LOANWORD

Foreigners may wonder why Dhaka appears as 达卡 in Chinese while in Japanese it is simply ダッカ. The answer lies in the different writing systems and cultural traditions of the two languages. This article highlights the reasons for this difference and shows how to avoid misunderstandings when learning Japanese or Chinese.

In 2011, South Sudan declared independence, marking its place as the world’s youngest nation. Interestingly, in Japanese it can be written not only in katakana but also as "南蘇丹". This article explores the origin of this kanji form and the way South Sudan is perceived in Japan, from conflict-related images to future possibilities.

While most Japanese now recognize Buenos Aires in katakana, there is a fascinating history behind its kanji notations. From 阿根廷 used in older Japanese texts to 布宜诺斯艾利斯 in Chinese, these characters reflect cultural adaptation across Asia. For Japanese people, Buenos Aires is not only a distant city but also an image of romance, art, and football fever.

For the Japanese, Istanbul has long been seen as a gateway between East and West. Once called “斯当歩児” in kanji transcription, the city carries with it layers of historical memory, cultural fascination, and sporting passion. Today, Japanese perceptions of Istanbul go beyond textbooks, extending to tourism, cuisine, and the emotional intensity of football.

In Japanese, the city of San Jose is sometimes written as “聖ホセ,” a blend of Kanji and Katakana. This style reflects not only the Spanish origin of “San José” but also the Japanese tendency to preserve both sound and meaning in place names. By learning this, we gain a deeper understanding of the city’s religious background and linguistic adaptation.

Most foreign place names in Japanese are expressed in katakana, but historical documents show San Diego in kanji such as “聖何塞” (Seikakō) and “三提” (Santei). These forms are fascinating examples of how Japan once relied on kanji-based transcriptions influenced by Chinese and phonetic conventions. Understanding them offers insight into Japanese linguistic history.

For foreign readers, the notation “辛巴威” may seem strange. Yet it is an ateji, a phonetic rendering of the name Zimbabwe in kanji. Historically, many foreign place names were given kanji in Japanese, reflecting both phonetic adaptation and cultural tradition.

Guatemala does not have an official Kanji name, but in historical Japanese documents, it was written as "瓜地馬羅国." This practice reflects how Japan once adapted foreign names into its writing system using Kanji, emphasizing sound over meaning.

The kanji “厄瓜多” comes from Japan’s unique ateji tradition. By prioritizing sound over meaning, Japanese once adapted foreign country names into kanji. Although no longer common, these representations provide valuable insights into the history of the language.

The Kanji spelling “塞内加爾” represents the country name Senegal. It is not a meaningful phrase, but a combination of characters chosen for sound. For learners of Japanese, it is fascinating because it reflects history. By studying why Kanji was used, foreigners can appreciate the flexibility of the Japanese language.