LOANWORD

In Japanese, foreign names can be represented in two fascinating ways. Through phonetic ateji, the sound is preserved, while meaning-based Kanji reflects the deeper essence of the name. Taylor Swift’s name becomes an excellent example, showing how language can bridge cultures and creativity.

When a foreigner’s name is written in Japanese, it becomes more than just a translation. Kanji adds layers of meaning, symbolism, and even personality. For Donald Trump, the surname “Trump” carries the meaning of a decisive trump card, which can be reflected directly in Japanese characters. This shows how kanji transforms names into cultural symbols.

Sri Lanka has two notable Japanese kanji names: “錫蘭 (Shakuran)”, based on the old country name Ceylon, and “獅子国 (Shishikoku)”, meaning “Lion Country.” While the first is tied to tea branding and trade history, the second reflects religious and cultural identity. Together, they show how Japan’s language captures both sound and meaning in foreign expressions.

When a name is written in Kanji, it can express a person’s character and story from a fresh perspective. Writing Justin Bieber as “公星美羽” transforms him from just a pop star into a poetic symbol — “a star of justice with beautiful wings.”

When foreigners first encounter the kanji “布基納法索” for Burkina Faso, they may attempt to interpret its literal meaning. Yet, the characters do not describe the nation’s qualities at all. Instead, they are phonetic substitutions chosen only for their sounds. This reflects a broader Japanese tradition of ateji, where kanji are used not for meaning but for sound, linking modern usage to a long history of cultural adaptation.

Foreigners often wonder why Mali, an inland nation in West Africa, is written in Japanese as “馬里”. This form is not about meaning but about capturing sound with Kanji. The characters “馬” (Ma) and “里” (Ri) were chosen because they match the pronunciation of Mali. This highlights how Japanese blends sound and meaning in unique ways, creating a writing system that is both functional and culturally rich.

The kanji "叙利亜" is rarely used today, but it once appeared frequently in newspapers and geography books. It reflects Japan’s tradition of expressing foreign words in kanji, and it remains essential for understanding the history of Japanese writing.

The forms "墺太利" and "墺地利" are now found only in historical documents or old books. Yet, they represent Japan’s effort to incorporate foreign words into its own writing system during its encounter with the West. This article provides a clear explanation of the background and significance of these forms.

The Kanji spelling “尼日爾” for Niger may look unusual to foreigners, since the characters themselves mean “nun,” “sun,” and “you.” However, this notation is not about meaning—it is an ateji (phonetic borrowing), where Kanji were chosen simply to match the sounds of the word. Such forms reveal Japan’s creative way of writing foreign names before Katakana became the norm.

The Chinese character notation "委内瑞拉" for "Venezuela" may seem puzzling to many foreigners. In fact, it is a direct phonetic transliteration from Chinese, created not to describe the country’s features but to reproduce its sound. This article explains the background of this form, along with examples from other countries, in an easy-to-understand way.