Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Language/2023 January 13

= January 13 =

Yotsugana in Japanese orthography
In Yotsugana is written: Under the new orthographic rules, only the two kana じ zi and ず zu are to be used, with two notable exceptions ... An exception was permitted for regions that pronounced the four kana as three or four distinct sounds. After a 1986 update to the Gendai Kanazukai, the exception was replaced with a statement that the unified spelling was to be primarily used, but etymologically-correct spellings would still be permitted.

So, two questions:
 * 1) Is there a source for this (i.e. where can I read the orthographic rules)?
 * 2) Can one in practice, today, find ぢ and づ used in signage in regions that preserve the distinction? (Outside cases like ける where they're supposed to be used everywhere still.)

Double sharp (talk) 13:20, 13 January 2023 (UTC)


 * The article 現代仮名遣い (Gendai Kanadzukai) on the Japanese Wikipedia gives the text of 内閣告示第一号 - 現代仮名遣い (Naikaku Kokuji Daiichigō – Gendai Kanadzukai, "Cabinet Notice No. 1 – Modern Kana Usage") of July 1, 1986. It is not very specific, basically listing the classes of allowed exceptions. The article also supplies lists of rules and exceptions, no source for which is cited. --Lambiam 12:38, 15 January 2023 (UTC)