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The Independent
6 days ago
- General
- The Independent
The Japanese government is cracking down on unconventional children's names – here's what it means
Japan has introduced new rules to regulate how children's names written in Chinese characters, kanji, are pronounced. Kanji is one of the three core writing systems in Japanese, alongside hiragana and katakana. Originating from Chinese characters, kanji are logographic symbols that represent full words or ideas rather than sounds, making each character unique and meaningful on its own, according to Japanese tutor Alexa Bevan. Japan adopted kanji around the 8th century and later developed hiragana and katakana – two phonetic alphabets called kana – each with 46 characters to complement kanji. Mr Bevan, based in Orlando, US, said on the digital language education platform Rosetta Stone that hiragana was mainly used for native Japanese words and grammatical elements while katakana was used for foreign words and names. Unlike other alphabets where letters represent sounds, kanji convey meaning visually and can have multiple pronunciations depending on context, sometimes using the original Japanese pronunciation called kun'yomi and sometimes using a pronunciation borrowed from Chinese called on'yomi. Starting this week, Japan is enforcing a new law that limits how children's names written in kanji can be pronounced. Under the revised rules, only standard or widely accepted readings will be allowed in official records. This means parents can no longer use the unconventional or flashy kirakira name pronunciations that stray too far from the traditional meanings and sounds of the kanji characters. The revisions will prohibit parents from using some of the more extreme unconventional names, according to local media, and, for the first time in the 150-year history of Japan 's modern family registry, require phonetic annotations to ensure all names can be read as intended. The decision comes amid concerns that such kirakira names are causing confusion in schools, hospitals and other institutions of public service. The government argues the focus on standard pronunciations will help streamline the digitalisation of administrative processes, but it's also widely seen as a move to curb the rise of quirky – and often confusing – given names. Through Japan's pop culture boom of the 2000s, many parents embraced the trend of giving their children unique, attention-grabbing names as a form of personal expression. Inspired by anime, manga, celebrities, and foreign languages, these kirakira names often featured unconventional pronunciations or spellings that broke with traditional kanji readings. The goal was to create names that felt modern, fashionable, and distinctive – sometimes at the cost of clarity or cultural coherence. A 2023 New York Times article reported that Japanese children with unconventional names often faced social and practical challenges unique to their country and its written language. Acknowledging these challenges, the government is stepping in to limit the trend, while maintaining that it still allows room for parental creativity. According to the new rules, if a name is pronounced in a surprising or misleading way – like giving a traditional name a strange or foreign-sounding twist – it won't be allowed. However, some less common but already accepted pronunciations will still be okay. According to local media reports, parents of newborns may have to justify unusual readings and households will receive official notifications of registered name pronunciations, with a window to request corrections. Family registers or koseki – official documents maintained at local town halls that record details like a person's identity and family ties – will now include phonetic guides showing how names are meant to be read. In Japanese writing, these readings are typically provided using phonetic symbols to clarify pronunciation. Yuji Ogihara, associate professor in the department of psychology at Aoyama Gakuin University, authored a study in 2022 examining naming trends in Japan from 1979 to 2018. He found the move towards unique baby names was part of a larger shift toward individualism in Japanese society. 'People increasingly came to live more independently from family members. Specifically, the rate of people living alone, the rate of nuclear households, and the divorce rate increased, whereas the rate of three-generation households and the household size decreased between 1947 and 2015,' the study noted. 'These results indicated that family structure became more individual-based in Japan, suggesting that Japanese culture changed toward greater individualism.' As a result, 'unique names increased over the 40 years between 1979 and 2018, indicating that unique names increased throughout the 1980s-2010s, not just in the 2000s and 2010s'. At the start of the study period, the most popular name for boys was Daisuke and the most popular for girls was Tomoko, according to an annual survey by Meiji Yasuda Life Insurance Co. By 2018, these traditional names had largely disappeared, replaced by kanji names most commonly read as Ren for boys and Yuzuki for girls. Mr Ogihara told the South China Morning Post that the shift towards kirakira names showed that 'Japanese culture has become more individualistic over time'. 'It now puts more emphasis on uniqueness and independence, rather than conformity and interdependence.'
Entrepreneur
15-05-2025
- Business
- Entrepreneur
5 Language Apps That Can Change How You Do Business
Disclosure: Our goal is to feature products and services that we think you'll find interesting and useful. If you purchase them, Entrepreneur may get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our commerce partners. Being able to speak multiple languages, or even a few key conversational phrases, can be a major asset in today's business world. Imagine being able to negotiate with international clients in their native language instead of resorting to Google Translate—that's what developing real international relationships and trust should look like. If you're interested in expanding your skillset, we've selected some of the best language apps for entrepreneurs and business owners. This way, you don't need to block off hours of your schedule for formal classes or hire a tutor. Keep reading to decide which app's methods may suit your needs most effectively. Babbel Designed to get you speaking ASAP, Babbel helps you build practical conversation skills in 10- to 15-minute lessons. The app also has a new AI conversation partner so you can practice skills in real time. Key feature : AI integrations : AI integrations Number of available languages : 14 : 14 Price: $169.99 for a lifetime subscription (reg. $599) Babbel Language Learning: Lifetime Subscription (All Languages) See Deal Qlango Looking for a fun, quiz-style way to practice? This app's gamified lessons and smart repetition keep learning light but effective across common and lesser-known languages. It's an excellent choice for casual learners. (It may also be a great replacement for Duolingo.) Key feature : Gamification : Gamification Number of available languages : 56 : 56 Price: $34.97 for a lifetime subscription (reg. $119.99) Qlango Language Learning: Lifetime Subscription (All Languages) See Deal Rosetta Stone Rosetta Stone teaches you through immersion, not translation, using visual and audio cues to help you learn a new language the same way you acquired your native tongue. This is for anyone who wants to become fluent. Key feature : 30+ years in the game : 30+ years in the game Number of available languages : 25 : 25 Price: $179.99 for a lifetime subscription (reg. $399) Rosetta Stone: Lifetime Subscription (All Languages) See Deal Beelinguapp Read your way to fluency with side-by-side audiobooks and native texts. Beelinguapp is great for visual learners who want to boost comprehension through stories, news, and more. Key feature : Audiobooks : Audiobooks Number of available languages : 150+ : 150+ Price: $144.99 for a lifetime subscription with code BEELEARN5 at checkout (reg. $359.99) Beelinguapp Language Learning App: Lifetime Subscription See Deal Promova Promova is a flexible, all-in-one platform that adapts to your learning style with AI-powered lessons, grammar tools, immersive role-play, and even podcasts or video content. With accessibility features like Dyslexia Mode and ADHD-friendly white noise, it's built to help you learn comfortably and confidently. Key feature : Accessibility-focused design : Accessibility-focused design Number of available languages : 12 : 12 Price: $79.99 for a lifetime subscription (reg. $299.99) Promova Premium Plan: Lifetime Subscription See Deal StackSocial prices subject to change.
The Guardian
29-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
‘The eighth wonder of the world': China's terracotta warriors to march on Australia for blockbuster show
Two thousand years ago, in a bid to conquer death itself, China's first emperor Qin Shi Huang commissioned a city of the dead: a 49 sq km mausoleum guarded by an army of clay warriors, built to defend his tomb for eternity. When farmers near Xi'an unearthed the first clay head in 1974, they cracked open one of humanity's greatest archaeological mysteries, with more than 8,000 Terracotta Warriors discovered over the last 50 years. Now, fragments of that dream of immortality rise again – this time in Perth, where the largest exhibition of the Terracotta Warriors ever staged in Australia will head later this year Opening on 28 June at WA Museum Boola Bardip, Terracotta Warriors: Legacy of the First Emperor promises not just a glimpse into ancient China, but a sweeping journey across its foundations in more than 225 artefacts, many of which have never left China. Sign up for the fun stuff with our rundown of must-reads, pop culture and tips for the weekend, every Saturday morning 'It's hard to put into words how significant this is,' said Alec Coles, CEO of WA Museum Boola Bardip. 'Seventy per cent of these objects have never been to Australia before, and 40% have never left China.' 'For me, this is the eighth wonder of the world,' he said. 'There is nothing like it anywhere.' Developed in collaboration with the Shaanxi Cultural Heritage Promotion Centre and the Emperor Qin Shi Huang Mausoleum Museum, Terracotta Warriors features 10 of the lifesize clay soldiers – the maximum number permitted to leave China – each weighing up to 180kg and standing 1.8m tall. Meticulously crafted from separate parts, each warrior was finished with a uniquely modelled face, capturing the individuality of a living army. Eight warrior sculptures last came to Australia in 2019 for the National Gallery of Victoria's show Terracotta Warriors: Guardians of Immortality. WA Museum Boola Bardip's upcoming exhibition will explore the story of China's first emperor and the world he sought to recreate in death: bronze vessels, ancient chariots, gilded belt hooks, painted cavalry figures and rare gold ornaments, some so newly unearthed they've never been displayed anywhere before. 'Qin Shi Huang not only unified China, he standardised measurements, currency and even language – and all of this decades before the Rosetta Stone was carved in Egypt,' Coles said. 'You have to think about the extraordinary impact he had in such a tiny period of time. The Qin dynasty lasted only 15 years, but it changed China for ever.' Sign up to Saved for Later Catch up on the fun stuff with Guardian Australia's culture and lifestyle rundown of pop culture, trends and tips after newsletter promotion There is an enduring enigma to Qin's story: his tomb remains unopened, its secrets sealed beneath a great earthen pyramid. Ancient historians described a vast underground kingdom complete with rivers of mercury and deadly booby traps – legends that the Terracotta Warriors exhibition will reimagine in an immersive final installation. 'The patience and respect shown in leaving the tomb unopened is extraordinary,' Coles said. 'Who knows what secrets still lie buried?' Among the highlights is a bronze swan, cast using the ancient lost-wax method and discovered near a pleasure garden meant for the emperor's afterlife. 'It's absolutely exquisite,' Coles said. Terracotta Warriors will also frame Qin's reign within a longer narrative arc, from the preceding turbulent Warring States period, which ended with the start of the short-lived Qin dynasty in the second century BC, through to the rise of the Han dynasty, which lasted four centuries. In a world riven by political tensions, the exhibition will also gesture toward the enduring power of cultural diplomacy. 'Cultural connections are important at any time, but perhaps especially now,' Coles said. 'They transcend politics. Building stronger relationships and understanding is paramount.' 'I hope visitors experience the same wonder that I did,' he added. 'The beauty, the rarity, the achievement. And an appreciation of what Qin Shi Huang created, not just for China, but for human history.' Terracotta Warriors: Legacy of the First Emperor runs at WA Museum Boola Bardip from 28 June until 22 February 2026
Scotsman
28-04-2025
- Business
- Scotsman
Most popular language for Brits to learn revealed
Language learning platform Rosetta Stone has revealed the Spanish language has been the most popular choice for Brits to learn throughout the first quarter of 2025 and in both 2023 and 2024. Sign up to our Scotsman Money newsletter, covering all you need to know to help manage your money. Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... After analysing data from UK learners, one in four (25%) chose to learn Spanish out of the 25+ languages that Rosetta Stone offers. On Rosetta Stone, the Spanish language has been the most popular choice for Brits to learn throughout the first quarter of 2025 and in both 2023 and 2024. There was even an astonishing 210% increase in learners between 2023 and 2024. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Whether you're learning for travel, work, or fun, brushing up on essential Spanish phrases is always a good idea. Here are five common expressions—perfect for testing how well you really know the language: Various languages - but Spanish is most popular with Brits No entiendo - I do not understand Habla más despacio, por favor - Speak more slowly, please Estoy perdido/a - I'm lost (use the 'o' ending if you identify as male or the 'a' ending if you identify as female) ¿Qué significa…? - What does …. mean? ¿Puedes ayudarme? - Can you help me? While these phrases can get you pretty far, there have been concerns about overtourism in regions like the Balearic Islands and Barcelona. These concerns may inspire some Brits to explore alternative Spanish-speaking countries or different cultures and countries. Rosetta Stone's data also revealed that French is the second most popular language for Brits to learn, with a 278% increase in learners between 2023 and 2024. In the first quarter of 2025, French learners made up 16.5% of language learners. Italian has also seen a growth in interest, with a remarkable 289% increase between 2023 and 2024. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Jason Brickey, Senior Manager for Curriculum Content at Rosetta Stone, said: 'If you're taking a trip to another country, it's always a good idea to study the language. Learning some key phrases and refining your pronunciation is time well spent. "When you can clearly communicate essential information, you'll feel more at ease, and locals will notice and appreciate the effort. You'll gain a deeper appreciation for the country and people you're visiting.'
Yahoo
15-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Opinion - Tax events that changed the course of history
April 15 is here. Although tax day may not change your personal history — except for making you and other Americans a little poorer — there have been many times when taxes and tax policies have changed history. Here are five of them. Tax freedom and hieroglyphs. In 1799, when Napoleon Bonepart was in the middle of his Egyptian campaign, one of his soldiers found a large black stone in the Nile Delta near the town of Rashid (Rosetta). You know it today as the Rosetta Stone. The stone recorded the same message in three different scripts: ancient Greek, Demotic (which is ancient Egyptian written in a common script) and hieroglyphs. The text was eventually translated, allowing scholars to read hieroglyphs for the first time in centuries. The stone explained that the Egyptian ruler Ptolemy V in 196 BC had granted a tax exemption for the resident priests at the temple in Memphis, one of the historic capitals of Egypt. The priests placed the stone in front of the temple to, in essence, tell any tax collectors to keep moving, thus promoting the principle that religious establishments would not be taxed. Julius Ceasar, democratic socialist. Most people know that Julius Caesar (100-44 BC) became involved with the Egyptian ruler Cleopatra and that he was assassinated in the Roman Senate. But did you know he could have been a model for progressive politicians like Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio Cortez (D-N.Y.)? Johns Hopkins University economists Stephen H. Hanke and Joshua Blustein write that Caesar took several controversial actions, including dividing the land among the poor 'with the goal of the gradual equalization of the classes through a broad program of redistribution.' In addition, 'He remitted a whole year of rent for poor tenants and ordered … the cancellation of one-fourth of all outstanding debt. He instituted rent controls and gave handouts of 100 denarii to each pleb [commoner].' He might also have tried to forgive all student loan debt, had that been an option. Ceasar also reformed the tax system by introducing a customs tax and an inheritance tax and by imposing the first sales tax — a 1 percent flat rate applied across the empire. His successor, Caesar Augustus, raised the sales tax to 4 percent. Hanke and Blustein warn that progressives like Sanders and Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) are following in Ceasar's socialist footsteps. A new tax leads to the New Testament. Chapter 2 of the Gospel of Luke begins, 'And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.' Mary and Joseph traveled from their home in Nazareth to Bethlehem because Caesar Augustus had called for a census to update his tax rolls to increase revenue. By requiring people to return to their ancestral homes, Caesar unknowingly fulfilled a biblical prophecy from the Old Testament book of Micah 5:2: 'But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, … from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days …' Who says good things can't come from bad taxes? Taxes and bareback riding. You have probably heard of Lady Godiva's infamous ride. But you likely don't know the backstory. Lady Godiva — whose name in Old English was Godgifu (meaning God's Gift) — was a pious, wealthy landowner and noblewoman in her own right, and the wife of Earl Leofric. In 1057, Leofric imposed heavy new taxes on his subjects in the town of Coventry. Lady Godiva pleaded with him to repeal the taxes, but Leofric refused. Finally, Leofric tired of her pleadings and told her, 'Mount your horse naked and ride through the marketplace of the town, from one side right to the other, while the people are congregated.' If she did, he would repeal the taxes. The story goes that she took off her clothes, let down her long hair covering most of her body, and rode through the marketplace, accompanied by two soldiers. Leofric honored his agreement and rescinded the new taxes, except for the tax on horses. Fear the (Russian) beard. The Russian Emperor Peter the Great (1672-1725) is widely considered one of Russia's greatest monarchs. Peter was enamored with Western Europe and wanted Russians, a Slavic people, to embrace the styles and culture of the West. And so he imposed a tax on beards to encourage Russian men to abandon their traditional full beards and become clean-shaven like Westerners. Sadly, although Peter wanted to make Russians more like Europeans, the goal of the current Russian 'emperor' seems to be to make Europeans more like Russians. Merrill Matthews is a public policy and political analyst and the co-author of 'On the Edge: America Faces the Entitlements Cliff.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
