Italics and Japanese Words

KansasWriter · Mar 11, 2008

I'm writing a book where I use a half-a-dozen Japanese words fairly regularly. I'm a little confused about the proper use of italics. I've heard from one source that the italics should be used for the first instance of a foreign word and then not again.

On the other hand I've heard foreign words should constantly be italicized. If this is wrong, it lends a really pompous look to the book.

So what's the rule?

KW

eyeblink · Mar 11, 2008

On the other hand I've read novels where foreign words are not italicised at all - unless for emphasis, the same as any other word being emphasised.

Always-italicised is the most common method, but there is no "rule", more a matter of personal preference and/or publisher's house style.

dpaterso · Mar 11, 2008

Foreign words and ship names are usually italicized.

Domo arigatou gozaimasu.
U.S.S. Lexington.

-Derek

KansasWriter · Mar 12, 2008

Thank you.

Honto desu ka? You are in Japan right now? No wait: I just googled your ship. It is apparently docked in the Gulf of Mexico which, I'm pretty sure, is not in Japan.

KW

maestrowork · Mar 12, 2008

Foreign words are always italicized, unless they've been incorporated into English and our culture, such as sushi or ramen or croissants.

KikiteNeko · Mar 13, 2008

I think they're always italicized, but I've been told the editors will tell you what to do in the final revisions. I did read one book where I THINK the Japanese words weren't italicized.

Italics and Japanese Words

KansasWriter

eyeblink

Barbara says hi

dpaterso

Also in our Discord and IRC chat channels

KansasWriter

maestrowork

Fear the Death Ray

KikiteNeko

.