The Self_teacher of Japan language. Lesson 17.

The Katakana Alphabet.

Lesson 17

Translated from Russian by Serguey Cheryomushkin

Katakana is the second of the two existing in Japanese writing syllabic alphabets.

Though the signs of this alphabet as well as the signs of Hiragana may be used to write down all Japanese words, nowadays Katakana is mainly exploited to write the words that come from alien languages, for example, often met English adoptions.

Exercise 1

Please, get to know the Katakana signs.

Do try to remember all the 46 symbols thoroughly.

The way to draw the signs rightly and their pronunciation are nearly equal to the rules that regulate the Hiragana drawing (lesson 12).

N.B! It’s very important to recognize the signs easily and also to write.
It’s recommended to take into you memory 5 symbols a day and regularly train writing and recognizing them.
In such a manner you ought to cope with this lesson during 10-15 days, not less.

You may cut a mint of small cards with one side having a sign and another side having its meaning. It would help you to get opportunity for a regular practice for Katakana strongly retained in memory.

Notice! Not having learned the alphabet you will make no fruitful attempts to advance in your Japanese language study.

The application of Katakana signs is mostly like to Hiragana alphabet, though there exist some differences.
The rules of drawing Katakana thoroughly correspond to the rules of Hiragana signs drawing (for more detail see óğîê 12).

Here are some rules that help to prove whether the lines are drawn in a right consequence. 1) Lines should be drawn top down and left to right;
2) If two lines cross each other, at first you ought to draw the horizontal one, and only then the vertical another;
3) If there are three vertical lines, at first the central line is drawn, then the left, and only after that the right, in that order.

Nevertheless the consequence for drawing the lines for some particular signs needs you to pay a special attention.

By the example of “KO” & “RO” Katakana signs you can clearly see that two lines which make the top right corner are drawn almost in constant contact of the pen or brush with the paper.
It’s notable that “KO” sign has no three but only two lines and the “RO” sign has three lines though at first sight it looks like a square that consist of four sides.

Here is again a prominent case where two lines merge together into one (just like in the instance with “KO” & “RO” signs). This rule involves in not only both kanas’ signs but hieroglyphs as well. Besides that the principle for optimized hand movements is looked after here (see lines 2 and 3).

The peculiarity of this sign is evident when you compare it with Hiragana’s “SE” sign. It’s notable that the consequence of drawing the lines is determined also by the most proper convenience to draw. In that order only the hand remains the less intervals of time out of touch with the paper. So it comprises the endeavor to shun excessive hand movements.

The “HI” (“BI”,”PI”) family Katakana’s signs and “YO” Hiragana’s sign are also quite interesting for a comparison.

The examples presented above and below are suffice for you to get a whole idea about the methods of drawing the Katakana symbols.

Exercise 2

You should try to comprehend the principles of how to draw the Katakana symbols.

Write down the rest signs of the Katakana.

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	By the example of “KO” & “RO” Katakana signs you can clearly see that two lines which make the top right corner are drawn almost in constant contact of the pen or brush with the paper. It’s notable that “KO” sign has no three but only two lines and the “RO” sign has three lines though at first sight it looks like a square that consist of four sides.
	Here is again a prominent case where two lines merge together into one (just like in the instance with “KO” & “RO” signs). This rule involves in not only both kanas’ signs but hieroglyphs as well. Besides that the principle for optimized hand movements is looked after here (see lines 2 and 3).
	The peculiarity of this sign is evident when you compare it with Hiragana’s “SE” sign. It’s notable that the consequence of drawing the lines is determined also by the most proper convenience to draw. In that order only the hand remains the less intervals of time out of touch with the paper. So it comprises the endeavor to shun excessive hand movements.
	The “HI” (“BI”,”PI”) family Katakana’s signs and “YO” Hiragana’s sign are also quite interesting for a comparison.