Page 2 of 3 FirstFirst 123 LastLast
Results 21 to 40 of 50

Thread: Do YOU speak Japanese?

  1. #21
    Play me a Newfie jig! markusman64ds's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2012
    Location
    Newfoundland
    Posts
    719
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    0
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    0
    Thanked in
    0 Posts

    Default

    I can't read or speak Japanese. The writing looks like scribbles and the speech sounds like gibberish, all because I can't understand it.

    Why can't Japanese be in English

  2. #22
    Super Moderator Moderator
    Custom rank graphic
    Aussie2B's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2004
    Location
    USA
    Posts
    9,277
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    35
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    133
    Thanked in
    111 Posts

    Default

    Speak, no. Understand spoken Japanese, not really. Read, a tiny bit. I know the katakana and hiragana characters, and a very small assortment of kanji. It's just that my understanding of native Japanese is very limited, so my reading skills are 95% used for the purpose of reading English represented with Japanese characters. I'd love to know more, but what I have learned has all been self-taught (without even the assistance of programs like Rosetta Stone or what have you; just online character charts and dictionaries, basically) and I don't think I really have the drive and time to fluently learn the language like that. I am always picking up new words, though, like, for example, I recently memorized "uso" ("lie") and "majime" ("serious"). Anyway, I find that with games, even the most text-heavy ones, the critical information, like the names of characters, locations, moves, items, etc., are often in English (represented via katakana), and that's enough to get by well most of the time. And, yeah, this learning process was started because of Japanese video games (Star Ocean on Super Famicom specifically was my start), but I also import a lot of other Japanese products, like manga, music, etc.

  3. #23
    Cherry (Level 1) layzee's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2006
    Location
    .au
    Posts
    275
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    0
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    0
    Thanked in
    0 Posts

    Default

    My main goal at the moment: Understanding Japanese text via memorising the Kanji (but not necessarily how to read it, that's a longer-term goal) and if possible, without using electronic dictionaries (also a longer-term goal). Concurrent goal: Learning how to write it.

    Sub-goals: Learning how to write Kanji (high priority, concurrent with main goal); increasing vocabulary (high); using the correct readings (i.e. on/kun) (medium-high); comprehending compound Kanji (medium-high); understanding spoken Japanese speech (medium); speaking Japanese (low).

    Current status of main goal: I'm getting there. I am currently in the process of reviewing and memorising 2200 Kanji (i.e. I have already looked at/studied, and associated an English meaning/word to each Kanji, at least several times). Additionally and at the same time, I hope to be able to reproduce/write 2200 Kanji out of thin air.

    The Kanji, which was by far, the main obstacle to my understanding of any sentence, and which used to all looked barely the same to me, are now slowly becoming comprehensible. The Kanji which I think used to all look the same, now all look unique. Each individual Kanji has a story to tell and you would do well to heed it.

    In today's age of technology, learning how to write the Kanji seems like a futile and pointless exercise. In fact, I argue to the contrary. Merely looking at a Kanji (while still useful for recognition purposes) is only partly helpful. I argue that learning the meaning of the Kanji and learning how to write it are linked (doing one, helps the doing the other). It is by writing the Kanji with a pen, and with the correct stroke order, that you will be able to get a "feel" of the Kanji. In time, writing a particular Kanji will not require thinking. You will learn and write a Kanji the same way tennis player hits a ball over the net. It will become a reflex action. A good side-effect is that your usage of electronic dictionaries (with pen input) will be more efficient, where correct stroke order is relatively important.

    Above all, with the exceptions of the simplest and most basic Kanji, all Kanji does not consist of mere lines or strokes. Rather, each Kanji can be separated into smaller parts, and these are called "radicals" or "primitives". And it is with these radicals/primitives, these building blocks for which you can use to construct a story for that particular Kanji. This strategy will be necessary for both your writing and for your understanding of the Kanji. Either that, or just rote learning/brute force it. You don't have a choice.

    Having said that, even if I have all the meanings of the Kanji memorised, I will probably still have trouble with 2 things: 1) compound Kanji (a simple search on an electronic dictionary solves this) and 2) Long and complicated sentences using multiple types of grammar (will need more study on intermediate/advanced grammar for that one).

    But I am optimistic that my goal will be realised in the near future. I will be able to finally play my Super Famicom RPGs (among other things like unreleased Japanese RPGs in the future) in their original language and to satisfy my purist self.
    Last edited by layzee; 03-14-2012 at 08:36 PM.

  4. #24
    Professional Geek Custom rank graphic
    Damaramu's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2005
    Posts
    3,423
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    0
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    1
    Thanked in
    1 Post

    Default

    I took a semester of Japanese in high school and have studied it on my own since then. I can read and write hiragana/katakana and can form basic sentences. VERY basic sentences. I can understand about 30 to 40% of what I hear. I've been meaning to take classes.

    Anyway, what little I know has helped when it comes to import games.

  5. #25
    Insert Coin (Level 0) LordDarkrai's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2012
    Posts
    16
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    0
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    0
    Thanked in
    0 Posts

    Default

    Pretty much no upset for only sayonara and a very few other words.

  6. #26
    Insert Coin (Level 0)
    Join Date
    Jul 2011
    Posts
    103
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    0
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    0
    Thanked in
    0 Posts

    Default

    Hajimemashite Digit press

    O-tearai wa doko ni arimasu ka?

  7. #27
    Cherry (Level 1) ice1605's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2005
    Location
    茨城県つくば市
    Posts
    241
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    0
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    0
    Thanked in
    0 Posts

    Default

    Yeah, right now, I am finishing my 3rd year of Japanese at the university level. I am an electrical engineering and Japanese double major. Starting this summer, I am studying abroad at the University of Tsukuba for a year. I hope that spending a year over there will help me improve my Japanese.
    日本語を話せることも読むことも書くことも全部好きなんですけど、まだまだ上手じゃありません 。
    Lurking since '05

  8. #28
    Strawberry (Level 2) Custom rank graphic
    FoxNtd's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2010
    Location
    USA/米国
    Posts
    569
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    0
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    4
    Thanked in
    4 Posts

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by ice1605 View Post
    日本語を話せる
    可能形使ったら「を」助詞が使えません。このボイスには、その助詞が「が」になります。日本語の学習者は、 この間違いが通常だと思います。

    便利な説明を読むには、下記のサイトをご覧ください。

    http://www.geocities.jp/niwasaburoo/25boisu.html#25.4

    25.4.1 可能形の形についてという部分。

    頑張ってください。

  9. #29
    Cherry (Level 1) ice1605's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2005
    Location
    茨城県つくば市
    Posts
    241
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    0
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    0
    Thanked in
    0 Posts

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by FoxNtd View Post
    可能形使ったら「を」助詞が使えません。このボイスには、その助詞が「が」になります。日本語の学習者は、 この間違いが通常だと思います。

    便利な説明を読むには、下記のサイトをご覧ください。

    http://www.geocities.jp/niwasaburoo/25boisu.html#25.4

    25.4.1 可能形の形についてという部分。

    頑張ってください。
    あ、そうですね。「が」と書いた方がいいですね。ありがとうございます。まだ間違いをしますからもっと勉強 します。
    Lurking since '05

  10. #30
    Strawberry (Level 2) Manhattan Sports Club's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    West Coast, USA
    Posts
    479
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    0
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    0
    Thanked in
    0 Posts

    Default

    I can speak japanese moderately enough. But my main interest is in japanese music and literature (classic novels and manga). I imported alot of text-driven games with intention to play them in the original tongue and indeed I do dabble in some RPGs and Visual Novels but am actually enjoying the learning experience much more than the games in general. It makes it more fun for me to learn something while I play. But I prefer to import stuff like books and music instead.

  11. #31
    Pac-Man (Level 10) TRM's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2002
    Location
    Taiwan
    Posts
    2,892
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    0
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    0
    Thanked in
    0 Posts

    Default

    I don't speak Japanese (though whether I could speak it would have no relation to whether I could read it...) and I do not read it either. Although the idea of playing Famicom games in their original language is exciting, I just do not think that I have enough inspiration to learn to read this language, and this is coming from a guy who speaks English and German, and also a conversational rate of Afrikaans (and used to know some Dutch until he forgot it...could probably fake it though). I also took 2 years of Spanish at the uni and am working on learning Chinese now...

    On another note, Rosetta Stone is garbage. The only reason that program sells as many copies as it does is due to the promotion. I have tinkered with many languages to various levels, and have found RS to be worthless. Many other seasoned language students will tell you the same thing, if you do your research Also, for those of you who remember your English (or whatever your native language is) grammar, consider self-study. Classes move REALLY slow, and I talk from both being an ESL teacher (well technically EFL but that is a different story) and as having been a student in many language classes. A good textbook and a private tutor once a week (to help with pronunciation and potential grammar questions) will take you further, faster, than generic classes.

  12. #32
    Insert Coin (Level 0)
    Join Date
    Apr 2012
    Location
    Northwest Indiana
    Posts
    28
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    0
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    0
    Thanked in
    0 Posts

    Default

    I speak Mandarin Chinese and read a little, and many of the Japanese characters come right from the Chinese, so sometimes I have half a clue what the Japanese is as long as it's written legibly.

  13. #33
    Strawberry (Level 2) Zama's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2010
    Location
    East Coast, U.S.
    Posts
    493
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    0
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    0
    Thanked in
    0 Posts
    PSN
    Mokida

    Default

    I actually took a course in Japanese in college and I was pretty much confused by the end of the semester I think I rather stick with improving English instead (I speak, read, and write in three other languages though) <3


    I lived my life with no fear nor hatred... For these traits are certain to the content of my immortal being.

  14. #34
    Cherry (Level 1) Yamazaki's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2005
    Location
    Japan, Kyoto
    Posts
    391
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    0
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    0
    Thanked in
    0 Posts

    Default

    Hi guys.

    I studied Japanese for 8 years and lots of people say that I am fluent. But my vocabulary and kanji knowledge is definitely crumbling since I dont use it too often here in Germany.
    Guns don't kill people,
    Chuck Norris kills people!

  15. #35
    Insert Coin (Level 0)
    Join Date
    Jul 2012
    Posts
    1
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    0
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    0
    Thanked in
    0 Posts

    Default

    no i can't speak japnese

  16. #36
    Great Puma (Level 12) slapdash's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2002
    Location
    Arlington Hts IL USA
    Posts
    4,051
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    0
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    0
    Thanked in
    0 Posts

    Default

    @vivek88: the next time someone asks, respond "Nihongo ga dekimasen" instead.
    Russ Perry Jr, 2175 S Tonne Dr #114, Arlington Hts IL 60005
    Got any obscure game stuff?

  17. #37
    Yo Joe! Custom rank graphic
    Lady Jaye's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2002
    Location
    Montreal
    Posts
    10,684
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    0
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    1
    Thanked in
    1 Post
    Xbox LIVE
    ladyjaye75
    PSN
    ladyjaye75

    Default

    I've been wanting to take Japanese lessons for a long time, but can't find the time to do so. I'm still hoping that I'll be able to take some basic lessons in September at a local manga lounge (classes are being taught by a very competent teacher), but I'm not sure if I'll be able to. We'll see.

  18. #38
    Insert Coin (Level 0)
    Join Date
    Mar 2011
    Posts
    94
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    0
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    0
    Thanked in
    0 Posts

    Default

    haha pretty funny that no one speaks japanese on the import games forum.

    fluent btw.

  19. #39
    Mega Man (Level 19) The 1 2 P's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2007
    Location
    The World Is Not Enough
    Posts
    11,193
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    0
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    0
    Thanked in
    0 Posts

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Lady Jaye View Post
    I've been wanting to take Japanese lessons for a long time, but can't find the time to do so. I'm still hoping that I'll be able to take some basic lessons in September at a local manga lounge (classes are being taught by a very competent teacher), but I'm not sure if I'll be able to. We'll see.
    I thought you did translations for Japanese to English, or is that for French? I remember you saying you were a translator in another thread, unless I'm confusing you for someone else.
    ALL HAIL THE 1 2 P
    Quote Originally Posted by THE 1 2 P
    Why? Once you've seen one partially-exposed butthole you've seen them all.

  20. #40
    Strawberry (Level 2) Custom rank graphic
    FoxNtd's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2010
    Location
    USA/米国
    Posts
    569
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    0
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    4
    Thanked in
    4 Posts

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by goatse View Post
    haha pretty funny that no one speaks japanese on the import games forum
    このスレをよく読まなかったと思う・・・


Similar Threads

  1. Speak 'n' Spell
    By MarioMania in forum Classic Gaming
    Replies: 3
    Last Post: 04-08-2010, 07:31 PM
  2. Replies: 12
    Last Post: 11-15-2008, 09:30 PM
  3. Speak to me, Cubey!
    By Dahne in forum Technical and Restoration Society
    Replies: 9
    Last Post: 10-02-2005, 01:40 AM

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •