Absorbing Language ...

NetOperator Wibby · Posted: Sun Dec 28, 2008 5:24 pm Post subject: Absorbing Language ...

I already feel foolish but I'll go ahead anyway ... I have been wanting to learn Japanese for quite some time and I have some questions. Let's say I suscribe to some Japanese teaching podcasts and I listen to them when I'm asleep or even just going about my day. Since I would constantly have it on in the background, would it be easier to pick up the language with Rosetta Stone [have some coupons]?

I know for kids it's pretty easy to learn multiple languages at the same time being that because they are pretty new to the world, they take in virutally everything without a problem. Just wanted to know if this applies to people who are [obviously] a bit older. Also, I know there are some people on this forum who are fluent in the language, at least conversationally.

The only things I can say is, "Hi, my name is Paul. How are you?" and I can write my first and last name in katagana. My mom can learn languages pretty quickly [ambidextrous as well ... does that help? Using both sides of the brain anyway] and she tried to teach Japanese to me and my sisters when we were younger. I also took Advanced Latin for 4 years so I can pick up on some things a little faster than others.

Well, that's all from my long-winded post!

EDIT: Fixed typos, arrr OCD.
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Dingo · Posted: Sun Dec 28, 2008 7:21 pm Post subject:

After taking with Mona and Nenji, the same thing I keep hearing is immersion, immersion, immersion.

Keeping a daily exercise going with the language keeps things fresh in your mind.
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NetOperator Wibby · Posted: Sun Dec 28, 2008 8:31 pm Post subject:

Hmm, that makes sense. How are you going about with your immersion?
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HikariMiyuki · Posted: Mon Dec 29, 2008 11:07 am Post subject:

I'm currently learning some basics with a game on my Nintendo DS Lite called "My Japanese Coach" (and the coach's name is Haruka too... reminds me of Netto's mom)

I've learned a bit (But due to lazyness and no one to practice it with, i keep forgetting) And recently I completed my hiragana training (I am worse when it comes to characters. I have to refer back so many times! >_<)

Do you think I could learn japanese from a video game?
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Midnight · Posted: Tue Dec 30, 2008 7:22 pm Post subject:

It really doesn't matter the media that you are learning the language from--it is still a source material, and based on the person and his or her inclination to learn said language, the rate of uptake and absorption of the new material will differ. Some people are particularly inept at languages; others are polyglots.

However, much like any skill, with disuse comes gradual loss of the skill, in this case, language. Being placed somewhere where you are forced to use the language to get around greatly increases the ability to retain and master the language. It's much like a body-building training regimen--with constant exercise and frequent use, muscles will grow and become more efficient in what they do, while disuse leads to atrophy.

In short, to best learn a language, use it frequently, and also have discipline in the way that you do study it.
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NetOperator Wibby · Posted: Tue Dec 30, 2008 8:21 pm Post subject:

Discipline seems to be key here ... thanks for your suggestions guys!
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itoshinojjp · Age: 43 Joined: 24 Dec 2008 Posts: 8

Edit: Hmm.. seems I can't post URLs... but Wibby, check your PM

NetOperator Wibby · Posted: Wed Dec 31, 2008 2:16 pm Post subject:

Hah, thanks for the info man and welcome to REO-Online!
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Tas_man001 · Posted: Sun Jan 04, 2009 7:28 pm Post subject:

Yeah my Japanese Teacher does the immersion thing, she basically speaks in japanese for most of the class (Or writes when needed) and yeah, it may be all right for you to learn it as long as you stay diligent and focused. also if you are trying to write, I recommend flashcards, also what helps me is writing it over and over until it sticks.
recently what I've been doing to try and stay on track is similar to HikariMiyuki, I'm not using a learning game, but just imported games in general. and if you have DS there is a game thats like $60 but great to have because it translates english into hirigana, katakana, and/or kanji. though I can't remember what its called. I'll post it up later, which I've heard can help when you are trying to learn on your own.
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Saito-kun · Posted: Mon Jan 05, 2009 12:26 pm Post subject:

Haha, I thought about putting on Japanese podcasts while I slept too. X) I've learned quite a bit of vocab just by watching Rockman.exe subs. :O I can pick out a lot of what's being said without looking at the subtitles. Once I wrote down every Japanese word I could think of-- filled up quite a bit of space. Rolling Eyes

I've been told by many that I'm very language-oriented...

Anywho, I really want to learn it fully and visit Japan sometime. :D

NetOperator Wibby · Posted: Mon Jan 05, 2009 2:22 pm Post subject:

That reminds me ... I was talking to a guy I work with about taking Latin classes in high school. My mom forced me to take it freshman year and I stuck with it for the remaining 3. Being as how [nearly] everyone ran for dear life when the word "Latin" was uttered, I was part of the few people in the school who took Latin I so my class was merged with the Advanced Latin class.

Needless to say, I was way in over my head but for some reason I could pronounce every word correctly when we had group readings, even if I never saw the word before. I was so good at this in fact, my Latin professor designated me to be the official reader of the class.

The guy I work with said it was because I had a "language tongue" or something like that, I forget the exact words. But basically, I was born to learn languages [if that makes sense]. It just boils down to having enough time to sit down and pay attention to the lessons. I watched all of Rockman Beast raw [b/c I downloaded the wrong torrent ... T_T] and now know just a tad bit more than I used to. Also, hearing words and looking at the facial expressions help when trying to decipher meanings.
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Saito-kun · Posted: Mon Jan 05, 2009 4:02 pm Post subject:

Exactly how I am. Smile

Aren't we just too cool for our britches? Laughing

HikariMiyuki · Posted: Tue Jan 06, 2009 1:44 am Post subject:

Sometimes when I watch Rockman Exe, I could kinda understand what the characters say, though not exactly what they say. But when I watch other anime I don't get much of it X( except frequently used words such as the basic ones.
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...............

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Tas_man001 · Posted: Tue Jan 13, 2009 9:45 pm Post subject:

Nenji · Posted: Sat Jan 17, 2009 6:14 pm Post subject:

With that dictionary for many Kanji it's vital knowing stroke order, so in reality unless you've done Chinese before like I have and already know the rules, it will take you a while of practising Kanji before you know the stroke orders. Sometimes the recognition tool will pull up the one you want if you get the order wrong, but I've sometimes written a Kanji almost perfectly and had to try again because I got to strokes in the wrong order.

As for me, I study two languages at University: Chinese and Japanese, and am learning Latin on the side for fun. What depends is what you want out of the language.

If you want to speak the language like a native and instantly comprehend like you would with English, there is only one long term solution and that is to live in that country and to use the language as much as possible.

That said, if you just want to be able to watch Anime without subtitles and play video games in Japanese, after a year of study at University level you'll probably pick up all the Katakana names and basic sentences. After 2 years, you'll start to pick up more and at 3 you might be able to learn the basic plot. Japanese is at least in my experience, easier to comprehend for a beginner than Chinese or English. You'll pick up a surprising amount in Anime even with the fundamentals. Ones like Sailor Moon or Lucky Star that have lots of things revolving around school or everyday life are very good in that they use a lot of the basic fundamental vocabulary.

So, if you're serious about learning Japanese you should keep on watching Anime (with subtitles though Razz

), listen to music, read Manga and other things and play games. I've also been told that drama programs are very good as well although I have little interest in these. And of course, talk to any friends who know Japanese. It'll help keep it fresh in your mind and if they're bilingual, then they can help you. People can chat to me in Japanese if they want. I'm not great myself, but I like to practice and it's fun. Let me know on IRC if you're interested and we can swap emails.
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Saito-kun · Posted: Sat Jan 17, 2009 8:14 pm Post subject:

You don't even have to learn it at Uni to be able to pick up basic sentences and get the gist of the plot. Smile

I learned a teeny smidgen of spanish in high school, (nowhere near a year's worth) and whenever I try to remember a certain word, the Japanese one automatically comes into my head instead. XD People who like to show off their Spanish skills to me in IM's seem annoyed when it takes me a while to remember a Spanish reply since I'm so pompously saying, "All I can remember is how to say it in Japanese." XD Good times...

NetOperator Wibby · Posted: Sat Jan 17, 2009 9:31 pm Post subject:

Heh, I pretty much figured I'd have to move to Japan to get the best learning experience possible. Just immersing yourself in the culture would help as well I think. Thanks to everyone for the great suggestions and such, they've been very helpful.

@Nenji: I don't know a thing about IRC [but I know REO has a chatroom on it] so I'll get on that in a couple weeks.
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Mona Risa · Posted: Sun Jan 18, 2009 12:19 pm Post subject:

*Wow, am I late with this reply or what? XD*

Dingo and Nenj are absolutely right. When learning a language like Japanese, it's vital to stay in almost daily contact with it. Whether it is watching tv, reading books or writing letters.

The best way to start learning Japanese is with the alphabets. I learned mine with this website: http://kanjistep.com/ It helped me pick up the characters pretty fast.

The schoolbooks I had at freshman year were a series of books called Minna no Nihongo. It has some pretty good tips and great explanation of grammar, but one downside is that the vocabulary has no roumaji (Roman script).

One little personal tip is the following. When learning a language, try to translate English sentences you say, read or write into that language in your mind. It's difficult in the beginning, but as I learned more, I could manage it more.

Ofcourse, one of the biggest plusses I have is that I have native speakers around me to talk to. Talking to Japanese people is one of the best ways to improve your Japanese and definetely a recommendation when you want to test your skill.

If you have some more questions, feel free to drop a comment. ^^
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Nenji · Posted: Sun Jan 18, 2009 5:59 pm Post subject:

Because of the Anime phenomenon there certainly are a lot of online resources to help you learn. I simply used Japanese at University as an example because I'm familiar with that, and also because University courses are usually faster paced than school ones because students are assumed to already have the self-motivation and skills to study well on their own outside of contact hours.

However, be very wary of learning your grammar from Anime and Manga, or music or television programs. Many times characters and singers will use shortened grammar, or the wrong gender, or even plain incorrect grammar because it's part of their characterisation. Vocab and practice is okay, but make sure you always learn your grammar from a credible source!

But learning Hiragana and Katakana is a good start. Katakana will let you read names of English words that have been transliterated into Japanese for instance.
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