In old Japanese newspapers and books, Colombia sometimes appears as “哥倫比亜” or “古倫比亜.” This is not a coincidence but an example of the kanji-based phonetic transcription culture used from the Meiji to the early Showa period. This article explains its origin, meaning, and lasting value in modern times.
History of Foreign Word Transcription in Japanese
From the Meiji era to the early Showa period, many foreign place names in Japan were recorded using “on’yaku” (phonetic transcription with kanji). This practice was adopted from the Chinese method of writing place names in kanji and was widely used in Japanese documents and newspapers. At the time, katakana notation was not yet common, and the educated class and newspaper companies valued the dignity and legibility of kanji.
Table 1 Examples of phonetic transcription and modern notation
| Kanji Notation | Reading | Modern Notation |
|---|---|---|
| 英吉利 | Igirisu | England |
| 米国 | Beikoku | America |
| 仏蘭西 | Furansu | France |
| 哥倫比亜 | Koronbia | Colombia |
As seen here, kanji were chosen for their sound, not their meaning.
Origin of “哥倫比亜”
“哥倫比亜” was imported from the Chinese representation “哥倫比亞” (Gēlúnbǐyǎ) for Colombia. After the Meiji era, Japan actively referred to Chinese-character place names and used them frequently in diplomatic documents and newspaper reports.
The roles of each character are as follows.
Table 2 Kanji and sounds in “哥倫比亜”
| Kanji | Sound | Common Meaning in Chinese |
|---|---|---|
| 哥 | gē (go, ko) | Older brother, singer |
| 倫 | lún (lun) | Ethics, order |
| 比 | bǐ (bi) | Compare |
| 亜 | yǎ (a) | “Asia”’s “a”, second in rank |
The important point is that these characters were chosen based on sound, not meaning.
Difference from “古倫比亜”
Some literature and newspapers use “古倫比亜” instead. This is simply replacing “哥” with “古,” and there is almost no difference in pronunciation. The possible reasons are:
- Variations in notation between printing houses or newspapers
- Adoption of variant Chinese characters
- Lack of unified transcription rules at the time
Table 3 Comparison of 哥倫比亜 and 古倫比亜
| Notation | First Appearance | Main Media of Use |
|---|---|---|
| 哥倫比亜 | Late Meiji to early Showa | Diplomatic documents, major newspapers |
| 古倫比亜 | Taisho to pre-war Showa | Local newspapers, novels |
Background of Foreign Place Name Notation at the Time
In this period, Japan’s educational system and newspapers preferred difficult kanji. Writing foreign place names in katakana seemed simple and was thought to “lack authority and formality.” Moreover, in a society with limited foreign language education, kanji notation was more familiar to the educated readership.
Table 4 Reasons for adopting kanji notation for foreign place names
| Reason | Details |
|---|---|
| Authority | Considered appropriate for newspapers and diplomatic documents |
| Legibility | Familiar to the educated class at the time |
| Diplomatic Custom | Used Chinese notation to promote international understanding |
| Printing Culture | Kanji typesetting was more efficient than katakana |
Postwar Changes and Modern Notation
After World War II, katakana notation for foreign words was standardized in Japan. The National Language Council adopted the policy of writing place names and personal names in katakana close to the original sound, and newspapers, textbooks, and dictionaries followed suit. As a result, “コロンビア” became the standard, and “哥倫比亜” and “古倫比亜” remain only as historical notations.
Table 5 Overview of notation changes
| Era | Main Notation | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Meiji to early Showa | 哥倫比亜, 古倫比亜 | Adopted Chinese phonetic transcription |
| Immediately postwar | コロンビア (with kanji in parallel) | Transitional period |
| Modern | コロンビア | Unified in katakana notation |
Conclusion
The notations “哥倫比亜” and “古倫比亜” are remnants of the era when Japan adopted foreign place names through Chinese phonetic transcription. The kanji were chosen to represent sounds, not meanings, and while rarely used today, they are important clues when reading historical documents. Tracing the changes in foreign word notation reveals how Japan’s relationship with the world has evolved.
