Glossary / Lexicon

Kana refer to Japanese syllabic symbols.

In the psychology context, "kana" typically refers to the Japanese syllabic writing systems. There are two kana systems in Japanese: hiragana and katakana. Hiragana is used for native Japanese words and inflections, while katakana is used for foreign words and names.

In psychology research, the study of kana can play a role in the study of language processing and reading in bilingual or multilingual individuals. For example, some studies have investigated the relationship between the processing of kana and kanji (the Chinese characters used in written Japanese) and reading ability in Japanese children and adults.

Examples of areas of research in psychology related to kana include:

1. Bilingual reading development - Studies that examine the development of reading in children who are fluent in both Japanese and another language, and how the processing of kana and kanji influences reading ability in these individuals.

2. Second language acquisition - Studies that examine the process of learning kana and kanji by second language learners, and the impact of this learning on their reading ability in Japanese.

3. Neural representation of language - Studies that use brain imaging techniques, such as functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), to examine the neural basis of kana processing and its relationship to reading ability.

4. Cross-linguistic comparisons - Studies that compare the processing of kana and other writing systems, such as alphabetic systems, to understand the similarities and differences in the processing of these systems.

Overall, the study of kana in psychology provides insight into the complex processes involved in reading and language processing, and has important implications for our understanding of multilingualism and the development of reading abilities in different languages.