Learning Japanese

[noiseredux]

have you considered that you may be able to pick up some key phrases by importing some Japanese pr0n?

[Inazuma]

have you considered that you may be able to pick up some key phrases by importing some Japanese pr0n?

Good advice. I have learned a lot of sex related vocabulary from watching Japanese porn. It's one of the few ways to actually learn about it since you won't often have a lesson on it in school or in textbooks.

The same idea works for other subjects. For example, I didn't know many terms related to various sports until I watched sports anime. I learned bakery related terms from watching Yakitate Japan, etc. Try to seek out shows on subjects that you aren't familiar with.

[Anayo]

In my opinion the only part of Japanese which immersion doesn't help with is Kanji. Those just have to be memorized by the truckload.

[hashiriya1]

I became fluent in Japanese after only 2 years. 2 years may not sound like much, but I spent most of my time being immersed in the language. I played the Japanese version of Phantasy Star Online Blue Burst as much as possible, along with watching anime while I ate. I also listened to Japanese music in the car.

I learned it the same way I learned English as a baby. Immersion. You put yourself in an environment that is all Japanese, and you have to learn it to survive in that world.

I think it is impossible to be completely 'fluent' in just two years. Even if you lived in Japan for two years it wouldn't be enough. TI have a lot of foreigner friends in Japan who have all lived there for 5 years or more and even they stumble sometimes. I was there for 7 and I cannot (and will not) say I am fluent.


Anyway, to the OP. I am actually working on a guide that suggests the best books and study materials for learning Japanese. It'll be done soon, just check back here (Off Topic) until you see it.

I'll tell you one thing, you're not going to find really good books at Barnes & Noble.

[BoringSupreez]

I became fluent in Japanese after only 2 years. 2 years may not sound like much, but I spent most of my time being immersed in the language. I played the Japanese version of Phantasy Star Online Blue Burst as much as possible, along with watching anime while I ate. I also listened to Japanese music in the car.

I learned it the same way I learned English as a baby. Immersion. You put yourself in an environment that is all Japanese, and you have to learn it to survive in that world.

I think it is impossible to be completely 'fluent' in just two years. Even if you lived in Japan for two years it wouldn't be enough. I have a lot of foreigner friends in Japan who have all lived there for 5 years or more and even they stumble sometimes. I was there for 7 and I cannot (and will not) say I am fluent.

Well, sheesh, if 7 years doesn't do it, how long does it take?!

[brunoafh]

Well, sheesh, if 7 years doesn't do it, how long does it take?!

You kind of have to be born there. Same with any language.

[hashiriya1]

I became fluent in Japanese after only 2 years. 2 years may not sound like much, but I spent most of my time being immersed in the language. I played the Japanese version of Phantasy Star Online Blue Burst as much as possible, along with watching anime while I ate. I also listened to Japanese music in the car.

I learned it the same way I learned English as a baby. Immersion. You put yourself in an environment that is all Japanese, and you have to learn it to survive in that world.

I think it is impossible to be completely 'fluent' in just two years. Even if you lived in Japan for two years it wouldn't be enough. I have a lot of foreigner friends in Japan who have all lived there for 5 years or more and even they stumble sometimes. I was there for 7 and I cannot (and will not) say I am fluent.

Well, sheesh, if 7 years doesn't do it, how long does it take?!

It's a modesty thing...which I learned from that culture. No matter how good you are at something, downplay it like hell and look like an amateur. I can say my skills are advanced, but I would never say I am fluent no matter how long I lived there or whatever my skill level is.

But like Bruno says, you kinda have to born there. My parents have lived in America since the late 60s and they are not 100% fluent in English. My parents are two different ethnicities, so English is their common ground. It's not like they only spoke a foreign language everyday and never bothered with English.

[jfrost]

When required to fill forms, etc, normally you have the options of "fluent" and "native", at least. In cases like that, I'll mark "fluent" for English, even though I know I make some mistakes and sometimes use some odd phrasings due to not being native.

[noiseredux]

I became fluent in Japanese after only 2 years. 2 years may not sound like much, but I spent most of my time being immersed in the language. I played the Japanese version of Phantasy Star Online Blue Burst as much as possible, along with watching anime while I ate. I also listened to Japanese music in the car.

I learned it the same way I learned English as a baby. Immersion. You put yourself in an environment that is all Japanese, and you have to learn it to survive in that world.

I think it is impossible to be completely 'fluent' in just two years. Even if you lived in Japan for two years it wouldn't be enough. TI have a lot of foreigner friends in Japan who have all lived there for 5 years or more and even they stumble sometimes. I was there for 7 and I cannot (and will not) say I am fluent.


Anyway, to the OP. I am actually working on a guide that suggests the best books and study materials for learning Japanese. It'll be done soon, just check back here (Off Topic) until you see it.

I'll tell you one thing, you're not going to find really good books at Barnes & Noble.

7 yrs is a lot of import pr0n!

[hashiriya1]

7 yrs is a lot of import pr0n!

Yeah dude, if you squint your eyes a certain way you can see through the mosaics.