XPost: rec.arts.anime.misc   
   From: usenet-2007@planetcobalt.net   
      
   In rec.arts.anime.misc Phil  wrote:   
   > On Thu, 15 Nov 2007 20:53:15 +0100, Ansgar -59cobalt- Wiechers wrote:   
   >> In rec.arts.anime.misc Phil  wrote:   
   >>> BTW, I would imagine that in Germany you would transliterate the   
   >>> Japanese za (?) syllable as 'sa' and not 'za'.   
   >>   
   >> If we did that we'd have to transliterate "sa" to something else.   
   >> Even though 'ß' would work phonetically, the character can only be   
   >> used under certain circumstances (for instance words must not begin   
   >> with 'ß'), so it's not an option. That's why transcriptions usually   
   >> stick with "sa" and "za".   
   >   
   > I guess that would mean you'd use zu to transliterate?? (Hepburn zu)   
   > rather than its phonetic equivalent?? (Hepburn tsu).   
      
   Exactly.   
      
   > I know from the Japanese standpoint, it's just romaji - using Roman   
   > characters to transliterate Japanese.  The 'official' system is   
   > (Shin-)kunreishiki which corresponds to the Japanese syllabary but is   
   > not always phonetic.   
      
   Both romanization systems are known here, but I believe Hepburn is the   
   most commonly used one, because it's a transcription system rather than   
   a mere transliteration system like Kunrei.   
      
   > Many people, however, use modified Hepburn which is much more phonetic   
   > (from an English speaker's standpoint) but doesn't match up as well to   
   > the Japanese syllable table.  The Hepburn system was designed by an   
   > English speaker.  Kunreishiki was designed from the perspective of   
   > Japanese speakers and thus should be apply equally to English and   
   > German speakers.   
   >   
   > Despite its 'official' status and being taught in schools, the   
   > government of Japan still uses Hepburn for place names, train, and   
   > road signs.  Most people would not recognize Mount Fuji in kunreishiki   
   > - Mount Huzi.   
      
   That's the problem with transliteration systems: they don't necessarily   
   take pronounciation into account. Which is why I prefer Hepburn. There   
   are some phonetic mismatches WRT german language, but all in all it's   
   far better readable than Kunrei, especially if you have some prior   
   knowledge in English (which is true for most Germans).   
      
   cu   
   59cobalt   
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   flaw in my character."   
   --Li Kao (Barry Hughart: Bridge of Birds)   
      
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