言語変化. Questions concerning the ways in which Japanese and its writing system, like all languages, evolve over time naturally.
Questions tagged [language-change]
8 questions
38
votes
2 answers
Why is は pronounced as わ when used as a topic particle?
The particle は is pronounced similarly to わ (unlike the rest of the ハ行 kana) when used as a particle; why is this? What historical shifts went on to cause this irregularity?
bdonlan
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21
votes
5 answers
Modern names of the obsolete kana ゑ and ゐ
In modern Japanese, the kana ゑ/ヱ (we) and ゐ/ヰ (wi) are largely obsolete. Words formerly containing them now are pronounced with /e/ and /i/, so they were replaced by え and い, respectively.
But when referring to the letters themselves, it would be…
Mechanical snail
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13
votes
1 answer
Are Japanese counter words still being created?
That is, are counters (助数詞) an open class of words?
If yes: Is there an example of a counter that was added recently (say, post-Taishō) and is now in current use by a community of speakers (i.e. not a single writer)?
If no: When did new counters…
melissa_boiko
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13
votes
1 answer
Japanese/Chinese numbers usage timeline
Japanese uses both native and Chinese numbering numbering systems, the Sino-Japanese pronunciations being いち, に, さん, etc. and the native being ひと, ふた, み, etc. For the most part they are used for different things. However, numbers past 10 generally…
Nate Glenn
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8
votes
1 answer
Why did Japanese evolve to have a ''she'' mora instead of a ''see'' mora in さしすせそ?
In the さしすせそ series, し is an exceptions to the pattern.
Is ''she'' easier to pronounce than ''see'' or why does Japanese have this feature?
Kantura
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4
votes
2 answers
Pronouncing ない as ねい / ねえ (also ~oi to ~ei)
I noticed that in anime and other Japanese shows, people often pronounce 「ない」 as 「ねい」. For example, instead of saying 「使わない」, the person will say 「使わねい」, but the translation is the same.
I have many questions about this.
Is there any nuanced…
BlueRaja - Danny Pflughoeft
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2
votes
1 answer
Why is 学校 pronounced as "gakkou" and not "gakukou"
There's only one onyomi reading for kanji 学 and its "gaku", where did "gatsu" come from?
Kanpie
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2
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2 answers
Did the Japanese have a word for surrender before WWII?
I had always thought that the Japanese didn't have a word for surrender before WWII. It seemed to be plausible given their culture. However, I can't seem to find any solid evidence of this. Is it just a myth?
user3139