Ronald or Donald in Japan? - ESL Teaching

Niko · Tue 01-Aug-06, 12:36 PM

McDonald's Mascot in Japan

I have several Japanese friends who swear up and down that the name of McDonald's mascot is "Donald", rather than "Ronald". Why did they change his name here?

When McDonalds came to Japan in 1971, they were worried that people would have trouble pronouncing the initial "R" in Ronald's name, so they changed it to Donald.

So there you have it! Donald in Japan, and Ronald elsewhere.

Felicity G.
(English Teacher, Shizuoka)

fairy0556 · Tue 01-Aug-06, 01:57 PM

That's really a good, funny story! Thanks, I love it.

Tue 01-Aug-06, 12:36 PM	#1 (permalink)
Niko Moderator Join Date: Mar 2006 Nationality: Australian Occupation: Editor Location: Posts: 220	Ronald or Donald in Japan? McDonald's Mascot in Japan I have several Japanese friends who swear up and down that the name of McDonald's mascot is "Donald", rather than "Ronald". Why did they change his name here? When McDonalds came to Japan in 1971, they were worried that people would have trouble pronouncing the initial "R" in Ronald's name, so they changed it to Donald. So there you have it! Donald in Japan, and Ronald elsewhere. Felicity G. (English Teacher, Shizuoka) Attached Images To view attachments in this forum your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

Tue 01-Aug-06, 01:57 PM	#2 (permalink)
fairy0556 Employer Join Date: Jul 2006 Nationality: Chinese Occupation: others Location: Posts: 2	Good story That's really a good, funny story! Thanks, I love it.

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