Difference between revisions of "Learn to Speak Japanese"
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#*わかります ("I understand.") | #*わかります ("I understand.") | ||
#*しりません ("I don't know.") | #*しりません ("I don't know.") | ||
| − | #Learn numbers. The numerals 1 through 10 are written in Kanji.<ref>http://www.guidetojapanese.org/learn/complete/basic_numbers</ref> They are pronounced using different combinations of the same 46 sounds that are used to pronounce all Japanese characters. Practice counting to ten: | + | #Learn numbers. The numerals 1 through 10 are written in Kanji.<ref name="rf1">http://www.guidetojapanese.org/learn/complete/basic_numbers</ref> They are pronounced using different combinations of the same 46 sounds that are used to pronounce all Japanese characters. Practice counting to ten: |
#*一 (1) | #*一 (1) | ||
#*二 (2) | #*二 (2) | ||
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#Explore more complicated words and phrases. Buy an English - Japanese dictionary and practice pronouncing different words and phrases until you're comfortable with the sounds. Having this foundation will help you excel when you take your Japanese to the next level by signing up for some classes. | #Explore more complicated words and phrases. Buy an English - Japanese dictionary and practice pronouncing different words and phrases until you're comfortable with the sounds. Having this foundation will help you excel when you take your Japanese to the next level by signing up for some classes. | ||
===Learn Japanese Fundamentals=== | ===Learn Japanese Fundamentals=== | ||
| − | #Get to know the Japanese writing systems. Japanese language uses four different writing systems that have different characters.<ref>http://www.guidetojapanese.org/learn/complete/writing</ref> To speak the language, you don't necessarily need to learn how to write in Japanese, but it's important to understand the way the four systems work together. | + | #Get to know the Japanese writing systems. Japanese language uses four different writing systems that have different characters.<ref name="rf2">http://www.guidetojapanese.org/learn/complete/writing</ref> To speak the language, you don't necessarily need to learn how to write in Japanese, but it's important to understand the way the four systems work together. |
| − | #*Hiragana is a Japanese syllabary, a system of characters used to represent distinct Japanese sounds.<ref | + | #*Hiragana is a Japanese syllabary, a system of characters used to represent distinct Japanese sounds.<ref name="rf2" /> |
#*Katakana is similar to Hiragana, in that it is made up of Japanese sounds, but it is mostly composed of words that originated in different languages. It could be considered the syllabary for foreign words. Together, Hiragana and Katakana cover every sound in the Japanese language, 46 in total. | #*Katakana is similar to Hiragana, in that it is made up of Japanese sounds, but it is mostly composed of words that originated in different languages. It could be considered the syllabary for foreign words. Together, Hiragana and Katakana cover every sound in the Japanese language, 46 in total. | ||
#*Kanji are Chinese characters adapted for Japanese that are the foundation of Japanese writing. The sounds used to pronounce Kanji are the same as those used in Hiragana and Katakana. | #*Kanji are Chinese characters adapted for Japanese that are the foundation of Japanese writing. The sounds used to pronounce Kanji are the same as those used in Hiragana and Katakana. | ||
#*In Japanese language, the Latin alphabet is sometimes used for acronyms, company names, and names meant to be read by non-Japanese speakers. | #*In Japanese language, the Latin alphabet is sometimes used for acronyms, company names, and names meant to be read by non-Japanese speakers. | ||
#*Romaji, the written Roman version of Japanese words, is also worth mentioning, even though it is not used in Japan. It is recommended that new students of Japanese skip Romaji and learn Japanese characters instead. Once you start learning Romaji it's difficult to associate Japanese sounds with Japanese characters. | #*Romaji, the written Roman version of Japanese words, is also worth mentioning, even though it is not used in Japan. It is recommended that new students of Japanese skip Romaji and learn Japanese characters instead. Once you start learning Romaji it's difficult to associate Japanese sounds with Japanese characters. | ||
| − | #Learn Japanese pronunciation. The sounds corresponding to the Hiragana<ref>http://www.guidetojapanese.org/learn/complete/hiragana</ref> and Katakana<ref>http://www.guidetojapanese.org/learn/complete/katakana</ref> alphabets are composed of either one of five vowel sounds or a combination of a consonant and a vowel sound, with the exception of a few consonant-only sounds. | + | #Learn Japanese pronunciation. The sounds corresponding to the Hiragana<ref name="rf3">http://www.guidetojapanese.org/learn/complete/hiragana</ref> and Katakana<ref name="rf4">http://www.guidetojapanese.org/learn/complete/katakana</ref> alphabets are composed of either one of five vowel sounds or a combination of a consonant and a vowel sound, with the exception of a few consonant-only sounds. |
#*Since each character in Hiragana and Katakana has only one distinct sound, it is relatively easy to learn how to pronounce all 46. Pay special attention to intonation, though, since variations on these basic sounds can drastically change the meaning. | #*Since each character in Hiragana and Katakana has only one distinct sound, it is relatively easy to learn how to pronounce all 46. Pay special attention to intonation, though, since variations on these basic sounds can drastically change the meaning. | ||
#*Whereas English pronunciation is based on accents, Japanese pronunciation is based on pitch. A word may be pronounced the same way and mean something different depending on whether it is spoken in a high or low pitch. To sound like a native speaker, getting intonation right is key. | #*Whereas English pronunciation is based on accents, Japanese pronunciation is based on pitch. A word may be pronounced the same way and mean something different depending on whether it is spoken in a high or low pitch. To sound like a native speaker, getting intonation right is key. | ||
| − | #Learn variations on Japanese sounds. Japanese characters may be written with extra strokes to signify that they should be pronounced with an additional sound.<ref>http://www.guidetojapanese.org/learn/complete/more_sounds</ref> The additional sounds fall into these categories: | + | #Learn variations on Japanese sounds. Japanese characters may be written with extra strokes to signify that they should be pronounced with an additional sound.<ref name="rf5">http://www.guidetojapanese.org/learn/complete/more_sounds</ref> The additional sounds fall into these categories: |
#*Voiced consonants, which are pronounced with a "voice," a vibration in the throat. There are 4 voiced consonants and one semi-voiced consonant. | #*Voiced consonants, which are pronounced with a "voice," a vibration in the throat. There are 4 voiced consonants and one semi-voiced consonant. | ||
#*Y-vowel sounds, which can directly follow consonant sounds to change the pronunciation. | #*Y-vowel sounds, which can directly follow consonant sounds to change the pronunciation. | ||
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#Understand Japanese grammar. Japanese grammar is quite different from other languages, but it follows a logical format that is easy to learn. The following is true about Japanese grammar: | #Understand Japanese grammar. Japanese grammar is quite different from other languages, but it follows a logical format that is easy to learn. The following is true about Japanese grammar: | ||
#*Nouns don't have plural forms and they don't change according to gender. | #*Nouns don't have plural forms and they don't change according to gender. | ||
| − | #*Verbs don't change according to gender, number, or whether the subject is an object or person.<ref>http://www.easyjapanese.org/grammar.html</ref> | + | #*Verbs don't change according to gender, number, or whether the subject is an object or person.<ref name="rf6">http://www.easyjapanese.org/grammar.html</ref> |
#*The predicate is always at the end of the sentence. | #*The predicate is always at the end of the sentence. | ||
#*Personal pronouns vary based on different levels of politeness and formality. | #*Personal pronouns vary based on different levels of politeness and formality. | ||
| − | #*Particles directly follow the word they relate to. For example, instead of saying "I am Japanese," it would be "I Japanese am."<ref | + | #*Particles directly follow the word they relate to. For example, instead of saying "I am Japanese," it would be "I Japanese am."<ref name="rf6" /> |
===Get Professional Instruction=== | ===Get Professional Instruction=== | ||
#Sign up for courses at a university or community college. Japanese is a popular language that is taught at nearly every university and community college. Check into taking a course at a local school so that you can learn under the instruction of someone who is fluent in Japanese. | #Sign up for courses at a university or community college. Japanese is a popular language that is taught at nearly every university and community college. Check into taking a course at a local school so that you can learn under the instruction of someone who is fluent in Japanese. | ||
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#Study Japanese in Japan. Taking a trip to Japan and spending as much time there as possible is the best way to learn Japanese, period. If you can arrange it, find a way to work or study there for 6 months or more so you can spend time soaking in the language and practicing all day long. | #Study Japanese in Japan. Taking a trip to Japan and spending as much time there as possible is the best way to learn Japanese, period. If you can arrange it, find a way to work or study there for 6 months or more so you can spend time soaking in the language and practicing all day long. | ||
#*If you're enrolled in a college or university, look into study abroad programs in Japan. You may be able to take classes there for a semester or more. | #*If you're enrolled in a college or university, look into study abroad programs in Japan. You may be able to take classes there for a semester or more. | ||
| − | #*You could also try to work there for a few months or longer. The organization WWOOF,<ref>http://www.wwoofjapan.com/main/index.php?lang=en WWOOF</ref> which stands for World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms, lets you work on a farm in exchange for room and board. This is a great way to immerse yourself in the language of another country for as long as you want to stay. | + | #*You could also try to work there for a few months or longer. The organization WWOOF,<ref name="rf7">http://www.wwoofjapan.com/main/index.php?lang=en WWOOF</ref> which stands for World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms, lets you work on a farm in exchange for room and board. This is a great way to immerse yourself in the language of another country for as long as you want to stay. |
== Tips == | == Tips == | ||
