こんいちーわ

[Timerez]

Hi all, I'm still new with learning japanese and such, can anyone recommand me how to learn to read japanese kanji? I'm deaf, I can't use any of program that involves with "hearing" and "speaking" part if you understand what I mean...

I'm hoping to learn japanese and understand how to read, I know few words, but that's it.

Thanks in advance and I'm liking this forum so far. lol.

 

[lastmagi]

I've always liked the Genki textbooks. It's aimed for a general introductory course in Japanese, though, and not specifically for kanji learning (although they do teach you kanji). The audio that they have available and that I used was only for homework, if I remember correctly. Nothing major. The Genki textbooks might be more expensive than the ones you find at a regular bookstore, but it's worth it.

 

[Timerez]

I've always liked the Genki textbooks. It's aimed for a general introductory course in Japanese, though, and not specifically for kanji learning (although they do teach you kanji). The audio that they have available and that I used was only for homework, if I remember correctly. Nothing major. The Genki textbooks might be more expensive than the ones you find at a regular bookstore, but it's worth it.

Definitely worth it, already am in love with it too.

 

[nice gaijin]

I'm sure that being deaf must present some unique challenges when studying kanji. I'm curious about whether you care to learn the pronunciation for the characters at all, or just want to learn the meaning. I ask because I know a few deaf people who still speak. I found that learning the different reading for the kanji was helpful in identifying compounds, but they aren't necessary for understanding the characters.

Are you studying on your own or taking a class? Do keep us posted on your progress, I find this very interesting.

 

[Julienne]

I have to say that I don't now the Genki books, but we use Minna no Nihongo at my school. Can't really say whether it's good, because I can't compare it to anything else, but I'm using MnN for the second year now and I like working with it :haihai:
The MnN series consists of several books, like a grammar book, textbook, kanjibook and a few others. The I and II kanji books cover about 500 kanji, with example words with them. Perhaps 500 isn't very much, but in my opinion it's a good way to get started
Oh, by the way, you do need to be able to read hiragana... couldn't make up from your post whether or not you already know hiragana... so just saying it to be sure
Well, good luck with your study

 

[Julienne]

ごめんね :sorry: I only just noticed your post was from 2 months ago!

 

[Timerez]

Hehe, sorry for not checking on this thread, kinda thought it would just die.
It's going slowly so far, but I need to memorize Katakana, to start learning how to read...without looking up for romanji from the Katakana. I memorized Hiragana before I began studying Genki books. I am attempting to read on my own by playing the game of Pokemon on the Gameboy. I can translate most of time, but some of the words are not found in the dictionary. Can't think of the words out of my brain right now, I can gladly provide them later when I play the game again. Also, I'm bit confused with few particles. Such as no, wa, ga, ha. (I keep getting confused them up with one others, for some reason, hehe.) Other than that, I'm slowly understanding the sentence.

I'm really liking the Genki, it helped me learn the use of desu ka, all numbers in japanese up to 999 (learned it in one night, but only in romanji, gotta learn in katakana/hiragana.) But I need a person who can work with me while I learn, or apply for a class, considering I'm going to college this fall. Self-study is bit too difficult right now, anyway.