Exploring the Historical Origins of Japanese Loanwords (Gairaigo)
By
Bradford J. Lee, Ed.D.
Pure flour-power. Hearty enough to carry you through lunch.
Summary
The article explores the origins and nature of Japanese loanwords (gairaigo), explaining how Japanese has incorporated words from various languages throughout history. It highlights Portuguese loanwords from the 16th century as an example, noting that while most loanwords come from English, Japanese has also borrowed from European languages like Dutch and Portuguese. The content discusses how these foreign words are adapted into Japanese pronunciation and reflects on the historical trade and cultural exchanges that facilitated this linguistic borrowing.
Key quotes
· 4 pulledThese loanwords are called 外来語 (gairaigo), and they reflect centuries of trade and cultural exchange.
Most gairaigo come from English, but some also come from European languages like Dutch and Portuguese.
No matter which language they are taken from, their pronunciation is adapted into Japanese.
Words from Portuguese 🇵🇹In the 16th century, the Portuguese
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