56 What katakana words do you hate? (Funny/confusing/annoying katakana words)

On this episode of Ichimon Japan we ask: What katakana words do you hate? Basically, we're talking about funny, quirky and annoying katakana words!

Topics Discussed

• Katakana-ified words that people hate
• Annoying katakana pronunciations
• Some possible reasons for why katakana words are pronounced in peculiar ways
• How katakana words are sometimes closer to the original pronunciation of the word they were adapted from than the English counterpart
• The use of the letter W in Japanese
• The puzzling way some Western names are transliterated into Japanese
• Paella in Japan
• How katakana can be helpful when reading foreign names
• Katakana words that sound like they are plural even though they may not be
• How the word "taco" is written both tako and takosu in Japanese
• And much more!

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Sources, Links, Videos, Etc.

To check out the tweet by Chris Walsh taht inspired this episode use the link below.

• Tweet by @chris_urorushu

Here's the latest JapanKyo Docs video. Please watch, subscribe, give it a like and comment!

• Inside Tokyo's Science Bar Incubator: A Shinjuku Bar Where Science and Alcohol Come Together

Don't forget to check out the latest episode of Japan Station.

• Discussing Hiroshima, Hawaii, & Akiya (Abandoned Japanese Houses) w. J.J. Walsh of Seek Sustainable Japan | Japan Station 84

Here's a link for the "famous Japanese dogs" episode of Ichimon Japan.

• What are Japan's most famous dogs? (5 Famous Japanese Dogs + an Afro Dog) Ichimon Japan 48

You can support JapanKyo by buying a shirt from Kimito Designs!

• Check out Kimito Designs

Japanese Vocabulary List

Most episodes feature at least one or two interesting Japanese words or phrases. Here's some of the ones that came up on this episode. All information is from Jim Breen's WWWJDIC.

• Kame
  • 亀 【かめ(P); カメ(P)】 (n) (1) tortoise; turtle
• Inu
  • 犬 : 犬(P); 狗 【いぬ(P); イヌ】 (n) (1) dog (Canis (lupus) familiaris)

We Want Your Questions

Is there something about Japan that confuses you? Is there something about Japanese culture that you would like to learn more about? Is there something in Japanese history that you would like us to explain? We're always looking for new questions about Japan to answer, so if you have one, please send it to ichimon@japankyo.com.

Special Thanks

Opening/Closing Theme: Produced by Apol (YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, Fiverr)

Ichimon Japan cover art: Produced by Erik R.

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Full Show Notes

• https:///www.japankyo.com/ichimonjapan