how do you pronounce Karateka?

[Xian042]

What is the actual way its pronounced, and how did you say it back in the day?

"ka-RA-tee-ka"

"ka-ROT-ika" ,

"kara-TEE-ka",

or

"kara-TEH-ka"

I always pronounced it "kara-TEE-ka", but I heard an old 7800 commercial pronounce it "ka-ROT-ika"

Perhaps you said it a different way?

[Sniderman]

I always said it "kara-TEE-ka", but I had a friend who pronounced it just as it's spelled: "kuh-RAH-tee-ka."

[James8BitStar]

I imagine its "Karate" with a "Ka" at the end.

I'm given to understand that the correct pronunskiation is "KA ra TEH kah."

[layzee]

"kara-TEH-ka"

This one.

[FlufflePuff]

I imagine its "Karate" with a "Ka" at the end.

I'm given to understand that the correct pronunskiation is "KA ra TEH kah."

Spot on.

[Phosphor Dot Fossils]

"ka-RA-tee-ka"
Or "Throatwarbler Mangrove" in a pinch.

[SamuraiSmurfette]

I always called it "Care-ah tek-ah"
but I know I'm wrong :P

[Ed Oscuro]

I always called it "Care-ah tek-ah"
but I know I'm wrong :P
How do you know you're wrong? Have you studied Japanese? ;)

Also, the "RA" should have a soft R, not a hard one; Japanese Rs are different and I've heard them compared to a British d...but just taking off the rolling bit should work.

[kaedesdisciple]

I thought that the Japanese spoken language had no syllabic stresses, so my best interpretation would be:

ka-rah-teh-ka (with the rolled 'r' on the second syllable, similar to how you would say 'arigato')

[DigitalSpace]

If you're playing it on one of those Super Joy NES clones, it's "Tekken."

(Couldn't resist.) :p

[Ed Oscuro]

I thought that the Japanese spoken language had no syllabic stresses
Right, I hope I didn't give the impression they did.

[BydoEmpire]

"ka-ROT-ika"

Is it right? Probably not. But that's what I grew up with so that's what I say out of habit.

[InsaneDavid]

Ka-ret-a-ka, which is how I believe Jordan Mechner pronounced when talking about it during the Price of Persia episode of Icons.

[Ed Oscuro]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karateka_(computer_game) <- lol pronunciation guide

[XYXZYZ]

Ret's pray KALATEKA!

ROR

[Arqueologia_Digital]

In spanish: "Karateka" :p

[rbudrick]

While the "e" sound in Japanese is traditionally sounded out like the Spanish E (like hombre), it is often pronounced in practice as a soft E, like the English word egg.

ka ra TEH ka is correct, but the syllablles alone would be ka ra tay ka.

-Rob

[Xian042]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karateka_(computer_game) <- lol pronunciation guide


funny, the wiki mentions the 7800 commercial pronounced it improperly. Keen memory I gots there!

[diskoboy]

"kara-tek-a" or "kara-tech-uh"

I used to pronounce it "Karate-Kaw", when I was a yong'un... LOL

[XianXi]

It's "ka RA teh ka"

[rbudrick]

It's "ka RA teh ka"

Come to think of it, that makes a lot of sense.

-Rob

[AB Positive]

Or "Throatwarbler Mangrove" in a pinch.


It's spelled "Luxury Yacht" though. I missed you, Earl! :D

My vote is "KA-rah-TEH-ka" as well, mainly from my low level of Japanese comprehension.

-Alli

[k8track]

You don't pronounce it... it pronounces you!

*Strobe lights start pulsating hyperkinetically as throbbing, deafening techno music blares*

[Flack]

When you guys say "ka" are you pronouncing it "kuh"? That's how I've always said it.

Kuh-raw-teh-kuh.

[Xian042]

When you guys say "ka" are you pronouncing it "kuh"? That's how I've always said it.

Kuh-raw-teh-kuh.

I pronounce it like "kah"

But I guess if you take regional accents into account, it would sound different.

We could both be talking about the "ka" sound from the work karate. I pronounce that "kah-RA-tee", but a southerner might say "kuh-RA-tee". A South Bostoner says "krotti"

[Ed Oscuro]

I pronounce it like "kah"

But I guess if you take regional accents into account, it would sound different.
The regional accents would influence which mora (syllable) the stress is on, but other than that it'll still be intelligible.

Anyway, "yah" is right so long as you aren't drawing out the syllable.