In the past, Japanese texts sometimes represented Guatemala with Kanji as “瓜地馬羅国.” Today, the official spelling is simply “グアテマラ” in Katakana. This article explains the historical background and the cultural meaning behind these unusual notations.
The Relationship Between Guatemala and Kanji Notation
In modern Japanese, country names are officially written in Katakana, and Guatemala is written simply as “グアテマラ.” However, in pre-modern Japan, it was common to represent foreign names with Kanji phonetic transcriptions.
Examples include:
| Current Country Name | Old Kanji Representation | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| America | 亜米利加 | Amerika |
| France | 仏蘭西 | Furansu |
| Germany | 独逸 | Doitsu |
| Guatemala | 瓜地馬羅国 | Guatemarakoku |
Within this system, Guatemala was written as “瓜地馬羅国.” At the time, Kanji was considered more formal and was often used in official documents and diplomatic records.
The Meaning of “瓜地馬羅国”
The Kanji notation “瓜地馬羅国” was not based on meaning but created to mimic the sound. The characters themselves—瓜 (melon), 馬 (horse), 羅 (net)—were chosen only because their sounds matched the syllables of the foreign name.
| Kanji | Phonetic Role | Original Meaning (Reference) |
|---|---|---|
| 瓜 | Gua | Melon, gourd |
| 地 | Te | Land, earth |
| 馬 | Ma | Horse |
| 羅 | Ra | Net, cloth |
Thus, the notation was purely phonetic, with no semantic link to Guatemala itself.
The Abbreviation “瓜国”
In old Japan, long phonetic Kanji notations were often shortened to one-character abbreviations. For example, America became “米国” (rice country), Britain “英国,” and Germany “独国.” In the same way, Guatemala was sometimes abbreviated to “瓜国.”
| Country | Abbreviation | Original Kanji Form |
|---|---|---|
| America | 米国 | 亜米利加 |
| Britain | 英国 | 英吉利 |
| Germany | 独国 | 独逸 |
| Guatemala | 瓜国 | 瓜地馬羅国 |
This abbreviation was not widely used by the general public, but it appeared in certain diplomatic texts and academic records, showing a consistent rule in how foreign names were localized.
Why Kanji Notation Was Used
To understand why Japanese once used Kanji for foreign names, it helps to look at cultural and educational contexts of the time.
| Reason | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Influence of Chinese | Western knowledge often entered Japan via China, so Chinese phonetic Kanji were adopted as-is. |
| Official Prestige | In the Meiji era, Kanji carried greater “authority,” making it the preferred choice for diplomacy and academia. |
| Reader Familiarity | For Japanese readers of the time, Kanji looked more familiar and reliable than Katakana. |
In other words, “瓜地馬羅国” was not only a phonetic notation but also a reflection of how Japanese culture incorporated foreign words into its writing system.
Official Notation in the Modern Era
Today, the only official representation of the country is “グアテマラ” in Katakana. Kanji phonetic forms are obsolete, as international consistency requires simple and accurate transcription.
However, knowing these old Kanji notations is valuable for reading historical texts. Diplomatic documents or academic works from the 19th and early 20th centuries may still contain references such as “瓜地馬羅国” or “瓜国.”
Summary for Foreign Readers
- Guatemala has no official Kanji representation
- In the past, it appeared as “瓜地馬羅国” or “瓜国”
- These were phonetic, not semantic transcriptions
- The modern standard is Katakana: “グアテマラ”
Cultural Background and Significance
From a modern perspective, using Kanji for foreign names might seem strange. But at the time, it was a way for Japanese people to bring foreign concepts into their own writing system.
Kanji symbolized authority and academic legitimacy, so it was used in official texts. While no longer in daily use, these notations remain significant for linguistic and cultural history, offering insight into how Japan once engaged with the outside world.
Conclusion
Writing Guatemala as “瓜地馬羅国” was a historical phonetic representation. The current official form is “グアテマラ,” while the Kanji forms remain only as cultural relics.
By studying these expressions, we can better understand how Japanese absorbed foreign words and how its writing system adapted over time. In this sense, “瓜地馬羅国” is not just an old-fashioned label but an important trace of Japan’s linguistic and cultural exchange with the world.
