So you want to learn Japanese

DJ_Izumi · Post by **DJ_Izumi** » Sat Jan 17, 2004 2:37 am

I came across this essay about anime fans wanting to learn Japanese. I think it's definatly worth a look.

http://www-unix.oit.umass.edu/~thoureau/japanese.html

azulmagia · Post by **azulmagia** » Sat Jan 17, 2004 2:40 am

I've seen that website before.

Jebadia · Post by **Jebadia** » Sat Jan 17, 2004 3:16 am

Yeah this was posted back when we had an off topic forum..o.O still funny though..

dokool · Post by **dokool** » Sat Jan 17, 2004 4:16 am

Having actually taken Japanese (an entire summer's worth at UPenn), I can vouch for the anime-doesn't-teach-you-Japanese thing. Not that I actually tried to use anime phrases in class, but over the course of the summer I learned that Japanese <i>is</i> fucking hard.

However, anime *did* help me with listening. You don't want to copy the speech mannerisms of anime characters, because obviously you'll either sound like a complete fool or a 12-year-old girl. But, if you actually listen to the japanese dub instead of either concentrating on reading the subtitles or listening to the english dub, you *will* learn to pick out syllables. While the late hour prevents me from being able to pull any examples out of my head, one general example is that multiple vowels don't get pronounced together in one merged syllable (at least, not all the time), but have distinct syllables. This helps if your class is heavy on listening exercises - the more accurately you can write down hiragana on the fly, the better.

I will say that katakana is a bitch and a half, though. Not only are some words almost illegible when romanjised, but many of the symbols look similar (particularly shi/tsu/no/-n), and then you have to keep your hiragana and katakana from mixing.

However, if you can handle it, it's worth the trouble. Just being able to write stuff down in symbols that only you (or anyone who reads japanese) can understand is pretty cool. While what I learned over the summer is somewhat regressing as the days go by, my (hopeful *knock on wood*) year in Tokyo should improve my skills quite a bit...

-DOKool

dogger · Post by **dogger** » Sat Jan 17, 2004 4:38 am

dose any one know of any software or websites that can teach me japanes?
would be most helpful

dokool · Post by **dokool** » Sat Jan 17, 2004 6:07 am

dogger wrote:dose any one know of any software or websites that can teach me japanes?
would be most helpful

I wouldn't rely on any websites, quite frankly. I recall being linked to an RPG game of some sort that's supposed to help teach you, but learning japanese on your own requires *enormous* dedication and self-discipline.(and being able to write legibly in your native language doesn't hurt, either)

If you're interested in learning the language, I'd check your local community college and see if they offer it. You may actually have to *gasp* pay money, albeit a small amount, but actual classes are a better investment than a do-it-yourself book/cd set that you're just going to let collect dust on the shelf anyway. If you're going to take on something like Japanese, don't do it half-assed.

-DOKool

Mroni · Post by **Mroni** » Sat Jan 17, 2004 6:13 am

dokool wrote:Having actually taken Japanese (an entire summer's worth at UPenn), I can vouch for the anime-doesn't-teach-you-Japanese thing. Not that I actually tried to use anime phrases in class, but over the course of the summer I learned that Japanese <i>is</i> fucking hard.

However, anime *did* help me with listening. You don't want to copy the speech mannerisms of anime characters, because obviously you'll either sound like a complete fool or a 12-year-old girl. But, if you actually listen to the japanese dub instead of either concentrating on reading the subtitles or listening to the english dub, you *will* learn to pick out syllables. While the late hour prevents me from being able to pull any examples out of my head, one general example is that multiple vowels don't get pronounced together in one merged syllable (at least, not all the time), but have distinct syllables. This helps if your class is heavy on listening exercises - the more accurately you can write down hiragana on the fly, the better.

I will say that katakana is a bitch and a half, though. Not only are some words almost illegible when romanjised, but many of the symbols look similar (particularly shi/tsu/no/-n), and then you have to keep your hiragana and katakana from mixing.

However, if you can handle it, it's worth the trouble. Just being able to write stuff down in symbols that only you (or anyone who reads japanese) can understand is pretty cool. While what I learned over the summer is somewhat regressing as the days go by, my (hopeful *knock on wood*) year in Tokyo should improve my skills quite a bit...

-DOKool

What if um you want to sound like a 12 year old girl?

Mr Oni

dogger · Post by **dogger** » Sat Jan 17, 2004 6:18 am

dokool wrote:
dogger wrote:dose any one know of any software or websites that can teach me japanes?
would be most helpful
size=7](and being able to write legibly in your native language doesn't hurt, either)[/size]
-DOKool

another hit at my origanl spelling

)v(ajin Koji · Post by **)v(ajin Koji** » Sat Jan 17, 2004 6:33 am

Anime doesn't teach you japanese wrote:When mostAmericans think of Japanese people, they think: polite, respectful, accomadating. (They could also possibly think: Chinese).

that made me lol

dogger · Post by **dogger** » Sat Jan 17, 2004 7:40 am

i got a new sig! (yay for me)