Let's Talk Bonsai (wait, I Can't)

thejimmyrigger

As a newbie, I've thought of something the newbie FAQ has missed; pronounciation. I've been part of BONSAItalk fo a while now and know what the terms all mean, but I can't say 'em outloud. I'm figuring there are others without people to "talk" bonsai, too. I know bonsai is said bone-sigh (thank you Dr. bonsai), and shohin is show-heen (thank you overheard comversation at NEbonsai ) , but how do you say?:


bonkei
bunjin
chokkan
eda
han-kengai
hokidachi
kabaduchi
kengai
moyogi
mame
neagari
nebari
sabamiki
saikei
shari
sokan
shakkan
suiban
suisekei
tachiagari
yamadori
yose-ue

(for cut n pasting ease I've searched through Matt's glossay)

Labels me as a bit of a hermit, now doesn't it?
jim

Advertisement

Carl_Bergstrom

Here's a quick guide to japanese pronounciation.

Only five basic vowel sounds.

a = as in straw
i = as in free
u = as in through
e = as in hay
o = and in crow

The combinations sound basically as they sound when you say them quickly:

e.g.

ai as in high

The consonents are pretty much just as you'd expect.

Best regards,
Carl

__________________
In love with trees

thejimmyrigger

Wow that's easier than I thought it would be! Are there rules to placing the emphasis too (if there is emphasis)?

EG
Saikei = Sy-KAY or SY-kay?

jim

__________________
Jimmyrigging is much like jerryrigging, just go a bit lighter on the duct tape and wire coat hangers, and hit said broken item more. Remember: if it isn't broke don't kick it.

Carl_Bergstrom

That's pretty easy too. To a first approximation, use no emphasis, one way or another.

Caveat that should have been in the original post: my knowledge of Japanese is based on self-study using language books, tapes, and CDs. Maybe someone else with more first-hand experience can fill in details where I've made mistakes.

Cheers,
Carl

__________________
In love with trees

Gary Biggs

Mame (Ma-may)
Yamadori (Yabba-dabba-doo)

__________________
Como gastamos nuestros dias es como gastamos nuestras vidas.

thejimmyrigger

Awesome, now if (when) I join a club they won't laugh at me for my speach, that's one thing off the list.
WIILLMAAAAAAA!
thanks
jim

__________________
Jimmyrigging is much like jerryrigging, just go a bit lighter on the duct tape and wire coat hangers, and hit said broken item more. Remember: if it isn't broke don't kick it.

Gary Biggs

Jim,

You seem to have it down just fine. Also, there is nothing wrong with simply using the English equivalent of the Japanese term. Who says we have to describe everything about bonsai in Japanese?

Gary

__________________
Como gastamos nuestros dias es como gastamos nuestras vidas.

thejimmyrigger

Gary,
Well some terms you can't really get around using, and I really didn't want to call my ficus cuttings a future "mommy" bonsai or complement someone on there excellent "jyne" by mistake.
jim

__________________
Jimmyrigging is much like jerryrigging, just go a bit lighter on the duct tape and wire coat hangers, and hit said broken item more. Remember: if it isn't broke don't kick it.