Translations (JP to English)

[HiirNoivl]

I've never taken a class in Japanese, so I suppose you are right.

I used Pimsleur to start out and then the rest was just using it and consulting a dictionary and asking "How do you say...?" as needed? I'm far from fluent... But the books really helped my reading and writing.

There's much to like about Japan (or any culture for that matter)... I also like to focus on the positive.

[AdvancedWind]

Just a final derailment:

I'm no language specialist, but as far as I've heard Japanese - is - regarded as one of the hardest languages to learn for native latin / germanic derived language speakers, because of the differences on the alphabet, overal grammar structure, etc...

[Colino]

Just a final derailment:

I'm no language specialist, but as far as I've heard Japanese - is - regarded as one of the hardest languages to learn for native latin / germanic derived language speakers, because of the differences on the alphabet, overal grammar structure, etc...

I can say it's not, especially when coming from a latin language. In fact, most Italians/Spaniards I know pronounce all Japanese words perfectly, because they would sound exactly the same in their language.

It's harder than English I'll give you that much, but it's not even close to languages like Hungarian, Ukranian or some other stuff.

But yeah, at least they have silly christmas ideals and kawaii uguu anime.

We've had our disagreements, my friend, but I'm with you 100% on this one. Also I believe the name of the forest is Aokigahara, but don't quote me on it.

[Betelgeuzah]

I can say it's not, especially when coming from a latin language. In fact, most Italians/Spaniards I know pronounce all Japanese words perfectly, because they would sound exactly the same in their language.

It's harder than English I'll give you that much, but it's not even close to languages like Hungarian, Ukranian or some other stuff.

Pronounciation is not really the issue with Japanese, it's the writing, reading, and grammar structure that is completely different. They don't have a 'be'-verb at all, instead they have this abstract "topic" and "attribute" system instead. their sentence structure is neither object-subject-verb, nor subject-object-verb. It's just verb. Which leads to many issues...

My language is considered as one of the most difficult European languages to learn (sister language of Hungarian- or was it Ukranian?), but for a latin language speaker it is still easier than learning an Asian language. It's different in many ways, but not -that- different.

[Colino]

Pronounciation is not really the issue with Japanese, it's the writing, reading, and grammar structure that is completely different. They don't have a 'be'-verb at all, instead they have this abstract "topic" and "attribute" system instead. their sentence structure is neither object-subject-verb, nor subject-object-verb. It's just verb. Which leads to many issues...

My language is considered as one of the most difficult European languages to learn (sister language of Hungarian- or was it Ukranian?), but for a latin language speaker it is still easier than learning an Asian language. It's different in many ways, but not -that- different.

Yeah I was mostly thinking about the speaking, but I am aware that way sentences and the grammar in general is very different.

I remember reading Hungarian was definitely up there as far as difficulty. I'm learning Mandarin Chinese and while the reading/writing is pretty difficult, the speaking part is VERY easy and the grammar is actually extremely simple. Which is funny considering how many people ask me how incredibly hard it must be.

[Betelgeuzah]

Yeah I was mostly thinking about the speaking, but I am aware that way sentences and the grammar in general is very different.

I remember reading Hungarian was definitely up there as far as difficulty. I'm learning Mandarin Chinese and while the reading/writing is pretty difficult, the speaking part is VERY easy and the grammar is actually extremely simple. Which is funny considering how many people ask me how incredibly hard it must be.

I'm surprised that you think that. Isn't a huge part of Mandarin learning the intonation of all the words? It's not exactly Cantonese bad but still if you're not used to it I figured it would be a difficult task to master.

It's actually called Mount Fuji and it is an obviously spiritual place to many people there.

It's close to it, but the forest is called Aokigahara.

Sure America has that uhh Golden Gate Bridge? where people commit suicide a lot, but to say that this isn't a reflection of the perverted culture that exists in Japan would be quite a claim.

Japanese are not doing mentally that well, and even though other countries could do better few places go to such extremes in practicing their culture as Japan does. You bring shame to your family? You are trash and may as well go die. It's funny that these people can go 'camping' in the forest for weeks and nobody comes looking for them. It's usually the ranger that goes to talk to them and may turn their heads. It's the sort of mindset that is disgusting.

[Betelgeuzah]

if it is I really envy them.

You know there's this forest I think it was in northern part of Japan, it's called the Suicide forest because so many people go out there specifically to die. The local ranger that patrols the area finds like 20 bodies a year and tons of people 'camping' there alone (struggling with making the decision). Pressure from the society to act in a certain way leads them there eventually.

But yeah, at least they have silly christmas ideals and kawaii uguu anime.

I'm no language specialist, but as far as I've heard Japanese - is - regarded as one of the hardest languages to learn for native latin / germanic derived language speakers, because of the differences on the alphabet, overal grammar structure, etc...

Let's just say that if you prepare properly, it's not much harder at all. But the problem is that nobody teaches you the proper way, and no preparation is done before it is too late.

[Konachibi]

You know there's this forest I think it was in northern part of Japan, it's called the Suicide forest because so many people go out there specifically to die. The local ranger that patrols the area finds like 20 bodies a year and tons of people 'camping' there alone (struggling with making the decision). Pressure from the society to act in a certain way leads them there eventually.

They also have the lowest crime rate

In my town I'm lucky if I can go out for a few hours without having some ignorant teenager shout abuse at me just because I wear gothy/cyberpunk clothes.

[Murugan]

You know there's this forest I think it was in northern part of Japan, it's called the Suicide forest because so many people go out there specifically to die. The local ranger that patrols the area finds like 20 bodies a year and tons of people 'camping' there alone (struggling with making the decision). Pressure from the society to act in a certain way leads them there eventually.

But yeah, at least they have silly christmas ideals and kawaii uguu anime.



Let's just say that if you prepare properly, it's not much harder at all. But the problem is that nobody teaches you the proper way, and no preparation is done before it is too late.

I'm sorry to keep derailing but I've seen this a lot (it must have a special on the history channel or something).

It's actually called Mount Fuji and it is an obviously spiritual place to many people there. If you don't think national forest park rangers in the US find suicides you are deluding yourself, we just lack any equivalent in terms of spiritual significance dating back thousands of years for people to congregate to do that in one location.

Japan does have high suicide rates, so do most developed nations, and it is a problem but it is not a reflection of a specifically perverted culture either. Unless you think Sweden and Canada are also obsessed with suicide. The way I personally look at it (though it is a much more complicated situation than this) is that the Japanese are simply more open to discussing topics relating to death whereas most Western cultures are deeply afraid of the subject.

[Colino]

It's at the foot of mount Fuji, it's not CALLED Mt.Fuji.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aokigahara

Japanese are simply more open to discussing topics relating to death whereas most Western cultures are deeply afraid of the subject.

They are most definitely not. I have no idea where you pulled that out of. They even stopped publishing the number of suicides that happen in said forest just to downlplay the tragedy.

I'm surprised that you think that. Isn't a huge part of Mandarin learning the intonation of all the words? It's not exactly Cantonese bad but still if you're not used to it I figured it would be a difficult task to master.

Yeah intonation is the main difficulty. But in all honesty it's not THAT bad. Most Mandarin speakers will still understand what you're saying as long as the context is there. It's not that many sounds to learn.

I have finally come to understand why they yell so much though, they have to make certain you understand the tones they're using.