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I learned Japanese while a friend of mine learned Korean. We would talk sometimes and teach each other languages. One thing I grew envious of was hangul. It is
by BoysenberryPi 11y ago
I learned Japanese while a friend of mine learned Korean. We would talk sometimes and teach each other languages. One thing I grew envious of was hangul. It is such a drastically better writing system than the Japanese system of kana and kanji that it isn't even funny. It really makes writing Japanese feel hacked together.
- stephengillie 11y agoThe Japanese writing system uses different letters for the same sounds, depending on their source - foreign languages and animal sounds use Katakana, not Hiragana. If it were intentional, it might be considered rude to foreigners to organize a language that way - grouping foreigners with the animals, based on their sounds.
- yongjik 11y agoWell, but that's not too different from the use of Italics in English orthography, which also includes sound effects and foreign words: > It made a distinct thunk as it hit the bottom. > She's so blasé about HN comments these days.
- deleted 11y ago[deleted]
- stephengillie 11y ago> Well, but that's not too different from the use of Italics in English orthography, which also includes sound effects and foreign words. True. But using italics with foreign words is not a de facto English language rule.
- pietjepuk88 11y agoPlease note that Japanese words themselves can also be written in katakana, sometimes as a sort of emphasis. Other reasons can be it being a brand/name, or because it is easier on the eyes, or because the kanji are too difficult. So it's not like every word written in katakana is a foreign one. That said, most words written in katakana are probably foreign.
- stephengillie 11y agoThis is a nuance to Japanese I did not know. Thank you for educating me. :)