In modern Japanese, the hiragana and katakana syllabaries each contain 46 basic characters, or 71 including diacritics. With one or two minor exceptions, each different sound in the Japanese language (that is, each different syllable, strictly each mora) corresponds to one character in each syllabary.
(kÅ-Åptâ², kÅâ²Åptâ²) tr.v. co-optÂ·ed, co-optÂ·ing, co-opts. 1. To elect as a fellow member of a group. 2. To appoint summarily. 3. To take or assume for one's own use; appropriate: co-opted the criticism by embracing it.
The outcome of such co-option will be specific to the individual case, and will depend on the relative strength of the co-opting and co-opted groups, the degree of alignment of their interests and the vigour with which their members are prepared to pursue those interests.