the tweet by Chris Walsh taht inspired this episode use the link below.
Here's the latest JapanKyo Docs video. Please watch, subscribe, give it a like and comment!
Don't forget to check out the latest episode of Japan Station.
Here's a link for the "famous Japanese dogs" episode of Ichimon Japan.
You can support JapanKyo by buying a shirt from Kimito Designs!
Japanese Vocabulary List
Most episodes feature at least one or two interesting Japanese words or phrases. Here's some of the ones that came up on this episode. All information is from Jim Breen's WWWJDIC.
- Kame
- 亀 【かめ(P); カメ(P)】 (n) (1) tortoise; turtle
- Inu
- 犬 : 犬(P); 狗 【いぬ(P); イヌ】 (n) (1) dog (Canis (lupus) familiaris)
We Want Your Questions
Is there something about Japan that confuses you? Is there something about Japanese culture that you would like to learn more about? Is there something in Japanese history that you would like us to explain? We're always looking for new questions about Japan to answer, so if you have one, please send it to ichimon@japankyo.com.
Special Thanks
Opening/Closing Theme: Produced by Apol (YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, Fiverr)
Ichimon Japan cover art: Produced by Erik R.
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Full Show Notes
