why do people say "raito" instead of "light"?

People use Raito because that is how the Japanese pronounce Light's name. Japanese does not have a letter L and consonant sounds like 'ght'. They compensate for their lack of sounds by pronouncing english words using the closest sounding syllables that they have. "Rai" for "Li" and "to" for the "t". You just have to understand the language differences. As for people using Raito, I think the reason they do so is because they want to adapt to the Japanese way of saying the names. Personally, I don't mind whichever way it is pronounced or written.

Because when the japanese (for the most part) speak words in english the words can be difficult and L typically becomes R. Also words ending with T usually end up with a vowel at the end just to help pronunciation.

I've never heard that before.

oh, really?? I actually fond of 'Raito' instead of 'Light'...will it make me sound lame?? 0_0 I think Japanese tend to say 'Raito' instead of 'Light' so that's why many people say that so 0_0

I pronounce it in Japanese but write it in English. Heh I remember old Hellsing discussions when fans didn't know main characters name. Some said Alucard while others Arukardo.

And Eru instead of L :)))

i have watch the anime, some of it use light and some of it use raito...i think raito is the japanese name written in english while light is juz the name convert from chinese...hehe...tat my opinion onli, nt confirm one....:)