Japanese Shinjitai: How to Pronounce the New Japanese Standard Words16

The Japanese language is constantly evolving, and new words are being added to the lexicon all the time. In 2010, the Japanese government released a list of 2,012 new standard words, known as Shinjitai. These words are intended to replace older, more complex kanji with simpler, more phonetic characters. However, the pronunciation of these new words can be tricky, so it's important to learn how to say them correctly.

One of the most important things to keep in mind when pronouncing Shinjitai is that the pronunciation of the kanji is often different from the pronunciation of the word as a whole. For example, the kanji for "computer" is pronounced "konpyūtā," but the word for "computer" is pronounced "kompyūta." Another example is the kanji for "email," which is pronounced "e-mēru," but the word for "email" is pronounced "mēru."

In addition to the difference between the pronunciation of the kanji and the pronunciation of the word as a whole, there are also a number of other factors that can affect the pronunciation of Shinjitai. These include the following:
The length of the word
The position of the stress
The presence of diphthongs
The presence of consonant clusters

In general, longer words are more likely to have multiple syllables, and the stress is usually on the first syllable. Diphthongs, which are two vowel sounds that are pronounced together as one syllable, are also common in Shinjitai. Finally, consonant clusters, which are two or more consonants that are pronounced together, can also affect the pronunciation of Shinjitai.

To learn how to pronounce Shinjitai correctly, it is best to listen to native Japanese speakers and practice speaking the words yourself. There are also a number of online resources that can help you learn how to pronounce Shinjitai, such as the following:
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With a little practice, you will be able to pronounce Shinjitai correctly and confidently.

2025-01-14

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