The Japanese language encompasses three writing systems; mastering them is only the first step in Japanese language acquisition. One effective way to learn the language is by writing essays, as this combines knowledge of writing systems, grammar, and vocabulary. However, various mistakes occur in the student’s writing of essays, which offer insight into aspects of the language that are challenging for students of Japanese Studies at the University of Ljubljana and serve as a measure of their progress. Previous research has found that one of the Japanese writing systems, katakana, does not receive sufficient attention in the classroom, which causes difficulties for learners. However, it is precisely this script that has various uses and is also the one in which loanwords are written. An increasing number of loanwords are entering the Japanese language, and they are progressively taking up an ever-larger portion of the Japanese vocabulary. This is precisely why katakana is crucial in the process of learning Japanese. The aim of this research paper is to analyze writing errors in katakana, identify their characteristics, and, through them, determine what poses a challenge for students of Japanese studies at the University of Ljubljana when writing katakana. Based on these findings, recommendations are developed at the end of the study, aimed at students and professors, which serve as guidance for their learning and teaching of Katakana.
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