subject: So you want to learn Japanese? [print this page] So you want to learn Japanese? So you want to learn Japanese?
So you want to learn Japanese??
Learning a new language is always tricky, and if, like me, your first language is English, even trickier.
It's an entirely new alphabet, one that is not easy to learn on your own but it can be done!
So, you've probably looked through all the online resources, page after page after page. I know its daunting, so having been through it all myself, here are some useful pointers to get started;
First, if you are a complete newbie to Japanese, you need to know that there are 3 alphabets', yes that's right, 3.
The first alphabet is probably the most important and it is called HIRAGANA, it's the day to day alphabet used for writing. So I would suggest, that before you start worrying about anything you take a look at this alphabet.
Another alphabet used by the Japanese is KATAKANA. Now, if you've already taken a look at the HIRAGANA alphabet you will notice that the 2 are similar. The difference is when they are used. You would use Katakana, for example, to write your name. It is also used for things like animal names, etc. but if you are just starting out I wouldn't worry about this just yet!
The third Alphabet' (if you can call it that) is the most daunting of them all: KANJI. These are the characters or symbols which are also used in Chinese. Each one has a different meaning, and unfortunately there is no easy way to learn these, it is simply a case of learning them one at a time!!!! However, there are techniques and online courses that can help you learn them more quickly and efficiently than staring at a page for 2 hours!
I hope that this information will be useful to you and I wish you luck in your conquest of the beautiful Japanese language!!
So you want to learn Japanese??
Learning a new language is always tricky, and if, like me, your first language is English, even trickier.
It's an entirely new alphabet, one that is not easy to learn on your own but it can be done!
So, you've probably looked through all the online resources, page after page after page. I know its daunting, so having been through it all myself, here are some useful pointers to get started;
First, if you are a complete newbie to Japanese, you need to know that there are 3 alphabets', yes that's right, 3.
The first alphabet is probably the most important and it is called HIRAGANA, it's the day to day alphabet used for writing. So I would suggest, that before you start worrying about anything you take a look at this alphabet.
Another alphabet used by the Japanese is KATAKANA. Now, if you've already taken a look at the HIRAGANA alphabet you will notice that the 2 are similar. The difference is when they are used. You would use Katakana, for example, to write your name. It is also used for things like animal names, etc. but if you are just starting out I wouldn't worry about this just yet!
The third Alphabet' (if you can call it that) is the most daunting of them all: KANJI. These are the characters or symbols which are also used in Chinese. Each one has a different meaning, and unfortunately there is no easy way to learn these, it is simply a case of learning them one at a time!!!! However, there are techniques and online courses that can help you learn them more quickly and efficiently than staring at a page for 2 hours!
I hope that this information will be useful to you and I wish you luck in your conquest of the beautiful Japanese language!!
