Japanese anyone?

[juniper68]

I love the Japanese culture and really want to learn the language. Has anyone learnt it? and just how hard is it?
In all honesty, languages aren't my strong point but I'm very keen. I just have to find a course that I'm able to attend first.

yep- just done a GCSE. Lived there for a year 11 years ago as well so have studied it on and off (when I've managed to find suitable courses).

There are quite a lot of beginners courses available so I doubt you'dhave problems finding one.

The structure of Japanese is quite easy- the difficulty arises because the vocab bears no relation to anything you know (except the borrowed words). The writing systems are daunting at first, but not too bad once you get into it.

cheers jimjams.
I've just done a search and can't find a course in my town. I'll do some ringing round on Monday and find one. I WILL FIND ONE!!! Can you tell I'm determined now

I took japanese some years ago and found it to be one of the easiest languages grammatically that I'd studied. The hardest part is the cultural aspect of it. ie everything is said in the passive and there are different words for women and men and different words depending on who is talking and to whom. These concepts are totally different to ours, but once you've got your head around them it's really quite easy. And the writing really isn't too bad, you will learn it faster than you think. (i've taken chinese too...now that was super hard).

thanks sofiaAmes. Now all I have to do is find a course? I don't know if using a cd will be of any use and I'd much rather go out to learn.

Yep SofiaAmes has a point after a year of living there I had to renew my visa. Made the mistake of asking a greeting lady (young woman who stands near the door just to bow at everyone walking in the building) directions. Did not understand a word- she was far too polite and deferential, and was telling me to "honourably proceed along the length of the corridor". So after getting rapidly lost asked a business man - who stuck to "end of the corridor, turn left, take the lift to the 6 th floor, turn right, second door on your left" binned the politeness and I could understand him!

have you read any Alan Booth books? They may be out of print now (he died in 1993 unfortunately) but if you can track down a copy of "The Roads to Sata" I'd really recommend it. Think you might enjoy it- gives a very very accurate description of Japan. Whenever I got fed up when living there used to read it and it had me howling with laughter.

Found it at Amazon here looks like its been reprinted. Defintely the real Japan.

I just ordered it thanks for that jimjams.

That's amazing that the japanese lady couldn't understand you, is that right?

I got the book, last one, and it's sent from the States so I'll have it in a week or so

No I couldn't understand her! She couldn't talk to me bluntly because it would have been rude (the greeting ladies have to be very very very polite) so she found it impossible to use anything except the politest language.

The businessman however was a)male and b) older than me so could talk to me in quite a direct fashion, so I couldn understand him. I used to spend more time socialising with the men from work rather than the women as well so I probably was mre used to male speech iyswim.

ahhhhhh now i see. Wow it's such a different culture, I can't wait to read the book to learn more.

I've got the book! and that's not all it was my birthday yesterday and DH got me a beginner's book on learning the language but I need to get a disc or tape to go with it. He also got me a hitchikers guide to Japan and another book plus took me for a japanese meal last night as well as other stuff it wasn't a totally japanese day

could I be a tad obsessed