Katakana
Nº 2. Emerging Discoveries
Learn the second Japanese writing system
Katakana Chart
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Definition
Syllabary: Katakana, like Hiragana, is an essential component of Japanese writing, but it has its own unique characteristics that distinguish it and emphasize its specific role in Japanese language and culture.
The word 「コンピュータ」(konpyuuta) means "computer," a classic example of a borrowed word transcribed in Katakana. Similarly, the name of the country 「アメリカ」(Amerika) for "America" is written in Katakana, reflecting the use of this syllabary for foreign proper names.
Characters: There are 46 basic characters in the Katakana system (see table above ↑) which cover the same vowel sounds (a, i, u, e, o), consonants followed by vowels, and the nasal "n," similar to Hiragana. However, Katakana is also used with diacritic modifications (the dakuten 「ﾞ」and the handakuten 「ﾟ」) to represent additional voiced or semi-voiced sounds, allowing for precise transcription of foreign words. For example:
- 「ガ」(ga) is the voiced version of 「カ」(ka)
- 「ザ」(za) is the voiced version of 「サ」(sa)
- 「ジ」(ji) is the voiced version of 「シ」(shi)
- 「ダ」(da) is the voiced version of 「タ」(ta)
- 「バ」(ba) is the voiced version of 「ハ」(ha)
- 「パ」(pa) is the semi-voiced version of 「ハ」(ha)
Form: Katakana characters are distinguished by their angular and linear forms, giving them a more rigid and formal appearance compared to the rounded and fluid forms of Hiragana. This aesthetic reflects their origin and practical use for transcribing non-traditional or foreign elements in the Japanese language, as well as their frequent use in modern and technological contexts.
When and How to Use It?
Katakana is typically used to write borrowed words such as names of foreign countries and people. It is also often used for names of animals and flowers, especially in academic texts. Onomatopoeias (words that imitate sounds produced by animals, humans, machines, etc.), and words that seek to express actions, conditions, or states like "smooth" or "soft," are generally written in katakana. Examples of each of these uses can be found below.
Due to the cultural influence of the United States and other foreign countries, the number of borrowed words in Japanese is increasing. In fact, it is said that over 60% of new words added to Japanese dictionaries are katakana words. For this reason, mastering katakana is equally important as mastering hiragana and kanji for learners of the Japanese language.
Katakana Characteristics
Long Vowels and Double Consonants work in the same way as for the Hiragana system. However, in this section, we will see the few differences that exist between the two writing systems and two additional rules that exist only in the Katakana writing system as they refer to foreign words.
Long Vowels (長音, Chōon)
Long vowels are represented differently in hiragana and katakana. For example, when the doctor says "Say 'ah!'" in French, this is transcribed as a long vowel in Japanese. However, the way this long vowel is written differs between hiragana (Ex.1) and katakana (Ex.2).
In katakana, a dash (ー) is used to represent long vowels. When katakana is written vertically, the vowel marker is also written vertically, as in the example of the speech bubble on the right.
For example, the English sounds -er, -or, and -ar are all written as the long vowel [aa] in Japanese. Long vowels and diphthongs (i.e., compound vowels) like [ei] and [ou] in English are also written as long vowels in Japanese.
Contracted Sounds (拗音, Youon)
In addition to using the small ヤ ユ ヨ for the contracted sounds you learned in the hiragana section, the small アイウエオ can also be used in katakana to accurately transcribe the pronunciation of a word as it is pronounced in its original language. Here are some examples of small katakana combinations "small アイウエオ" that are commonly used in borrowed words. The following examples show some of the encouragements to use these sound combinations in borrowed words:
In 1991, the use of "ヴ" with small vowels was encouraged to transcribe the sound [v]. For example, the transcription of "violon" was changed from バイオリン to ヴァイオリン. For most foreign words, transcription remains common in katakana to transcribe the sound [v]. In practice, however, due to transcription options, there are often several ways to write certain foreign words using katakana.
Substitution of Sounds That Do Not Exist in Japanese 1: The English Sound [th]
There is no [th] sound in Japanese, the voiceless [th] in English (as in "think" and "third") is considered as [s], and the voiced [th] (as in "that" or "mother") is rendered as [z].
Substitution of Sounds That Do Not Exist in Japanese 2: The English Sounds [l] and [r]
Since there is no distinction between [l] and [r] in Japanese, the English sounds [l] and [r] are both rendered in Japanese by the sounds ラリルレロ.
Contracted Sounds (拗音, Youon)
Contracted sounds, or "youon," occur when a high vowel (i or u) followed by a "y" merges with another vowel to form a shorter and contracted sound. In Katakana, this is represented by a character followed by a small: 「ャ」、「ュ」、「ョ」(ya, yu, yo).
🗒️ Table of Contracted Sounds
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Writing Special Sounds in Katakana
In the table below are the combinations of characters most often used to write special sounds in Katakana.
🗒️ Table of Special Sounds
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Some History
Katakana, like Hiragana, is a fundamental element of the Japanese language, but it serves different functions and has its own unique history. While Hiragana is intimately linked to personal expression and literature, Katakana is often used to reflect Japan's interaction with the outside world.
🔧 Development
- Origins: Katakana has its origins in man'yōgana, just like Hiragana, but it was developed as a more formal and concise writing system, using portions or fragments of Kanji characters to represent phonetic sounds. Designed during the Heian period (794-1185) by Buddhist monks to annotate the pronunciation of Chinese texts and facilitate the reading of sutras, Katakana was adopted to transcribe foreign words, proper names, onomatopoeias, and for use in scientific and technical texts.
- Standardization: With Japan's opening to the West during the Meiji era (1868-1912) and the adoption of Western technologies and concepts, Katakana gained importance. It was standardized to facilitate the integration of new words from foreign languages, thus becoming a key tool in Japan's modernization and internationalization. This evolution continued to adapt to the changing needs of Japanese society, especially with the advent of the digital age, where Katakana is used for the transcription of computer and technological terms.
🎎 Cultural Influences
- International Communication: Katakana is essential for transcribing borrowed words and for global communication. It allows Japanese to easily adapt to international cultural influences, thus facilitating cultural and linguistic exchange. The presence of Katakana words in everyday language reflects Japan's diversity and openness to the world.
- Innovation and Technology: In the fields of science, technology, and media, Katakana is used to introduce and standardize new concepts and inventions. This highlights Japan's role as a leader in these fields, reflecting its commitment to innovation and progress.
- Pop Culture and Branding: Katakana is often used in branding, advertising, and pop culture to give a sense of internationality or modernity. From international brands to the names of artists and cultural products, Katakana is a powerful marketing tool that crosses cultural boundaries.
- Education and Communication: Like Hiragana, Katakana is a pillar of learning the Japanese language. Its mastery is essential for Japanese students, allowing them not only to understand the language as it is used in a modern context but also to participate in an increasingly interconnected Japanese society.
Katakana, with its history of adaptation and evolution, illustrates Japan's dynamic interaction with non-Japanese cultures. From its use in ancient texts to its indispensable role in contemporary Japan, Katakana symbolizes the balance between tradition and openness to novelty, a characteristic trait of Japanese culture.
Learning tips
Like Hiragana, mastering Katakana is essential in learning the Japanese language. Here are effective strategies and resources to facilitate this learning.
🧠 Learning Methods
- Spaced Repetition: Use the spaced repetition technique to memorize Katakana characters effectively. This method involves revising the characters at increasing time intervals to reinforce long-term memory.
- Visual Association: Associate each Katakana character with its sound. Every time you hear the sound of a corresponding Katakana, imagine the character in your head to strengthen the association.
- Learning Applications: Use the quizzes on this page to learn them through repetition and quickly recognize them.
- Handwriting Practice: Practice writing each character by hand. This not only helps to memorize the shapes of the characters but also improves understanding of stroke order, important for readability.
