'Tsu' in words

[ChaosEmerl]

In some japanese texts, especially katakana in video games, I've come across the 'tsu' kana being used in words where it doesn't seem to belong. For example, the name "Sonic"which shouldbe "Sonikku" is written "Sonitsuku" but the tsu is small. What does this mean? Does it have any significance to the word, even while it's not pronounced? Thanks in advance. ^_^;

[Sachi]

If the "tsu" is small, it does not read "tsu", but refers to a glottal stop in the word. In other words, it symbolizes a small pause ^^; So ャjック　is read "Sonikku" and not "Sonitsuku". So instead of the word sounding smooth, there is a small break in it. (i.e. "Soniku" flows more than "Soni - tiny pause- ku").

Does that help at all?

[ChaosEmerl]

Ah, yeah that helps. Thanks.

[Sachi]

No problem. I just wasn't sure how much sense that post made ^^;

[kirama]

how did you /do you get that pic there

[Sachi]

Me? I loaded it onto Photobucket and pasted the tag where your siggy goes in "edit profile".

[IkimashoZ]

Sometimes other kana are written at half size too. These are pretty rare, and I'm not sure if there's any pattern to pronunciation or not. ３ヶ月, for example, is pronounced さんかげつ.

[AJBryant]

If the "tsu" is small, it does not read "tsu", but refers to a glottal stop in the word. In other words, it symbolizes a small pause ^^;

I usually just say it doubles the following consonant; like the /k/ sound in "book king" vs. "booking."

Tony

[ryuubu]

Sometimes, in furigana (ruby characters) a small tsu is written full size. This stems back from the old days, when you couldn't print small tsus that size.