japanese cars... why american names

[madwilly240]

how come if you go to japan, a skyline is called a skyline. why isnt it some japanese word? also, why is the badge on the truck in english, and not japanese lettering.

[Dousan_PG]

because english is cooooooool
and it can be marketed easier
a lot of thing are in englihs around the world. go to china and you'll find english names on cars.

english is the most non-used national language for any country ON AVERAGE.

its funny when you meet people from other countires who's english is better then most americans!

[AKADriver]

There are a few Japanese cars with Japanese names...

Camry is just an anglicization of "kanmuri"... a type of crown... Toyota likes their crown names. Most of the old school Toyota names like Corolla and Corona are actually Latin, not English.

IIRC the most popular car in China right now is the VW Santana (Spanish name from VW Mexico).

But I guess they're still western names, so the point stands...

Interesting that western car companies tend to stick within their own language though.

[Keisuke]

Originally posted by dousan36

english is the most non-used national language for any country ON AVERAGE.




could you explain please, im confused. English is not even the national language of the US. . .last time i checked anyway. . .

Jesse

[Jeff240sx]

Originally posted by Keisuke
could you explain please, im confused. English is not even the national language of the US. . .last time i checked anyway. . .

Jesse

Are you trying to state that Americans don't speak English, but Americanized English, or "American?"
Most foreign countries have a lot of American in their culture, from fast food places, to music. Also, it makes sense from a financial standpoint to have English words written below the country's usual language, because Europeans and Americans are the wealthiest countries... and probably travel the most for pleasure.
Just thoughts...
-Jeff

[Dousan_PG]

i mean
that english is usually the most used language for any country next to their 'national' (wrong word-all i can think of) language

if you know english you can visit most every country in the world and still find help relatively easily

examples:
if you know german and go to china your screwed.
if you know arabic and visit south africa your screwed
if you know english you can get by in most every country in the world (on average)


most schools teach english as part of their cirriculum for students in other countries.

[AKADriver]

Originally posted by Jeff240sx
Are you trying to state that Americans don't speak English, but Americanized English, or "American?"

I think he's referring to the fact? that the United States has no national official language.

English is the de facto standard since all of our official documents, legal and government proceedings, etc. are written or conducted in English. But there is no law on the books that says English is our official state language.

[Keisuke]

Originally posted by AKADriver
I think he's referring to the fact? that the United States has no national official language.

English is the de facto standard since all of our official documents, legal and government proceedings, etc. are written or conducted in English. But there is no law on the books that says English is our official state language.


yeah, thanks for helping out a local!. . .

[Phlip]

And to take things a step further, I know a guy that is from france, he was telling me last week that starting with grade school, it is mandatory that they know 2 languages outside of french. At that, he states, english is always the natural choice, if there is any such thing as a universal language, english it is... Fly into an airport in germany and need clearance to land? You'd better know english, same goes for everywhere else...


Just my $0.02

[BlankFlip]

just look at this board....all in english b/c we're in america, it's all understood as the official language. even the japanese videogames and street signs can be found in english and japanese. but i remember the mcdonalds signs being written in japanese, just had to look for the big golden "M" to get your big mac on :cool: . mcdonalds and the english language are probably the 2 most global things around.

[Dousan_PG]

don't forget Coca-Cola too!

[boro240]

Originally posted by dousan36
if you know english you can get by in most every country in the world (on average)
this is very true. it also works with the dollar. my dad told me hes never been to a country where they didnt accept american money (and hes been to a lot).

[KiDyNomiTe]

Also wars have things to do with it. I know in most countries in Africa english is a major language due to the fact that th UK ruled over a lot of the countries. Customs get passed and languages along with them.

[vg30s12]

Interesting that western car companies tend to stick within their own language though.

Yeah, even when they shouldn't. Like back in the '70s, when Chevy tried to sell the Nova in Mexico, but didn't change the name......for those that don't know, "No va" in Spanish means, "No go."
:rolleyes:

[AKADriver]

Actually, that Nova story's just an urban legend. The Nova sold fairly well in Mexico and Venezuela.

Read all about it (http://www.snopes.com/business/misxlate/nova.htm)

Besides, "Nova" is Latin, not English :)

[vg30s12]

Now why go and ruin a funny anecdote with stupid facts? :D