Goroawase
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Goroawase is a linguistic technique in Japanese whereby homophonous words are associated with a given series of letters, numbers or symbols, in order to associate a new meaning with that series. The new words can be used to express a superstition about certain letters or numbers. More commonly, however, goroawase is used as a mnemonic technique, especially in the memorization of numbers such as dates in history, scientific constants, and phone numbers.
[edit] Numeric substitution
Every digit has a set of possible phonetic values, due to the variety of valid Japanese, Chinese-origin, and English-origin pronunciations for numbers in Japanese. Often readings are created by taking the standard reading and retaining only the first syllable (for example roku becomes ro). Goroawase substitutions are well known as mnemonics, notably in the selection of memorable telephone numbers for commercial services, and in the memorization of numbers such as years in the study of history.
[edit] Possible pronunciations
Mnemonics are formed by selecting a fitting reading for a given number from the list below.
| Number | Japanese readings | Chinese readings | English readings |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | maru, ma | rei, re | o, zero, ze |
| 1 | hitotsu, hito, hi | ichi, i | wan |
| 2 | futatsu, fu, futa | ni | tsū |
| 3 | mitsu, mi | san, sa | |
| 4 | yon, yo, yotsu | shi | foa |
| 5 | itsutsu, itsu | go, ko | |
| 6 | mutsu, mu | roku, ro | |
| 7 | nana, nanatsu, na | shichi | |
| 8 | yatsu, ya | hachi, ha, ba | |
| 9 | kokonotsu, ko | kyu, ku | |
| 10 | ju, ji | tō |
[edit] Examples
1492 (the year of discovery of America) can be translated like this:
- iyo! kuni ga mieta! (derived as follows: i (1) yo (4)! ku (9) ni (2) (ga mieta)!)
translating to English:
- Wow! I found a country!
510923
- go tōku tsū mi (derived as follows: go (5) tō (10) ku (9) tsū (2) mi (3))
corresponding to
- Go talk to me
