Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-06-27
TANNING A TONGUE.
The denomination of the Japanese
language.
From, the AeGdemy.

~ From, the AcGdeay.
Japan. is not inthe forefront of Eastern
politics Just. nova fact on which she
may rather be Congratulated. But other
wise she still leads the van. The latest
news that reaches us from the Japanese
capital is the establishment of society
for the RomanizatiOn Of the language.
The professors OF the University OF Toxic
started the idea. or rather revived 1t, for
it had been mooted as long ago as the
year 1878 at an Oriental CODgfess held in
Paris, But at that time 1t Wss little more
than the bold hope of a feT far-seeing
minds. 1t has now become apracticalne-
cessity to the nation at large
The situation Is briefly thiE Japan has
assinilated every branch OF European
mental culture. Enter theflecture room
of a Toxic professor, and yhl will find the
same sciences as are Taught in Europe
taught in the same way. Nor is this the
case in the university done. 1t is the
same thing in the die and lower
| schools. Even the "kiidergartens" in
/ the metropolis aud in be other larger
cities have been ESTABLISHED on European
models. In,1act, sold Japan" has be-
come alnostias much a land OF antique
romance to the prtent generation
or japanese as 81 IS TO our
selves. But there is me great excep-
tion to the universal adption OF European
WAYS. That exceptlOrIs the written sys-
TEN, The Chinese idographs still reign
eupreme. Indeed, TIL number OF them
with which it in necefary for an educated
man to be aeuuaiTed has greatly in-
creased during the lst twenty years, for
the reason that rekctrse has been had TO
them 10 invent efuEalents for scientific
and other novel TINS for which the ma
tive language haI ny words forthcoming.
j IL Ia calculated ha1 q knowledge OF 4,0OO
| ideographs as gDinlmum ~ the lndlspen-
sable prolimiFy 20 HoeiaI eduoatiOh.
one asnirinv wide scientific or literary
attainYaents ,ust be familiar with double
tbat numberand six or seven years-six
or seven of sc best years Of life--are spent
in committlg tnem 10 memory. To state
aucb az Is 10 condemn the circum-
stances ia cause il. This has now been
recoynIz,lby the Japanese themselves.
Az alrhy mentioned, a movement has
begun favor Of the simple Roman al
nhabetY The Romanization Society,
foundcI in December last, now numbers
over 20 members, including many Of the
no,,f most noted ia science and In poll
t;cs he first step taken was the appoint
rnen5f Reconsideration Committee, con-
sfstE Of four Japanese and two Euro
ne,b. Their work is now done. Indeed,
tSb was little 10 do; for the labors Of
n Hepburn, the veteran pioneer Of
TjaneRe studies, and Of such authorities
JMessrs. Satow and Ashton, had pre-
red the way. Moreover, the phonetic
obstruction Of japanese Is very simple
nd allows Of the language being written
kith twenty-five of the Roman letters,
without recourse being had TO any dia-
Critical marks except the sign Of long
Quantity over some OF the vow9ls. The
next object OF the society Is the compi a.
ton Of a vocabulary giving the new Ro-
manized spelling Of every word In COM
mon use and OF school books. IL Is also
intended TO publish a periodical, and 20
endeay0r 10 induce the ordinary native
press 20 open its columns TO communioa.
lions written IN Roman letters. II Is said
that the government will give the move
nent It's support. II 1t does 20 It Will win
fcr itself a more lasting fame than can
cTAwn any political reforms.