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Paper short abstract:

Japanese web-sites of start-ups offer exciting samples of digital lexicon by successfully combining the semantic and pronounciation specifics of each English lexical item with their own language-bound repertoire and possibilities significantly modulated by the strict rules of katakana transcription

Paper long abstract:

Digitalization and globalization are ongoing processes which have a determinant impact on communications and interactions world-wide. The most frequent tool utilized in this process is the English language, not only because it is considered to be the lingua franca of our age, but also because digital technology itself was initiated and mostly developed in science communities with an English linguistic background. Hence countries and language communities of the world with a profoundly different language culture are forced to find solutions to successfully combine the semantic and pronounciation specifics of each English lexical item in digital vocabulary with their own language-bound repertoire and possibilities. Japanese language offers an exciting example of hybrid solutions - beginning from mirror- translations to direct 'take-overs' through mixed coinage of loan-words - but all significantly influenced and camouflaged till unrecognizability by the strict rules of katakana transcription. Samples will be taken from Japanese websites of start-ups. This could be the start of a digital glossary for use iin IT communication.