Language is always changing, evolving to fit the needs of the people who use it on a daily basis. One thing the Japanese are good at is creating new English words in ways that no native speaker could, and the Japanese marketplace is filled with products with names like Blendy (instant coffee), Supporty (support pantyhose), Creap (“creaming powder” for coffee), Pocari Sweat, and hilarious snacks like Crunky Nude Balls and Cream Collon. Sony marketed their new “Walkman” music player as the Sony Soundabout and Sony Stowaway internationally before finally realizing that the wonkiness of the Walkman name was part of the brand’s charm. While we may get used to most of these newly created English words, others can be downright annoying to the ear. There’s a map company in Japan called Mapple that advertises their maps by printing an apple on the cover, and for some reason this name just gives me the heebee-jeebies. Bandai wanted to brand their famous Gundam plastic model kids with a new word, so they created gunpla. Unfortunately this is a word my brain just can’t accept, and I always shudder when I hear it, though I’m a Gundam fan.
The Japanese love getting creative with English.
