Tips for starting to learn the language?

[bobrichards]

As I mentioned in my last topic, I know a few basic phrases (enough to ask simple questions) but would rather start from scratch. I have Hiragana and Katakana charts printed out and have also started listening to Pimsleur Japanese (Just listened to the first 30 minute segment yesterday). How would you suggest I attack this? What are good methods for remembering Kana? I've made it a plan to listen to Pimsleur while I'm working out or drawing. Another question I had was with translating phrases. Say I remember Kana in general and I can read and pronounce the phrase/sentence phonetically, how would I know what that translates to in English?

I'm going to wait on Kanji unless anyone recommends I start with some.


Thanks!

 

[charusu]

Kana first. As for methods of remembering them I offer the sarcastic (but true) method of "just remembering them" - which means: drill yourself until they become as easy as the roman alphabet. realkana.com is a great tool.

Pimsleur is cool for listening comprehension, but you need more grammar fundamentals to realize WHY those things are being said. As a free resource I recommend Tae Kim's Guide to Learning Japanese, spend a week on that and you'll be a different person. This will allow you numerous "lightbulb moments".

Until you have alot of kanji and vocab under your belt translating phrases will be nothing more than you 'decoding' the aforementioned phrases, which is natural and a good way to teach yourself vocabulary. Kana then kanji, with alot of vocabulary necessarily mixed in between is my prescription.

Since many kanji have the same phonetizations (yeah I know that's not a word) the actual kanji themselves are going to be absolutely necessary for you with regard to you determining meaning, since context will not be enough. Kana and kanji are essential elements of the language, ergo you must master both in order to be considered a 'master'. But before all, you MUST know the kana, then start to learn grammar and the kanji at the same time - do it as it feels natural. You'll see.

I am not saying this to you as some all-knowing ***, merely someone who is following the same path. Take my advice, then post specific grammar questions to the forum and you will be sure to receive good information from the godfathers of the forum - that's what I am doing.

 

[bobrichards]

Thanks for those tips. I've been quizzing myself on realkana tonight. taking 10 minute breaks doing something completely different to see if I can remember them.

 

[bobrichards]

Went to a professor at a local university and he let me borrow genki 1+2 with the CDs. He told me to take as much time as I need with them. Words can't describe how excited I am to delve further into the language!

 

[Mike Cash]

That's very fortunate. Make good use of them.

 

[bobrichards]

That's very fortunate. Make good use of them.

Indeed it is. He just asked I don't write in them which is no problem as I have a notebook ready.

Would you recommend I get a grasp on Hiragana completely before jumping into the textbook, or do a mix of both?

 

[Mike Cash]

I'm not familiar with the book, but I don't think there's any harm in working on both.