Can you speak Japanese? [Archive]

08-08-2007, 07:54 PM

Did you forget the poll?

The more I drink, the better I speak, but I am in no way near proficient in Japanese language. I just don't have enough use for it in daily life, so I never improve.

I go through MANY days without speaking any Japanese whatsoever. Everyone I work with speaks English fluently, and my wife became fluent in English after I married her so she doesn't speak Japanese to me much at all.

I've tried learning from time to time, but it's hard to stay focused on learning a language that doesn't have an immediate impact on my life when my duties and projects already spread me thin as it is.

Muku

08-08-2007, 08:02 PM

Did you forget the poll?
Actually on the thread I asked someone to delete I did, sorry about that:(

This time I think you managed to post a reply while I was thinking of the poll questions. I think that the post comes up first and then the poll later.

Oh I voted I can understand the news.

I also could probably not go a day without having to speak Japanese as I live with my inlaws and they do not speak English at all.

DoctorP

08-08-2007, 08:06 PM

The more I drink, the better I speak, but I am in no way near proficient in Japanese language.

This is me! While we were in Kyushu everyone was shocked...they couldn't believe how much I knew because I hardly use it with them here. We went to a snack one night and one guy told the girls that I couldn't speak Japanese. Then next thing he knew...I was off to the races! Everyone's mouth about hit the floor!

I have to use it almost daily at work, and with my neighbors. I have no Americans living anywhere near me. Could I function without it...probably, but life would be much harder!

I voted that I can not understand the TV...many times I can...but often the news and TV shows are speaking way too fast for me to comprehend it all.

08-08-2007, 08:15 PM

I voted "Yes, pretty well, but I can't understand TV".

blacktulip

08-08-2007, 08:32 PM

If they write it out in kanji I can understand! :p

socalheart

08-08-2007, 09:07 PM

Me and the kinderkids will just sit back in the sandbox and talk about the weather. heh. My husband says he wants to teach the dog, which we have yet to buy, in Japanese. I reminded him that he doesn't speak Japanese, but to buy a beer at Lawson's. ha!

thistle

08-09-2007, 12:46 PM

I voted 'Yes, I even understand the TV news in japanese', but it was a little
hard to choose, I think I speak japanese pretty fluently and am usually mistaken for a japanese on the phone. However I don't understand all the news in japanese, especially if they are talking about economics or politics,
but I do understand everything else on Japanese T.V. except for those stupid variety, game shows which I don't really want to understand so never watch anyway.
Comedy however is something which I think is never possible to understand completely in a second language.

coldnoodles

08-09-2007, 09:08 PM

I watch the Japnese channels in cooking and all the interesting things they make!! I try it out on my husband and he keeps telling me to keep watching it, it saves money instead of going out!!

When I go and try a new restaurant by myself I know enough words to get by, I understand them more than I can speak it!!! But I rather have my husband with me sometimes when I have no clue what they are saying, and I usually end up calling someone to translate for me! I can read when it says Okinawa soba!!

My husband watches the Japanese channels all the time he likes those game shows he understands it.

StreetBiker

08-13-2007, 05:59 PM

I wish i could speak it. and i don't have time for classes so i'm never gona learn which kinda sucks :-(

Muku

08-13-2007, 07:13 PM

I wish i could speak it. and i don't have time for classes so i'm never gona learn which kinda sucks :-(
Depends on how you choose to look at it, I've never gone to school or had any classes to learn Japanese. You can do it if you want to, good luck!

DoctorP

08-14-2007, 05:23 PM

I've taken classes and learned quite a bit...but to me textbook Japanese will not get you very far. For one...the wording you learn is a bit dated and isn't accepted well by the listener. I think some of you may know what I am referring to.

atb35

08-20-2007, 08:51 AM

I really want to learn some Japanese while I am here, at least conversational type stuff. Seriously though, I really do want to learn enough to get by. My goal is to learn as much about Okinawa as I can and its history. Being able to understand and converse with local nationals would go a long way in helping me accomplish that.

What is the best way to do this for those that have learned? Are certain classes that are offered better then others?

P_chan

08-20-2007, 08:55 AM

I really want to learn more japanese. I was doing good for a while, even took a college class. But then I got married, and I just have my wife translate.

DougP

08-20-2007, 09:10 AM

atb35

08-20-2007, 09:47 AM

Ack, that is bad. Knowing me I would try to say my ex is Fusoku and Kawaii, but it would come out Kowai Fuzoku! (well hell, maybe the later could apply...lol, j/k)

Thanks for the advice though, now that im kinda settled in with my job, have a vehicle, Im going to start taking classes.

Muku

08-20-2007, 09:58 AM

I'f you have the time take classes. As far as tips I stress the following:
1.)Vocabulary Vocabular Vocabulary
2.)Learn hiragana and katakana as it will help you read some of the simple signs menus etc. It will also help you with pronunciation and learning new words.
3.) Interact. Get away from base and converse with Okinawans. The importance of this is that it will train your ears and improve your pronunciation.

One of the biggest do nots of speaking japanese is don't treat it like english.
In other words you can't just pronounce the words as you'd like or in "your" accent like you can with english. If you pronounce a word just slightly off it can have a whole new meaning.

examples:

Kawaii かわいい　(kah wah ee-) means cute
Kowai こわい　(koh wa ee ) means scary
Fusoku ふそく　(foo soh koo ) shortage, insufficient
Fuzoku ふぞく　(foo zoh koo ) prostitute

There's a whole lot more I could give as examples but you get the idea. Don't get discouraged, just keep practicing and you'll be amazed at how much you'll pick up.

First off for the word "kawaii" or cute one would lengthen the "ee" at the end. For "kowai" the end would sound more like someone saying the letter "I" .

Also wanted to point out herre that the word prostitute is "Baishunfu" 売春婦, ばいしゅんぷ and not "fuzoku". Believe it or not there are tons of words in Japanese for prostitute but unfortunately "fuzoku" is not one of them.

The word ふぞく fuzoku, or as he wrote, foo zoh koo, means attached to or belonging to as in Ryukyu Daigakku Fuzoku Chugakkou. The University of the Ryukyu's Attached Junior High School.

風俗　is the word that he is looking for and it is pronounced
ふうぞく, fu u zo ku, and it means the sex industry and does not refer to a person per say. However the exact same kanji also has the meaning of customs or manners.

That little 　う changes the word 100%.

DougP

08-20-2007, 10:08 AM

Ah I see what I did.....The fuzoku I'm refering to is ふうぞく　風俗 I typed it out wrong in hiragana. My bad :) The one you're refering to is 附属　I think.... Fuuzoku is another word for prostitute though.
On the spelling of Kawaii- I put the - at the end to emphasize the long eeeee sound. and ee just being the substitute for i :) good for first timers.
I believe I got it right when I typed it out in hiragana if not then oops

Medama_Oyaji

08-22-2007, 09:27 PM

yes .

silviasichigo

08-23-2007, 08:01 AM

Yes I can watch Japanese TV and news, But the hardest thing I have ever tried to do is order at a McDonalds Drive through, They see me in that damn Camera and it is all over. "Pleasz Come window" No further Comment

Koopa Troopa

08-23-2007, 11:24 PM

Does Japanglish count?

veniceia

08-24-2007, 12:53 PM

I'd voted "Yes, enough to say "Good Morning""! I'm really interested to learn Japanes language. As a matter of fact I enrolled in a language school (http://foreignlanguage.com.es) online to help me more. It is also a preparation for me, because I have some plans on working at japan.

Paul McDaniel

09-01-2007, 01:09 PM

Anybody newly interested in learning some basic Japanese language can get started right now (and at no cost at all) also by going to www.okinawablue.com and clicking on “Speak Japanese” just above the picture. There are three pages of 20 handy phrases each. Just touch the cursor to the text, listen, and repeat aloud until you own it. The English text is also audible for those learning English.

Muku

09-01-2007, 01:27 PM

watashi wa nihongo shabenai.
Eigo mo shabenai.

Jyaaa nani go hanaseruka?

Muku

09-01-2007, 02:02 PM

Hogan LOL
mensore
nee dei taa....
Changanju! Machondo!

hardplayer

09-04-2007, 05:45 PM

No, I can't speak much Japanese. Sukoshi. But trying to learn.

socalheart

09-04-2007, 05:53 PM

In school, we spoke OCS dialect, a mix of hogan, Japanese and English. It was also adaptable to Spanish. :D heh.

09-04-2007, 06:12 PM

Heh, at OCS, I didn't even try to speak Japanese. :p

I think I always got B-'s and C's in the class even! I just didn't have an interest at the time...

DougP

09-05-2007, 12:52 AM

I knew a couple of people that went to OCS if its the same OCS you guys are talking about..

Muku

09-05-2007, 06:20 AM

I knew a couple of people that went to OCS if its the same OCS you guys are talking about..
You mean Okinawa Credit Service:rolleyes:

09-05-2007, 09:07 AM

I knew a couple of people that went to OCS if its the same OCS you guys are talking about..
Probably the same OCS.

antonio gonzalez

09-06-2007, 06:01 AM

you can learn japanese for free in your own home, if you go to: Bristol University- Language Centre Online Resources For Japanese

Muku

09-06-2007, 06:25 AM

you can learn japanese for free in your own home, if you go to: Bristol University- Language Centre Online Resources For Japanese

I wonder how many people on this board right now can do kanji to enlish translation?

I know enough, can read enough, not to get lost, go hungry, get taken care of at the "right" hospital, buy the right grocerys, but I cant write for crap.

atb35

09-06-2007, 07:13 AM

I just started learning lastnight, class will be $40, but to me, being able to have someone pronounce the words and sentences correctly is well worth it.

atb35

09-06-2007, 07:28 AM

you can learn japanese for free in your own home, if you go to: Bristol University- Language Centre Online Resources For Japanese

Do you have a link to the site specifically?

Muku

09-06-2007, 08:24 AM

Do you have a link to the site specifically?

Well here are a few that may be of assistance; :D

The Japan Learning Resources Links Page (http://www.cs.ucl.ac.uk/staff/m.rowley/resources.html)

This link is to a comprehensive listing of sites and information about learning Japanese on line as as it says FREE learning resources.
A listing of free learning resources for the learners of the Japanese language. All are freely available on the web - no payments, no logins (with one exception which works with anonymous guest login), no subscription requirements.

Japanese Verbs (http://www.timwerx.net/language/jpverbs/index.htm#contents)

For learning Kanji, one a day and site for looking up words and kanji meanings:
Kanji a Day (http://www.kanji-a-day.com/)

I have letterally many many more links to sites but these here should be more than enough to get anyone started. If you or anyone wants any more feel free to ask.

Oh here is a GREAT site for translating, looking up words, finding Kanji. It takes a little bit of work to get the hang of using it but once you know how it is a great tool.

Jim Breen's WWWJDIC Japanese Dictionary Server (http://www.csse.monash.edu.au/~jwb/wwwjdic.html)

Let me repeat this link here is outstanding as a dictionary for english to Japanese or vice versa. The dictionary also is able to translate from romaji to english as well, plus a few other languages too.

Maybe dk should make this information a "sticky" here for people looking for information about learning Japanese?!:D

OCanadaOurHomeAndNativeLand

11-26-2007, 03:45 PM

AI think.... Fuuzoku is another word for prostitute though.

I you wrote it as 風俗嬢 - fuuzokujou, you'd be correct.

Muku

11-26-2007, 05:19 PM

I you wrote it as 風俗嬢 - fuuzokujou, you'd be correct.

Dude if you are going to necromance a thread learn to do it with panache (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panache), and not just to point out something that was posted over 3 months ago. :rolleyes::rolleyes:

OCanadaOurHomeAndNativeLand

11-26-2007, 07:21 PM

Comprenez-vous la belle langue? Devons-nous discuter la philosophie ? Peut-être nous pouvons parler de la nourriture et du vin. Nous aurons toujours Paris.<3

TheNoNamedOne

11-26-2007, 07:53 PM

Dude if you are going to necromance a thread learn to do it with panache (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panache), and not just to point out something that was posted over 3 months ago. :rolleyes::rolleyes:

If a thread has not been closed it is fair to bring back and discuss or add to it, and or point out something posted in the past -- no matter how far back. No need to throw cold water on anyone and their effort in bringing back an old thread. This has already been discussed I think in a few places.

Muku

11-26-2007, 08:12 PM

If a thread has not been closed it is fair to bring back and discuss or add to it, and or point out something posted in the past -- no matter how far back. No need to throw cold water on anyone and their effort in bringing back an old thread. This has already been discussed I think in a few places.

Any more comments from the peanut gallery?:rolleyes:

TheNoNamedOne

11-26-2007, 08:15 PM

Like I said, threads not closed by the Admin/mod team are there to be commented on at anytime by anyone and to reply to past posts. You do not need to throw cold water on those who decide to go back to old threads and posts.

Muku

11-26-2007, 08:20 PM

11-26-2007, 08:24 PM

Neither of you are in the wrong. Nothing needs to be moderated. Please move along.

Muku

11-26-2007, 08:27 PM

Neither of you are in the wrong. Nothing needs to be moderated. Please move along.

Thank you, moving along here!:D

OCanadaOurHomeAndNativeLand

11-26-2007, 09:54 PM

panache
Since you won't chat in French with me, put your wife on:D

While this is not a rule violation, do not bring the personal relations of others who are not part of the forum into the discussion. This kind of antagonizing is not conducive for discussion.

ja_Patriot

11-26-2007, 10:56 PM

Comprenez-vous la belle langue? Devons-nous discuter la philosophie ? Peut-être nous pouvons parler de la nourriture et du vin. Nous aurons toujours Paris.<3

Mais, mon ami, laissez tomber la. Quand on commence a faire de n'importe qu'elle facon de la connorie, on arret commes des adultes, n'est-ce pas?

Sinon on dirait que ceux qui parlent ou connaissent un peu de la langue française se portent mal. Il s'agit meme pas d'une affaire de l'argent.

Eh, voila, peu-etre tout peut-il aller comme des monsieurs du monde?!

OCanadaOurHomeAndNativeLand

11-26-2007, 11:22 PM

Oui, bien sûr. Vous êtes bien habile. Je n'ai pas de querelle avec vous. Il s'agit d'une simple question de prouver soi-même.

Bonne nuit, mon ami.

ja_Patriot

11-26-2007, 11:24 PM

Mais, mon ami, laissez tomber la. Quand on commence a faire de n'importe qu'elle facon de la connorie, on arret commes des adultes, n'est-ce pas?

Sinon on dirait que ceux qui parlent ou connaissent un peu de la langue française se portent mal. Il s'agit meme pas d'une affaire de l'argent.

Eh, voila, peu-etre tout peut-il aller comme des monsieurs du monde?!

Loose (not literal) translation of above for the benefit of other members:

But, my friend, let it go. When it starts to develop into a type of foolishness, we know when to stop, we being adults, don't we?

If not, one would say that those who speak or know a little French carry themselves poorly. It's not even about anything worthwhile (like money.)

Perhaps we can just have things go like gentlemen of the world. - ja

DoctorP

11-27-2007, 05:42 AM

Everybody drop it...keep the petty crap out of the threads. It gets old really fast!

ja_Patriot

11-27-2007, 09:51 AM

Oui, bien sûr. Vous êtes bien habile. Je n'ai pas de querelle avec vous. Il s'agit d'une simple question de prouver soi-même.

Bonne nuit, mon ami.

Loose translation of the above for the benefit of other users as post by eelecurb:

Sure. I don't have a quarrel with anyone. Sometimes it boils down to a simple question of defending oneself.

Good night, my friend.

Note to DocP: Can you combined this with the other thread of the same topic? Thanks. -ja

OCanadaOurHomeAndNativeLand

11-27-2007, 10:46 AM

Thanks for the translation Ja_Patriot.

I tried to reply to you:
Yes, of course. You are very smart. I don't have a quarrel with you. Sometimes, it is a simple matter of proving yourself. Good night, my friend.

It was in context to some posters alluding to mad skills, but never stepping up to the plate.

On n'y peut rien.

Muku

11-27-2007, 10:49 AM

It was in context to some posters alluding to mad skills, but never stepping up to the plate.

No it is your assumptions again and again and again and again.

Dont you ever get tired of making yourself out to look like an ASSumption?

BigMan40

12-21-2007, 01:51 PM

Well I voted Yes, I even understand the TV news in Japanese. I basically learned by hanging out with the locals and trying to have conversation with them. I didnt learn by school or book because they told me alot of people now days dont talk by the book and there is alot of slang. So if you want to learn just try to talk to some people and you will pick up on it fast!

Its funny because where Im from no one in a million years would ever think I can speak in Japanese.:cool: