Why does Japanese Have So Many Abbreviated Words?
Tuesday, July 16, 2024
Japanese borrows words from other languages then Frankenstein's them until they are unrecognizable. Here's Why.
Japanese has a fascinating cultural and linguistic phenomenon that involves abbreviating foreign words into katakana. This process not only reflects Japan's adaptability and creativity in language use but also highlights the integration of global influences into everyday life. These abbreviated forms are called portmanteaus, blended words, or abbreviated words are known as かばん語 (kabango) in Japanese, the most famous Japanese portmanteau is of course karaoke made up of 空 (kara) meaning empty, and オーケストラ（orchestra). Below we discuss possible reasons why these words are common in Japanese.
Flexibility of the Language
Japanese is a language that easily incorporates foreign words, particularly through the use of katakana, a script used specifically for foreign terms and names. This flexibility allows Japanese speakers to adopt and adapt words from other languages effortlessly. The use of katakana facilitates the creation of portmanteaus by enabling straightforward modifications and integrations of foreign terms into everyday language.
Cultural Influences
Since the Meiji Restoration, when Western influence entered Japan for the first time in 400 years, many English-derived words were incorporated into Japanese during this period. The blending of English words with Japanese grammar and pronunciation resulted in the formation of portmanteaus, which continue to be a part of contemporary Japanese vocabulary. Some examples include ビール (Bīru) - Beer (from German "Bier"), コーヒー (Kōhī) - Coffee (from Dutch "koffie"), タバコ (Tabako) - Tobacco (from Portuguese "tabaco"), ガラス (Garasu) - Glass (from Dutch "glas"), パン (Pan) - Bread (from Portuguese "pão"), and ピアノ (Piano) - Piano (from Italian "piano").
Marketing and Media
In branding, marketing, and media, making slogans and brand names simple and memorable is a cornerstone of the industry in Japan. The prevalence of portmanteaus exists everywhere from big brand names to silly TV commercial jingles. Famous examples of portmanteaus in Japanese branding include DUSKIN [dust + zōkin (dust cloth)], Gurunavi [gourmet + navigation], or ケシミン (keshimin) blemish cream [keshi (erase), shimi (blemish)].
Simplification of Language
There is a tendency to shorten long words or phrases, particularly among younger generations, to facilitate easier communication in daily conversations and on social media. This trend contributes to the widespread use of portmanteaus, which offer a convenient way to condense lengthy expressions. Examples of shortened words or phrases that are common today include パリピ (paripi) - party people, ドタキャン (dotakyan) - Last-minute cancellation, from "ドタバタ" (hectic) and "キャンセル" (cancel), or ググる (guguru) - To Google something.
Relationship with Kanji
The prevalence of portmanteaus in Japanese can also be linked to the use and functionality of kanji.
Flexibility of Script: Kanji are ideograms with multiple meanings. To clarify the meaning of new concepts, foreign words, and portmanteaus are often written in katakana.
Pronunciation Constraints: Japanese has a simpler phonetic system compared to languages like English. Long, multisyllabic words can be challenging to incorporate as they are, leading to abbreviations and alterations. For example, "personal computer" becomes パソコン (pasokon) to suit Japanese pronunciation patterns.
Difficulty of Kanji: Learning kanji can be challenging, especially for new technical terms. Using katakana for such terms, as seen with インターネット (internet) and コンピュータ (computer), makes them more accessible and easier to learn.
Visual Distinction: With three writing systems—kanji, hiragana, and katakana—Japanese is visually distinctive. Foreign and new words are written in katakana, contributing to the rise of portmanteaus. For instance, スマートフォン (smartphone) is abbreviated to スマホ (sumaho) in katakana for easy visual identification.
Cultural Background: While other character-using cultures like China also adopt foreign terms, Japan's extensive use of katakana for foreign words has led to a higher prevalence of portmanteaus. The combination of kanji culture and katakana script simplifies the incorporation of foreign terms into Japanese.
These factors collectively contribute to the abundance of portmanteaus in the Japanese language. Here are some examples, with explanations of their meanings and origins:
アゴギ (Agogi): Acoustic guitar.
アメフト (Amefuto): American football.
コンビニ (Konbini): Convenience store.
リスク (Risuku): Reschedule.
スタメン (Sutamen): Starting member.
パソコン (Pasokon): Personal computer.
ファミレス (Famiresu): Family restaurant.
メアド (Meado): Email address.
リモコン (Rimokon): Remote control.
デジカム (Dejikamu): Digital camera.
テレビ (Terebi): Television.
ソシャゲ (Soshage): Social network game.
プレステ (Puresute): PlaysStation.
エンタメ (Entame): Entertainment.
オンスケ (Onsuke): On schedule.
デパート (Depāto): Department store.
リハビリ (Rehabiri): Physical therapy or rehabilitation exercises.
アラサー (Arasā): Around thirty.
ヘビロテ (Hebirote): Heavy rotation.
ワイシャツ (Waishatsu): White shirt.
