Richard Lawson <RLawson@ci.plymouth.mn.us> 06/13/97 12:13pm

I acquired the Ranma 1/2 Memorial Book at A-kon.  It's mostly in
Japanese, of course, but there are a few parts in English.
Do you know how it spells Ukyo?  "Ukyo."
Do you know how it spells Ryoga?  "Ryoga."
Do you know how it spells Tendo?  "Tendo."
Does this make those spellings (instead of "Ukyou", "Ryouga", and
"Tendou") the Official Romanization of those names?

No.  Even though those are the romanizations that I use myself, there is
no, AFAIK, "official" romanization.  There are at least three romanization
systems that I am aware of (the one I initally learned represented "chi"
and "tsu" as "ti" and "tu", which is in a sense correct because those
kana are in the "t" system), and while one or two may be in more
widespread use than others, I don't believe that the Japanese
government (or any other body with any authority on the Japanese
language, if any exist) has given official sanction to any of the
romanizations.  

It does mean, however, that those who tell you you're spelling it wrong
if you spell it "Ukyo" instead or "Ukyou" (or vice versa) is himself wrong,
rude, and presumptious.  Because the vast majority of us will understand
who you mean regardless of how you spell it, I say use whatever
system works best for you (within reasonable limits of course.  If you
spelled "Ukyo" as "Rglzd", I would be confused)
 
tom