It is said that, before the Second World War, there were curious differences in the writings on signboards of pawnshops, which seemed to differ based on the prefecture one was in. If you were in Tokyo, you might see γγγ‘γγ (shichiya). But if you were in the Kansai region, particularly Osaka, you might see γγ²γ‘γγ … Continue reading Speaking Japanese — The Interchangeability of /s/ and /h/
Speaking Japanese
Speaking Japanese — The Four Kana (Yotsugana)
If you have learnt Japanese, you most likely have been introduced to how it is spoken in Tokyo, or to a lesser extent, Osaka, Kobe, Kyoto, or any Kansai variant. However, there are some kana sounds that may or may not sound different based on the prefecture you are in. These four, γ₯, γ, γ, … Continue reading Speaking Japanese — The Four Kana (Yotsugana)
Speaking Japanese — Understanding Aidzuchi
Verbal communication brings out a lot of colour in a language, way beyond the confines of the materials upon which the language is recorded in. Everyday expressions, slang terms, and other kinds of word variants can be picked up through speaking and listening in a conversational context. Very often, when listening to Japanese conversations, or … Continue reading Speaking Japanese — Understanding Aidzuchi
Speaking Japanese — What Exactly is Rendaku?
When learning Japanese, you would have encountered several patterns in speech. For example, while a person in Japanese is δΊΊ (γ²γ¨, hito), the plural may be δΊΊγ (γ²γ¨γ³γ¨, hitobito). In a rather similar fashion, time is ζ (γ¨γ, toki), while sometimes is ζγ (γ¨γγ©γ, tokidoki). You may be asking, what is the pattern here? Notice … Continue reading Speaking Japanese — What Exactly is Rendaku?
The Language Closet 