Learn Japanese Now – These Secrets Will Help
Though it may seem challenging, to learn Japanese now is far from impossible. Just bring along some enthusiasm, commitment, and focus and you’re off to a good start. While these traits are valuable, it’s necessary to know some basics. The Japanese language uses three writing systems, or “alphabets”:
* Kanji
* Hiragana
* Katakana
Chinese characters, called Kanji, have been borrowed and incorporated into the language.
Katakana and Hiragana, both based on Chinese characters, are scripts that represent sounds like Western alphabets. Used in tandem, Kanji and Hiragana are the most used writing systems in today’s Japanese publications. Because of today’s broad culture, Katakana is necessary to form the sounds of borrowed words, and to refer to other sounds, like the ticking of a clock.
We often accuse Asians of doing everything backwards, no matter which writing system is employed, in Japanese writing characters are written from top to bottom, vertically, the columns running from right to left. The Western style has been adapted to scientific writing and for computer display, but the familiar method remains in use in practically all other Japanese publications.
Folks from Western egalitarian cultures may find it odd that the Japanese language takes on different subtleties when it comes to the class of the person speaking or spoken to, and there are levels of politeness as well. Even more subtle, the use of vocabulary, grammar, and even tone of voice, can indicate the gender of the person speaking and the gender of the person spoken to.
As expected, the sort of teaching and learning available from certain language schools is always promoted as the easiest and quickest way to pick up another language. To select a school or method of learning, keep the financial costs in mind, as well as the amount to time you’re willing to spend, and even your level of interest. The curriculum or method of teaching must be compatible with your needs to learn Japanese now. Learning to read and write well is one thing. Getting around the country and engaging the natives is quite another. Which do you need to do? If your interests are academic, involving a lot of reading and writing, your needs are a lot different than those necessary for getting around, eating, getting hotel rooms, or enjoying the life of the locals.
Anyway, if you want to learn Japanese now, your first goal should be to engage the spoken language, it’s much easier than the reading or writing. Listening to a native speaker pronounce and use words is the best way to pick up conversational language, get yourself audio files to help you with this. (Even if your focus will be on reading and writing, most books teaching those skills also contain CD-ROMs.) A subtle language, Japanese depends on various intonations, listening carefully and imitating them is very important.
The amount of grammar and vocabulary you need to study is an important consideration. You’re going to be using a lot of elemental words and phrases as you go about day-to-day life, focus on those so they are easily at hand when you need them. Learn the bare necessities of grammar, enough to help you construct easy sentences with facility.
Next to all the matters listed above, patience and perseverance are good companions to have along on your learning journey. Textbooks, teachers, and drill exercises are important, but what you bring to the process is most important. Which classroom is always open? Which classroom can you find almost anywhere you go? Which classroom always has a curriculum suited to your needs? The one you carry with you!
Are you ready to get serious about learning Japanese? If so, check out these free lessons on how to learn Japanese fast and learn Japanese now.