Katakana Analysis Draft

On the cover of Utada Hikaru’s “Boku wa Kuma” cover, Utada uses katakana to write her given name, Hikaru and kanji for her family name, Utada. In an interview, she says that she gave her song “Hikari” the same kanji as her given name (Hikaru) because the song was so special to her. But if that is the case, why doesn’t she just use the kanji for light? Well, one textbook says that katakana is used for “words the writer wishes to emphasize. (The Japanese Writing System (2))” Maybe that is why Utada chooses to use 光 instead of ヒカル: to emphasize her given name as being distinct from her family name. Though we may all (her listeners, anyway) call her Utada, she isn’t just Utada: she is still Utada Hikaru.



On the signs for McDonald’s in Japan, the signs read マックドナルドハンバ-ガ-. This could be in part “for the convenience of foreigners, (II. Japanese Script)” but if that were the case it would merely read マックドナルド. Instead, I believe that the sign’s use of katakana is for both foreigners’ convenience and for the Japanese consumer: the hamburger part added into the title also serves to “give an impression of sophistication and modernity.” Anyone that has been to McDonald’s knows what it serves, so instead the ハンバ-ガ- part reminds the Japanese consumers that the restaurant is modern and foreign. Just like in the US, foreign foods instantly have an extra allure to them, even if they are commonplace in their home countries.