This is the second installment of an extremely trivial discussion.
The timeline is before the first chapter, from the perspective of the chemistry club advisor.
Again, this is an incredibly trivial story.
However, it might slightly enrich your life in an odd way. Please be careful.
“This is today’s topic: how should this be pronounced?”
As President spoke, Toriumi wrote on the blackboard with chalk.
With a satisfying *clack clack*, the big characters were written like this:
“ใใฃใใฆ”. (Otto)
The tragedy started here.
…No, I mean, I said it, right?
“Last time, you guys were looking stuff up on the spot during the discussion. This time, why don’t you do some research beforehand and bring your own opinions? Maybe something about past news would be good, right?”
That’s what I suggested.
Since I thought it was pointless to talk about the pros and cons of frying pans last time, I figured it might be better for them to have a discussion on a more beneficial foundation if we were going to have one anyway.
Because, normally, if youโre going to have a discussion in the chemistry club, you’d think it would be about a chemistry-related topic, right? Especially since I mentioned it when they were discussing pollution last time. I thought that’s what would come up.
But no, it ended up being “ใใฃใใฆ” (Otto).
This is definitely a game from before their generation. Why are they bringing up something like this?
…Well, I can’t say anything because I’m just amazed by the students’ initiative, and it sounds interesting, so I won’t stop them.
“…Can’t read it.”
“Kadomi, thatโs a bit hasty. Listen, this string ‘ใใฃใใฆ’ (otto) indeed deviates from the modern standard 50-syllable notation used in contemporary Japanese. However, thatโs only within the modern standard Japanese framework.”
Kadomi’s reasonable point was quickly shot down by President. Iโd like to give President the title of “Kadomi Downer King”.
“President is right. Characters evolve over time. Look at this.”
Suzumoto pulled out a deck of Hanafuda cards from inside his school uniform jacket and placed one on the table. It was the red tan card.
“Ano-yoroshi?”
“Ah-no-yoroshi…?”
While Hariu and Kadomi were puzzled, that wasn’t it.
“It’s ‘aka-yoroshi’. This ‘ใ(ka)’ with a horizontal bar over the ‘ใฎ (no)’ was used until the educational reform of the Meiji era, but it disappeared when the hiragana were unified to one character per sound. By the way, ‘ใ (o)’ and ‘ใ (wo)’ are rare examples that were not unified at that time and survived.”
“Ah, ‘ใ (wi)’ and ‘ใ (we)’ are also kind of surviving, right?”
Suzumoto must have researched this. Good job. And presumably without studying, Toriumi wrote “ใ (wi)” and “ใ (we)” on the table with his finger.
“You still see ‘ใ (wi)’ and ‘ใ (we)’ sometimes, right?”
“The ‘ใฑ (we)’ in Ebisu Beer’s is ‘ใ (we)’, right?”
“Maybe kids today can’t read those characters…”
Yeah, maybe so. Katori is getting sentimental, but it’s true, today’s elementary school kids might not be able to read “ใ (we)” or “ใ (wi)”.
“…So, it’s entirely possible that a notation like ‘ใใฃใใฆ’ (otto) could have existed back then.”
As the conversation started to derail, Suzumoto leaned forward.
“The era goes even further back, but originally, Japan did not have the pronunciation for the semi-voiced sound. Well, it might have been present in dialects or as a variation in verb forms, but there was no notation for it. The same was true for voiced sounds.”
I see.
“Thus, such notations existed.”
Suzumoto wrote on the blackboard, “ใใใ” (kepo).
“The semi-voiced mark here means ‘not a voiced sound’. Thus, this is not ‘summer solstice’ (geshi) but ‘mustard seed’ (keshi),” he explained.
“I don’t get it…”
Kadomi threw out his confused comment, but let’s try a bit harder.
“…In other words,”
Suzumoto continued, striking a pose slightly as he wrote on the blackboard:
“ใใฃใฆ”. (Otte)
“The semi-voiced mark here means it is not ‘ใใฃใใฆ’ (otto). Therefore, the pronunciation should be ‘ใใฃใฆ’ (otte). Q.E.D.”
When Suzumoto put down the chalk and made a grand gesture, laughter and applause erupted from the other club members.
Well, yes, he researched well. I was expecting a bit different direction, but okay.
“No, isn’t it like this?”
However, Hagasaki walked briskly next to Suzumoto, took the chalk from him, and wrote “ใใคใฆ” (otsute) next to “ใใฃใฆ” (otte).
“…So?”
“This could also be interpreted not as a ‘non-voiced’ notation, but as a ‘non-nasal’ notation, right? Back then, they didn’t have smaller characters, did they?”
Ah, right. For example, “checkered shirt” would have been “ใใจใใฏใใทใคใ (chietsukura shiyatsu)” back then. Definitely.
“So this is ‘ใใคใฆ’. (otsute)”
“…No, wait, Hagasaki-kun. Even so, the possibility that it’s ‘ใใฃใฆ’ (otte) remains.”
Ah, a duel has started on the podium. It’s supposed to be a discussion, but well.
“Can’t it be considered that the semi-voiced mark in ‘ใใฃใใฆ’ (otto) means that ‘ใฃ’ is not ‘ใค’, thus emphasizing that it’s ‘ใฃ’, not ‘ใคใ’?”
“…Well, it’s not impossible. But considering the historical context where the semi-voiced mark was used as an ‘anti-voiced mark’, ‘ใใคใฆ’ (otsute) seems more likely.”
“No, I think the semi-voiced mark was used to mean ‘it’s not something else’. So if ‘ใใฃใใฆ’ (otto) is written with a ‘ใฃใ’, doesn’t it emphasize that it’s supposed to be ‘ใฃ’?”
The debate is mysteriously heated. What’s up with these guys’ argument skills? It’s fun, so it’s fine.
“Alright, I’ll take the second spear then!”
Entering between the deadlocked Suzumoto and Hagasaki was the unusually high-spirited Toriumi. He took to the podium, positioned himself in front of the blackboard, and started writing again with chalk in hand. This isn’t a discussion anymore; it’s more like a presentation. Ah, a point for reflection, this is.
“My conclusion is ‘ใใใฅใฆ (ondute)’!”
Toriumi, skilled in presenting, started with his conclusion. Yes, it’s good to see the conclusion up front.
“Becauseใผ!”
Then he continued writing “้ใฟใ”.
“This!”
“…ใใใใฟใ (kangamiru)?”
“Yes! This ‘ใใใใฟใ’ is the basis for it! This is it!”
Everyone was mumbling “ใใใใฟใ, ใใใใฟใ”, which was somewhat amusing.
“…Ah, is it ‘ใใ (nga)’?”
Kariya seemed to have an epiphany, but I don’t get it. These guys’ breadth of knowledge is incredible.
“That’s right! ‘้ใฟใ’ used to be written like this!”
Toriumi wrote on the blackboard… “ใใใใฟใ (ka ga mi ru)”. Huh, does this also have a semi-voiced mark?
“‘ใใ(ga)’ apparently sounded like ‘ใใณใ (nga)’.”
Ah, it has that nasally feel to it. Huh.
“But since the pronunciation of ‘ใใ’ (ga) has unified to ‘ใใ’ (nga) nowadays, not only the notation but the pronunciation itself has become a lost language.”
“True, we don’t really say anything that sounds like ‘ใใณใ.’ (nga)”
“Some English teachers make that kind of pronunciation, don’t they? Maybe not? Well, if I remember correctly, there was at least one!”
“No, there wasn’t.”
“On the contrary, our Ethics teacher has that kind of pronunciation.”
I might have an inkling, or maybe not, but I’d rather they didn’t delve into teacher gossip; it makes my stomach churn.
“Well, anyway, that’s why ‘ใใฃใใฆ’ (otto) should be pronounced as ‘ใใใฅใฆ’ (ondute), that was my reasoning! That’s all!”
With that, Toriumi’s presentation concluded. The audience is deliberating, but it seems quite plausible. He researched well, especially about ‘ใใ’ (ga).
“Objection!”
But here, Maito raised her hand. Being the representative of the literature side of the chemistry club, she seems to thrive on this stuff. I’m looking forward to this.
“If so, your explanation might work for ‘ใใคใใฆ’ (otsute), but it doesn’t explain ‘ใใฃใใฆ’ (otto)!”
“Gosh, ah, that’s a sore spot, uh, maybe it’s like ‘ใใณใ ใฆ’ (ongzute)…”
As Toriumi stepped aside, Maito took the stage.
“Ladies and gentlemen! Prepare to be amazed by my argument! And bow down!”
“Go on then.”
“Yeah, let’s hear it!”
Amidst the heckling, what Maito wrote on the blackboard was this:
“ใใใฆ” (o, te)
“What we have in front of us, ‘ใใฃใใฆ’ (otto), is not an ancient notation, but one that’s right before our eyes! That means, we should simply pronounce it directly as ‘ใใฃใใฆ’ (otto)!”
“How does that turn into ‘ใใใฆ’ (o, te)?”
While Hagasaki leaned on his cheek in what could be interference or an assist, Maito pointed at him with a full smile.
“Yes, Hagasaki-kun! Repeat after me, ‘ใใใใใใใใ’ (A E I O U A O).”
“…Huh?”
“ใใใใใใใใ” (A E I O U A O)
“…ใใใใใใใใ” (A E I O U A O)
Following him, several others also pronounced “ใใใใใใใใ” (A E I O U A O). I did too. ใใใใใใใใ (A E I O U A O).
“Next, ‘ใใใใใใใใ’ (Ka Ke Ki Ku Ke Ko Ka Ko).”
“…ใใใใใใใใ” (Ka Ke Ki Ku Ke Ko Ka Ko)
“We could do all of them, but let’s leave it. Now, ‘ใฑใบใดใทใบใฝใฑใฝ’ (Pa Pe Pi Po Pu Pa Po).”
“ใฑใบใดใทใบใฝใฑใฝ (Pa Pe Pi Po Pu Pa Po)… and, what’s this about?”
As everyone said ‘ใฑใบใฑใบ’ (Pa Pe) and tilted their heads, Suzumoto, who had been pronouncing various syllables, suddenly raised his hand as if he realized something.
“It’s about closing the mouth. The semi-voiced point means that.”
“Correct!”
Oh? Is that so?
…ใฑใบใดใทใบใฝใฑใฝ (Pa Pe Pi Po Pu Pa Po). ใใใใใใใใ (A E I O U A O). ใใฆใกใคใฆใจใใจ (Ta Te Ti Tsu Te To Ta To)…
Ah, true. With the ‘ใฑ’ (p) row, every single sound requires closing the mouth to be pronounced. Ah, I see.
“That’s right! So, ladies and gentlemen! Here I propose that ‘the semi-voiced mark indicates a pronunciation that involves closing the mouth just before making the sound’! Therefore, this is!”
Maito banged on the blackboard, and chalk dust flew everywhere. Please stop that.
“This means it should be pronounced ‘ใใใฆ’ (o, te)!”
“Maito-san, may I say something?”
“No, you may not.”
“Maito-san.”
“No.”
Despite President raising his hand, Maito plugged her ears. Arenโt we supposed to be discussing? Discussion is about clashing your ideas with others to find better ones, and if you donโt listen to others, itโs not a discussion at all. Seriously.
“I just feel that every time President steps in, my theory gets demolished! No, no, and no!”
Ignoring Maito, President walked up to the blackboard and wrote “ใใฆใ” (ote).
“I think it should be this.”
“If a semi-voiced mark indicates a pronunciation that involves closing the mouth just before making the sound, shouldn’t it logically be ‘ใใฆใ’ (ote) instead of ‘ใใใฆ’ (o, te)?”
“Ah… there it is… I knew it would be said… Ahhhh.”
Maito, muttering something like “regret,” glared resentfully at President, but really, if you knew there was a flaw in your theory, you should have patched it up before coming here.
“Hmm, but maybe we should think of it as an example where ‘the notation is different, but the pronunciation inevitably ends up the same.'”
Then, Katori threw a lifeline.
“Look, like this.”
Katori wrote on the blackboard: “ใใใใใใชใถใ (Shฤznable),” “ใใใผใใใชใถใ (Shฤ-zunable),” and “ใใใใใใชใถใ (Shฤฤznable).” Why these choices?
“Itโs hard to make a clear distinction in pronunciation here, isn’t it? So probably, ‘ใใฃใใฆ’ (otto) and ‘ใใฆใ’ (ote) should be pronounced the same.”
Everyone kept repeating the name of the Red Comet. Their spirit of “let’s just try it out” is commendable, if a bit misguided in direction.
“Right, that makes sense. Katori is right. Therefore, ‘ใใฃใใฆ’ (otto) is ‘ใใใฆ’ (o, te)!”
“That’s not good, man. Hey Maito, can you even pronounce ‘ใฃ’? How do you insert a nasal sound after closing your mouth? Aside from the difference between ‘ใใใ’ (shฤ) and ‘ใใใผ’ (shฤ-), whether you can actually pronounce ‘ใฃใ’ is a different issue altogether.”
Well, thatโs true. “Being able to pronounce it but ending up with the same pronunciation” and “unable to pronounce it so substituting it with another sound” are different matters.
“If it’s about replacing it with a different sound because you can’t pronounce it, then wouldn’t ‘ใใฃใฆ’ (otte) just be fine? No?”
“Maybe, but isn’t that what this discussion is about, finding a way around it?”
“What about something like ‘ใใทใฆ’ (opte)?”
“Where did ‘ใท’ (p) come from?”
“…Can this even be pronounced? Is it okay if it’s just a written character?”
โฆI had to step away for a bit to deal with another student’s question, and by the time I returned, they had already started playing Werewolf.
“Hey, what happened to the ‘ใใฃใฆ’ (otto) discussion?”
“Oh, itโs over.”
Ah, it seems to have indeed concluded.
“What was the conclusion?”
“Basically, before being a means of phonetic representation, characters are a medium for conveying language, and language is a tool for transmitting intentions. Moreover, language can even convey intentions beyond what the speaker intends. Roland Barthes said ‘the author is dead’, meaning the discretion over the meaning of words lies with the receiver. Therefore, the pronunciation of ‘ใใฃใใฆ’ (otto) exists only in our minds.”
…
What kind of “ใใฃใใฆ” do you guys have in your hearts? Iโd love to see that!