katakana Analysis

One of the words I found on a train map from a tour guide I obtained from Narita Airport. For those of you who don't know Narita Airport is the international airport close to Tokyo. In the guide there was a map of the rail system(specifically the JR railways). In the map I noticed the katakana expression: エクスプレス　(Express). I know there is a hiragana expression for express train so I believe it was written in katakana for emphasis.

The second Katakana expression cam from Tokyo Girls Collection magizine that features new clothing lines. The expression was フイナーレステージーアフターパーテイ (Final Stage After-party). I believe this was in katakana because the expression is likely foreign and it probably appeals to the younger hip crowed.

Katakana is described differently in several textbooks however all of them seem to state that it is used for borrowed words which originated from outside of Japan. Other Textbooks then go on to describe katakanas use in expressing emphasis, or onomatopeias. I believe the only reason that the books description are different because some authors like to keep it simple and stick to the all important borrowed word description while others are trying to explain more of the all around culture associated with Katakana which includes the other reasons it is used in place of hiragana.

わたしのたんじょびわたしです

きのうはわたしのたんじょびですした。わたしはばんごはんをたべますした。レストランでたもだちにあいますした。わたしはパンとにくをたべましたそしてビールをのみました。わたしもえいがをみました。けさはたいへんでした。