The Best Way to Learn?

[SaginumaEki]

For everyone out there trying to learn Japanese, here are some tips. I've taken Japanese for three years. I just got back from Japan. I don't like anime. Just thought I'd make that clear once and for all.

Tips:

1) Don't make anime your primary source of learning. In all honesty, when I was in Japan, I stayed clear of Akihabara (Electric Town) to avoid the otaku. My host family told me how otaku foreigners are really weird and have some sort of expectation of Japan to be some sort of geek haven. And no, they don't watch anime all day while eating sushi. That is a myth. If you are going to Japan, I would suggest staying away from the tourist geek haven. Anime is bad for learning Japanese because it teaches you rude language. If you ever actually met a Japanese person, they'd probably understand if you started speaking the way anime characters do. It's much more impressive, however, if you speak politely and then speak informally. Plus, no one actually speaks like they do in anime. Remember, these are fantasies where people are cool. So they want them to sound cool. It's not like in English everyone goes around and speaks like they're straight out of a Quentin Tarantino movie. Sure, anime is good for listening to the language, but there are legit movies for that. I guess there are some good anime movies, like Spirited Away.

2) Do not use online sites. As helpful as they may seem, they're not explained at all. I'm sorry, but the basics of Japanese are harder to understand than what a webpage may tell you. Your best bet is to probably go and do a legit program. Unfortunately, Japanese is a category 3 language in terms of difficulty. Basically, SUPER HARD for English speakers, according to this government website Japanese
You need a text book. I recommend either Genki or Nakama.

3) Speaking of super hard...the hardest things for any new language learner is that they tend to want things to go hand in hand. Unfortunately, that doesn't work. ESPECIALLY with Japanese. What I mean by that is that new language learners want things to be direct translations. Remember, there are never direct translations, especially with Japanese which is a language isolate and Eastern. Half the stuff you try to say will sound silly to Japanese people. Just like how we laugh at "Engrish," the Japanese people laugh at English speakers trying to say something in Japanese.

4) BEFORE YOU GO TO JAPAN, make sure you know as much grammar as you. This is the best way. Sorry to burst the bubble of those planning to go to Japan to learn Japanese. Most people think that they'll be able to pick it up easier if they go to Japan to learn it. Unfortunately, because Japanese is so different (I know I keep saying this, but it cannot be stressed enough) going to Japan without any previous Japanese study is non-beneficial. Going to Japan is great for vocabulary, not for learning the actual grammar. As opposed to European languages, there is no common root between ENglish and Japanese. Also, barely anyone speaks English. If they do, they most likely won't be able to tell you what a certain grammar point means. They might translate it, but you won't be able to use it when you want with a different word. Most native speakers don't really know how their native language works.

5) Don't give up!


I hope this was helpful. This is from experience of myself and others that have taken Japanese with me. Good luck!

[Aiyuuji]

Great tips May i suggest Flash cards it helps to drum it in.

Im self learning japanese and im picking it up easily yeah it is hard to learn and no you wont get it in days i think its something that will take years to master.
As for the websites i think your wrong.
The japanese page has learnt me alot of japanese.

But its good to get books and so on.
Or hearing a native speaker so you can get a authentic sounding accent.

But i agree with people thinking japan is geek heaven when is simply the oppisite.

[SaginumaEki]

Originally Posted by Aiyuuji

Great tips May i suggest Flash cards it helps to drum it in.

Im self learning japanese and im picking it up easily yeah it is hard to learn and no you wont get it in days i think its something that will take years to master.
As for the websites i think your wrong.
The japanese page has learnt me alot of japanese.

But its good to get books and so on.
Or hearing a native speaker so you can get a authentic sounding accent.

But i agree with people thinking japan is geek heaven when is simply the oppisite.

I think webpages just confuse people as to what things actually mean. Like, they translate into something in English, but they are used differently. Plus, websites aren't legit sources of Japanese linguistics.

As for Japan being a geek haven, I think what annoyed me the most were the otaku taking pictures in the middle of the road. I don't know, I just have a huge phobia of being thought of as a tourist. Tourist, argh. Again, stay clear of Akihabara. I went one time because we were looking for a Nintendo DS. Biggest mistake EVER. We accidently went into a porn shop. Gross.

[zenit]

Originally Posted by SaginumaEki

2) Do not use online sites. As helpful as they may seem, they're not explained at all. I'm sorry, but the basics of Japanese are harder to understand than what a webpage may tell you. Your best bet is to probably go and do a legit program. Unfortunately, Japanese is a category 3 language in terms of difficulty. Basically, SUPER HARD for English speakers, according to this government website Japanese
You need a text book. I recommend either Genki or Nakama.

Portuguese is leve one. hehehehe, good now i just need books in pt to learn japanese... but i cant find any T__T

[Aiyuuji]

Originally Posted by SaginumaEki

I think webpages just confuse people as to what things actually mean. Like, they translate into something in English, but they are used differently. Plus, websites aren't legit sources of Japanese linguistics.

As for Japan being a geek haven, I think what annoyed me the most were the otaku taking pictures in the middle of the road. I don't know, I just have a huge phobia of being thought of as a tourist. Tourist, argh. Again, stay clear of Akihabara. I went one time because we were looking for a Nintendo DS. Biggest mistake EVER. We accidently went into a porn shop. Gross.

I had basic knowlege off japanese before i even looked at a website.

Lol XD the ds is popular there isnt it opps sounds like a bad experiance
Id like to talk to you more you seem intresting.

[SaginumaEki]

Originally Posted by zenit

Portuguese is leve one. hehehehe, good now i just need books in pt to learn japanese... but i cant find any T__T

They MUST have some...with all the Japanese/Brazilian people around. I'm sure there are some. Try to find a university that teaches Japanese and see what text book they use. That's the best deal

[SaginumaEki]

Originally Posted by Aiyuuji

I had basic knowlege off japanese before i even looked at a website.

Lol XD the ds is popular there isnt it opps sounds like a bad experiance
Id like to talk to you more you seem intresting.

Sure, where are you from?

EVERYONE had a DS. I ended up caving in and buying one. It was a lot of fun, though I don't use it at all in the states. My brother does. But yeah...Akihabara was...scarring.

[zenit]

Originally Posted by SaginumaEki

They MUST have some...with all the Japanese/Brazilian people around. I'm sure there are some. Try to find a university that teaches Japanese and see what text book they use. That's the best deal

I supose i could try and find some brasilian publications... but even that here would be hard, i looked in many stores.

[Aiyuuji]

Originally Posted by SaginumaEki

Sure, where are you from?

EVERYONE had a DS. I ended up caving in and buying one. It was a lot of fun, though I don't use it at all in the states. My brother does. But yeah...Akihabara was...scarring.

Im from the uk
I dont use my ds much either im not really into it now XD

[SaginumaEki]

Originally Posted by zenit

I supose i could try and find some brasilian publications... but even that here would be hard, i looked in many stores.

I guess you could buy an English one. However, learning a foreign language in another foreign language is HELLA HARD.