As I was looking through the Japanese magazine starring Nicole Rich, I noticed that Nicole Rich was wearing デニムベストs of different designs and styles. And on the top, it was written デニムベスト, which is read denim-vest. Using katakana in this context I think emphasizes the foreign and non-traditional concept of denim vests. In common sense, or in my personal idea, Hiragana should stand for something more traditional such as traditional Japanese clothing, きもの。However, this concept of denim vest is so foreign and even from Western culture. Also, I have certain bias that words adapted in Kanji would signify something with more Asian content or culture. Since Kanji is adapted from Chinese character, and Japan has had long-term relationship with China and Korea, (Korea also used Chinese character before developing its own character Hangul), many Asian ideas and traditions could be easily expressed in Chinese Characters. Even though today the denim vest is commonly worn fashion item in Japan, its origin still stem from unfamiliar Western countries. Adapting denim vest into Japanese Hiragana or Kanji characters may insinuate that denim vest is traditional. Katakana being nontraditional character comes from the fact that it is angular than other characters. In both Kanji and hiragana, circular geometric shapes or lots of bent lines are used. Nevertheless, katakana consists of more angular shaped lines, giving a sense that the word intruded into hiragana or kanji. In other words, having katakana in the middle of other characters may seem like katakana was newly put into what was there, standing out in different shape, just like when all blonds are standing in a line, a black color haired Japanese girl would be more noticeable and look foreign. Katakana stands out as foreign within the characters not only from the meaning or use. This is why I believe デニムベスト、 a loan word, is used without being adapted into Kanji or Hiragana.
Another frequent use of Katakana is for onomatopoeia. As I was reading One Piece, a Japanese Manga, I found a phrase ヴオルルル！ガララ! This is what Roopy says when he is fighting his enemy and trying to gather his power to elevate himself and force himself to fight. I believe katakana is used in this case to heighten the dramatic moment and thus for emphasis. Furthermore, hiragana and Kanji are less fluid word in terms in that it cannot be manipulated with such fluidity. For example, for hiragana うおるるる！がええ! All looks very distinct with different geometrical shapes. Nevertheless, for katakana words, they all are in angular shape with minimum amount of circular shapes, adding to fluidity. Katakana looks much simpler than hiragana and especially kanji. Repetition of much simpler form of character enables the readers to feel as if all the words look the same or related with similar shapes.
However, since Katakana is used to cover what Kanji and Hiragana cannot. Thus, since with Kanji and Hiragana such dramatic words could not be made from traditional characters, Katakana is manipulated and made to express emphasis and to represent the energy of the scene.
Most textbooks says Katakana is used for loan words, onomatopoeias, and to emphasize words in general. Nevertheless, the definition differs from each textbook to others. This is possibly because as I mentioned Katakana is used to cover what hiragana and Kanji cannot with fluidity. New words and expressions can be expressed only in Katakana. And we are living in a world of change where ideas and concepts are created every day. Also we are living in globalizing earth where ideas are exchanged between different continents. Since new and foreign ideas are introduced into Japan, Katakana, which is used for cultural adaptation of characters, is in its frequent use. Thus, katakana, which reflects this phenomenon, changes as well with its usage and meaning. This could be why textbooks do not have exact definition of Katakana.
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