Pronuncation of r in Japanese name


I'm not sure if this is the right place to post this but I was wondering how
one would pronounce the Japanese name Reita when speaking English. Should it
be [leːtə], [reːtə], or something else?

For reference, I live in an English-speaking country and Reita is my new
roommate's name. He's told me a couple times how to say it but I couldn't
quite catch it and I don't want to seem impolite by asking him again.

Thanks in advance!




Matt, it's very kind of you to go to so much trouble to try learn how to
pronounce your new roommate's name correctly.

Unlike the English "r" sound, producing the Japanese "r" sound involves
lightly touching the tongue against the top of the mouth, just behind the
front teeth. For this reason, to non-Japanese speakers it can sound a bit like
an "l" sound, or even a "d."

Since Reita is now living in a country where English is the dominant language,
he's going to have to get used to hearing his name (mis)pronounced with an
English-style "r" sound – just as you, if you ever spend time in Japan, will
have to get used to being called "Maht-to." But far from finding your asking
him impolite, I think he'll really appreciate that his roommate wants to learn
to say his name correctly, and will be glad to help you practice.




Matt, it's very kind of you to go to so much trouble to try learn how to
pronounce your new roommate's name correctly.

Unlike the English "r" sound, producing the Japanese "r" sound involves
lightly touching the tongue against the top of the mouth, just behind the
front teeth. For this reason, to non-Japanese speakers it can sound a bit like
an "l" sound, or even a "d."

Since Reita is now living in a country where English is the dominant language,
he's going to have to get used to hearing his name (mis)pronounced with an
English-style "r" sound – just as you, if you ever spend time in Japan, will
have to get used to being called "Maht-to." But far from finding your asking
him impolite, I think he'll really appreciate that his roommate wants to learn
to say his name correctly, and will be glad to help you practice.

