Re: mang(w)a (was: Grie Ka #2)

From: "Fabian" <fabian@...>
> >
> > Sounds like Japanese people pronounce GUwa as "guwa" but not really.
> > Actually, it is pronounced as simple "ga." But in ancient time or in
> some
> > dialects, it is pronounced as  "gwa," not as "guwa"
> > It's like KIya is pronounced as "kya" not as "kiya"
>
> Well, Korean says "manhwa" for that. Both use teh same kanji/hanja for the
> word, although is is rarely, if ever, written in Chinese characters in
> actual use.
>
I get your point.

You are right.  It's undeniable that kanji sounds adopted to Japanese are very
different from the original sounds, and have been modified in Japanese manner.

And..... let me comment on this.
This 'gwa' or 'kwa' is one of the small efforts of ancestors trying to make the
adopted sound one step closer to the Chinese sound. At the time even simulated
sound 'kwa' or 'gwa' was totally new to Japanese speakers.

Well, once adopted, the word became a part of the Japanese language, so honestly
I don't care too much about how much its sound was retained.
I just like 'kwa' or 'gwa' better than 'ka' or 'ga,' not because it is closer to
the original sound but it enbodies ancestor's efforts, which are significant
part of the Japanese culture.

Hiro