Japanize your name

[Stelok]

Use the Japanese phonetics to alter your usernames.

Do you know Dragon Ball's Piccolo, Bulma and Krillin's Japanese names were Pikoro, Buruma and Kurririn?

Pikoro (Piccolo)
Buruma (Bulma)
Kuririn (Krillin)
Kakarotto (Kakarot)
Yamucha (Yamcha)

I know Japanese phonetics do not use the sound "L" and always place a vowel or the consonant of N at the end of a word. In Japanese phonetics, I also know a vowel comes after a consonant and two consonants except for a "n" do not come together unless it's "ts" or "sh". Whenever Japanse have a foreign word containing a "L" they change the sound to "R".

For example

Linda (Rinda)
Llyod (Ryodu)

I don't have a good grasp of Japanese phonetics but this below is my best guess.

Firisutorumu, da Nukirearu man (Firestorm the Nuclear Man)

[Onv]

You must really like the Dragonball series huh?

[Stelok]

No, I was using it as an example.

[Kiku]

I don't have a good grasp of Japanese phonetics but this below is my best guess.

Firisutorumu, da Nukirearu man (Firestorm the Nuclear Man)

To me, "Firestorm the Nuclear Man" would be: ファイアストーム・ザ・ヌクリアー・マン / Faiasutoomu za Nukuriaa Man. That's how I pronounce it phonetically.

[Yoshio]

firestorm would probably be more like this, faiaasutoomu
what you were doing was trying to stick to the romanized spelling too much, try not to look at how the word is spelled, but rather listen to how it sounds

and regarding Llyod (assuming that you didnt mean Lloyd), you need to take note that the ry- sounds dont really have an equivallent in english, and thus are not used much for converting words into japanese phoenetics

[Stelok]

Thanks, Kiku, Yoshio.

Yoshio, I can't listen to how it sounds. I am Deaf. I had to base my knowledge of Japanese phonetics on how the words are spelled phonetically. I mean LLoyd, not LLyod. Sorry, Yoshio. It was a bad typo.

[Keikoji]

Thanks, Kiku, Yoshio.

Yoshio, I can't listen to how it sounds. I am Deaf. I had to base my knowledge of Japanese phonetics on how the words are spelled phonetically. I mean LLoyd, not LLyod. Sorry, Yoshio. It was a bad typo.




SMACK!!!


Firestorm, they sounded ok to me. ^_^

[victor_c26]

Victor [which is my real name] would be: Bikutaa

[Illusions-chan]

I wonder how you'd do my name...

Nandini ?

I mean the "a" would change into more of a defined sound, while the two "i"s would be "e"s. So it's not much of a change.

[Stelok]

Victor [which is my real name] would be: Bikutaa

Bikutaa? Victor, I thought your Japanized name would be Fikutaa, not Bikutaa since V can be changed to F because the two sounds are similar.

It's true, that in Tagalog phonetics, the sound "V" is converted to "B". For example the word Television is converted to Tagalog word "telebisyon", but it was because Tagalog phonology does not have the sounds of "V" and "F" while Japanese phonology still include the sound "F". So why not Fikutaa?


I dunno, Illusions-chan.

[Jun_Inohara]

Bikutaa? Victor, I thought your Japanized name would be Fikutaa, not Bikutaa since V can be changed to F because the two sounds are similar.

It's true, that in Tagalog phonetics, the sound "V" is converted to "B". For example the word Television is converted to Tagalog word "telebisyon", but it was because Tagalog phonology does not have the sounds of "V" and "F" while Japanese phonology still include the sound "F". So why not Fikutaa?


I dunno, Illusions-chan.

"V" sounds are almost always changed to "b" sounds in Japanese. Television becomes "terebi", "version" becomes "baajon"...the j-pop group V6 is pronounced as "bui shikkusu", "Venus" (as written in comics, etc.) is "biinasu", and so forth. Of course, katakana, especially these days, can be played around with, and on occasion (though I've seen this primarily in manga) you can write a "v" sound by writing "u" with the ten-ten by it. I can't recall a situation where "v" is changed to "f".

[Shining Finger]

I can't recall a situation where "v" is changed to "f".
It happens when the V is in a German word^^

[sfried]

Siegfried

I guess it will end up something like "Sigufuridu."

[Kurai_hisui]

Just to nitpick a bit (and who doesn't want more nitpicking, eh?),
strictly, they don't have L or R in Japanese, but a sound almost exactly half-way between the two (unless you have a very tough yakuza accent). It takes as much practice for your average Japanese person to make a decent R sound as an L, but for the sake of consistancy the Japanese sound is written as 'R'.

Also, it's worth noting that you can get away with using F (not just 'fu'), and Ti sounds most of the time, and sometimes L (ie. if your name was something like 'Fionn' or 'Tim'). They're like 'unofficial' Japanese sounds now. V and TH are virtually impossible for any but the most dedicated English student to even hear, much less say. So, Victor is pretty much stuck as 'bikkuta-'

Oh, and the Japanese 'fu' is formed differently than the English (no tooth-lip contact), which is why you can't really use it to replace a V sound (it ends up sounding like a cheap Transylvanian accent).

Ok, sorry for the phonetics outburst.

ja, ne

[Kurai_hisui]

Siegfried

I guess it will end up something like "Sigufuridu."

(oh, ok, one more)

No 'si' sound, so it probably be more like "shiggufurido."

[Shiunu]

Well I don't know if this has anything to do it. But my Japanese name is Shiunu. That's what my SN is..

[sfried]

(oh, ok, one more)

No 'si' sound, so it probably be more like "shiggufurido."

I guess it will end up like "Shiggi" (Siggy) if I shorten it.

[Steve Mckendo]

Well I guess my Japanese name is Mekkendou.

[Stelok]

"V" sounds are almost always changed to "b" sounds in Japanese. Television becomes "terebi", "version" becomes "baajon"...the j-pop group V6 is pronounced as "bui shikkusu", "Venus" (as written in comics, etc.) is "biinasu", and so forth. Of course, katakana, especially these days, can be played around with, and on occasion (though I've seen this primarily in manga) you can write a "v" sound by writing "u" with the ten-ten by it. I can't recall a situation where "v" is changed to "f".

Oh, I see. Thanks.

I wonder how you'd do my name...

Nandini ?

I mean the "a" would change into more of a defined sound, while the two "i"s would be "e"s. So it's not much of a change.

On the other hand, I think Nandini sounds definitely Japanese. I mean it think it matches the Japanese phonetics

[hanz]

umm hanzu-san desu...

[Kiku]

umm hanzu-san desu...

Just to remember, in Japanese, you never refer to yourself with -san, -chan, -kun, -sama, etc.

[iwakura]

This is all much fun, but when you do that to your name, isn't it just like putting a "gaijn" (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gaijin) sign around your neck?

I had a ridiculous sounding mandarinization of my name. I decided not to use it with my Chinese friends since it seemed a bit awkward. Although, my sir name modified to fit Japanese sounded better, but the first name seemed awkward.

Any experiences with this sort of thing in Japan?

[Kurai_hisui]

This is all much fun, but when you do that to your name, isn't it just like putting a "gaijn" (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gaijin) sign around your neck?

I had a ridiculous sounding mandarinization of my name. I decided not to use it with my Chinese friends since it seemed a bit awkward. Although, my sir name modified to fit Japanese sounded better, but the first name seemed awkward.

Any experiences with this sort of thing in Japan?

Japanifying your name may seem a bit goofy, but if you don't, a lot of Japanese people will never be able to say it (I effectively have no last name in Japan, since it's just too tough to say). Learning to 'speak katakana' is almost as important as speaking Japanese (if you live in Japan, that is). It's almost second nature for me to tell people I'm from Karugari-, because no one has a clue what I'm saying if I say 'Calgary'.

Putting you name into kanji is a pretty 'gaijin' thing to do, but not in a derogatory way unless you try and get people to actually write your name in Kanji. Same with picking kanji that fit the 'meaning' of your name rather than the sound. It's kind of fun, but if you actually go around signing that as your name, or try and get it put on a hanko (personal stamp), you'll probably pull a few odd looks (more so than usual for a foreigner at least).

ja, ne

[Carl]

My name would be written Edomanzu Kaoru.

Alas my sirname is a bit closer to "perverted wanker" like that than I would have prefered...

[GreatMeitantei]

i can't figure out how to do my name!(don't blame me i am from kentucky, the stupid part, and i am like in middle school!) so could you guys help me please!

[rayndeon]

Well, what is your name?

[LadyAkuma]

O_O

I gave up on Japanese long ago.

I have no idea how to say to say "Lady" but the second part would stay Akuma. :)

[ZeroKun]

One of my friends just calls me J-san since my name is Jason o_O

[GreatMeitantei]

oh yeah its andrew

[Kiku]

My name would be written Edomanzu Kaoru.

Alas my sirname is a bit closer to "perverted wanker" like that than I would have prefered...

Not sure if you're saying your given name is Kaoru or not, but only Japanese people/citizens who have their names in Kanji would have their family names first. カオル・エドマンズ (first name first, family name last) would be the way you would write your name.

[Kiku]

oh yeah its andrew

I remember someone I knew named Drew asked me how to pronounce and spell his name in Japanese, and I was kind of lost for a second :lol: But after thinking about it, I told him it'd probably be ドリュー (Doryuu), but other people might have their own opinion. For Andrew, it'd be アンドリュー (Andoryuu). I actually called another Japanese friend of mine on the phone right after to see if that would be right, and he thought so.

[Kentaro]

Yeah, I know B is usually V as bc my teacher is Van Krey, and his japanized name is Ban Kure

I have a few requests for names because I want to know some of my friends names as well ^_^

Greg
Matthew
Max
Alex
Louis

I just started taking Japanese 1 this year, so I guess I could guess some...
Greg - Geregu (Where the u in gu isn't pronoucced much, as in desu)
Matthew - Matasu
Max - Makasu
Alex - Areketsu (Not sure about this one..)
Louis - Ruisu

Thanks :)

[Meganly-chan]

Megan would be something like Miiganu I guess :)

[Kentaro]

Why wouldn't Megan be Megan? めがん

[Yoshio]

Yeah, I know B is usually V as by teacher is Van Krey, and his japanized name is Ban Kure

I have a few requests for names because I want to know some of my friends names as well ^_^

Greg
Matthew
Max
Alex
Louis

I just started taking Japanese 1 this year, so I guess I could guess some...
Greg - Geregu (Where the u in gu isn't pronoucced much, as in desu)
Matthew - Matasu
Max - Makasu
Alex - Areketsu (Not sure about this one..)
Louis - Ruisu

Thanks :)

greg - gureegu (i would make the "e" longer because of how i say greg, but it all depends on how you say it)
matthew - massuyuu (this is just the best way i would convert it from how i say the name, but others might put it differently)
max - makusu
alex - arekusu
louis - ruuisu (might want to make the "u" longer, since that how most people say the name)

[Meganly-chan]

Why wouldn't Megan be Megan? めがん

My teacher spelled it out to start with the 'mi' character :/

[Jun_Inohara]

Why wouldn't Megan be Megan? めがん

My sister, also named Megan, spelled her name メガン for years, because that's how it was first spelled for her. Within the last year, however, she's switched to writing it メゲン as she feels it promotes a more accurate pronunciation of her name. The same way I feel that my name, Jamie, is more accurate to my ears as ジェイミー than something like ジェミー which is how another Jamie I knew spelled it. :)

[Aelice]

I'm Anabel, but my Japanese friend is more comfortable with 'Anaberu'. :)

[Headcrab]

Is there a female form of Rick in Japanese? like for example Rikku?

[Saimoko]

Is there a female form of Rick in Japanese? like for example Rikku?

It'd probably be something like リーク (ri-ku).

[Headcrab]

So whats Richard in Japanese?

[Saimoko]

Probably along the lines of リチャード (richa-do) I think.

[JoeStrummer]

what about cole?

[Animegrl/Parnaz]

My name is Parnaz, but my friend in my art class calls me Parunazu.

[Holy Knight]

O_O Looks like i'd have one wierdo name...ok, guessing upon these last posts, i'd guess my name to be...

Noruanu

...looks like Naruto :P

[iwakura]

Is there a female form of Rick in Japanese? like for example Rikku?

Years back, I knew a Japanese gal named "Rika". That might be close enough for you :)

[xFANCY_MOOSEx]

...any Japanese names for Mark, my friend?

[Kiku]

...any Jap names for Mark, my friend?

真亜久 could work. (Maaku). That would probably fit more for females, though, considering the Kanji I'm using.

[xFANCY_MOOSEx]

Appreciate it, also, do you make the Japanese symbols using the Alt + ## Keys? I remember back on Gunbound that I did that...

[Gerald]

Well...

-in english my name is Gerald (that's my official name).

-in german my name is Gehard.

-in french my name is Gerard.

-in portuguese my name is Geraldo.

Could you please tell me how is my name in japanese ?

Thanks,

Gerald

[Gasaraki]

My first name in full
Alejandro=Arehanduro(?)

First name as everyone calls me
Alex=Arekusu

My last name is really easy in Japanese
Cofinco=Kofinko

How would Alex or Cofinco look in JP? Also, one friend recommend asking for the meaning of my name in Japanese. Alex means "helper of mankind"(not that the meaning fits my personality, haha) so what would that phrase be in a name?

[Stelok]

Megan would be something like Miiganu I guess :)

No, There is no need to add a vowel to the consonant "n" in the end of the word because according to Japanese phonetics, "n" is the only consonant that comes at the end of a word.

It would be Migan.

[inuyashasgf1]

I shouldn't have a problem with my name. My name is KyLeigh and my Japanese name is Kairi (tee hee, i'm a beaver) my friend Kyle would be Kaeru, which means frog :p

[inuyashasgf1]

Well...

-in english my name is Gerald (that's my official name).

-in german my name is Gehard.

-in french my name is Gerard.

-in portuguese my name is Geraldo.

Could you please tell me how is my name in japanese ?

Thanks,

Gerald

You're Japanese name would probably be Jirarudo, but maybe not. It's close enough though ^_^

[Kiku]

-in english my name is Gerald (that's my official name).

Could you please tell me how is my name in japanese ?


ジェラルド / Jerarudo. That's how I would do it.

[Kiku]

I shouldn't have a problem with my name. My name is KyLeigh and my Japanese name is Kairi (tee hee, i'm a beaver) my friend Kyle would be Kaeru, which means frog :p

For Kyleigh, you got it right, but wouldn't the "leigh" be a more held sound? Like Kailee? If it is, I'd say it was カイリー (Kairii). For Kyle, it'd be カイル / Kairu.

[Gerald]

Thank you very much Inuyashasgf1 and Kiku. Jerarudo...cool. ^_^

[Ronin]

My name is already Japanese ^_^

[Yoshio]

My name is already Japanese ^_^
:cheers: me too, well actually to be more accurate, my parents gave me two names, my english one and my japanese one, my english name would be somewhat like this, danieru

[miko hanyou]

I remenber i took a japanese name generator and my name was Yamashita,if the generator counts.

[Law]

Rindesayu

http://anime.therisenrealm.com/japanesename.html

[NinjaJJ]

A-ko Magami-Eiko Magami from Project A-ko
Vegeta-Bejiita from Dradon Ball Z & GT
Lord Canti-Cantido-sama from FLCL
Deedlit-Deedreet from Record of Lodoss War
Gary Oak-Shigeru Ookido from Pokémon
Hamtaro-Hamutaro from Hamtaro
Ryoga Hibiki-Ryouga Hibiki from Ranma 1/2
Heero Yuy-Hiiro Yuy from Mobile Suit Gundam Wing
Tyson Granger-Takao Kinomiya from Beyblade
Matt Ishida-Yamato Ishida from Digimon

[Gerald]

Psi Duck of "Pokemon" in Japanese is Ko Duck.

[Imasyon]

Cénit would be Senito....sounds a little bit rare but the meaning I have in japanese is quite interesting compared with my spanish name...

[Jeikobu]

I already know my Japanese name. *eyes username*

[miko hanyou]

Cénit would be Senito....sounds a little bit rare but the meaning I have in japanese is quite interesting compared with my spanish name...


so you mean if some one has a spanish name then is little different than the japanese?cuz i have a spanish name and the generator tells me my japanese name is Iesenia

[Imasyon]

so you mean if some one has a spanish name then is little different than the japanese?cuz i have a spanish name and the generator tells me my japanese name is Iesenia

No, thta's not what I meant. In school we could choose our meaning of name...for SE, NI and TO there are several meanings, and I have chosen "give", "virtue" and "sword", so you can make sense of this words yourself...
Our teacher lived and was born in Japan so she gave us several dictionarys to search these meanings...^_^

[Imasyon]

in fact my spanish name has also a meaning...Cénit (zenith in English)...my parents were a little bit creative...hehe

[miko hanyou]

oh i get it,thanx

[Imasyon]

oh i get it,thanx


:) no problem!

[imperialx5]

hum. what would Sean be then.

[Kiku]

hum. what would Sean be then.

ショーン / Shohn

It would be odd to Romanize it as "Shoon" in English, so adding an 'h' in there is closer to pronounciation.

[Lady Hellsing]

What would my name be?

My name is Kendall.

[Undrave]

That sounds like fun...

According to that site my name japanised becomes: Debe Maruchinu

Odd :-p

And my middle name becomes 'Karuru' that sounds cool :p

My user name just comes out as 'Underabe' or something.

[Kiku]

What would my name be?

My name is Kendall.

Hmmm. I'm unsure how to exactly pronounce your name, but it would either be ケンダル (Kendaru), ケンドール (Kendohru), or ケンドル (Kendoru).

The "oh" sound would come from whether the "a" is held and what sound it would make in the first place. For example, to turn the word 'All' into Katakana, it would read: オール (Ohru), like name of the popular Japanese group サザンオールスターズ (Sazan Ohru Sutaazu / Southern All Stars).

Based on the three Romanized Katakana choices I listed, the one that is right is the one that suits the sound of your name the best.

[layn]

My nick prnounce will be re-in..
Like Reine in Francaise... :P

[MMA Larson]

My birth name is Dusty Larson.

What would the name be, if Japanized? ;)

Edit: Apparently, it would be Dosuchi.
Hm. Reminds me of the word "douche." *sigh*

Edit#2: And for my last name, Rarusonu.

[Kiku]

Edit#2: And for my last name, Rarusonu.

It would be fine as just "Raruson;" the extra 'u' at the end isn't needed since there is an 'n' character in Hiragana and Katakana alphabets.

[MMA Larson]

Sorry about the superfluous letter then Kiku - I don't know anything about Japanese (although I'd like to learn someday). ;)

[S.A.G]

well my name is really messed up in engilsh it'd be something like staaneslav (staas for short) artooravich gooshva (its russian)
and i think its something like sutanisurabu arutoorabichi gooshia

omg...cool though ^_^

[AchtungAffen]

Japanizing names in Kanji:

I know that there is some way to do this. I saw a guy do that (the one who did the animated gifs for the kakijun in Jim Breen's WWJDic), and I also know some words that are japanized in kanji, like "akoku" (亜国), which should be "aruzenchin" (Argentina), but kanjized. They seem to take in some cases the pronunciation of the kanji without taking in consideration the meaning of it. I tried doing mine, but I just can't(it's too foreign to do). Are there some rules for this conversion?

[Milknoodle]

My name is great. It is perfect for Japanese.

It is Sarina.

Not only is it spelled right for romanji, it sounds pretty much the same too!

[sabukun]

my name would be sabie gyoomu. so says my teacher

サビエ　ギョウム

But I think my last name should be spelt

ギヨウム

Because it sounds more like my name, I think. But my teacher marked not to spell it that way. : (

My real name is Xavier Guillaume btw.

[Yoshio]

to kiro and ashitaka: STOP

this is a forum, not a chat room, and you shouldnt be fighting anyways, even if you are friends at home, keep it at home, dont bother the good people here with your bickering,

[CeLL_288]

My name is Austin, so there are a couple of variations of my name in Japanese:

オスチン-Osuchin. The simplest way of writing my name in katakana.

オースチン-Ohsuchin. The most common spelling of my name in katakana. The only difference between this spelling and the above spelling is the long "o" sound at the beginning, which is closer to how my name is pronounced.

オースティン-Ohsutin. Because there is no "ti" sound in Japanese (only "chi"), in order to write "ti" you have to write "te" with a small "i" after it. However, that is only used in the katakana alphabet, and only for foreign words.

A note on translating "r"s and "l"s into Japanese:

There are 5 "r/l" sounds in Japanese: "ra," "ri," "ru," "re," and "ro." However, when translating an English word with an "r" into Japanese, most of the time you don't write ra, ri, ru, re, or ro, unless in the English spelling, the "r" is followed by a vowel, or the "r" is at the beginning of a word. Otherwise, you just extend the vowel before the "r." For example, the lead singer of Mudhoney is Mark Arm. Rather than writing マルク・アルム (Maruku Arumu), the Japanese spell his name マーク・アーム　(Maaku Aamu), which is actually phonetically closer to the English pronunciation of his name. Thus, "card" is pronounced "カード" (kaado), not "カルド" (karudo).

To make things more confusing, the sounds "ir," "ur," and "er" in English are usually pronounced as an extended "a" sound. Thus, "birthday" is　pronounced "バースデイ" (baasudei), "versus" is pronounced "バーサス" (baasasu), and "Darth Vader" is pronounced "ダース・ベーダー" (Daasu Behda).

Obviously, if the "r" is at the beginning of a word or if a vowel follows the "r," you always write ra, ri, ru, re, or ro. For example, "Rome," in katakana, is "ローム"　(Rohmu), "home run" is "ホームラン" (hohmu ran), and "ramen" (the noodle) is "ラーメン" (raamen).

"l" is always written with ra, ri, ru, re, or ro. For example, "arm" is pronounced "aamu," but "alm" would be pronounced "arumu."

All this may seem confusing, but if you listen closely to Japanese pronunciation it starts to make sense. Also, the Japanese have just as hard a time with our "r"s and "l"s as we do with theirs, so don't be alarmed if you are in a Japanese restaurant and are asked if you would like some more "lice."

[Kiku]

A "ti" sound doesn't always have to be spelled or pronounced as "チ/chi." It's acceptable to spell it as "ティ" (-te sound with a small 'i'), making a 'ti' sound.

For example, the name Kristy doesn't have to be spelled: クリスチ/Kurisuchi. Although you could, it's fine to spell it and pronounce it as: クリスティ/Kurisuti.

[CeLL_288]

A "ti" sound doesn't always have to be spelled or pronounced as "チ/chi." It's acceptable to spell it as "ティ" (-te sound with a small 'i'), making a 'ti' sound.

For example, the name Kristy doesn't have to be spelled: クリスチ/Kurisuchi. Although you could, it's fine to spell it and pronounce it as: クリスティ/Kurisuti.Yeah I know. I put that as the 3rd spelling of my name: オースティン

[Chousho]

To make things more confusing, the sounds "ir," "ur," and "er" in English are usually pronounced as an extended "a" sound. Thus, "birthday" is　pronounced "バースデイ" (baasudei), "versus" is pronounced "バーサス" (baasasu), and "Darth Vader" is pronounced "ダース・ベーダー" (Daasu Behda).



Although I've heard バーシデー, and ダーシヴェーダー would work. Most of the time an english "th" comes up, it'll be used with a シ, and the ヴ is getting more popular, even if it is sometimes still pronounce it as a ブ.

[CeLL_288]

Although I've heard バーシデー, and ダーシヴェーダー would work. Most of the time an english "th" comes up, it'll be used with a シI've always seen it written with a ス, but spellings do vary.

and the ヴ is getting more popular, even if it is sometimes still pronounce it as a ブ.
Ah, true. Darth Vader should be ダース・ヴェーダー. Or, if you write the "th" with a　ツ instead of a ス, ダーツ・ヴェーダー. Still, I think the ス sounds more like a "th" sound than ツ does.

[Treize X Magamin]

...Anybody know what Vega Vaikyuko would be?

[Kiku]

...Anybody know what Vega Vaikyuko would be?

ヴェガ・ヴァイキュコ (Vega Vaikyuko) :lol: Not very difficult, which is a good thing.

[Treize X Magamin]

LOL, sweet. Thanks, Kiku.

[ablo]

In Tagalog, the "f" sound is changed to a "p" sound as traditionally, there is no "f" in Tagalog. Soewhat how in Japanese, "v" is changed to "b" and l and r are interchangeable...I think...

[CeLL_288]

In Tagalog, the "f" sound is changed to a "p" sound as traditionally, there is no "f" in Tagalog. Soewhat how in Japanese, "v" is changed to "b" and l and r are interchangeable...I think...
What's Tagalog?

[Kiku]

What's Tagalog?

I'm pretty sure it's the main dialect of language spoken in the Philippines.

[CyberX]

Wow... with my name its pretty simple Dan = guess what Dan! lol but if i were to use Daniel, it would be Danieru or somthing like that.

[Stelok]

What's Tagalog?

http://www.seasite.niu.edu/Tagalog/Tagalog_mainpage.htm
TAGALOG is one of the major languages spoken in the Philippines, mostly by people from the Tagalog regions in the main island of Luzon. It is the lingua franca in Metro Manila, the national capital region of the country. It also serves as a base for Filipino, one of the two official languages of the Philippines (along with English). Read this interesting essay on the metamorphosis of Filipino as national language.

The TAGALOG language has very strong affinity with Malay languages (Bahasa Indonesia/Malay). However, due to more than 300 years of Spanish colonial rule over the Philippines, the language has incorporated a significant number of Spanish words and expressions. The language also includes words and phrases that are rooted in English and Chinese.

According to the 1990 and 2000 United States Census, TAGALOG is the second most commonly-spoken Asian language (after Chinese) in the United States, and the sixth non-English language spoken in America. TAGALOG is the lingua franca of Filipinos anywhere in the world. Most Southeast Asian scholars use TAGALOG as the tool for research in the Philippines. It is also the language of major works in literature and that of Philippine films and songs.

http://www.seasite.niu.edu/Tagalog/Tagalog_Homepage99/the_tagalog_language.htm

The Philippines is a Southeast Asian country of some 7,100 islands and islets off the southeast coast of mainland China. It is populated by about 70 million Filipinos. It is said that there are as many as 300 languages and dialects in these islands which belong to the Malayo-Polynesian family of languages.


One of the factors that complicate the language situation in the Philippines is diversity. Linguists say there are 75 to 150 native languages spoken by Filipinos. The latest estimate is 109 languages, or 110 if Chavacano is included (McFarland 1994: 83). Although these languages are in some ways grammatically and lexically similar, they are mutually unintelligible. Furthermore, each of the major languages has several dialects that differ, especially at the phonological and lexical levels. Depending on their region of origin, Filipino immigrants will speak at least one dialect of one of these mutually unintelligible languages.

On the basis of a probable 75 mother tongues according to Weber (1989), six are classified as major languages (the percentages indicating the number of native speakers of each language): Tagalog (25%), Cebuano (24%), Ilocano (9%), Hiligaynon (9%), Bicol (6%), Waray (5%), and other (22%). Because of immigration, these major languages as well as Pampango and Pangasinan are represented in America.



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Tagalog, Pilipino, Filipino

Following the mandate of the 1935 Constitution, President Manuel Quezon proclaimed Tagalog as the basis of the national language in 1937. To free the Tagalog-based national language from its ethnic ties and therefore to facilitate its acceptance, Tagalog was renamed Pilipino in 1959. However, the 1973 Constitution rescinded the choice of Tagalog (Pilipino) as the basis of the national language (Gonzales, 1977). Pilipino was established as one of the two official languages of the Philippines under the 1973 Constitution -- the other being English. The 1987 Constitution stipulates that the National Assembly is to take steps toward the formation of a genuine national language to be called Filipino, which will incorporate elements from the various Philippine languages. Philippine language experts predict, especially after the 1987 Constitutional deliberations, that Pilipino will be renamed Filipino characterized by an openness to borrowings from the other Philippine languages as well as from English, Spanish, and other foreign languages (Gonzales 1991: 126).

The 1980 Philippine census indicated that close to 75 percent of Filipinos speak a variety of Pilipino, especially in the urban areas. Gonzales (1987: 212) estimates that by the end of the century, 97.1 percent of Filipinos will speak a colloquial or conversational form of Filipino.

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Linguistic Features of the Language

Filipino (Tagalog) has been influenced, principally in vocabulary by the languages with which they have come into contact: Sanskrit, Arabic, Chinese, English, and Spanish.

Some of the grammatical features of the Philippine languages are the complex system of affixes, especially of verbal affixes,which denote a special relationship between the verb and a particular noun phrase in the sentence often referred to by Philippine linguists as "topic" or "subject." This relationship as actor, goal, or referent in the sentence is usually marked by an affix in the verb. There are other prominent feautres of the language such as; the use of markers in a sentence, the reduplication of a syllable in a word, and the use of particles between words and phrases.

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Filipino in the United States

Filipino (Tagalog) is the national language of the Philippines and the cultural thread that keeps Filipinos all over the world in touch with their roots. To promote cross-cultural and transnational understanding and mutual appreciation, wide access to the Filipino language is essential.

Philippine history has strong links with the United States. The country was an American colony from 1900 - 1946. Cooperation between the Philippines and the United States had continued through World War II, in the post-Independence period, and well into the present global economy. In part, because of this strong ties, Filipinos comprise a significant minority in the United States.

Currently, there are about a million Filipinos in the US, and more are coming every year. This increase in the number of Filipinos (predicted to exceed the Chinese by the year 2000) is likely to have a greater impact on American politics and social concerns. This trend therefore requires educating Americans about the Philippines in general and, more specifically, providing our schools and community organizations with materials that help the Filipino-Americans to participate more easily and widely in the life of our nation.

According to the 1990 United States Census, Tagalog is the second most commonly-spoken Asian language in the United States, and the sixth non-English language spoken in America. Tagalog is the lingua franca of the Filipinos anywhere in the world. Most Southeast Asian scholars use Tagalog as the tool for research in the Philippines. It is the language of major works in literature and that of Philippine films and songs.

A growing number of American universities are regularly offering courses in Tagalog. The expansion of the field can be illustrated by the following facts: in the 1960s, only Hawaii and UCLA were offering regularly-listed courses in Tagalog. Today, Tagalog courses are offered every year at the University of California at Berkeley, UCLA, Cornell University, University of Michigan, University of Wisconsin (Madison), Loyola Marymount University, University of Pennsylvania, Northern Illinois University, University of Pittsburg, and San Francisco State University, all of which recently joined nationwide consortium to promote teaching Tagalog.

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Filipino/Tagalog as a Heritage Language

It is of interest to note that after almost a hundred years in America, there are now second and third generations of Americans of Filipino ancestry whose command of Tagalog is limited but who desire to access Tagalog language instruction. More and more Philippine language classes are attended by Filipino Americans.

The emergence of Filipino-American students and their growing demands for historical, cultural, and linguistic knowledge that will enable them to reclaim their heritage and ultimately discover their identity have resulted in the increasing need nation-wide for more Filipino language and culture courses in various academic institutions. The university has become the main venue for the articulation of their demands. It plays a significant role in assisting the students to recover their parents' language and culture for psychological, social, and cultural empowerment.

[Stelok]

In Tagalog, the "f" sound is changed to a "p" sound as traditionally, there is no "f" in Tagalog. Soewhat how in Japanese, "v" is changed to "b" and l and r are interchangeable...I think...

Let's see I have compared the Japanese phonetic sounds to their equivalents which Japanese don't have in their phonology.

interchangeable Japanese phonetic sounds:

Japanese sound= non-japanese equivalent
"B"="V"
"R"= "L"
"Z"= "Th"

Tagalog sound= its equivalent that is not included in Tagalog phonetics
"Ts"= "Ch" (Ex. Tsokolate=Chocolate)
"P"="F" (Ex. Pilipino=Filipino)
"B"="V" (Ex. Telebisyon=Television)
"H" or "Dy"= "J" (Ex. Heneral=general or manager=manadyer)
"S"= "Z"

Tagalog language does not include the sounds of "sh" or "th".

Let's look at how the languages phonetically converted the word "computer".

English= "computer"
Tagalog= "kompyuter"
Arabic= "kombyuter" (Arabic phonetic alphabet doesn't have the sound 'P")
Japanese= "konpyuta" (Japanese phonetics dictate we can't connect 'm" with "p")

[Stelok]

"V" sounds are almost always changed to "b" sounds in Japanese. Television becomes "terebi", "version" becomes "baajon"...the j-pop group V6 is pronounced as "bui shikkusu", "Venus" (as written in comics, etc.) is "biinasu", and so forth. Of course, katakana, especially these days, can be played around with, and on occasion (though I've seen this primarily in manga) you can write a "v" sound by writing "u" with the ten-ten by it. I can't recall a situation where "v" is changed to "f".

Well, I have just found a language that can phonetically convert the sound "V" to 'F'. It's called Arabic.

Arabic phonology doesn't use the sound "V" so Arabic converted the word "television" to "telefizion".

Sorry for the late reply but I didn't know about it until I've read the Arabic dictionary again today.

[kiro_san]

sorry about that. i promise not to do that again :(

[KuroiKenshi]

English= "computer"
Tagalog= "kompyuter"
Arabic= "kombyuter" (Arabic phonetic alphabet doesn't have the sound 'P")
Japanese= "konpyuta" (Japanese phonetics dictate we can't connect 'm" with "p")

you actually can connect the sounds we link in english with the letter m and the letter p. when you pronounce konpyuutaa in japanese, its pronounced with kompyuutaa. the kana ん is used to add a nazalization - and that nazalization changes depending on the consonant that comes after it. think about in english how you pronounce goiNG, waNT, and staMP. the glottal g makes the nasalizing n in going be pronounced in the throat. the palatal t makes the n prnounced at the palate. similarly, the m in stamp is just a nasal consonant pronounced at the lips. the phonetics of japanese dont stop us from connecting the m and the p, but rather the romanization system you are using. after all, there is no such thing as "m" and "p" in japanese in the first place.

[CeLL_288]

after all, there is no such thing as "m" and "p" in japanese in the first place.I think that's what he was trying to say. While it may sound like an "m" and a "p", technically it's an "n" that gets nasalized and therefore only sounds like an "m".

[KuroiKenshi]

no but you see, this idea of n and m, it doesnt exist. its not like the phonetic ん　is connected to the letter n. its just the way of romanization

[Stelok]

no but you see, this idea of n and m, it doesnt exist. its not like the phonetic ん　is connected to the letter n. its just the way of romanization

My thoughts exactly.

"Senpai" and "Tenpura" are both romanized as "Sempai" and "tempura".

Let's not forget the Chobits romanized the name of Shinbo as "Shimbo".

[CeLL_288]

no but you see, this idea of n and m, it doesnt exist. its not like the phonetic ん　is connected to the letter n. its just the way of romanizationIt is connected to the letter "n". When Japanese children learn the (Japanese) alphabet, they are taught that the character ん makes the "nn" sound, not the "mm" sound. It doesn't really matter which way words with ん are Romanized though, because it sounds the same either way.

[KuroiKenshi]

It is connected to the letter "n". When Japanese children learn the (Japanese) alphabet, they are taught that the character ん makes the "nn" sound, not the "mm" sound. It doesn't really matter which way words with ん are Romanized though, because it sounds the same either way.

no, they are taught to connect it with all the words they already know that have it. they have learned these words LONG before learning to write. they know how to pronounce, for example, kantou, senpai, and kenka, and learn it as connected to the nasalizations connected to all of those words, not just as "n" or "m." it may be that when they pronounce a lone ん they pronounce it with an "n" sound, but they also know that when you put it infront of the sound we represent as b, it is pronounced with an "m" sound.

[CeLL_288]

no, they are taught to connect it with all the words they already know that have it. they have learned these words LONG before learning to write. they know how to pronounce, for example, kantou, senpai, and kenka, and learn it as connected to the nasalizations connected to all of those words, not just as "n" or "m." it may be that when they pronounce a lone ん they pronounce it with an "n" sound, but they also know that when you put it infront of the sound we represent as b, it is pronounced with an "m" sound.That's what I'm saying: when it is by itself, it is pronouned as "nn". We are arguing over technicalities. It doesn't matter if you write せんぱい as "senpai" or "sempai"; it sounds the same. What I'm saying is, technically the character ん is pronounced "n". If you'll notice, an "n" in front of a "b" or a "p" sounds like "m", but that doesn't change the fact that it is still an "n". The same goes for the character ん. Thus, it is technically correct to write せんぱい as "senpai", not "sempai". However, once again, this is only a technicality. Since we translate Japanese words by how we hear them, writing "sempai" is phonetically correct, but if you want to write the most accurate translation of the Japanese characters, "senpai" is correct. Also, if you ask a Japanese person to say the word せんぱい　syllable by syllable, they will say "se-n-pa-i," not "se-m-pa-i."

[Kiku]

Also, if you ask a Japanese person to say the word せんぱい　syllable by syllable, they will say "se-n-pa-i," not "se-m-pa-i."

Phonetically, saying 'senpai' with either letter sounds almost exactly the same. There are some words where I've noticed some Japanese people will speak where the ん sound is more like an 'm,' since it's habit or comes easier to say.

[CeLL_288]

Phonetically, saying 'senpai' with either letter sounds almost exactly the same. There are some words where I've noticed some Japanese people will speak where the ん sound is more like an 'm,' since it's habit or comes easier to say.I know. That's what I said: We are arguing over technicalities. It doesn't matter if you write せんぱいas "senpai" or "sempai"; it sounds the same.

[cereshe22]

i've learned this from my school cause we have a subject nihonggo. when my name is japanize its- shireru :naughty:

[KuroiKenshi]

That's what I'm saying: when it is by itself, it is pronouned as "nn". We are arguing over technicalities. It doesn't matter if you write せんぱい as "senpai" or "sempai"; it sounds the same. What I'm saying is, technically the character ん is pronounced "n". If you'll notice, an "n" in front of a "b" or a "p" sounds like "m", but that doesn't change the fact that it is still an "n". The same goes for the character ん. Thus, it is technically correct to write せんぱい as "senpai", not "sempai". However, once again, this is only a technicality. Since we translate Japanese words by how we hear them, writing "sempai" is phonetically correct, but if you want to write the most accurate translation of the Japanese characters, "senpai" is correct. Also, if you ask a Japanese person to say the word せんぱい　syllable by syllable, they will say "se-n-pa-i," not "se-m-pa-i."


i dont think it is "technically correct" to write it that way because, and this iis the only thing ive been trying to say, when you write japanese in roman letters, no matter how systematic you are being, you are removing them from japanese - and therefore you are changing something. the "n" that we get from ん is not the same "n" as you get from な、に、ぬ etc, so therefore the really "most accurate" way would be to write it as n' or something similar to distinguish it, because it is a different character. but thats not the point. the point is that english spelling has nothign to do really with what is correct in japanese/not correct because the letters are not the same. even though we write the vowels あ、い、う、え、お as a,i,u,e,o they do not correspond really to the same sound values. so writing them that way in the first place is misleading. is all im trying to say.

[AchtungAffen]

Depends on the language, japanese vowels sound exactly as spanish vowels. The U is a little different, sounds more like "Ü" (as in german's umlaut) than a straight spanish U.

[Bowen Samdi]

Clay-Kurei
Clayton-Kureiton

I like the first one better. It sounds like it could actually pass for a real Japanese name. The second one seems like I'm trying to say crouton -_-

[KuroiKenshi]

Depends on the language, japanese vowels sound exactly as spanish vowels. The U is a little different, sounds more like "Ü" (as in german's umlaut) than a straight spanish U.

and thus, its not the same. so even for spanish speakers, trying to match the pronounciation to another language is a tricky business.

[Stelok]

and thus, its not the same. so even for spanish speakers, trying to match the pronounciation to another language is a tricky business.

It is true that Spanish speakers can't try to match the pronounciation of a foreign word into their language.

For example, When Spaniards arrived to the New World and discovered chocolate, the Spanish found it hard to pronounce the Nahuatl word "xocoatl" because unlike English, "tl" pronounced at the end isn't a Spanish phonetic sound, so they phonetically changed it to chocolate.

http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Chocolate


A word from the Maya language, xocoatl derives from xoco, bitter, and atl, water.
When Spanish conquistadors first visited the Aztecs they were served cups of hot, unsweetened chocolate. When the Spanish found the word "Xocoatl" difficult to pronounce, they began calling the drink "chocolat" after the more easily pronounced Nahuatl word chocolatl.

Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xocoatl

[CeLL_288]

i dont think it is "technically correct" to write it that way because, and this iis the only thing ive been trying to say, when you write japanese in roman letters, no matter how systematic you are being, you are removing them from japanese - and therefore you are changing something. the "n" that we get from ん is not the same "n" as you get from な、に、ぬ etc, so therefore the really "most accurate" way would be to write it as n' or something similar to distinguish it, because it is a different character. but thats not the point. the point is that english spelling has nothign to do really with what is correct in japanese/not correct because the letters are not the same. even though we write the vowels あ、い、う、え、お as a,i,u,e,o they do not correspond really to the same sound values. so writing them that way in the first place is misleading. is all im trying to say.Ohhhhhhh, I see. :doh: Sorry. :bow:

[Dr. Ezra]

My Japanese name is Jinu!

[Jake]

The site told me my name would be Jake, but that's so not true. That would be pronounced jah-keh. My name in Japanese would actually be ジェイク (jeiku) or ジェック (jekku).

[Yoshio]

良夫　or よしお [Yoshio] is my japanese given name
(finally i am able to write in kanji/kana, so i can actually post that)

but if you go by my english name (i have an english and a japanese name, the japanese one is counted as my middle name) it would be ダンイエェ　[Dan'iee] or ダンイエェル [Dan'ieeru] or if you go by my nickname it would just be ダン　[Dan]

[SuperSailorMoon]

My name is Christina my jaoanese name would be Chiisuchina.

Christina- Chiisuchina

[CeLL_288]

My name is Christina my jaoanese name would be Chiisuchina.

Christina- ChiisuchinaActually it would be クリスチナ (Kurisuchina) or クリスティナ (Kurisutina). Or if you wanted to put more of an emphasis on the second syllable (which is how it's usually pronounced), it would be クリスチーナ (Kurisuchiina) or クリスティーナ (Kurisutiina). The last one is probably the most accurate way of writing it, but the first one is the easiest.

[SuperSailorMoon]

Actually it would be クリスチナ (Kurisuchina) or クリスティナ (Kurisutina). Or if you wanted to put more of an emphasis on the second syllable (which is how it's usually pronounced), it would be クリスチーナ (Kurisuchiina) or クリスティーナ (Kurisutiina). The last one is probably the most accurate way of writing it, but the first one is the easiest.

Thanks for helpping me out since I was wrong.

[sfried]

So how will the name "Sig" be kananized?

[DazzleKitty]

I already know what my Japanized name is. It's Makenjii.

[Gibb]

My name in katakana is ライヤン (Ryan)

My Japanese name is something along the lines of: 高橋慮 (Takahashi Ryo).
I haven't decided which kanji to use yet.

I picked this name because I needed a Japanese name in kanji to sign up for the MMORPG "Yogurting".

[Victory]

So how will the name "Sig" be kananized?
シグ

adding link as filler http://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E3%82%B7%E3%82%B0

[Japhyl]

I Japanized my name before. I was surprised that there's only a one-letter difference from the way my name is spelled anyway.

[Ken-Ohki]

I dunno why the - is in Ken-Ohki but it's in all the official uses of his name. Since it's a form of romaji already to say Ken-Ohki ケン-オーキ in katakana perhaps?

Perhaps the dash is there for the same reason we get Mayumi=Thyme to let people know his given name is to be read first his family name is second? I don't rightly know.

So in the end I guess Ken-Ohki just plain stays Ken-Ohki.

[Lord Nakago]

my name is Lee.In katakana it would be "Rii"...:naughty:

[Len]

Use the Japanese phonetics to alter your usernames.

Do you know Dragon Ball's Piccolo, Bulma and Krillin's Japanese names were Pikoro, Buruma and Kurririn?

Pikoro (Piccolo)
Buruma (Bulma)
Kuririn (Krillin)
Kakarotto (Kakarot)
Yamucha (Yamcha)

I know Japanese phonetics do not use the sound "L" and always place a vowel or the consonant of N at the end of a word. In Japanese phonetics, I also know a vowel comes after a consonant and two consonants except for a "n" do not come together unless it's "ts" or "sh". Whenever Japanse have a foreign word containing a "L" they change the sound to "R".

For example

Linda (Rinda)
Llyod (Ryodu)

I don't have a good grasp of Japanese phonetics but this below is my best guess.

Firisutorumu, da Nukirearu man (Firestorm the Nuclear Man)

In case it hasnt been already noted.. do not think of Japanese as "Letters".. we do not have "letters" we have "characters" which are comprized of 1-3 alphabet letters when translated into romaji. For things like Kya Ryu ryo kyo etc we just add a tiny vowel character after the normal sound. Two consonants do come together, but not as consonants. Eg; nni would be N the character for N sound and Ni the character for Ni sound..

I'm too tired for this, I need to get on a better sleeping schedule.

@Ken-Ohki: No, the dash is there to elongate the vowel sound.

For the record, mine is Miyako Satoshige.

It has nothing to do with my birth date, failure.

Phonetically, saying 'senpai' with either letter sounds almost exactly the same. There are some words where I've noticed some Japanese people will speak where the ん sound is more like an 'm,' since it's habit or comes easier to say.

Just easier and more habitual to drop your lip. I do it aswell.

[Chousho]

I dunno why the - is in Ken-Ohki but it's in all the official uses of his name. Since it's a form of romaji already to say Ken-Ohki ケン-オーキ in katakana perhaps?

Perhaps the dash is there for the same reason we get Mayumi=Thyme to let people know his given name is to be read first his family name is second? I don't rightly know.

So in the end I guess Ken-Ohki just plain stays Ken-Ohki.
If you're going by the Tenchi series, your name would be 眷皇鬼 [けんおうき] (ken oo ki)

[superplough]

tomasu i guess (my name's thomas)

id like to try "superplough" though, um.. supaapirou?

[Len]

tomasu i guess (my name's thomas)

id like to try "superplough" though, um.. supaapirou?

スーパプラオ.. imo

[superplough]

i cant read that >_<

[Chousho]

superplough would be　スーパープラウ (suupaa purau) if you say "plough" the same as "plow". If plough is said like blow, then change the last two to roo (スーパープロー), which sounds strangely like Super Pro.

[Stelok]

Sorry, Len, but Because I am deaf and don't know about japanese phonology, I tried to base japanese phonetics on letters rather than on the sounds.

My name would be pronounced in japanese as Suteroku.

Roy Focker= Roi Fokka
Tina Foster= Tina Fosuta
Iris Chateaubriand= Airisu Shatooburian
Arcueid Brunestud= Arukueido Buryunsutaddo
Leni Milchstrasse= Reni Miruhishutoraase

[superplough]

plough is pronounced plow

suupaa purau aye? thanks! ^_^

[Chousho]

Roy Focker= Roi Fokka
Tina Foster= Tina Fosuta
Since the other names sound French or German, I'm not sure how they would be said, but I think they are correct. The ones in the quote would be a little different commonly.
roi fokkaa
tina fosutaa*
Since ti is pronounced "chi", some people of the newer generation might use ティ instead of チ. The first is said like tea (that you drink) and sounds closer to its Western equivalent.
Eg; nni would be N the character for N sound and Ni the character for Ni sound..

Just easier and more habitual to drop your lip. I do it aswell.

Just wondering - most non-Japanese can only hear 2 different sounds that n makes (for example: 1. Shin 2. Shimbun). How many different sounds can you pick out, Len?

[Stelok]

Since the other names sound French or German, I'm not sure how they would be said, but I think they are correct. The ones in the quote would be a little different commonly.
roi fokkaa
tina fosutaa*

?

Actually, I found most of the Western names' Japanese pronunciations from Wikipedia. Foster is the only name I've japanized on my own.


I believe Milchstrasse is pronounced in German as Milkh-shtrahsse. Strasse is said with double "s" (ss). To my knowledge, Germans pronounce "ch" as "k".

[Chousho]

Actually, I found most of the Western names' Japanese pronunciations from Wikipedia. Foster is the only name I've japanized on my own.


I believe Milchstrasse is pronounced in German as Milkh-shtrahsse. Strasse is said with double "s" (ss). To my knowledge, Germans pronounce "ch" as "k".
Ah, I see.
If this is German, then I could see the difference. For instance, most English words used in Japan would use the double a to create the "er" sound (furizaa for freezer, etc). My German friend, however, says "er" words most as an "ah", which would just use the single a in Japanese.

And yes, Germans pronounce "ch" as either "k" or "sh" (kind of), depending on where they're from. So Milchstrasse might be something like "Milch-strah suh".
This is going by only what I remember learning from my friend and limited German knowledge.

[Len]

Since the other names sound French or German, I'm not sure how they would be said, but I think they are correct. The ones in the quote would be a little different commonly.
roi fokkaa
tina fosutaa*
Since ti is pronounced "chi", some people of the newer generation might use ティ instead of チ. The first is said like tea (that you drink) and sounds closer to its Western equivalent.


Just wondering - most non-Japanese can only hear 2 different sounds that n makes (for example: 1. Shin 2. Shimbun). How many different sounds can you pick out, Len?

There is also a strong sudden h sound n is sometimes quickly pronounced as but if you elongate it it begins to sound like M. honestly I can only recall using the 3-4 generic habitual pronunciations of 'n'.. double vowel moraic are weird. sometimes it is very slight, for example habitually changing kan to kaa. im not sure if its just unique to kansai or not, but it habit.

Its hard to explain habit? :lol: Il make a list as I go.

[giko]

My name was already "Japanized" since I was born in Japan....
I've got no fun to "Japanize" my own name.

[Gibb]

And yes, Germans pronounce "ch" as either "k" or "sh" (kind of), depending on where they're from. So Milchstrasse might be something like "Milch-strah suh".
This is going by only what I remember learning from my friend and limited German knowledge.

Speaking of German words in Japanese, one of the characters in Nodame Cantabile introduces himself as "Milch Holstein", which I think means "Milk Cow" in German. The way Nodame pronounces his name is so cute that I laugh everytime. She says something that sounds like "Miluhi" (ミルヒ).

[Imasyon]

well...you seem to have quite a discussion on "Milchstrasse"...^^
It's difficult to say how you'd write it in katakana, because there is the "strasse" after milch. As Zürich would bi "Churihhi" (a little tsu before the hi) I'd think "Milchstrasse" would be written "ミルッヒシュトラース" or something alike. 'cause Strasse may have a double s, but the a is pronounced quite long, so it seems to be better for me to put the a long and the s short. The German surname "Strauss" for instance would be spelled "シュトラウス" in katakana. But anyway, it's difficult to say how it would be correctly, but I think ミルッヒシュトラース is quite right. ^_^
We had some problems to Japanize our names in katakana in our Japanese class at university, but somehow everybody managed to find a way ('cause my name isn't German, I hadn't had so much porblems...hehe...).

Speaking of German words in Japanese, one of the characters in Nodame Cantabile introduces himself as "Milch Holstein", which I think means "Milk Cow" in German. The way Nodame pronounces his name is so cute that I laugh everytime. She says something that sounds like "Miluhi" (ミルヒ).

well, I don't know what Holstein meens, it seems to be a German surname but it surely does not meen "Milk Cow" in German ^^ (this would be "Milchkuh"). ^^

[Gibb]

well, I don't know what Holstein meens, it seems to be a German surname but it surely does not meen "Milk Cow" in German ^^ (this would be "Milchkuh"). ^^

I just looked in wiki and it says "holstein" is a type of cattle, as well as the southern part of Schleswig-Holstein in Germany, between the rivers Elbe, Eider and the Schlei firth.

When the character introduces himself, Chiaki (the main male character) says that it's obviously a made up name.

Also, the Yotsuba & Monochrome Animals book I just got in the mail has a cow in it and it says "Holstein" in both Katakana and English.

[mdauben]

Using that Japanese Name Translation (http://www.keiichianimeforever.com/culture/japanese/nametranslator.html)website, I got that Michael would be:

Michaeru
(rōmaji representation)

ミチャエル
(katakana representation)

みちゃえる
(hiragana representation)

So does that look right?

[giko]

Using that Japanese Name Translation (http://www.keiichianimeforever.com/culture/japanese/nametranslator.html)website, I got that Michael would be:

Michaeru
(rōmaji representation)

ミチャエル
(katakana representation)

みちゃえる
(hiragana representation)

So does that look right?


I guess Mikaeru(ミカエル) would be common Japanization for Michael in Japan.

[giko]

Roy Focker= Roi Fokka
Tina Foster= Tina Fosuta


Well, Japanese language has a Chōon Kana character which is used to indicate a long vowel.
So,

Focker= Fokkaa（フォッカー）
Foster= Fosutaa（フォスター）

would be more precise.

[mdauben]

I guess Mikaeru(ミカエル) would be common Japanization for Michael in Japan.
Given that the "ch" in Michael is pronounced as "k" that would seem to make sense. Thanks!

[Gibb]

Well, Japanese language has a Chōon Kana character which is used to indicate a long vowel.
So,

Focker= Fokkaa(フォッカー)
Foster= Fosutaa(フォスター)

would be more precise.

Since both Focker and Foster have an "au" song, more like "Faucker" and "Fauster", wouldn't the Japanese more accurately be, ファッカー　and　ファスター?

[giko]

Given that the "ch" in Michael is pronounced as "k" that would seem to make sense. Thanks!

My pleasure.:P


Since both Focker and Foster have an "au" song, more like "Faucker" and "Fauster", wouldn't the Japanese more accurately be, ファッカー　and　ファスター?

Yes, you may be right. I guess they provide more precise pronunciations.
However; Focker in the Robotech anime is written as "フォッカー" in Kana, and Foster in AiYoriAoshi is written as "フォスター" in Kana. There are no exceptions.
Japanese Anime fans don't write ファスター nor ファッカー in Kana to prevent a confusion.

Interestingly, there is the confusion in Japanese society.
For example, an old SciFi anime "Armitage the 3rd" is written as "アミテージ　ザ　サード" on the cover.
http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/P/B00005FXB0.01._SS500_SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg

However; former U.S. deputy secretary of state "Mr. Armitage" is written as "アーミテージ" on newspapers.
http://taku.net/ad_photo_output.php3?DT=2004-7-15

Only Mr.Armitage has Chōon Kana character in his name, even though the spelling is same. I really don't know why. It's confusing.

Anyway, in Japan, "アミテージ" means the anime girl, and "アーミテージ" means the former U.S. deputy secretary of state Mr. Richard Armitage.

[Len]

I guess Mikaeru(ミカエル) would be common Japanization for Michael in Japan.

..Naw, Maikeru would make much more sense for Michael. (マイケル) ..unless Michael is pronounced Mee Kayl.. than it would make some sense.

[giko]

..Naw, Maikeru would make much more sense for Michael. (マイケル) ..unless Michael is pronounced Mee Kayl.. than it would make some sense.

Yes. You are right. It depends on the pronunciations of the languages.

Italian Michael:ミカエル
English/American Michael:マイケル
French Michael:ミシェール
Russian Michael:ミハイル

They are the common spellings in Kana in Japan.

[Stelok]

Speaking of German words in Japanese, one of the characters in Nodame Cantabile introduces himself as "Milch Holstein", which I think means "Milk Cow" in German. The way Nodame pronounces his name is so cute that I laugh everytime. She says something that sounds like "Miluhi" (ミルヒ).

I don't think holstein means cow. Besides, in German, two words are usually jointed together to form a compound word like Milchstrasse

Oh, by the way, Milch means milk, and Strasse means street or way. Milchstrasse means milky way.

well...you seem to have quite a discussion on "Milchstrasse"...^^

well, I don't know what Holstein meens, it seems to be a German surname but it surely does not meen "Milk Cow" in German ^^ (this would be "Milchkuh"). ^^

Yup. and Milchkuh is an authentic german word, also meaning dairy cow, according to an online German-English dictionary.


Yes. You are right. It depends on the pronunciations of the languages.

Italian Michael:ミカエル
English/American Michael:マイケル
French Michael:ミシェール
Russian Michael:ミハイル

They are the common spellings in Kana in Japan.

Actually, The english name Michael has different counterparts in other languages.

English= Michael
Italian= Michaelangelo
French= Michel
Russian= Mikhail
Spanish= Miguel

[cris]

Japanese don't really use ミカエル　when they spell out Michael, even if they are if they are from the EU, unless if they are introduced ミカエル. When using ミカエル it's usually refering to the Seraph or Angel or whatever it was.

Note that i'm not saying it's not possible, but in general.

[giko]

Japanese don't really use ミカエル　when they spell out Michael, even if they are if they are from the EU, unless if they are introduced ミカエル. When using ミカエル it's usually refering to the Seraph or Angel or whatever it was.
Note that i'm not saying it's not possible, but in general.

For example, the Roman Catholic Church in Japan use ミカエル officially when they spell out Michael. They never spell ミチャエル. ミチャエル is totally uncommon. That's what I mentioned to him.

And "マイケル" is used for English/American Michael.

[cris]

Yes, I know

[giko]

Actually, The english name Michael has different counterparts in other languages.

English= Michael
Italian= Michaelangelo
French= Michel
Russian= Mikhail
Spanish= Miguel

Thank you for telling me the spells.:P

[CrossboneGundam]

I don't think holstein means cow.

Holsteins are a breed of dairy cattle, the classic black and white kind one often thinks of when thinking of cows. It's also a region of Germany north of the river Elbe. Oddly, the Holstein cow was bred in Holland.

Also, Michael isn't an English, French, Italian, etc. name, it's Hebrew.

[Stelok]

Holsteins are a breed of dairy cattle, the classic black and white kind one often thinks of when thinking of cows. It's also a region of Germany north of the river Elbe. Oddly, the Holstein cow was bred in Holland.

Also, Michael isn't an English, French, Italian, etc. name, it's Hebrew.

I never said Holstein isn't a cow. What I meant to say is Holstein doesn't mean cow in German.

Wrong! Michael isn't a Hebrew word but rather an English version of the Hebrew word, מִיכָאֵל / מיכאל‎, meaning "Who is like God?

[Ariden]

Mmm, so what would Ariden be (assuming you pronounce it in English like 'Arr ree den')?

[giko]

Mmm, so what would Ariden be (assuming you pronounce it in English like 'Arr ree den')?

I guess your name would be アリディーン(aridiin or aridihn). Probably.


I'm Sorry マイケル(Michael) that I had a misunderstanding about Japanization.

[CrossboneGundam]

I never said Holstein isn't a cow. What I meant to say is Holstein doesn't mean cow in German.

Wrong! Michael isn't a Hebrew word but rather an English version of the Hebrew word, מִיכָאֵל / מיכאל‎, meaning "Who is like God?

My point was that Holstein is a blatant reference to cow, so it's not far off from that.

And you're splitting hairs just to make me sound wrong. Don't get full of yourself just because you can copy and paste text from a hebrew baby name website.

[Scandiadream]

Koromu Heidi (starting with my family name first like the Japanese do)

[Imasyon]

I just looked in wiki and it says "holstein" is a type of cattle, as well as the southern part of Schleswig-Holstein in Germany, between the rivers Elbe, Eider and the Schlei firth.

When the character introduces himself, Chiaki (the main male character) says that it's obviously a made up name.

Also, the Yotsuba & Monochrome Animals book I just got in the mail has a cow in it and it says "Holstein" in both Katakana and English.

hehe, yeah then it's a cow race (or how you may call that) from Schleswig Holstein (didn't think about that, so, sorry! ^^)...

[Chousho]

My point was that Holstein is a blatant reference to cow, so it's not far off from that.

And you're splitting hairs just to make me sound wrong. Don't get full of yourself just because you can copy and paste text from a hebrew baby name website.
"Holstein is a blatant reference to cow" just like "cockerspaniel is a blatant reference to dog".
Holstein !== cow. Growing up in farmer country Upstate NY, my friends would get mad if I at least didn't know this (speaking of which, most farmers seem to be Dutch, but that's something else).
If anyone cares to read more on holsteins (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holstein_%28cattle%29#Specifications)

In German, cow is kuh. I definitely know that as well, thanks to my friend and reasons related to madlib books.

Koromu Heidi (starting with my family name first like the Japanese do)
Not sure how Koromu is pronounced, so I'm guessing with this.
Koromu Haiji (or Haidi)
コロム・ハイジ　(or ハイディ)

[Dr. Ezra]

I think my name is Jinu or something along those lines.

[goddessofanime]

Actually if you use my nickname(Tina), it'd work in both languages.

As for my full name, on some website, it came up 'Chisuru' or something like that..

[HSaabedra]

My name would be Masato Yamashita, but I wonder if my real name would have kana available since it has German roots.

[sailornyanko]

My first name would probably be pronounced as Nanshii in Japanese. Though an Euskeran version of my name would sound real cool too: Benanshia.

I'd assume my second last name would be a bit of a pain to pronounce with Japanese phonetics. If most mexicans can't pronounce it (sadly it sounds a lot like the last name of a famous serial killer so people always mix it up and mispronounce it ¬¬), imagine non spanish speakers!

[Danju]

Damien Rodriguez.

Demien デミエン
Radurigezu ラヅリゲズ

[Len]

I think it would be more like Deimian ( デイミエン ) or Deimiyan ( デイミヤン ).. More stressed 'ee'..

[KatayokuのTenshi]

User name? Katayoku no Tenshi -> Katayoku no Tenshi ... well that was fun.

[D the Hunter]

Ben - べん (?) Pronounced - Behn(?)

Seems too easy.

[Prons]

Po ra n zu.

[Len]

User name? Katayoku no Tenshi -> Katayoku no Tenshi ... well that was fun.

単一の翼との天使 or 片翼の天使.. whichever you prefer.

@Prons: プランズ

..why use ポ?

[KatayokuのTenshi]

単一の翼との天使 or 片翼の天使.. whichever you prefer.

@Prons: プランズ

..why use ポ?

Why are there two の in it?

[Len]

Why are there two の in it?

..because there is. the first one is angel with a single wing.

[KatayokuのTenshi]

Oh I see I thought you were witing the same thing a different way or something. So I thought it shouldn't sound different, -_-;

In which case it could only be 片翼の天使 surely?

[Len]

Oh I see I thought you were witing the same thing a different way or something. So I thought it shouldn't sound different, -_-;

In which case it could only be 片翼の天使 surely?

that would be good. angel of one wing.

[Chousho]

[color=#cc0088]単一の翼との天使 or 片翼の天使.. whichever you prefer.
The first one seems a little odd. I am guessing KatayokuのTenshi took his name from the Final Fantasy VII song? 片翼の天史 would be the name of it.

[KatayokuのTenshi]

Because I'm a completest: かたよくのてんし ... or something.

The first one seems a little odd. I am guessing KatayokuのTenshi took his name from the Final Fantasy VII song? 片翼の天史 would be the name of it.

That’s right, although it was the version in the film that made me chose it, the game is along way in the past now. But if I couldn't fit Katayoku no Tenshi in the space provided then I certainly wasn't going to get Sairin: Katayoku no Tenshi in either. Plus it would sound stupid.

That's more than enough from me. -_-;

[Spadesy]

I guess mine would be Dusty Rarusan-san from what I saw on a site one time, haha.

[Chousho]

I guess mine would be Dusty Rarusan-san from what I saw on a site one time, haha.
Haha, kind of.
I would go with:
ダスティー・ラーソン (dasutii raason)