I picked the following three phrases in Katakana for this analysis project:
（１）ナイーブ (loanword, naive)
source: http://www.naive-home.jp/
Interestingly, I found this Japanese body works brand called ナイーブ. In English, the direct translation of ナイーブ is "naive", but it seems the meaning of the Katakana word has changed a little bit over the years to also imply "tender", "refreshing", and "young".
（２）スナック (loanword, snack)
source: http://blog.goo.ne.jp/hide-kurach/e/5c71c84772787d8d28c35d8692a21f42
The English word that corresponds to スナック is obviously "snack", but the meaning of スナック has expanded to include "bars" where people go have a drink and hang out after a day's work. The picture in the URL above is perhaps that of some popular bars in Japan.
（３）ピカチュウ：(Onomatopoeia, Pikachu)
source: http://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/List_of_Japanese_Pok%C3%A9mon_names
I used to play a lot of video games, and one of my favorite is Pokemon. ピカチュウ is perhaps the most well-known Pokemon throught the world. Like other Pokemon, its name is also written in Katakana and resembles the pronounciation in English.
はじめまして。日本語のよねんせいのジェシカです。どうぞよろしくおねがいします。Hello, this is Jessica from fourth year Japanese. Pleased to meet you. I have enjoyed reading your blog so far.
ReplyDeleteナイーブのいみはとてもおもしろいとおもいます。どうしてもとのいみからさわやかといういみにへんかしたとおもいますか。 The meaning of naive in Japanese is very interesting, I think. Why do you think it has taken on the meaning of "refreshing" from the original meaning of the word?
こどものころ、わたしもポケモンをよくしたことあります。 When I was a kid, I used to play Pokemon a lot too. Pikachu's name reminds me of ピカピカ, to glitter/sparkle, and ちゅう, the sound a mouse makes - or kiss, but I think a squeak works better in this case!
I also think the change in meaning from 'naive' in English 'naive' in Japanese is interesting.
ReplyDeleteThe examples you provided here seem to be of conventional use. Could you find a couple of examples that are not from loanwords or onomatopoeia? I think it will help you conduct more intriguing analysis of Katakana use. So please add a couple more examples of Katanaka with unconventional use (for example one word that is originally in Japanese and occasionally written in Hiragana)and provide your analysis.
Also, have you looked at different textbooks for the use of Katakana? You should include your textbook analysis here or in another post.
I look forward to reading your next post!
TA:Chikako Takahashi