LOANWORD

In Japanese, Las Vegas is written only in katakana, never in kanji. The reason lies in both historical context and modern writing conventions, making 「ラスベガス」 the only accepted spelling without exception.

The kanji spelling 倫敦 for London comes from a tradition of phonetic transcription using Chinese characters. In the 19th century, when katakana was not yet the dominant script, educated Japanese used kanji to give foreign names prestige and readability. This practice shows how language adapts to culture and how Japan’s writing system once mirrored Chinese influence.

Before katakana became standard, Japanese often used kanji to phonetically represent foreign words. "Morocco" is one such example, historically rendered as "摩洛哥", "馬羅哥", or even "茂禄子". Each character was carefully selected not just for sound, but also for symbolic meaning. In this article, we’ll uncover how these spellings reflect linguistic creativity and cross-cultural interpretation.

Though commonly referred to as “Los Angeles,” the city was once rendered as “羅府” in Japanese. This form is not just a sound-based translation, but a culturally intentional expression that carries respect for the city's stature and symbolizes its expansive character. This article delves into the linguistic and cultural dimensions of the term “羅府.”

In modern Japanese, foreign city names are usually written in katakana. But in the past, names like New York were expressed in kanji, such as "紐育". This article explores why this ateji was chosen, and what it reveals about the linguistic creativity and cultural mindset of the time. By comparing with other examples, we’ll see how phonetic representation met aesthetic judgment.

The term "安哥拉" is more than a phonetic translation — it's a culturally nuanced representation that considers not only sound but also the symbolic meaning of the characters. This article delves into the linguistic history behind the transcription of Angola, highlighting its connection to kanji-based cultural expression.

The kanji 「也門」 is more than just a phonetic mimic of “Yemen.” It reflects a blend of Chinese linguistic borrowing, careful selection of kanji sounds and meanings, and integration into Japanese language culture. This article delves into the cultural and historical layers behind the notation to understand its true significance.

In East Asian languages, foreign place names are often written in kanji through either phonetic transcription or semantic translation. Afghanistan is rendered as “阿富汗斯坦” based on its pronunciation, rooted in a long tradition of linguistic and cultural exchange. This article breaks down the cultural reasoning behind this unique form.

Modern Japanese typically represents foreign countries with katakana, yet in older sources, Iraq appears as 伊拉久. This form reflects a unique blend of phonetic adaptation and kanji tradition. In this article, we unpack the reasons behind such transcriptions, what they reveal about Japanese writing, and how they connect to a broader East Asian linguistic framework.

Have you ever seen the name Algeria written as “阿爾及” in Japanese? This rare kanji form carries with it deep historical and linguistic significance. In this article, we’ll uncover the logic behind the phonetic translation of foreign place names into kanji, and explain what makes “阿爾及” a meaningful part of Japan’s language evolution.