Re: Mixed writing systems (WAS: Newbie says hi)

Florian Rivoal wrote:
> What make the use of chinese characters dificult in japanese, is that
> a single kanji often have many readings: the "original" (yet modified
> through borowing prosses) chinese reading
And often two or three Chinese readings, due to borrowings from various
"dialects" and time periods.

> This pronounciation problem makes the system quite long to master. On
> the other hand, once you know it, the reading is incredibly efficient.
> From the first look, you can catch the main words
Also, it makes it easier to understand technical vocabulary.  An
interesting example: Both harakiri and seppuku use the same kanji, just
in reversed order.  :-)  Harakiri uses the Japanese readings
(stomach-cut), and Seppuku the chinese (cut-stomach)

> two thousands three hundred sixty nine dollars and fifty five cents
> or
> 2369.55$
It's $2369.55.  Dollar sign PRECEDES the number.

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