The Japanese language is called a “shallow” language.\u00a0 (At least that’s what the linguists call it.)\u00a0 It’s labeled as “shallow” because words and letters are pronounced as how they are written.\u00a0 If we compare the way Japanese words are pronounced to the way English words are pronounced, you’ll find that English is a “deep” language.\u00a0 For example, in English the “i” in “ice cream” is pronounced differently from the “i” in “interesting.”\u00a0 Getting back to Japanese, while it’s true that for the most part words are pronounced as they are written; there are some exceptions.<\/p>\n
For example, the character \u3064<\/strong> is pronounced as “tsu” in English.\u00a0 However when “tsu” or \u3064 <\/strong>is transcribed in the middle of a word, it’s no longer pronounced as “tsu” (\u3064<\/strong>).\u00a0 Let’s look at the Japanese word \u304b\u3064\u305f<\/strong>.\u00a0 Since the word\u00a0\u304b\u3063\u305f <\/strong>contains a \u00a0\u3063, <\/strong>this word would be pronounced as katta.\u00a0 Notice that there is a double “t” sound in \u304b\u3063\u305f.\u00a0 <\/strong>In fact, whenever you have a\u00a0 \u3063 <\/strong>transcribed in the middle of a word, the\u00a0 \u3063 <\/strong>indicates that there is a double consonant.\u00a0 When you take out the\u00a0\u3063 <\/strong>what do you get?\u00a0 You get the word \u304b\u305f<\/strong>, which is pronounced as kata.\u00a0 Notice here that without the\u00a0\u3063 <\/strong>the word lacks the double “t” sound and reverts back to the single “t” sound.\u00a0 It’s important to notice the difference in sounds because the two words are very different in meaning.\u00a0 \u304b\u3063\u305f <\/strong>means “won” as in the past tense of the word “win” and \u304b\u305f <\/strong>means “shoulder” in Japanese.<\/p>\n Also, consonants can also change in sound by the sounds following it.\u00a0 For example, this character\u00a0“\u3093” <\/strong>is pronounced as an English “n” sound.\u00a0 However, whenever\u00a0an n, t, d, s, and z sound follow after the \u3093 <\/strong>sound, the “n” becomes an “m” sound.\u00a0 Lets look at the word \u3055\u3093\u307d<\/strong>.\u00a0 This word is pronounced as “sampo.”\u00a0 Notice that the “po” sound or the \u307d <\/strong>that follows after the \u3093 <\/strong>sound turns the “n” sound into an “m” sound.\u00a0 Since the “n” sound and “m” sound so similar when Japanese speakers use them in their daily speech, you’ll be understood whether you say “sampo” or “sanpo.”\u00a0<\/p>\n Moreover, I also notice that some of my students\u00a0have difficulty pronouncing long vowels.\u00a0 For example, the \u3046<\/strong> or the character pronounced as “u” is sometimes transcribed in the middle of words after an “o” vowel which elongates the “o” vowel.\u00a0 Here is a demonstration: the word \u304a\u306f\u3088\u3046<\/strong> is pronounced as ohayoo, not as ohayou.\u00a0 Since \u3088 <\/strong>is a type of o vowel, it is pronounced as a long o vowel with the addition of \u3046.\u00a0 <\/strong>Again, since \u304a\u306f\u3088\u3046 <\/strong>is a standard greeting that means good morning, you’ll probably be understood; even if you pronounce it incorrectly.\u00a0<\/p>\n However, you\u00a0should\u00a0try to make an effort to know\u00a0the difference between long vowels and short vowels.\u00a0 For example, I once called my aunt \u304a\u3070\u3042\u3055\u3093<\/strong> (obaasan) instead of \u304a\u3070\u3055\u3093 <\/strong>(obasan).\u00a0 \u304a\u3070\u3042\u3055\u3093<\/strong>, the one with the long vowel, is a term for grandmother, while \u304a\u3070\u3055\u3093, <\/strong>the one with the short vowel, is a term for aunt in Japanese.\u00a0 Long story short, I called my age sensitive aunt a grandmother!\u00a0 Guess who didn’t get what they wanted for Christmas that year?\u00a0<\/p>\n To sum it all up, some mispronunciations may not make much of a difference, while others may cause you to make a social blunder.\u00a0 To be on the safe side, just pay attention to how the words are written and how they are pronounced.\u00a0 Just one vowel may cause some misunderstanding, so be sure you know your vowels and consonants!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The Japanese language is called a “shallow” language.\u00a0 (At least that’s what the linguists call it.)\u00a0 It’s labeled as “shallow” because words and letters are pronounced as how they are written.\u00a0 If we compare the way Japanese words are pronounced to the way English words are pronounced, you’ll find that English is a “deep” language.\u00a0…<\/p>\n