| Nephie15 |
| Web Headmistress |
 |
| |
| Joined: 27 Apr 2008 |
Posts: 91
|
| Location: California, wondering what was before space |
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
There are three writing forms in Japanese, Hiragana being the first one. The other two are Katakana and Kanji.
Katakana is used for 'loan' words, which are foreign words manipulated into the Japanese sound system. Katakana is very common because there are tons of loan words, and you will hear or read it in everyday life in Japan. Most common Katakana words are from English, but some are from some European languages like German and Portuguese.
(Kanji is covered in the sub-Kanji forum.)
The Japanese make almost as extensive a use of the Latin alphabet as Kanji. You can see it in Japanese street signs for the sake of tourists, or even down random streets or shopping districts just for the heck of it. And of course, there are all types of songs with English titles and a hell of a lot of Japanese artists who break out in English at the most random times in their lyrics.
On top of that, everyone in Japan studies English for at least 6 years, so it's to be expected, kind of.
|
|
