"Sweat" in the English language has the connotation of exercising, doing a sport, and being athletic. Thus, using a loan word for "sweat" is fitting for "Pocari Sweat," because even though it is a Japanese drink, it is also a popular sports drink that is sold in the international market.
"Internet" is also an English word, and thus Katakana is used in this case because it is a loan word. Even though "internet" is in English, its meaning is commonly understood. As we can see in the picture, the sign has English subtitles for "Shibuya" and "Information." We can deduce from that the sign is meant to attract not just locals but foreigners as well who need the help of an information desk and internet to get around. I think the textbooks of Minna no Nihongo, Yookoso, Naama, Genki, Japanese for Busy People, and the grammar textbook written by wako Tawa have slightly different definitions for the usages of Katakana, because the reason why Katakana is used can vary from situation to situation. As in the two examples I used (sweat and internet), we see that Katakana is used because they are both loan words. However, the connotations and purpose behind each word differ.
How does "Pocari Sweat" sound to you? のみたいですか？
ReplyDeleteI agree that ポカリスエット and インターネット are written in katakana because those are loanwords. Why do you think loanwords are written in katakana? Can that be in hiragana??
I agree that a lot of Japanese brands borrow words from English. After asking my sister, I found out that ポカリ was from the word "ぽっかり [pokkari]," which in Japanese, means "shining." So, I guess ポカリスエット means "shining sweat." Many Japanese probably don't think about what these words mean when they buy the drink...
ReplyDeleteYou noted that using katakana for loanwords (and, of course, the english subtitles) may facilitate foreigners' （がいこくじん） understanding of different signs, especially in the touristy Shibuya area. Do you think that katakana is easier for foreigners to learn and comprehend?
ReplyDeleteI think Katakana is not easier to learn for foreigners; if anything, it is probably the same difficulty as Hiragana. I do however think that loan words in Katakana are easier for foreigners to comprehend, because the Katakana basically sounds out the sound of the loan word.
ReplyDeleteInteresting.. i've had that drink many times but never really thought of the name component - "pocari sweat". I also agree with the comment right above that Katakana is not easier to learn for foreigners, because there is no set rule of changing what english sound to what Katakana, thus causes confusions in the process of translating.
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