Comments on: Yamato Kotoba: The REAL Japanese Language

By: Sarah

Sarah — Tue, 27 Aug 2013 21:22:00 +0000

Very informative read. This helped me to clearly distinguish on’yomi, kun’yomi. One thing though: What’s with all this hatred for people who like big words? There’s plenty of that to go around elsewhere, but why on Tofugu which is all about learning new things and words? I’m sure this was meant in jest, but I still take great offence when a joy of extending one’s vocabulary is chastised. Opening up one’s mind to a wider range of words in any language is so valuable in that it allows for speaking with a greater level of accuracy as to the intended sentiment. It allows for poetry and prose which stands the test of time. Let’s not go around making it uncool to learn new words, what’s the point in encouraging everyone else to set themselves back just because one person decided to stop expanding their vernacular at a different point than they did? I say kudos for relentlessness in one’s studies. No?

By: サビウスアウグストゥス

サビウスアウグストゥス — Thu, 31 Jan 2013 13:45:00 +0000

Also, French words like patowa, metoro, bagetto

By: サビウスアウグストゥス

サビウスアウグストゥス — Thu, 31 Jan 2013 13:43:00 +0000

There are Portuguese word on Japanese language, such as pan, botan, kirishitan, etc.

By: KaragAlex

KaragAlex — Fri, 26 Oct 2012 12:08:00 +0000

Interesting article!
I’ve been learning Japanese for almost 2 years, and I really wondered how far Chinese and archaic Japanese influence reach into the modern Japanese language, respectively. It’s impressive when you think how many foreign borrowings actually exist in Japanese, apart from the gairaigo, which always stand out.

By: Infinitysreflection

Infinitysreflection — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 17:14:00 +0000

My understanding from living in Japan for ten years and not being so successful with learning Japanese (teaching a lot for one thing) is that Katakana was created for foreign words to in particularly point them out as not really being part of Japanese culture and has to do with the whole outsider insider mentality. Otherwise, they could have just used Hiragana.

By: Konichiwarrrr, Mateys! Famous Japanese Pirates, Ninja Pirates, And The Wild Wakou

Fri, 14 Oct 2011 16:02:18 +0000

[...] In a literal translation, it translates to “Yamato Bandits” where Yamato refers to the Japanese peoples. The first wakou were mainly Japanese merchants, ronin, soldiers, and smugglers. In modern times, [...]