Sphero,

The way Japanese read Chinese chracters is done in two ways.
1. Something resembles the original Chinese pronounciation at the time
Like Hitachi's "Hi" part.
2. Ancient Japanese word adopted to a Chinese chracter with same meaning.
Like Hitachi's "Tachi" part. This means "standing", as you mentioned.

Hitachi is the name of the city where Hitachi originated as a repair
facility for the mine there in 1910.

Mazda is actually "Matsuda", which is composed of "Matsu (pine tree)" and
"Ta (field)". "Ta" changes to "Da" when it is attached to some other
character (sorry, forgot how is called in English). "Matsu" and "Ta" are
both from ancient Japanese words.
Alps is named after the English term "Alps".

Hope I'm not confusing you even more!

Regards,
Satoru

BTW, any Japanese speakers here? The Japanese characters for Hitachi
appear to be only two syllables. The characters would be pronounced
"ri4 li4" in Chinese ('sun' or 'day' and 'stand'), maybe "hi ta" in
Japanese? Is the "chi" just tacked on in English?

Mazda is the opposite-- it's three syllables in Chinese (and probably
Japanese as well). And Alps (the component maker)is two syllables in
Japanese.


Best regards,
Spehro Pefhany