英語単母音の日本語外来語表記の傾向分析

Abstract

This research involves an analysis of the English vowels([i][ɪ][e][æ][ʊ][u][ɔ][ʌ][ə][ɑ]) in Japanese Kana-notation. The results were examined to determine the tendency of these vowels in Japanese Kana-notation. Some examples of English vowels that do not exist as vowels in Japanese were considered. I suggest that the Japanese vowel [i] is reflected as the English vowels [ɪ]. The English vowel [ɪ] is reflected as the Japanese vowel [i] in many cases and is also reflected as the Japanese vowel [e] in a few cases, in which the Japanese vowel [e] is spelled as ‘e’ in the original language. I further suggest that the Japanese vowel [a] is reflected in the English vowels [ʌ], which is reflected as the Japanese vowel [a] in many cases. However, it is also reflected in the Japanese vowel [o] and [u] in a few cases and in this case, the Japanese vowels [o] and [u] are spelled as ‘o’ and ‘u’ respectively in the original language.