1-1: The simple matrix of Japanese phonetic system
Modern philology found that human language has some structures,
which can be deduced from simple rules. Fortunately, Japanese phonetic
system has simple matrix to understand. The pronunciation of human language
is constructed of vowels and consonants but how to connect them is not
fixed in English. But Japanese has a define rule of it.
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ya
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yu
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yo
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K |
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G |
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S |
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Z |
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T |
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N |
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H |
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B |
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P |
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M |
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R |
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(from eSecret of NIHON-GOf by Kishimoto Tateo, I added some modifications)
Strictly speaking, it is not accurate in detail and a little different from usual writing way of Japanese in Roman letters. But we understand from this matrix that Japanese phonetic system is constructed orderly based on vowels. In this system vowels liken to color and consonant to design.
The convenient thing for students who want to learn Japanese is all Japanese pronunciation correspond to the elements shown in this matrix and, if you memorize these characters, you can pronounce Japanese easily. Japanese pronunciation composed of simple color cards most of which have definite design. This structure composed of vowels and consonants makes clear the units in Japanese pronunciation. For these unites Japanese phonetic system has unique rhythm with equal interval.
This rhythm also penetrates to the pronunciation of some assistant pronunciation. Beside eNf, Japanese have two kinds of assistant pronunciation: Double Consonants and Long Vowels.
(Double Consonants)
k, pp, ss, tt
(Long Vowels)
a- / ii,
i- / u- / e-,ei / o-
When you learn the conjunction of Japanese verbs, you will find
great simple rules in this matrix, too.
1-2: The role of accent in human language
Modern philology also found the secret why human language describes unlimited situations by limited words. We can not give names to all things or situations in the world. Human language defines various things by combinations of limited words. Therefore we can not understand what is spoken or written without breaks among words. In speaking pauses show this breaks. But it is not enough to recognize what is said. Accent also has important role for it. Primary it makes conspicuous each word. But in Japanese it shows the break itself.
Generally Japanese accent depends on tone, high or law. It is most typical different point from English. As long as I experienced, English made stand out words by the stress points in them. On the other hand, Japanese words have unique rule of accent to divide themselves from others. It is the principle that the tone of first sound (unite) is different from the second in the word. For example, NI-N-GE-N (human) is pronounced Low-High-H-H. It is possible because Japanese pronunciation is composed of clear unites.
Note: Pronunciation is important element to understand what is said. Now I am trouble with erolled tonguef in Texas English. Even if I can read English, to recognize what people say is very hard for me. I guess this erolled tonguef disturbs to understand break points as well as the lack of pauses in Texas dialect. For Japanese, Spanish is easier to listen because its pronunciation has more clear breaks than English