Japanese

[wiggins]

I want to learn Japanes, but can't attend classes. SO i've to learnfrom home. I want to learn to understand, and read Japanese so I can get unlicensed anime and mangas from Japan legally instead of through fansubs and scanslations. Can anyone tell me how I can go about doing so?
Thanks!
Wiggins

[Kat]

http://www.yesjapan.com

Online lessons in Japanese. I've been seriously considering signing up for this myself, as they are not that expensive and look pretty comprehensive, and you don't have to drive miles through bad traffic (which I did do one year) to get to class.

--Kathleen

[wiggins]

How much does it cost? and can you do it at your own leisure, or is trhere some kind of time limit you have to follow?

[Mithrandir]

You could click on the link and read...

[shooraijin]

Barron's publishes a great series of introductory language books, and their Japanese readers are no exception. I used one initially when I was getting my scanty Japanese off the ground.

Also, there's a great series of books published by Mangajin called "Basic Japanese Through Comics" which uses manga to teach Japanese culture and basic language and idiom. To get the most out of it, though, you really need to learn basic Japanese first. Once you do, though, it teaches you many common kanji, expressions, politeness levels and even cultural notes very painlessly, and also expands your manga awareness

[wiggins]

You could click on the link and read...

Oh yeah!

[Shao Feng-Li]

i like www.about.com
just type Japanese and you get a whole bunch of stuff and several hundred kanji to learn...

[kirakira]

Oy, I feel your pain, Wiggins. I was really hoping to learn it in school this year, but got stuck with classical Latin instead...

[Bobtheduck]

Classical Latin? I hear that Latin is making a comeback... SO much so that people have this weird idea that EVERY language has roots in latin, when the language really only came about around a couple thousand years ago...

I really do wish more Schools would offer Japanese, but it's just not popular enough to get the school's attention... When I say popular, I of course mean with the powers that be for the schools. It has nothing to do with what the kids want at all. What you may want to check out is when it comes time to do your 2 years of foreign language, check if any local community colleges teach Japanese and go from there... In california, at least, the school (if it's a public school) will pay for the classes and books, though they may demand the books back, so you can do it for free.

[wiggins]

Barron's publishes a great series of introductory language books, and their Japanese readers are no exception. I used one initially when I was getting my scanty Japanese off the ground.

Also, there's a great series of books published by Mangajin called "Basic Japanese Through Comics" which uses manga to teach Japanese culture and basic language and idiom. To get the most out of it, though, you really need to learn basic Japanese first. Once you do, though, it teaches you many common kanji, expressions, politeness levels and even cultural notes very painlessly, and also expands your manga awareness

Which Barron's book? I fiound alot, but since i don't know beans, I don't know where to start. Isn't there something which just teaches you generaslly, building up both reading, and comprehension skills at the same time?

O! and what does everyone think of Yesjapan.com, I think its interesting, but I want to be sure its good... before I spend my precious supply of money on it.

[Azier the Swordsman]

For spoken language I am currently using Pimsluer's Japanese programs. http://www.pimsleurapproach.com/learn-japanese.asp?

For Kana/Kanji I am using James Heisig's books:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/4889960724/qid=1073778685/sr=1-3/ref=sr_1_3/102-2640540-1365741?v=glance&s=books
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/4889960759/ref=pd_sim_books_1/102-2640540-1365741?v=glance&s=books
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0870407481/ref=pd_bxgy_text_1/102-2640540-1365741?v=glance&s=books&st=*
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/087040931X/ref=pd_sim_books_1/102-2640540-1365741?v=glance&s=books

For a supplement to the writing of Kana, I use this site for practice:
http://kana.sourceforge.net/

For a supplement to the writing of Kanji, I use this site:
http://www.kanjisite.com/index.html






All of the above is quite expensive, especially the Pimsluer programs, so you may decide to search for a cheaper method. But just think, it's all going to be worth it in the end, ne?

Another good way to pick up new words is to pick up a Japanese/English dictionary and scan through it everyday trying to memorize new words. Try watching one of your favorite anime raw sometime, and pay close attention to what the character's are saying. This is an excellent way to new words and phrases.

[ShiroiHikari]

o_O I don't really have a recommendation...I learned what I know by:

1. Checking out that on-tape introduction to Japanese they had at the library. You know, the listen and repeat kind.
2. Watching subbed anime.
3. Listening to Japanese music, looking up romanized lyrics and translations and comparing them to see what words meant what.
4. Bought a Japanese <-> English dictionary and made myself memorize the kana chart. (In geometry class, I was often found practicing my kana. XD Not recommended :p)
5. Buying raw, untranslated manga when I could get my hands on it, to study the kanji and kana.

[Bobtheduck]

If you go all out for the pimsleur method, it'll cost you about 600 dollars, but if you plan on going to Japan for any extended period of time, it's probably worth it... You can learn about all you'll need to speak in about 90 days. (that's saying you take a day for each lesson) I'd set aside 2 hours a day, to listen to the CD's...

Make sure you go for the full sets and not the small sets... The full sets all run about 200 dollars... They have other languages as well, so it's worth checking out for any language you want to learn... Even if I don't use them for Japanese, I'll use them for Russian in a few years.

[Azier the Swordsman]

If you go all out for the pimsleur method, it'll cost you about 600 dollars, but if you plan on going to Japan for any extended period of time, it's probably worth it... You can learn about all you'll need to speak in about 90 days. (that's saying you take a day for each lesson) I'd set aside 2 hours a day, to listen to the CD's...

Make sure you go for the full sets and not the small sets... The full sets all run about 200 dollars... They have other languages as well, so it's worth checking out for any language you want to learn... Even if I don't use them for Japanese, I'll use them for Russian in a few years.

Actually it's around $900 for all three courses (Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced). And even though they SAY that one half an hour lesson per day is enough, I would have to agree that two hours per lesson is the best way to let it permanately sink in. If you don't have two hours, split into one hour sessions over a two day period.

[wiggins]

How does Yesjapan measure up to Pimsleur?... cos' Pimsleur's pricey...

O, and I keep hearing all these names for Japanese text (i think... ): Kanji, Kana, etc. What's the difference, and which is used mainly in mangas and in general?

[Azier the Swordsman]

The differences in Kana/Kanji are this: (Sorry if the character counts are not 100% accurate, I'm pretty sure I got them right.

The Japanese use three forms of writing:

Hiragana (46 Characters) Each Hiragana represents a specific syllable and is the main form of writing used in the Japanese language. However, you will write Japanese words ONLY in Hiragana. You will never write foreign words, or foreign words adopted into the Japanese language with Hiragana, for that you use:

Katakana (46 Characters) Katakana is a companion to Hiragana. It is used as a means of writing foreign words/names adopted into the Japanese language. You NEVER write a Japanese word or name in Katakana. And, as a result, you will never write a full sentence in Katakana either. Katakana is somewhat easier to learn than Hiragana because of the simpler strokes.

Kanji (2042 characters) Kanji is a large alphebet consisting of thousands of characters imported from China. For a better explanation of Kanji, go here: http://www.kanjisite.com/html/wak/index.html

If you are going to study writing (which you should) YOU WILL NEED KANJI!

[wiggins]

What are mangas written in?

[Azier the Swordsman]

Mangas, as well as any other Japanese reading material, are written in all three forms of writing: Hiragana, Katakana, and Kanji. Which is why it's essential to learn them all.

[shooraijin]

Actually, in the officially recognized Joo-yoo kanji list, there are 1,945. That's better, right?

> You NEVER write a Japanese word or name in Katakana.

This isn't *quite* true, although it is as a general rule. It was explained to me that katakana functions more like italics in Japanese; it sets off special or unusual words, and sometimes Japanese words will be printed in katakana for emphasis. Actually, you see that more often in manga, as it happens. But, by and large, the general principle holds true.

[wiggins]

Hard! Hard! Hard!... etc.

So, does Pimsleur cover reading and writing as well, or just speaking.

And how's Yes Japan because I don't know how good it is. If I can I don't wnat to pay $900! Oh, and ummm... just what level do you have to learn up top for just watching anime and reading manga?

[Azier the Swordsman]

Pimsluer is speaking only. You will have to obtain the reading and writing skills elsewhere. I do not know much about YesJapan, but from I understand by reading through the site, they haven't yet fully developed all their courses. However, it does look pretty good, I am even considering signing up as a supplement to what I am already using. Extra practice never hurts, right? (The Kanji games are very interesting, and I have no where else to practice my Kanji). Anyways, it's up to you. I'm using rather expensive methods for my learning, if you cannot afford $375 per Pimsluer course (Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced), don't even try.

[wiggins]

Wow Chris, I read your profile. Your only 17, and your parents let you buy programs that expensive. O_o I'm 16, and my parents won't let me buy anything over 150 pounds. They don't trust me to keep up with what I say I will. Oh well, I just have to prove them wrong

[Azier the Swordsman]

You should see all the electronics (video game systems/TV/DVD) I've bought over the last year. Not to mention my ever growing anime collection. Of course, I also have my own job, and am currently keeping with a budget.

Back on topic concerning YesJapan, I signed up with them a while ago, and I am impressed by what I see so far. I'm going to give it a shot and see if I like them better with Pimsluer. Really, for the price per month, there really isn't anything to lose. If this works better than Pimsluer, I can save a lot of money.

[Azier the Swordsman]

It is a good site. I am going to be using Pimsluer (I think this is the correct spelling) as well as YesJapan, simply because I like the way Pimsluer does it, but I also like the many features on the site that allow me to better practice my skills, something that can't be done with Pimsluer alone. The Kana/Kanji games are going to be a great training tool for me in the longrun, especially since I have no other means of practicing my reading and writing.

[Fsiphskilm]

I was thinking about buying

[Azier the Swordsman]

I registered and left the URL of this board, that's the reason he stopped by.

[wiggins]

That's cool.... I think I'm beginnning to lean towards Yes Japan now... besides its fairly reasonably priced compared to Pimsleur.

How long does it take to learn enough Japanese so that you won't have any problmes reading manga and watching anime at all? Thanks!
Wiggins

[Fsiphskilm]

OOOooo just think...CAA was vis

[Mithrandir]

I really like this site: http://i33www.ira.uka.de/~bgarz/nihongoshoho/ That's where I started learning Japanese. It will get you to a level where you can start using those manga books that Shooby mentioned. Also, it's free. Just send a postcard to the author!

- OldPhil

[wiggins]

So how long does it take to learn Japanese well enough to read mangas and watch animes?