Do the Japanese read backwards?
The text is in the traditional tategaki (“vertical writing”) style; it is read down the columns and from right to left, like traditional Chinese. When written vertically, Japanese text is written from top to bottom, with multiple columns of text progressing from right to left.
Why is Japanese text read right to left?
Before WWII, Japanese was sometimes read horizontally from right to left. Although tategaki (vertical columns) was the standard way of writing back then, horizontal text was sometimes used for space or design reasons. In this case, it was written from right to left.
Why are Chinese books read backwards?
East Asian languages, it’s suggested, were recorded on bamboo scrolls, and it was easier for the right hand (most people are right-handed) to make characters by going from top to bottom and right to left, with the left managing the paper. With ink, suggestions continue, moving left to right prevented smudging.
Are all Japanese books right to left?
The traditional Japanese written language goes from right to left. Books in Japan tend to start from the “right-most” side. It’s only natural that manga publications follow the same format. Traditionally, Japanese is written in a format called tategaki (縦書き?), which copies the traditional Chinese system.
Is Arabic written right to left?
Arabic (like Hebrew) is written from right to left. European languages write the figures from left to right, like the letters.
Is Korean read right to left?
Modern Korean is usually written in left-to-right horizontally. Vertical writing is used when the writing space is long vertically and narrow horizontally. For example, titles on the spines of books are usually written vertically.
Why are Japanese books so small?
EDIT: And as pointed out in a comment, the paper used is often thinner, and both the font size and compactness of the Japanese language also contribute to the book being thinner than their Western counterparts.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YKi7hQjenWY