Question about nakaguro dot usage

[nanuk]

Hello there,

before posting this thread I searched the forums about this, but I couldn't find an answer to my questions, and if I've missed it somewhere, then I deeply apologise for creating a duplicated thread.

Anyway onto my question..

I've been trying to find out when the nakaguro interpunct comes into play. I've seen it being used in foreign names (ex. Marie Curie --> マリ・キュリー ), objects (ex. Personal Computer --> パーソナル・コンピュータ ), but there've been instances where the interpunct has been omitted (ex. Cowboy Bebop --> カウボーイビバップ). Is it wrong if I'd have it as カウボーイ・ビバップ ?
I'm kind of confused. When is it appropriate to use it and when not? And what is said interpunct's importance level?

[kraft021]

You may omit nakaguro for objects of foreign origin. So, both パーソナル・コンピューター and パーソナルコンピューター are correct. However, it is not common to omit nakaguro for name of people.

For other use of nakaguro, you can use it like comma in English.
However, words you are connecting with nakaguro must possess same concept.

For example, you may use nakaguro for
食品・衣服売り場 (shokuhin, ifuku uriba) (food, cloth section)
In this case, both 食品 (food) and 衣服 (cloth) are 売り場 (section). (i.e. food section, cloth section)

You cannot nakaguro for sentence like 食品・衣服を買う (I purchase food and cloth.) because 食品 and 衣服 possess different concepts.
(i.e. food and cloth are different things.)

[nanuk]

Hey thanks for the info, kraft021!

[kraft021]

Sure, no problem.

[masaegu]

Originally Posted by kraft021

For example, you may use nakaguro for
食品・衣服売り場 (shokuhin, ifuku uriba) (food, cloth section)
In this case, both 食品 (food) and 衣服 (cloth) are 売り場 (section). (i.e. food section, cloth section)

You cannot nakaguro for sentence like 食品・衣服を買う (I purchase food and cloth.) because 食品 and 衣服 possess different concepts.
(i.e. food and cloth are different things.)

Lame. You copied straight from Wiki.

中黒 - Wikipedia