Translation guide
The system of kana usage standardized in post-WWII Japan, based on modern pronunciation rather than historical spelling.
Referring to the modern kana spelling rules as a whole.
The standard term for 'modern kana usage' or 'modern kana orthography', referring to the official rules established in 1946 and revised in 1986.
In modern kana orthography, '言ふ' is written as '言う'.
Literally 'new kana usage', often used in contrast to historical kana orthography (旧仮名遣い). Common in discussions about spelling reforms.
Please explain the difference between new and old kana orthography.
Talking about the idea of modern kana spelling as opposed to historical spelling.
Distinguishing modern spelling from pre-war historical kana usage.
Both refer to the modern system. 現代仮名遣い is the official term used in government documents and education. 新仮名遣い is more colloquial and often used in contrast to 旧仮名遣い (old kana orthography). In most contexts, they are interchangeable.
Modern kana orthography was introduced in 1946 to simplify writing and align it with contemporary pronunciation. Before that, historical kana usage (歴史的仮名遣い) preserved spellings from earlier periods, which often did not match how words were spoken.
A more technical term meaning 'phonetic kana usage', emphasizing the principle of writing according to sound.
Phonetic kana usage is the basic principle of modern kana orthography.
The same word can be written differently in historical and modern kana orthography.
Often used in the pair 旧仮名遣い (old) and 新仮名遣い (new).
Convert old kana orthography to new kana orthography.