Scramble Posted April 19, 2009 Share Posted April 19, 2009 I have decided When on holiday we went walking by a lake and they where the remains of a bonfire; a burnt book and pages torn out of a Japanese Dictionary I don't know if I should have done but the dictionary page intrigued me so I brought it home and am learning Japanese from older sis who did a course of it at school last term I have learnt to say my name is etc. and also: Daijobu, a"Ooops, word censored!"a wa tenki desu yo. from the dictionary page which means 'DOn't worry, the weather will be fine tomorrow' when that phrase will come in handy I don't know I was just wondering if any one else was learning? or speaks it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seagazer Posted April 19, 2009 Share Posted April 19, 2009 I used to work in a Japanese stockbrokers when I first left school. I was called Ann Chan because I was a young girl, they use San for older people I believe. I don't think the spelling is right but when they answered the phones internally they used to say 'mooshy moosh'. Conitchua is another form of greeting (these are obviously phonetically written as I have no idea how they are written). I used to be able to count to 10 as well. There were some other words I knew as well but I can't for the life of me remember them (it was a long, long time ago). Good luck with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jlo Posted April 19, 2009 Share Posted April 19, 2009 I think that it would be a fascinating language to learn. I did toy with the idea of teaching English in Japan when I was (much) younger but wussed out. I remember a few phrases from "Shogun" (for younger forum members this was a tv series starring Richard Chamberlain [i think] who was an English sailor who landed in Japan and became a Shogun. It was adapted from a book of the same name but I can't recall the author!) Wakarimasen springs to mind. I seem to remember that it means, "I don't understand." Konichiwah was "Good Day" Good luck if you do learn it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJuff Posted April 19, 2009 Share Posted April 19, 2009 I work in a Reception class in an Ofsted outstanding school and we do the register in Japenese, French, Spanish and English. We also count in Japenese and have a Japenese after school club. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Willow Posted April 19, 2009 Share Posted April 19, 2009 I worked for a Japanese company working in UK but reported into Japan so had language lessons at work. I am useless at languages but there is a logic to it I liked. However there are 3 alphabets and different forms of the language depending on whether you are male or female The teacher decided to teach me the male form as I was in a position of authority I learnt enough to get around by myself on public transport and order in restaurants. It would be worth checking your local evening classes. I'd love to take it up again but not enough time I loved my Japanese manager - he was scruffy, paranoid, illogical and we would have some major disagreements but he was also charismatic and believed in me more than any other manager I've ever had Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted April 19, 2009 Share Posted April 19, 2009 I have picked up a couple of words - Konichiwa - Hello Arrigaato - Thank you Sayonara - Goodbye Morefu - blanket Onimotsu - hand baggage Kolee - ice Kohee - coffee Cheeseucaku - cheese cake - swear to God! Obviously airline based! Good luck, it is a fascinating language! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Couperwife Posted April 19, 2009 Share Posted April 19, 2009 ive just been looking on youtube, there is a funky video counting fom 1 to 20 I dont want to post a link as there could be some dodgy comments I also found a "days of the week" vid - havent watched it yet though. sounds fun. I might look into this cathy x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted April 19, 2009 Share Posted April 19, 2009 I lived in Japan from the ages of 4 to 6 . I don't remember a lot about it but my dad taught me to count from 1-10 (which I've never forgotten!) and I do remember a couple of phrases (but have no idea what they mean ). Good luck with it . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clootie Posted April 20, 2009 Share Posted April 20, 2009 Good for you !! My SIL Reiko (pronounced Layco) is Japanese and my nephew, Akira, is half-Japanese, half-Scottish !! They live near Tokyo where my BIL teaches English. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickenanne Posted April 20, 2009 Share Posted April 20, 2009 I lived in Tokyo for 2 years, came back about 7 years ago. To be honest, I've forgotten a lot fo the Japanese I knew (not that I knew a lot to start with). I tried learning from a book called "Japanese for Busy People" which was what all my fellow "gaijin" used, it is very good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ana's flock Posted April 20, 2009 Share Posted April 20, 2009 What an interesting language to learn. I'm working on the new Chinese department and learning some Chinese as I go along. Simplified Chinese looks a little like Japanese. Is Japanese also a tonal language, like Mandarin? Chinese grammar seems quite easy, but the whole pinyin/characters/pronunciation is complicated to say the least. I love the calligraphy of both these languages, so pretty and graceful (and I'm hopeless at it too! ) Anyway - good luck learning! My goal is to be able to order some food from the restaurant in Chinese (and being understood!)... I guess you can practice when going to sushi bars. Good luck - and Sayonara for now Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoid Posted April 20, 2009 Share Posted April 20, 2009 こんにちは、お元気ですか？(hello how are you) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted April 20, 2009 Share Posted April 20, 2009 Japan fascinates me,but I am not sure I have the brain cells left to study a new language now But I would love to go there. I adore the culture,the history, & its supposed to be the most beautiful country. Good luck to you Scramble Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Posted April 20, 2009 Share Posted April 20, 2009 Good luck. On languages day we learnt (no idea about spelling!): Ne jow see mumming ... = My name is ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mutrix Farmers Posted April 21, 2009 Share Posted April 21, 2009 I admire anyone that learns a foreign language. I'm sort of OK as long as they use the arabic alphabet like us, but can't cope with different ones. We went to Bulgaria years ago and the cyrillic alphabet confounded me! I still think of a restuarant as a "PECTOPAH" because that's what the letters looked like if you read than as arabic letters! Wishing you every success Scramble! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoid Posted April 21, 2009 Share Posted April 21, 2009 Ne jow see mumming ... = My name is ... わたしの名前は (情報＃ 3のランダムな曲) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wiblick Posted April 21, 2009 Share Posted April 21, 2009 I know how to say "my neck is sore".... but you know I think I might have a Teach Yourself Course somewhere that I could send you, let me see if I still have it. It's only a short course and it's on tape! Just 2 tapes I think, but the book might be useful, anyway it's yours if you want it (and I can find it!) PM me. Aoife Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
