[LM_NET] Fwd: Re: [tlc] TARGET: pronunciation of "manga"

[Carol Valdez <Carol.Valdez@PISD.EDU>]

** Confidential **




Carol:
My son is a ESL teacher in Japan and has been  in the country for
almost four years. I thought you might like to have his "on the spot, in
the know" opinion. See below.
 
************************************************************** 
"It's very simple. Japanese uses what we call "Italian vowels" in all
vowel pronunciations; there is only one vowel sound per vowel (as
opposed to English, where there are two sounds, long and short). The "a"
is pronounced as "ah," as in, Open your mouth, stick out your tongue and
say, "Ah." Or the "a" sound in Manila or vanilla.

So both pronunciations below are technically incorrect. The "a" sound
in "man" is the same as the "a" sound in "ga," so I would pronounce this
word as "mahn-gah," without drawing (or drawling, whichever you prefer)
out the vowel.

As a side note, almost all Americanizations of Japanese words are
pronounced incorrectly, including karaoke, karate, and anime.





Carol Valdez
CMS Librarian
Plano ISD

--------------------------------------------------------------------
Please note: All LM_NET postings are protected by copyright law.
  You can prevent most e-mail filters from deleting LM_NET postings
  by adding LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU to your e-mail address book.
To change your LM_NET status, e-mail to: listserv@listserv.syr.edu
In the message write EITHER: 1) SIGNOFF LM_NET  2) SET LM_NET NOMAIL
 3) SET LM_NET MAIL  4) SET LM_NET DIGEST  * Allow for confirmation.
 * LM_NET Help & Information: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/
 * LM_NET Archive: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/archive/
 * EL-Announce with LM_NET Select: http://lm-net.info/
 * LM_NET Supporters: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/ven.html
 * LM_NET Wiki: http://lmnet.wikispaces.com/
--------------------------------------------------------------------