|
|
Post by iwakami on Sept 24, 2004 17:02:50 GMT -5
I wanted to see what people wrote in here, but I found that there was nothing.  So here is the first one in this topic. ^^. I am currently learning japanese. It is fun......when i practice, but it is hard because I dont pracice very often. Is there anyone else who speaks japanese, learning or anything else? It would be interesting to talk in japanese......kanji, in here. ^^ |
|
|
|
Post by ChaTeAubRianD on Sept 24, 2004 21:44:20 GMT -5
i learn to speak a little japanese by watching anime with english subtitles. well, it's kinda effective since you can really enjoy both the learning and anime at the same time. for now, all i know is the basics
|
|
|
|
Post by iwakami on Sept 24, 2004 22:13:36 GMT -5
Yeah. I have learned a couple words that way. But I would do better if I took the time to put my lesson cd's on and sit there, with the lesson book as well. I will most of the time just listen to japanese music and look up a word or two every once in a while.
I swear, I am forgetting english sometimes. Cause I listen to nothing but japanese music, and I dont talk all that much during the day. My mom was telling me something and...I could grasp what it was that she way saying, it was like in another language. I dont understand why i could understand her words all that much. Cause she said it loudly and clearly, its just the words didnt register.
|
|
|
|
Post by ChaTeAubRianD on Sept 25, 2004 7:16:11 GMT -5
i'm actually planning of enrolling in a school where they teach japanese but i don't have the time to do so.
you listen to japanese music? i mean like j-pop or j-rock?
i listen to japanese music too. most of the songs i listen to are usually anime themesongs and sometimes i listen to utada hikaru, l'arc enciel, etc. they are sooo great! i simply love j-pop ^-^
|
|
|
|
Post by iwakami on Sept 25, 2004 11:03:29 GMT -5
I listen to a whole bunch of different jrock.
Most jrock but the occasional jpop is awesome. I shall list all the bands I have on cd's.
dir en grey
gazette
12012
mucc
penicillin
PLC
baroque
La:sadies
pierrot
kagrra
miyavi
merry
devil kitty
hide
fatima
janne da arc
vidoll
nightmare
gackt
nightmare
despairsray
T.M.R
larc en ciel
luna sea
madeth gray'll
due le quartz
malice mizer
moi dix mois
deadman
laMule
laputa
Etc.
And I think there are a few more groups, but I would have to look through files on my computer.
Yeah, and I have been listeneing to jmusic for only 7 months. ^^
|
|
|
|
Post by ChaTeAubRianD on Sept 26, 2004 10:28:23 GMT -5
wow  you know a lot of jpop artists. me, i only know a few like siamshade, kuraki mai, utada hikaru, kamui gackt, hyde, larc enciel, dreams come true and some more. you're really devoted in learnig japanese. i'm still confused on which language am i really gonna study but japanese is definitely in my list. |
|
|
|
Post by iwakami on Sept 26, 2004 11:52:14 GMT -5
 Well, I am devoted.......but I really dont take the time to learn. shame on me. I have all the things to learn, yet I dont use them. (LMAO!!!!! VAMPIRES HAVING BABIES ON ANGEL!!!!) Sorry for that outburst. *laugh* my siblings are watching angel where darla has the baby. LOL!!!! Well.....uh, yeah. I can start to learn on my own now, but i would much rather take a class at the community college when I can afford it. To help with pronunciation, and so I can practice it more often.
|
|
|
|
Post by ChaTeAubRianD on Sept 27, 2004 8:48:40 GMT -5
i usually practice speaking japanese with my friend (although we only know a few phrases and stuff) we only insert a few phrases or japanese expressions when talking to each other.
|
|
|
|
Post by Teahouse Keeper on Sept 28, 2004 2:27:35 GMT -5
Mm, just wondering...what's the appeal of Japanese music when it's not really understandable? Do the words really matter? Or do you guys just go for the music/rock?
|
|
|
|
Post by iwakami on Sept 28, 2004 6:54:21 GMT -5
Well.....I was tired of listening to american rock. Cause it all seems to be the same lately.
I have family in japan, so...I thought I would try it out, and if I liked it I would further listen to it.
Plus my sisters friend had some, so we got a cd, and now I like it more.
I dont have that much of a problem with not being able to understand it. I would like ti know what they are saying, so I am learning it. ^^
It was the sound that the bands have that I like. U used to listen to just rock cause I didnt likea ny other sound. But japanese music is different, so i listen to all stuff now.
My substitute teacher was asking me, and I confussed myself. So....I guess that that explaination is okay.
Is it understandable?
|
|
|
|
Post by Teahouse Keeper on Sept 28, 2004 8:45:10 GMT -5
Mm...yeah, understandable  I guess at first, you just liked the sounds, and later, you learn the words... |
|
|
|
Post by iwakami on Sept 29, 2004 7:10:58 GMT -5
Yeah.
Though sometimes its better to not know what they are saying.
But if you like something you feel like you should give it a try.
|
|
urude
Junior Member
Posts: 88
|
Post by urude on Sept 29, 2004 22:54:36 GMT -5
I listen to a whole bunch of different jrock. Most jrock but the occasional jpop is awesome. I shall list all the bands I have on cd's. dir en grey gazette 12012 mucc penicillin PLC baroque La:sadies pierrot kagrra miyavi merry devil kitty hide fatima janne da arc vidoll nightmare gackt despairsray T.M.R larc en ciel luna sea madeth gray'll due le quartz malice mizer moi dix mois deadman laMule laputa Etc. And I think there are a few more groups, but I would have to look through files on my computer. Yeah, and I have been listeneing to jmusic for only 7 months. ^^ [glow=red,2,300][Wahh! Yaa! Another jrock fan!! I love Jrock!! WOW! you have so many CDs. I want them too! Where do you get yours, iwakami? My most favourite band is L'arc~en~Ciel, even though they aren't really jrock. Then it is Nightmare!! I love the vocalist. 8-)I like most of the bands you have CDs of. Wahh.... Miyavi's pretty..... lol There are so many jbands out there, hard to know them all, but it'll be cool to. ;D I love listening to japanese music, I kinda like not understanding the words, it makes you wonder what the singer is singing. It gives off a mysterious sense of feeling and ya.. i'm just talking nonsense. I really like this forum, many nice and cool people [/glow] |
|
urude
Junior Member
Posts: 88
|
Post by urude on Sept 29, 2004 23:06:28 GMT -5
[glow=red,2,300]Lol, oh ya I feel like adding..... Iwakami, i like your diru avatar! Totchi looks very girly in the picture. Do you like Dir en Grey their older music or their newer ones? I like them both! People who like rock, should try out japanese rock bands, if they haven't. They give you a different feel and it's a nice feeling. ;D Dir en Grey is a nice band to start with. Try it out, doing new things are fun!  [/glow] |
|
|
|
Post by yunafan on Sept 30, 2004 1:12:57 GMT -5
im learning japanese for lote this year n the next 2 years. we havent really learned the kanji just some of it we just learned the hiragana n how to say things in japanese, things like wats ur name, wat animal sign r u n stuff. its kinda fun n kinda hard too. i dont really practise that much though ;D i get some phases from watching animes as well n my friend sometimes uses them even though whoever shes talkin to might not understand wat shes sayin.
u know so many j rock bands, iwakami!! i havent even heard of half of wats on ur list!!! im not so much of a jrock fan but i do like japanese songs especially ones from animes since i dont really know any jrock bands.
|
|
|
|
Post by iwakami on Oct 4, 2004 6:42:59 GMT -5
^^, and ikebana, I only have like.....12 or so cd's. I am a really big loser and dont have money or recources to buy cd's. I download and burn all that music. -__-
I really really really really really really want to buy ALL the cd's of bands I know. And I really hope that I can.
But alll my cd's now are mp3's and have about 120 or more songs on each. -__-
Oh, and I like all diru songs. Both new and old are awesome. ^^
|
|
|
|
Post by justarius on Nov 3, 2004 9:36:18 GMT -5
I'm learning Japanese too! ;D I find that watching my anime to be rather detrimental to my language skill though, cos I either sound like a sweet innocent shojo or a manic serial killer.  |
|
|
|
Post by Teahouse Keeper on Nov 4, 2004 23:57:48 GMT -5
A sweet innocent Shojo? Good heavens! I'd sure love to hear it! Do the sweet innocent Shojo for me! I read your continuing story...psychedelic pink elephants! Welcome back Justarius! |
|
|
|
Post by TheCubedOne on Dec 9, 2004 19:16:40 GMT -5
I'm currently majoring in Japanese language and minoring in east asian culture and religon. I've been pathtically slow at learning Japanese sadly. Have only around 300 kanji vocabulary so far. Sadness. It's hard to try and become even mildly fluent in a classroom atmosphere I've found. But, once I obtain my bachelors degree I can apply for the JET (Japanese English Teacher, ((i know the acronym makes little sense)) )program and do work-study in japan for a year on the university payroll. That will surely speed things along. |
|
|
|
Post by arashikarasu on Dec 9, 2004 23:08:00 GMT -5
Sukoshii nihongo wakaru (I know a little Japanese)
I was there for 6 weeks, and I've been self-studying for a long time (no classes around me though T___T) Sugooi! J-rock suki yo! I know a lot of those bands...! (My favorite are currently Psycho le Cemu, dir en grey, malice mizer, moi dix mois, and X Japan) My friend gives me a bunch of J-rock and pop all the time....and I bought a bunch of cds in Tokyo at bookoff. There was also the Hide museum (X Japan..) that place was cool...
Anyways, I can read katakana and hiragana, and I am working on the kanji. I will start doing scanlations soon...after I practice some more that is -__--;;;
|
|
|
|
Post by Teahouse Keeper on Dec 9, 2004 23:26:20 GMT -5
AH!! At last, 2 persons who know Japanese!!! TheCubedOne and Arashikarasu!! Ah.....so happy. Could you guys please translate a short little interview for me? I've been waiting for soooo long..... It's the Peace Maker kurogane interview in the "need translation here" topic under this same section. Click on the Special section at the website and it'll take you to the interview. *waits hopefully* Ah....TheCubedOne, I'm curious about your interest in Japanese language. Are you really looking forward to going on a year of work-study in Japan? Why are you interested in Japan and East Asian culture and religion? Oh!! Arashikarasu, you went to Tokyo?!! When? What's the difference between Katakana, Hiragana and Kanji? What will you be scanlating? |
|
|
|
Post by TheCubedOne on Dec 9, 2004 23:58:58 GMT -5
Ah, the interview....I'd read your request earlier on today, and took a look at the specified page. Unfortunately, I could only read 45-50% of the interview. I can translate the rest by hand if you really really want to know what it says. I don't mind and it gives me good practice that I need anyway. But it will be somewhat time consuming, I could be finished with the gist of it by the weekend. My Japanese is poor at best.
The reason I chose to study east asian culture, is simply because it interests me. I love research by nature, and learning all that I can about the world's cultures, religions and ways of life. I also study philosopy and martial arts in my spare time. I guess I just like setting challenges for myself.
I'm actually looking forward to a year, or longer in a foreign country. My parents were in the military and as such, I moved around every few years as a child and into my teens. Now, every few years I get that itch to travel. Japan is just one of the many stops I'd like to take on the road that is my life.
|
|
|
|
Post by iwakami on Dec 10, 2004 17:00:05 GMT -5
keeper-
Hirigana has a more sursive look
katakana has a more jagged look/ pointed
and kanji is japanese characters, Like they mold a picture into a word.
I think japan is a picture of the sun and a few other things or something like that. they have a sun, and then make it into a symbol.....yeah. I was reading a whole bunch of books and things.
if I have said sosmething that is not correct someone correct me please. ^^, thank you.
|
|
|
|
Post by TheCubedOne on Dec 10, 2004 23:02:35 GMT -5
If you want specifics, hiragana and katakana are both part of the 96 characters, uh maybe 94...that make up japanese syllabic kana, the system by which words are broken down into written parts. Hiragana while rounder and more connected, is used for native japanese words, and katakana, jagged and harsh lines, such as from a sword slash, is used for foreign loan words, or to emphasize something in speech. Often, people's names in anime and manga are written in katakana to give it a heavier meaning. Though sound effects are mostly written in hiragana. Confusing, eh. Kanji is the term for the 25,000+ symbols in the japanese writing system derived from the 50,000+ chinese written symbols. Interestingly, in chinese, there exists nothing like kana, only the character symbols themselves. Ah, the kanji can either mean a specific word, or phrase. When combined make for more descriptive phrasings and longer compound words. For example the kanji for the phrase, 'nihongo' (meaning 'japanese language') is composed of three seperate kanji, 'Nichi' 'Hon' and 'Go'. 'Nichi' is the kanji for sun, 'Hon' the kanji for tree root/origin, and 'Go' is for word, or speech. Literally, Nihongo means speech of the origin of the sun. Since Japanese refers to the name of Japan as 'Nihon', or Nippon, that means place where the sun begins, or 'Land of the Rising Sun,' if you want to be romantic about it. Anyway, there is one thing that makes combining kanji difficult, rather, reading the combinations. Almost all Kanji have two or more pronunciations, the original chinese pronunciation, and the japanese given pronunciations. These are called the Kun-yomi, and the On-yomi. Kun-yomi is the japanese way to read, and On-yomi is the chinese way to read. the verb yomu, here conjugated as -yomi, means reading. That's all for now folks. If anyone wishes for a more indepth explanation on Japanese language, I'd be happy to oblige. |
|
|
|
Post by Teahouse Keeper on Dec 14, 2004 3:50:29 GMT -5
Whoa!! TheCubedOne!! Fascinating stuff!! Thanks for explaining. That's really very good explanation, very interesting. I think you can be a lecturer on campus Yeah, the difference between Hiragana and Katakana is quite confusing without actually seeing graphic examples. I get the impression that Katakana is used for more formal things like names. You mentioned that Katakana is jagged, harsh lines while Hiragana is rounder....But I find that the sound effects in manga are written in jagged and harsh lines. So, I'm confused that sound effects are written in Hiragana rather than Katakana. Mm....so Japanese writing system has a total of 25 000+ symbols that are derived from Chinese symbols. That explains the close similarities between the 2 written languages. I heard that the symbols may look the same, but the pronunciation and meaning are different? I love your explanation of "nihongo". I heard it in anime and thought it meant Japan, rather than Japanese. I fully understand "nihongo" now Very interesting. I also love your explanation of Kun-yomi (Japanese pronunciation) and On-yomi (Chinese pronunciation). Why would there be Chinese and Japanese pronunciations? Is it because the languages share the same root? If that's the case, why would the Japanese adopt the Chinese pronunciation as well? Why not just stick to Japanese pronunciation? Mmm....what else have you got, TheCubedOne?? Ah...you can only read 45-50% of the interview? Mm....it sounds hard for you to translate, although you said it's good practice I don't know whether I should take up your time like this. Will it really be ok for you to translate? Mm....I'm hoping that you can translate, even if it's just a gist of it. But if you're busy, it's ok If you're translating, take all the time you need. I can wait Oh! You like research. Which other cultures have you been studying besides Japan's? Hahaha...you get the itch to travel....which countries have you visited so far? Going to live in Japan....aren't you worried about adapting to the culture there? Iwakami, thanks for explaining too!!  I guess since the Japanese and Chinese languages share the same root, it's not surprising that their words are derived from drawings/pictograms. They transform the drawings into words/symbols. |
|
|
|
Post by Shuichi (V“°Dˆê) on Feb 16, 2005 9:57:47 GMT -5
Well though I might as well post here. Been learning Japanese for about 1 year now, but I still suck at it I guess I just suck at learning languages. Buy in any way I think it's a fun language to learn:D and eventually I hope I will master it hehe:D |
|
|
|
Post by Nomi on Feb 16, 2005 23:11:46 GMT -5
my mom is kinda freak'en out 'cause I've suddenly developed a very
natural Japanese accent-even when I'm just speaking english...
maybe I've over done the Japanese.....
-MiMi
|
|
|
|
Post by Shoe on Feb 17, 2005 4:15:22 GMT -5
Ive developed a japanese accent, now i can do 6 different accents. haha.
Im learning japanese as i watch anime... lol
Im gonna buy some japanese text books soon so i will learn faster.
|
|
|
|
Post by iwakami on Feb 27, 2005 13:02:34 GMT -5
thats so awesome you all. Darn, I see how everyone is great at learning it and I have the stuff I jsut dont put in the effort.  I am so angry at myself. It seems as if watching animes does help with learning. . . . . .though you cant be too sure about the translations. .. . .my uncle (he speaks fluent japanese) said that the person who did the subtitles, was japanese most likely and that they know english. .. .but not so well enough that they could get the best translation for the anime. .. . . i think it was helsing and naruto. |
|
|
|
Post by Nomi on Mar 13, 2005 16:57:56 GMT -5
what really confused me when I first started learning Japanese was how to pronounce the double "i"s-maybe it was just me....
-Nomi
|
|
