Plectrum

Thanks Keoma. Interesting stuff. I recently picked up a few Japanese language learning materials. So far I can say basically that I'm American, can't speak Japanese very well, and how to ask if someone speaks English. Go figure. But anyway, I think it's a fascinating language and plan on keeping it up.

berkie19

i recognize most of what you said keoma, and it fits very close to my own description (of course, i don't think from jap to english but to dutch)

__________________
This month's theme: Kannagi- Nagi

Last month's theme: Gurren Lagann - Nia

vic1242

thx 4 the japanese words.

Bobboau

is there a web site that has just a shit ton (like hundreds) of sentences written in romaji followed by some sort of word by word break down and/or translation? it would be nice if the translations were hidden at first (in something like a spoiler tag). I want some prectice.

also I was wondering has any fansub group done an entire episode of something in something like karaoke format for educational purposes? what I'm thinking is if in addition to a normaly translated line, they also put romaji and a direct translation below it and highlight both as the words are said it would help associate the words in japanese with the english word and concept in my head. and it would help me think in japanese.

0renzokuken0

haha, thanks for this really helpful. Wish I could speak every single language.

BTW: Im just wondering if anyone put down Ikuzo= Let's go.

__________________

Plectrum

There are a few websites with some information like that (they are cited earlier in this thread). However, it sounds like you would get a lot of use out of a formal Japanese language textbook, like for a college course (make sure you get one with an audio CD portion), or an audiobook for learning practical phrases, like Pimsleur's method. The text I'm using is "Japanese: the Spoken Language," which is OK, but I mainly got it because it was on the lower end of the price spectrum (<$30).

It would be great if there were a fansub group like you mention, but I've never seen one. Without knowing anything, it's easy to get the one-word translations, but with a little formal instruction, it's possible to puzzle out simple sentences and pair subtitled Japanese words with English ones.

Bobboau

I'm sort of supprized there isn't somewhere with a bunch of practice text, it seems like it would be relatively easy to just grab some random Japanese sentence and write the translations. especially with all the energetic otaku in the world.

hmmm... this looks like a job for wiki. do you think if a wiki style database was set up where someone could at there leasure add sentances and there translations, it would get used? I actualy need a database project for a school assignment, this might be it.

Plectrum

I guess that's the whole advantage of formally learning a language. Instead of memorizing long lists of translations, you learn the tools you need to form any sentence you want to say.

Hakanai

i'm not sure if this has been pointed out or not. i just kinda skimmed through some of the pages. >_<

gambatayo is gan/mbatte + yo

"yo" is an emphatic participle, and is used like an exclamation point in english. (which, contrary to popular belief, does NOT mean that it's yelled or said loudly. it's just emphasized, which can also mean that it's said slower.)

other examples:

sugoi vs. sugoi yo awesome/great vs really/very/uber awesome/great

kawaii vs. kawaii yo

i've also heard it at the end of emphatic sentences such as "i am not stupid!!" and things that are deeply felt.

and i apologize if it's been clearned up already!!

DuhQbnSiLo

__________________

Plectrum

The more I read, the more complexities I'm learning about particles. However, to my knowledge, "yo" is an informative particle or a particle of assertion, as in: I'm telling you something that I assume is new information to you, or I'm providing you with a new suggestion. In a sense it could definitely be considered emphatic like you say, but using it in place of an exclamation point would be mistake (any literal English -> Japanese translation tends to be). Again, I'm by no means an expert and there's a lot I don't know, but that's what I've learned about "yo" so far.

Seferius

All I really know other than what has been posted is Kuso Tari (I think I spelled it right)
It's a curse, and I wont type it, but with the translation ending in head.
I sure everyone can figure it out.

I used to know someone who had a fish named Kuso Tari, because it used to swim upside down, so everyone thought it was dead xD

__________________
'My fists have harmed, have killed. Still people care for me, I am used my mind to end mankind, and yet I am loved. Not because of these misdeeds, but because of the change I can make. I have used my hands to rebuild cities, to care for my wife. I have used my mind to soothe those I've harmed..
In this, is my repentance'
--Seferius.

Awaited_sleepless_nights

I'm taking japanese right now at school and from what I've learned so far...I have to say plectrum you're right. haha but ya if anyone wants to learn japanese just go do it!! they have language learning programs you can buy if you're too lazy to do it through your school (or if your school doesn't offer it).

__________________
"A Nothing will do Just as well as a something about which nothing could be said"-Wittgenstein (might have spelled his name wrong)

"Salvation Lies Within"-The Devil Wears Prada (song: Hey John, what's your name again?)

"Question the Answer" --