Page 111 - JAPN1001

How to convert English words into katakana words
1 Japanese words consist of the following permissible syllables where C stands for a consonant and V for a vowel:
1. (C)(y)V(V)(n):ア、カ、アン、カー、カイ、キャ、キャン、アッ
Of these, the syllable ending with small ッ can appear when followed by [p, t, s, k]:
2. kap.pu カップ 3. kat.taa カッター
Most English words are changed so as to conform to these syllable structures.
2 Generally, the conversion is based on the pronunciation of the original and not its spelling.
3 In general, non-permissible consonant combinations and final consonants are avoided by inserting the sound [u]:
4
5
1. 2.
1. table te.e.bu.ru テーブル 2. smith su.mi.su スミス
Japanese speakers cannot pronounce [tu] and [du], however. In order to preserve the sound values of the original consonants, [to] and [do] are substituted:
1. 2.
drill do.ri.ru ドリル assistant a.shi.su.ta.n.to アシスタント
Also, [i] is added to syllable final [ch] and [j]:
march ma.a.chi マーチ large la.a.ji ラージ
Lesson 4A Page 109