Katakana Analysis Draft

In our Japanese class, when we first learned about Katakana, the primary usage that was described was the use of Katakana in foreign and loan words. However, through this Katakana Analysis project, it is clear that Katakana has more symbolic meaning since it is also used in various mediums today in Japan, from commercials to newspapers. Two usages of Katakana, therefore, caught my attention.

First of all, in a street sign that says "Do Not Throw Away Trash" (ゴミをすてないで), it's interesting that Katakana is used even when there is a hiragana version of it (ゴミ vs. ごみ).

(http://eigo-wakaran.sakura.ne.jp/img1859.jpg)

As textbooks ambiguously explain, Katakana is also used to show emphasis. However, it is not very clear as to what type of emphasis Katakana usually brings. In this case, Katakana brings attention to the word trash as a means to promote environment-friendly practices. Even in the physical appearance of the sign, the Katakana is enlarged. The straight lines also serve a sharp contrast to the kanji and hiragana. Perhaps there is a physical aspect that contributes to the emphasis that Katakana brings.

Another example is from Vivi Japanese magazines. In this magazine, there is a loanword レトロガール. In this case, even though it is a loanword, there is some sort of emphasis that is portrayed through Katakana. Namely, Retro Girl in Katakana exhibits a rather modernized and "retro" tone. Historically, foreign words have been associated with modern, thereby, promoting this magazine to a younger crowd. Again, the physical appearance of Katakana also contributes to the sense of modernity.

Overall, in textbook explanations, there seems to be an emphasis on Katakana's usage of replacing foreign words. However, there are various and ambiguous means of explaining a certain essence of Katakana. For example, in one textbook, Katakana is merely described as "normally used for writing loanwords and foreign names." Meanwhile, another textbook mentions that it is more "angular" and is "restricted to loanwords, onomatopoeic words, and words the writer wishes to emphasize." Nevertheless, there seems to be a certain lack of analysis to its physical attributions in relation to the type of emphasis and tone Katakana visually (and aurally) relates to the reader. Perhaps this unspoken modernized tone is rather controversial (as it admits the relationship between foreign and modernized) or perhaps the tone is rather ambiguous and open to interpretation itself.