Japan Cracks Down on Unusual Names: What's the Fuss About?
Japan Cracks Down on Shiny, Pop Culture-Inspired Names: Understanding the Ban on 'Kira Kira' Names
Japan has taken a bold step by introducing new regulations aimed at curbing the trend of unconventional names, often referred to as "kira kira" or "glittery" names. These atypical names, popularized in the '80s by pop culture influences, brands, and anime series like Pokémon and Studio Ghibli, have been causing quite a stir. But why are these names causing so much trouble, and will the new rules put a damper on parents who wish to name their children after Nike or Pikachu?
Understanding Kira Kira Names
Kira kira names are non-traditional names with unusual or mismatched pronunciations in Japanese kanji, one of the country's major writing systems. Parents often choose corresponding kanji characters based on the sound of the name they desire, leading to names that don't align with their intended phonetic pronunciation.
The Problem With Kira Kira Names
These names are problematic because, although they are spelled correctly, they are meant to be pronounced differently. For instance, a name written as "今鹿" in kanji characters may suggest a pronunciation of "imashika," typically a family name, according to John Maher, a linguist at Temple University's Japan campus. However, parents may have intended it as the given name "Naushika," inspired by the titular character of Hayao Miyazaki's 1984 Studio Ghibli film, Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind.
The mispronunciations cause confusion, particularly in schools and hospitals. Schoolteachers struggle to pronounce their students' names correctly, and even the intended meaning behind these names can go unrecognized.
The Motivation Behind Kira Kira Names
These glittery names appear to be a form of cultural subversion, reflecting an effort to move away from traditional naming practices. A study found that variations in naming patterns have been growing over the past century, though more objective data is needed to confirm the trend.
Adam Aleksic, a linguist and author, suggests that this trend represents a pushback against tradition. He believes that kira kira names are a reaction against cultural heirlooms, echoing a similar phenomenon observed around the world, such as the naming of children after popular characters from the Hunger Games series.
The Government's Response
In response to the growing issue, the Japanese government has amended the family registry law, requiring families to register furigana readings of names on the family register. Furigana is a smaller script consisting of hiragana or katakana characters used to indicate the phonetic reading of kanji names, which were previously not notarized on the family register.
Now, each household will receive notifications to confirm the phonetic readings of their members' names, with parents of newborns required to explain the pronunciation of their children. Those who wish to correct the phonetic readings of their names will have a year to submit necessary corrections.
The Future of Kira Kira Names
Aleksic predicts that the new law may lead to a decrease in non-standard pronunciations but suggests that parents may find other ways to make their children's names unique, such as by using rare characters or focusing more on katakana.
However, he believes that the desire for individuality will ultimately prevail, and parents will continue to find creative ways to stand out, which might annoy the traditionalists.
As Japan navigates this new terrain, we'll see how this legislation impacts parents, schools, and overall naming practices in the country.
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- The new regulations in Japan aim to curb the trend of unconventional names, known as kira kira names, which have been causing trouble due to their inconsistent pronunciation in Japanese writing systems.
- These non-traditional names, popularized by pop culture, brands, and anime series, are problematic because, although they are spelled correctly in kanji characters, they are meant to be pronounced differently, leading to confusion and miscommunication.
- The Japanese government's response to the growing issue has been to amend the family registry law, requiring families to register furigana readings of names on the family register, to help ensure correct pronunciation in schools and hospitals.
- Despite the new regulations, linguists predict that parents may find alternative ways to make their children's names unique, such as using rare characters or focusing more on katakana, demonstrating the continuing desire for individuality in Japan.
