Now I know that when a word from one language goes into another language, anything goes when it comes to pronunciation.
And I fully realize that the Japanese are real butchers when it comes to adopting terms from English and other countries.
In fact, it really doesn’t bother me that much when I hear English speakers saying sunami for tsunami.
But. . . . .!
Today I heard this guy on the radio lecturing another person about how the initial “t” of tsunami is silent, and that the proper pronunciation is sunami.
Wronnnnnng!
The purpose of Romanized Japanese is to present the pronunciation of the term, so nothing is silent.
Having trouble with the tsu?
Pronounce it the same way as tsetse fly, with a “u” in place of the “e.”
And always remember. . . . . A riddle ranguage goes a wrong way
Isn’t it a shame that people embarrass themselves on radio. Tsunami is tsunami, just like it is written. Japanese is such an easy language to speak for Native English speakers. Just compare the number of syllables in Japanese and English. Yet, ignorance is bliss.
Many people are puzzled over even a common word like “tsetse fly”-
I find it easier to explain as the “ts” in “bolts”
Can you say bolts? Can you say Ooh? Can you say bolts-ooh? Can you say ts-ooh?
Nice blog, man! Thanks!
Will VW,
Good advice. “Bolts” it is from now on.