December 1, 2008
Some Tips When Learning Japanese Language
With one of the largest economies in the world, it is common knowledge that Japan has a major role to play in the global economy. While it is true that English is taught in their schools, a large percentage of the population of more than 120 million can't speak English. If you want to do business in Japan, you will have a substantial advantage if you are familiar with the language, the Japanese alphabet and Kanji symbols.
When someone wants to learn how to speak Japanese it can be pretty daunting at first. You need to make sure that you have a proper understanding of the foundation. You should start with very basic terms first.
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An interesting characteristic of Japanese is that it is spoken differently if the speaker is a man, woman or child. There are, for example, many different words for "I", and which version you use depends under which category you fall. An even more confusing aspect is that the speaker must choose the appropriate words depending on the relationship between oneself and the conversant. Another aspect of Japanese that may be hard for foreigners is that there are quite a few Japanese words that are pronounced the same but have different meanings. It may now seem that Japanese is a difficult language, but as is evident from the many foreigners that go to Japan, that spoken Japanese is not that difficult to learn. One will find that after a year in Japan a good mastery of the language can be achieved. Do you think Japanese is a difficult language to learn? I would say "No!" In fact, the Japanese language is quite easy to learn. It has straightforward grammar rules, and spoken Japanese can be picked up quickly and easily. Written Japanese will take a little longer, but often is not needed in the business world. It is also important to learn about Japanese formality and customs, and how these relate to the spoken language.
When learning the Japanese language, especially in its spoken form, concentrating on basic grammar rules and cultural differences will aid you immensely. Take the time to do a little research on the cultural differences between your country and Japan. You may be pleasantly surprised by the similarities, and you'll be glad you learned about the differences. So just learn Japanese step by step and you will be definitely getting the success.
As you begin to study Japanese, remember that the syntax is easier to pick up than that of English. Be sure to learn about the customs and culture. Focus on learning key phrases such as greetings and apologies – they'll help you immensely when you actually travel to Japan. And be sure to remember that greetings depend on the status of the person you're meeting, as well as the time of day. These tips should have you well on your way to a lifetime of learning Japanese – an interesting and formal language stepped in tradition.
Once you are familiar with the basics, you can join one of the many programs that will enable you to go to Japan for further studies. Imagine how much easier this is to do if the language hurdle is out of the way. You may also be in a position to teach English in Japan. This can be an extremely enriching experience.
Learning a foreign language can reconvert your view of your own native language. This is a specific example of the general principle that true understanding of anything requires viewing it from an outside perspective. You don't understand America until you have traveled in other parts of the world. You don't understand science until you have studied art, religion, and literature (and vice versa). Once you begin studying Japanese, you will see quirks of English (or whatever your native language is) that were hidden from you before. That in itself is an end, whether you end up mastering Japanese or not. So to read and learn a bit more on Japanese language you can you visit Rosetta Japanese for more information.