香港當前日語借詞初探

Abstract

This study focuses on discussions on Japanese loanwords, especially the spreading and influence of Japanese Kanjiin Hong Kong. In this paper we adopted Chao, Zoujia Yan (1976) and other advocates: "In a broader perspective to define loanwords." Apart fromdescribinga single loanword vocabulary phenomenon, this paperalso narratesdefiningloanwordsin a broad perspective, including transliteration of the word, imitation translation of the word, some "word overseas returnees"words and those loanwords withshape or meaning changed etc. In fact, many loanwords arepopular in Hong Kong, including "Japanese loanwords". The media use Japanese loanwords in various forms of expression to set fashion trends, whichhas great influence in the culture. It arousesconcern forthe applications of these Japanese loanwords in recent yearsin Hong Kong. Instead of being compelled bythe situation for using Japanese loanwords, people borrow the semantics, change sememe and even mixJapanese sentence structure withChinese characters in writing articles or disseminationin order tocreate public uproar. These formats of writing will disturb and upset the Chinese language specifications. The study collected a number of Japanese loanwords applied in Hong Kong magazines. The study focusedon the way of word applicationsandthe awareness of the general public to these Japanese loanwords. Attempt was madeto find out how the way of Japanese loanwords spread and the patternof usage. The study discussedwhether the useof Japanese loanwords in the media wouldbring to language pollution,which will providethe experience and analysis for educators and text workers for reference. The research methods included reporting the popular Japanese vocabulariesappearingin Hong Kong in recent yearsandanalysingthe cultural and linguistic aspectsof the trend. Most of the major sources of the data were collected from daily life and popular magazines. After referring tothe dictionary, advice from Japanese Kanji translation experts was consulted to verifythe relevant word glyph, pronunciation and meaning. In order to understand the perception of Japanese loanwords in different ages and to understand the infiltration of Japanese words in the Chinese language, over 200 questionnaires were delivered to society members, teachers, college students and high school students. The study found out that the usage of Japanese Kanji prototype had createdconfusion overthe Chinese language. All in all, the input of loanwords is unavoidable. This phenomenon was the result of cultural contacts and exchanges. On a morepositive note, Japanese loanwords absorbed intothe language enrich the Cantonese in Hong Kongand enable the Cantonese dialect topreserve and maintain lively vitality, whichmay be related to the merging with thelarge number of loanwords. On the other hand, the usersshould be awareofthe usage of the loanwords and carefully regulate their meaning, so as to reduce the confusion in the voice semantics.It will enhance the language expressiveness.