As you say, names are spelled differently at different times in the
series, so what need is there to discuss about the names' spelling since
Japanese don't care about it. These names are written in Romaji just to
look nice and German. I think the only interest in talking about the names
is to be able to understand them when you hear them (which most of us is
able to do, but...)
So, I think a phonetic transcription would be better since I think the
katakana spelling do not vary (correct me if I'm wrong).
As for the grades, what is the interest in knowing that someone is a
rear-admiral or a vice admiral since the grades used are Japanese and do
not match exactly with American. Why not use directly the Japanese grades?
We know that Yang Wenli is Gensui and not some Admiral.
You will object that Japanese grades have no meaning to most of us, but how
about Americans?
Once again, correct me if I'm wrong, but I do not think most of us know the
difference between
brigadier general and lieutenant general anyway.
If we follow the Japanese grades, no confusion/interpretation is possible.
Sorry if I make any of you angry which I do not want.
David
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David Salle
salle @ntasun.tml.ntt.jp || salle@email.enst.fr