Makoto Shinkai English Fan Forum and Site

Laz · Laz Joined: 09 Jan 2008 Posts: 1073

I've gotten through a few chapters in one book. I think the hard part is going to be the kanji and other character sets. I'm to the point where I can convert Japanese to English when reading ... but my ears still haven't gotten the hang of normal speed Japanese yet. I've got a long way to go Smile

_________________
You're a woman, I'm a calf ... you're a window, I'm a knife ... we come together making chance into starlight ... - Jeff Buckley

ここにいるよ. - Voices of a Distant Star

Junpei · Posted: Tue Jun 03, 2008 8:58 am Post subject:

Just recieved my mid-year report today and I'm surprised to find I ranked first in my Japanese class. I usually don't care for these things as long as I can benefit or learn but it feels nice to score first for the first time in a subject.

Janny · Posted: Sat Jun 14, 2008 7:47 pm Post subject:

Nice to see many people here are learning Japanese, but I find kanji almost impossible to learn, so I wanna ask - is it mandatory to master? I know that most newspapers are written in kanji, but what about books?
As a side note, I've never understood how Japanese people read a book - is the text vertically positioned and do they read it from back to front (much like manga, really)?
_________________
Of all the things I've lost, I miss my mind the most.

Junpei · Posted: Sun Jun 15, 2008 12:44 am Post subject:

I'm bad at explaining so forgive me.

In Japanese, there are two sets of the alphabet; hiragana and katakana. Though they are written differently, they're basically the same syllables. Kanji is usually used for more important matters such as names but mainly because each kanji character has a meaning or definition so instead of writing out something in hiragana, you write the kanji which is shorter and more appropriate. (Despite it being complex =P) Note that not all words have their own kanji.

As for Japanese books, whether the text is vertical or horizontal, it is mainly read from right to left although nowadays western style is being adapted everywhere.

Laz · Laz Joined: 09 Jan 2008 Posts: 1073

I'm starting off with hiragana and then katakana. I've got a book on Kanji ... but with about 2000 characters to memorize ... it's going to take a while.
_________________
You're a woman, I'm a calf ... you're a window, I'm a knife ... we come together making chance into starlight ... - Jeff Buckley

ここにいるよ. - Voices of a Distant Star

Junpei · Posted: Sun Jun 15, 2008 4:33 am Post subject:

Well yes, but isn't that the good thing about it. Striving for something.

Laz · Laz Joined: 09 Jan 2008 Posts: 1073

Yep ... I'll get there eventually Smile

_________________
You're a woman, I'm a calf ... you're a window, I'm a knife ... we come together making chance into starlight ... - Jeff Buckley

ここにいるよ. - Voices of a Distant Star

Junpei · Posted: Mon Jun 16, 2008 4:08 am Post subject:

To be honest, I was considering in choosing to study Japanese, Italian and French but I figured maybe just Japanese is enough since it will get difficult with trying to learn all these languages at the same time. I probably won't have the time anyway.

Janny · Posted: Mon Jun 16, 2008 7:04 am Post subject:

I'd suggest focusing on one language at a time. I found French easier to learn since it's similar to my mother language, but Japanese is equally interesting for me to study because I have the tendency to be addicted to anything Japanese-related..
It's still a challenge to learn so many kanji symbols, so I try to motivate myself with sweets; first one to master them gets a truck-load of cookies Very Happy

_________________
Of all the things I've lost, I miss my mind the most.

Junpei · Posted: Tue Jun 17, 2008 7:16 am Post subject:

Yes, one at a time Smile

Not mentioning I'm interested in German also. =D