Message-ID: <01BB36E5.FF9B5040@dialin65.oanet.com> From: Neill Walker To: "'Ranma 1/2 Mailing List'" Subject: RE: Yet another question... Date: Tue, 30 Apr 1996 22:31:45 -0600 Reply-To: ranma >Roy is actually slightly confused. The Japanese phoneme that gets = written >as "r" is actually a cross between the "r" and "l". In short, although = it >sounds closer to an "r," when one pronounces it one is supposed to tap = the >top of the palate with the tongue like an "l". Because it sounds more = like >an "r" than an "l", it is usually written in Roman characters as "r". = When >transliterating from English to Japanese, both "r" and "l" are = converted to >the same sound. This is why many Japanese people will confuse words = like >"pray" and "play" with each other. So, "Ranma" and "Lanma" are both = valid >pronunciations of the same Japanese name, because to a Japanese ear the >two names are equivalent. Viz could have easily released the series as >"Lanma 1/2," but since there was already all this Japanese merchandise = and >posters using "Ranma 1/2," it would be silly to do so. I believe = another >American company released "Lupin III" as "Rupan III," so problems like = this >are not uncommon. So it's NOT just pronunciation! >As for the other questions: >Yes, but it's very likely that Rumiko Takahashi came up with the story = long >after she decided that Ranma should wear a pigtail. She couldn't very = well >reclaim all the old manga and redraw Ranma to have a ponytail, right? = In >any case, Rumiko Takahashi never gives a satisfactory explanation to = this >answer. Well, a change in hairstyle is just a little thing... I was just curious = why he'd change it after the curse. I think he looks just as good with = his ponytail. >By the way, what makes you think the pigtail is braided? Well, unless he ties a string all the way down it, it's hard to make = that "cocktail wiener" look... >>3. Where can I get those cool balls to stick in my hair? > >Are you referring to Shampoo's hairstyle? In that case, there are no = "balls" >hidden in her hair; it's just that with long hair one can roll them = into a >ball and tie them. =20 Hoo boy, I've got a little ways to go then... I'll have to settle for =