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It starts with knowing why it was originally pronounced "eh-mohjee", and not "ee-mojee". The better question, then, if you really want to learn about culture,
by mudlus 5y ago
It starts with knowing why it was originally pronounced "eh-mohjee", and not "ee-mojee".
The better question, then, if you really want to learn about culture, is why red is a good color in Japanese culture.
I'll just tell you: Red is related to sun symbolizm in Shinto, it scares away evil spirits of 'the dark'. And the Japanese emporer (before McArthur said otherwise) was a sun god (descended from Amaterasu). Some Japanese still intrinsictly believe this. This is represented in the Japanese 'asahi' emperial flag with the red circle and red lines, and in the current national flag with the red circle (white is a symbol of purity in Shinto, as well, btw). Torii gates are also red, etc etc.
- kingcharles 5y agoI had to look this up, as I (wrongly) thought the etymology was derived from the English "emoticon", but it's not, it is a purely Japanese word. https://www.sciencefriday.com/articles/the-origin-of-the-word-emoji/ https://www.sciencefriday.com/articles/the-origin-of-the-wor... So, yes, you are absolutely right, technically I have been mispronouncing it for almost two decades. I can't stop now though, because everyone else outside Japan is also doing the same.
- Cyberdog 5y agoJust wait until you learn about the correct pronunciation of "karate!" :D
- kingcharles 5y agoMy first day learning Japanese...!
- Talanes 5y ago> So, yes, you are absolutely right, technically I have been mispronouncing it for almost two decades. I think by this point it's just as correct to say you have been correctly pronouncing the English loanword.