Topic: Lum or Lamu

[cata]

I know that this was already discussed but I found a new argument! Everyone saw the SS (screenshot) that Lum is wearing an yellow apron saying "LUM". Everyone heard Ataru and the other characters calling our Oni Princess "Lam" and "Lamu".

Here's the deal: in Portuguese Language, the words that end with "r" example: "comer" (eat) we say "coo-me-re". We put an "e" after the "r" when we are speaking. And I think it could be the same thing with the Japanese Language. Instead of the "e" they put an "u". =)

I know it's not easy to understand what I'm trying to explain but if it's possible I want to know your thoughts about this. ^^

[GiovaneDinamitardo]

Good to know, Cata: good to know (I'm talking about the portuguese pronounce  ).

Well, in Italy, early in the '80, when "Lum" landed into ours TV, the producers choosen to translate "Lum" with "Lamù" (with a very marked accent on the "u") because it sounded so similar to the french word "L'AMOUR" and also because, in that way, reminded an old song (knew by everybody) who had those lyrics: "PARLAMI D'AMORE, MARIU'/TUTTA LA MIA VITA SEI TU..." (translated: "speak to me about love, little Mary/you hold all my life..."

In this way was so easy to make this simple association: "speak to me about love, Lamù.... "

That's why in Italy nobody call her with the names "Lum", "Rum", "Lam" or "La mu": for us her name is <<really>> Lamù

[UruseiNeo]

having been taking a Japanese course for the past month, here is what I have to tell you.

first, they don't technically have an "L" for anything. They use "R" sounds instead. It actually sounds very much like an L, what I mean is that it isn't a STRONG "r" that is used, that's why "l" is acceptable.

secondly, these are the five "r" characters: Ra, Ri, Ru, Re, Ro. simple right? well they're pronounced a little different than you might think.

Ra: Raa
Ri: Ree (what? that's different!)
Ru: Roo (Again, different)
Re: Ray (probably the most unexpected pronunciation)
Ro: Row

Phonetically, if they used the "Ru" character it would sound like "Room" thus the closest thing to the beginning part in "LUM" would be "Ra" but you already guessed that, right?

Finally, and this is SO important, with the exception of "N" there are NO CHARACTERS that end in a consonant letter. Therefore, writing the "m" at the end of "Lum" is IMPOSSIBLE. The character "Mu" hides the additional vowel sound the best. (Think of the options)

-----------------------
So, in conclusion, the characters "Ra" and "Mu" are used to spell Lum's name. But in my opinion, Lum, Rum, Lamu, and Ramu are ALL technically correct depending on how you pronounce it.

[FallinG_StaR]

Oh... Domo arigatoo Neo-sensei...

[veehive]

Congratulations to you on undertaking the study of Nihongo! Will you be changing your screen name to うる星におう

がんばつて　!!
ミツケンイ　デイヴェド

[UruseiNeo]

I would have used the "ne" character instead of "ni" because although using "ni" sounds exactly the same, "ne" is still acceptable. For example, Neo Spacians ^_^

did you say ganbatte? I dunno what that means

and I can't read Katakana.

Where did you get these characters from?

[veehive]

I would have used the "ne" character instead of "ni" because although using "ni" sounds exactly the same, "ne" is still acceptable. For example, Neo Spacians ^_^

I went with "ni" because "ne" is pronounced nay and is less suited to reproduce "nee-ohh" ... to my ear, anyways.

did you say ganbatte? I dunno what that means

and I can't read Katakana.

I did.

And, if that were true then how did you know that was "ganbatte"?

From the verb ganberu meaning to persist; it's actually "Hang In There" but more generally interpreted as "Good Luck".

Where did you get these characters from?

IF you have the Japanese Language Pack already installed in your computer you can configure it to switch between English and Japanese. This web page explains how: http://greggman.com/japan/xp-ime/xp-ime.htm . It's a VERY clumsy interface to use -- you're typing in phonetically and in romanji and have to stop and figure out which character to choose, and you have to change font size every time you go to use a "small-tsu" (oh! for the elegence and simplicity of a Japanese keyboard!) ... but it's at least SOME way to produce nihongo on our PC's.

[UruseiNeo]

I think "Nay-Oh" sounds close enough. Again, that's how Neo is supposed to be spelled, I believe, cause that's how they actually pronounced it ^_^

did you say ganbatte? I dunno what that means

and I can't read Katakana.

I did.

And, if that were true then how did you know that was "ganbatte"?

Simple, you wrote "Ganbatte" in HIRAGANA, which is NOT the same as Katakana. I know Hiragana, you also used Hiragana to write my name.

So what did the rest of it say?

[veehive]

Ha! Caught me! Good one. Concentrating on typing the right syllables in I forgot I did it (by luck correctly) in Hiragana. I sit corrected.

mi-(small-tsu)-ke-n-ni  de-i-ve-do
David McKenney

[UruseiNeo]

for names, you generally have a dot to separate the first and last name. Also, I believe since it's an english name, you can put it first name first last name last.

[FallinG_StaR]

Hmm... I think I got lost in translation... this went from a simple discussion about pronunciation to an all out Japanese lesson... XD


Uátashi uá nihondjin dê-se...

[UruseiNeo]

is that Portuguese?

[FallinG_StaR]

No... Try again... XD

[UruseiNeo]

I'm pretty sure it's not English or Japanese, so... Spanish? French?

[FallinG_StaR]

So... your not familiar with... Rōmaji???

"The earliest Japanese romanization system was based on the orthography of Portuguese. It was developed around 1548 by a Japanese Catholic named Yajiro. Jesuit presses used the system in a series of printed Catholic books so that missionaries could preach and teach their converts without learning to read Japanese orthography."

So lets say its Portuguese and japanese... LoL