Why are you learning Japanese?

by 135 Comments

There are so many reasons as to why people are learning Japanese. There are some great ones, some good ones, and some really really bad ones. Granted, my list below is all my opinion. I’m sure others have different ideas, but for now, we’ll go with these ones.

Great reasons to learn Japanese:

  • You want to learn the language to help further your knowledge of the culture. There are many many pieces of Japanese culture that require their own Japanese word, and vice versa. If you don’t learn about culture, you can’t fully learn the Japanese language. If you don’t learn about culture, you won’t be able to fully understand the Japanese language. The two go hand in hand, and if you don’t learn both, you’ll only be 50% of the way there.
  • You have friends / family that you want to be able to talk to. I’ve been in this boat. I have a decent amount of relatives that speak Japanese, and it’s nice to know what they are saying. Who knows, they may be talking about you behind your back.
  • You enjoy it! Of course! You have to enjoy learning Japanese, or else everything becomes lame. If you don’t enjoy learning Japanese, and you don’t have an awesome reason otherwise, maybe you should look into Spanish, or something.

Good reasons to learn Japanese:

  • You like Japanese television / youtube, and you want to know what these people are saying. This shouldn’t be your only reason for learning Japanese, and if it is, you should bump this down to “bad reasons for learning Japanese.”
  • Your work involves talking to Japanese people sometimes. Maybe it’s a good idea you start learning some stuff before your company makes a fool out of itself. Don’t forget to bow a lot.

Bad reasons to learn Japanese:

  • You want to impress all your other otaku friends with your anime subbing skillz.
  • You want to impress all your other otaku friends with your manga translating skillz.
  • You want to see Naruto and Sasuke make hot hot steamy love without any subtitles blocking the way of their naked children bodies.
  • You love Morning Musume to the extent that you want to be like them in every way, even if you sound like a retarded fourteen year old girl where every moment is an epiphany.
  • You want to be a ninja, power ranger, or anime character for Halloween, and you think that by learning Japanese you will be cooler.

There are more reasons, of course, but that part is up to you! Please comment and tell everyone why you are learning Japanese. If you’re up for it, you should consider making a video reply to maxdesu on youtube. Either way, think about why you are learning Japanese. The more Japanese you know, the more complicated reason you should have. It’s understandable for beginners not to know what they want from the language, so don’t feel bad if you don’t know for sure. I hope to hear from all of you soon!

[yframe url='http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T9g-BUcAe3c']

Newer Comments →
  • ao

    lawl. i don’t even know why i’m learning japanese. :x if i had a better reason. it would probably be funner… but i like it, anyway.
    and it’d be fun to go to japan some day. ;D

  • Kdipko

    I’ve always been drawn to Japanese culture, and I think the language sounds beautiful. My major is either going to be History with emphasis on Japanese history, or emphasis on ancient history. I plan on studying abroad at Waseda University in two years, so I need to get started!

  • Stacia

    I’m learning Japanese becasue, well…back when I was like, 11 I really liked Sailor Moon and when I started watching it in Japanese I wanted to be able to watch it without subtitles. NOW, however. It is TOTALLY different. The more I got to know about Japan as a country, especially the culture, the more interested I became. I love the place, despite the many insane differences. The language, culture and history is very beautiful and interesting to me. I’ve studied it at my high school for 3.5 years (dropping cuz the new sensei SUCKED). I’ve been to Japan once which was totally awesome, and now I plan on majoring in Japanese (alongside integrated media). I hope to be able to master the language someday.

  • ao

    lawl. i don’t even know why i’m learning japanese. :x if i had a better reason. it would probably be funner… but i like it, anyway.
    and it’d be fun to go to japan some day. ;D

  • Kdipko

    I’ve always been drawn to Japanese culture, and I think the language sounds beautiful. My major is either going to be History with emphasis on Japanese history, or emphasis on ancient history. I plan on studying abroad at Waseda University in two years, so I need to get started!

  • Stacia

    I’m learning Japanese becasue, well…back when I was like, 11 I really liked Sailor Moon and when I started watching it in Japanese I wanted to be able to watch it without subtitles. NOW, however. It is TOTALLY different. The more I got to know about Japan as a country, especially the culture, the more interested I became. I love the place, despite the many insane differences. The language, culture and history is very beautiful and interesting to me. I’ve studied it at my high school for 3.5 years (dropping cuz the new sensei SUCKED). I’ve been to Japan once which was totally awesome, and now I plan on majoring in Japanese (alongside integrated media). I hope to be able to master the language someday.

  • http://soulxedgexkoji.wordpress.com Koji

    Why am I learning Japanese? Well, a long long time ago it started off as a passing phase because a couple of my friends were learning it, but now its something that I can truly enjoy doing. Not only do I find entertainment in different areas of Japanese pop culture (i.e: movies, games, TV shows,game shows, etc.), but I also have practical uses for Japanese. I go to a school where there are lots of exchange students and nothing brings me joy as much as being able to explain things said in a conversation to the foreign kids so that they can understand it.

    Not to mention the culture is pretty sweet as well. Everything I’ve read up on is interesting and tends to suck me in so I can find out what happened and how things were formed.

    Even saying all this, the language itself is just awesome. It may come off to some people as fast, harsh, and awkward sounding sometimes, but to me its beautiful and fun.

  • http://soulxedgexkoji.wordpress.com Koji

    Why am I learning Japanese? Well, a long long time ago it started off as a passing phase because a couple of my friends were learning it, but now its something that I can truly enjoy doing. Not only do I find entertainment in different areas of Japanese pop culture (i.e: movies, games, TV shows,game shows, etc.), but I also have practical uses for Japanese. I go to a school where there are lots of exchange students and nothing brings me joy as much as being able to explain things said in a conversation to the foreign kids so that they can understand it.

    Not to mention the culture is pretty sweet as well. Everything I’ve read up on is interesting and tends to suck me in so I can find out what happened and how things were formed.

    Even saying all this, the language itself is just awesome. It may come off to some people as fast, harsh, and awkward sounding sometimes, but to me its beautiful and fun.

  • http://www.youtube.com/bokualec Alec

    I’ve seen a few times similar items from people saying what’s a valid reason to learn Japanese and what’s not a valid reason. I don’t think it’s anyone’s place to say whether a reason is valid or not.

    If someone loves Japanese porn and starts learning Japanese because they want to understand Japanese grunting, then that’s fine! If it’s a good enough reason to motivate them to learn a completely foreign language, more power to them. Same for anime or mange obsessives. Lots of people have started learning Japanese because of manga/anime and become fluent.

    As for me, I also have Japanese family. It was interesting watching your video and learning that your mum doesn’t speak much Japanese and you’ve not met your family in Japan. I’m in a pretty similar situation: my mum’s half Japanese and hardly speaks any Japanese (「アイスクリーム欲しい」とか「トイレ行きたい」だけぐらい). I met my Japanese family and my grandma when I was a baby. When my grandma died we lost contact with the family in Japan. About 3 years ago when I went to Japan for the first time with my Japanese class, some relatives surprised me by turning up on the doorstep of my hotel! Since then I’ve met them and stayed with them a few times and we all get on well. My mum hasn’t met them in about 17 years or so so I’m looking forward to our big reunion!

    Wow, what a long comment. I hope you appreciate my quadraparagraphed comment loving!

  • http://www.youtube.com/bokualec Alec

    I’ve seen a few times similar items from people saying what’s a valid reason to learn Japanese and what’s not a valid reason. I don’t think it’s anyone’s place to say whether a reason is valid or not.

    If someone loves Japanese porn and starts learning Japanese because they want to understand Japanese grunting, then that’s fine! If it’s a good enough reason to motivate them to learn a completely foreign language, more power to them. Same for anime or mange obsessives. Lots of people have started learning Japanese because of manga/anime and become fluent.

    As for me, I also have Japanese family. It was interesting watching your video and learning that your mum doesn’t speak much Japanese and you’ve not met your family in Japan. I’m in a pretty similar situation: my mum’s half Japanese and hardly speaks any Japanese (「アイスクリーム欲しい」とか「トイレ行きたい」だけぐらい). I met my Japanese family and my grandma when I was a baby. When my grandma died we lost contact with the family in Japan. About 3 years ago when I went to Japan for the first time with my Japanese class, some relatives surprised me by turning up on the doorstep of my hotel! Since then I’ve met them and stayed with them a few times and we all get on well. My mum hasn’t met them in about 17 years or so so I’m looking forward to our big reunion!

    Wow, what a long comment. I hope you appreciate my quadraparagraphed comment loving!

  • Amy

    Alright….I’ll admit it: it was the anime. Before that I really had no interest in Japanese or really any Asian language to speak of, so that was what sparked my curiousity. Then I fell in love with the music, and the culture, and by the end of my first quarter of language study in college, I was so hooked there was not a paper to found amidst my other textbooks that didn’t have kana and my very sad looking, early attempts at kanji scribbled in the margins.
    In the last few years I’ve also studied a little Chinese and Korean, and while both languages are fascinating and beautiful in their own way, something about Japanese and Japanese culture keeps me captivated. Something about it just clicks with me – the flow of the words and the way the grammar works, the elegance of the characters, the appreciation of simplicity and beauty and respect inherent in the culture….so many different things.
    I still watch anime…and now I’m able to read manga….but the most important reason why I learn Japanese is for love of the language itself =)

  • Amy

    Alright….I’ll admit it: it was the anime. Before that I really had no interest in Japanese or really any Asian language to speak of, so that was what sparked my curiousity. Then I fell in love with the music, and the culture, and by the end of my first quarter of language study in college, I was so hooked there was not a paper to found amidst my other textbooks that didn’t have kana and my very sad looking, early attempts at kanji scribbled in the margins.
    In the last few years I’ve also studied a little Chinese and Korean, and while both languages are fascinating and beautiful in their own way, something about Japanese and Japanese culture keeps me captivated. Something about it just clicks with me – the flow of the words and the way the grammar works, the elegance of the characters, the appreciation of simplicity and beauty and respect inherent in the culture….so many different things.
    I still watch anime…and now I’m able to read manga….but the most important reason why I learn Japanese is for love of the language itself =)

  • Nick

    Started to learn it in school because i thought it might be interesting, i almost quit it but it was too late so i couldnt change my mind. Then i went with school to japan, i loved the people and the country and the general atmosphere of the country such as how safe it seems and trusting the people are. The simple and subtle things of the way life is lived in japan is what i like. I have never been a fan of anime, or the inane variety shows that are on the TV constantly, or the poorly lit poorly staged dramas. Infact, the adverts are by far the best part in my view. Also, the work ethics, although admirable, seem a bit intense with lack of holidays and people doing overtime and not getting paid for it but they wouldnt go on strike or anything because it wouldnt be fair on the customers or the rest of the company. At any rate, the trip encouraged me to keep learning japanese and i enjoy it now. The reason for me is to be able to talk with japanese friends that i made over there, and to be able to live and work thier comfortably and easily – seems as good a reason as any to me.

  • Nick

    oh btw, i understand that u like the variety shows sorry to disagree with u about that but if i had the choice i’d rather go out with a group of japanese friends to a sushi place or summat like that. but i suppose they do have thier charm. I love programs like Have i got news for you, QI and Nevermind the buzzcocks. All british ones so i dont know if you will know them, nonetheless, they are hilarious and thats the kind of humour i like

  • http://www.koichiben.com koichi

    haha no offense taken. Just because I like them doesn’t mean everyone else has to. I also love some of the drama. Man, I can’t believe there are people who can’t get addicted to some of it!! jk, thanks for the comment.

  • Tiya

    Yeah, I agree with Kdipko.
    I’ve kinda always been drawn to the Japanese language and culture too.
    Japanese really does sound beautiful to me :]
    The main reason I started learning it was because I liked to talk to people and I wanted to travel there one day and make friends.
    And if I wanted to go there one day I figured:
    [love of japan] + [love to talk to people] = [learn japanese :D ]

  • Nick

    Started to learn it in school because i thought it might be interesting, i almost quit it but it was too late so i couldnt change my mind. Then i went with school to japan, i loved the people and the country and the general atmosphere of the country such as how safe it seems and trusting the people are. The simple and subtle things of the way life is lived in japan is what i like. I have never been a fan of anime, or the inane variety shows that are on the TV constantly, or the poorly lit poorly staged dramas. Infact, the adverts are by far the best part in my view. Also, the work ethics, although admirable, seem a bit intense with lack of holidays and people doing overtime and not getting paid for it but they wouldnt go on strike or anything because it wouldnt be fair on the customers or the rest of the company. At any rate, the trip encouraged me to keep learning japanese and i enjoy it now. The reason for me is to be able to talk with japanese friends that i made over there, and to be able to live and work thier comfortably and easily – seems as good a reason as any to me.

  • Nick

    oh btw, i understand that u like the variety shows sorry to disagree with u about that but if i had the choice i’d rather go out with a group of japanese friends to a sushi place or summat like that. but i suppose they do have thier charm. I love programs like Have i got news for you, QI and Nevermind the buzzcocks. All british ones so i dont know if you will know them, nonetheless, they are hilarious and thats the kind of humour i like

  • http://www.koichiben.com koichi

    haha no offense taken. Just because I like them doesn’t mean everyone else has to. I also love some of the drama. Man, I can’t believe there are people who can’t get addicted to some of it!! jk, thanks for the comment.

  • Tiya

    Yeah, I agree with Kdipko.
    I’ve kinda always been drawn to the Japanese language and culture too.
    Japanese really does sound beautiful to me :]
    The main reason I started learning it was because I liked to talk to people and I wanted to travel there one day and make friends.
    And if I wanted to go there one day I figured:
    [love of japan] + [love to talk to people] = [learn japanese :D ]

  • http://antoniopratas.com Antonio Pratas

    “You want to see Naruto and Sasuke make hot hot steamy love without any subtitles blocking the way of their naked children bodies”

    Best quote ever, lol.

    I’m learning (or trying to learn) Japanese because I’m really fond of the japanese culture. The interest started in anime, but now I’m interested in the real stuff about Japan, the whole way of living of the Japanese, their habits and tastes. Blame a friend of mine for going there and talking about the trip a lot. I want to learn too because it’s an awesome language, really beautiful and different from the most common. And sure, it’s cool to brag about knowing Japanese, but that’s on the end of the list =p

    Cool new blog, congrats

  • http://antoniopratas.com Antonio Pratas

    “You want to see Naruto and Sasuke make hot hot steamy love without any subtitles blocking the way of their naked children bodies”

    Best quote ever, lol.

    I’m learning (or trying to learn) Japanese because I’m really fond of the japanese culture. The interest started in anime, but now I’m interested in the real stuff about Japan, the whole way of living of the Japanese, their habits and tastes. Blame a friend of mine for going there and talking about the trip a lot. I want to learn too because it’s an awesome language, really beautiful and different from the most common. And sure, it’s cool to brag about knowing Japanese, but that’s on the end of the list =p

    Cool new blog, congrats

  • http://annarki.smackjeeves.com Kizzy

    The reason I wanna learn japanese is to be a teacher in japan ^^ Probably teach english to kids or teach an art class one day ^^ but no higher than elementry, cause My japanese is so broken and sucks that the highschoolers will make fun of me XD haha. And I love to draw manga, and the culture and food is so amazing! Id love to communicate with them ^-^ Not to mention the boys are hot haha j/k…kinda.. well! yes ^-^ I love your videos, they are so hilarious! ^_________^ I love your reasons for wanting to learn japanese…since..you kow…they make sence XD Now…im no japanese expert, but kids who learn from anime…omg I cant stand them XD oooh~ Otakus..I remember when I was one…haha.

    Okay…I have to admit..Engrish is cute, BUT! Those otakus that use Japlish? I mean..come on… ” OMG! Thats so Kawaii!!” or ” Im gunna korosu you!” And not to mention the random, ” Im gunna marry (insert anime character here) NYA~!!”

  • http://annarki.smackjeeves.com Kizzy

    The reason I wanna learn japanese is to be a teacher in japan ^^ Probably teach english to kids or teach an art class one day ^^ but no higher than elementry, cause My japanese is so broken and sucks that the highschoolers will make fun of me XD haha. And I love to draw manga, and the culture and food is so amazing! Id love to communicate with them ^-^ Not to mention the boys are hot >> haha j/k…kinda.. well! yes ^-^ I love your videos, they are so hilarious! ^_________^ I love your reasons for wanting to learn japanese…since..you kow…they make sence XD Now…im no japanese expert, but kids who learn from anime…omg I cant stand them XD oooh~ Otakus..I remember when I was one…haha.

    Okay…I have to admit..Engrish is cute, BUT! Those otakus that use Japlish? I mean..come on… ” OMG! Thats so Kawaii!!” or ” Im gunna korosu you!” And not to mention the random, ” Im gunna marry (insert anime character here) NYA~!!”

  • http://annarki.smackjeeves.com Kizzy
  • http://tofugu.com Erin

    Kizzy’s got nothing to say D:

  • Sexy Beam

    I’m gonna marry Lelouch Lamperouge NYA~!

    Just kidding! =)

  • http://tofugu.com Erin

    Kizzy’s got nothing to say D:

  • Sexy Beam

    I’m gonna marry Lelouch Lamperouge NYA~!

    Just kidding! =)

  • Josh

    I want to learn japanese because….of everything that has to do with it:jobs,food,tv,manga(even though I know koichi dosnt like it),and also I really really want to go to japan.And get a job as a translater for japanese and other languages.

    And I hope koichi will make more videos about japanese.Thats it.
    Ja mata.P.S:I do want to be a ninja. lol

  • Josh

    I want to learn japanese because….of everything that has to do with it:jobs,food,tv,manga(even though I know koichi dosnt like it),and also I really really want to go to japan.And get a job as a translater for japanese and other languages.

    And I hope koichi will make more videos about japanese.Thats it.
    Ja mata.P.S:I do want to be a ninja. lol

  • Fred

    Haha. A “why” question is usually a hard one. I personally wanted to learn Japanese because I was interested in Asian cultures. I noticed that Asian kids were smarter in school, so by learning about their culture, I thought I’d get smarter too. Just kidding! I hope I didn’t offend anyone. No, but seriously, I thought the writing was cool and artistic. More or less, through cultural diffusion, I was introduced to anime, and Japanese imported electronics before I even knew they were Japanese. So when I looked into learning a new language, I thought of Japanese, since I was interested in its culture, both the “futuristic” one that is known, and the traditional culture. Plus, I looked into other languages and they’re much more difficult to pronounce. I like learning new languages and new things about different cultures. Japanese will just be one I pay more attention to and hope to trully study in the future.

  • Fred

    Haha. A “why” question is usually a hard one. I personally wanted to learn Japanese because I was interested in Asian cultures. I noticed that Asian kids were smarter in school, so by learning about their culture, I thought I’d get smarter too. Just kidding! I hope I didn’t offend anyone. No, but seriously, I thought the writing was cool and artistic. More or less, through cultural diffusion, I was introduced to anime, and Japanese imported electronics before I even knew they were Japanese. So when I looked into learning a new language, I thought of Japanese, since I was interested in its culture, both the “futuristic” one that is known, and the traditional culture. Plus, I looked into other languages and they’re much more difficult to pronounce. I like learning new languages and new things about different cultures. Japanese will just be one I pay more attention to and hope to trully study in the future.

  • Eric

    I like languages, but Spanish wasn’t a big enough challenge for me. That’s the long and the short of it. I *do* have an interest in the Japanese culture and I *am* learning about it, but unraveling the linguistic puzzle that is the Japanese language is my primary reason for learning it.

    People talk about how great the differences are between Japanese and English, but the further I go in my studies, the more I find that the two are in some ways strikingly similar. It’s really quite exhilarating. And each little epiphany keeps me coming back for more.

    After I conquer Japanese, I’m think I’m going to tackle German next.

    それで、私が日本語を学んでいる理由はどう？アニメや漫画などの関係ないけど、何だかちょっとヲタクっぽくない？　笑

  • Eric

    I like languages, but Spanish wasn’t a big enough challenge for me. That’s the long and the short of it. I *do* have an interest in the Japanese culture and I *am* learning about it, but unraveling the linguistic puzzle that is the Japanese language is my primary reason for learning it.

    People talk about how great the differences are between Japanese and English, but the further I go in my studies, the more I find that the two are in some ways strikingly similar. It’s really quite exhilarating. And each little epiphany keeps me coming back for more.

    After I conquer Japanese, I’m think I’m going to tackle German next.

    それで、私が日本語を学んでいる理由はどう？アニメや漫画などの関係ないけど、何だかちょっとヲタクっぽくない？　笑

  • mohakun

    I’m learning japanese because of a few reasons. First, I like japan and it’s culture. Second, I have 6 amazing japanese friends!, and I would love to have conversations with them in japanese. Also, I’m studying Computer Science at my university, so I figured I might learn the language so it can open more doors when job hunting. I regularly check job posting in japan for american companies and stuff. This next reason, isn’t really a “good reason” i guess…but here it goes….I like the challenge lol…I can speak somali and french at a native speaker’s level, (I’m from Africa, I grew up speaking both french and somali since i was 2 years old.) And I know english very well, I’m very fluent, and my friends said I don’t have an accent whatsoever. So in conclusion, I figured…hey! a 4th laguage…now that’s a challenge!

  • mohakun

    I’m learning japanese because of a few reasons. First, I like japan and it’s culture. Second, I have 6 amazing japanese friends!, and I would love to have conversations with them in japanese. Also, I’m studying Computer Science at my university, so I figured I might learn the language so it can open more doors when job hunting. I regularly check job posting in japan for american companies and stuff. This next reason, isn’t really a “good reason” i guess…but here it goes….I like the challenge lol…I can speak somali and french at a native speaker’s level, (I’m from Africa, I grew up speaking both french and somali since i was 2 years old.) And I know english very well, I’m very fluent, and my friends said I don’t have an accent whatsoever. So in conclusion, I figured…hey! a 4th laguage…now that’s a challenge!

  • Chad

    Greetings,
    My name is Chad, AKA Sanosuke. I began leraning Japanese since I was 5 years old. I practiced, since early childhood, Ninpo. So, I practiced Ninjutsu and Jujitsu( the art of the Ninja and of the samurai ). I lived in a very Japanese way. I had all the Japanese traditions I had to follow. I lived a lot with a Japanese like surrounding. To me, there were only the Japanese. My Sensei told me that learning Japanese is essentiel and would help me a lot in my training so I could memorize the names of the techniques. My accent is perfect now, thats my reason. So you casn say that I’m a “born Japanese guy”. So I began learning, I came on this site by accident and I think its brilliant. I would like you to contact me on my email: cool_me_up@hotmail.com . I send my regards and wish you luck.

  • Chad

    Greetings,
    My name is Chad, AKA Sanosuke. I began leraning Japanese since I was 5 years old. I practiced, since early childhood, Ninpo. So, I practiced Ninjutsu and Jujitsu( the art of the Ninja and of the samurai ). I lived in a very Japanese way. I had all the Japanese traditions I had to follow. I lived a lot with a Japanese like surrounding. To me, there were only the Japanese. My Sensei told me that learning Japanese is essentiel and would help me a lot in my training so I could memorize the names of the techniques. My accent is perfect now, thats my reason. So you casn say that I’m a “born Japanese guy”. So I began learning, I came on this site by accident and I think its brilliant. I would like you to contact me on my email: cool_me_up@hotmail.com . I send my regards and wish you luck.

  • http://thegoodbrain.blogspot.com bryan

    Japan is awesome. I’d recommend Hokkaido.

  • http://thegoodbrain.blogspot.com bryan

    Japan is awesome. I’d recommend Hokkaido.

  • Jonathan

    I want to learn Japanese becaue I think its a beautiful language, and I plan on going to Japan someday. Plus for me, it was a tough choice between Manderin Chinese or Japanese. I just had to go with Japanese.

  • Jonathan

    I want to learn Japanese becaue I think its a beautiful language, and I plan on going to Japan someday. Plus for me, it was a tough choice between Manderin Chinese or Japanese. I just had to go with Japanese.

  • Sam

    She’s speachless.

  • Sam

    Well, back in 8th grade (when I was 14 years old), me and two other students in my class had an opertunity to stay in a village in Shikoku. All three of us then took a Japanese class for a few weeks to brush-up on some things. Well, at the end of our class, all me and this other guy could say “Eh, gu tenmorugen…?” The third person was like “Gu tenmorugen blah blah blah blah…”
    Yah, I would still like to learn Japanese. It’s a very beautiful sounding language, and I have some friends in Kangoshima whome I would like to visite again someday.

  • Sam

    She’s speachless.

  • Sam

    Well, back in 8th grade (when I was 14 years old), me and two other students in my class had an opertunity to stay in a village in Shikoku. All three of us then took a Japanese class for a few weeks to brush-up on some things. Well, at the end of our class, all me and this other guy could say “Eh, gu tenmorugen…?” The third person was like “Gu tenmorugen blah blah blah blah…”
    Yah, I would still like to learn Japanese. It’s a very beautiful sounding language, and I have some friends in Kangoshima whome I would like to visite again someday.

  • Joanelle

    Back when I was a Freshman in high school, I met a guy who was part Japanese, Chinese…[the list goes on] And he introduced me to manga [Inu-Yasha 0_o;] and I really enjoyed it, but I didn’t understand the culture of Japan so I definitely didn’t unstand the fuedal era. So I started google-ing things, but that wasn’t enough. I ended up at Border’s probably every other weekend looking through books on Japanese culture and language. I really liked the language, but they didn’t offer it at my shool!![those fiends!]
    I was self taught for about 3 years[while learning Spanish] Until I finally got to college.:) This fall I will be taking my second semester of Japanese. I’m very proud of myself because I’d already taught myself most of the stuff my sensei taught in first semester Japanese.

    Yes, I am a language nerd,but I still blame my friend for making me fall in love with Japanese culture.

  • Joanelle

    Spanish wasn’t really very challenging for me either. I wanted to learn I language that no one could easily dechiper.

    Not many people in America can read Kana :D

    Spanish and Japanese are surprising similar sometimes too.

    Pan and パン :D

  • Joanelle

    Back when I was a Freshman in high school, I met a guy who was part Japanese, Chinese…[the list goes on] And he introduced me to manga [Inu-Yasha 0_o;] and I really enjoyed it, but I didn’t understand the culture of Japan so I definitely didn’t unstand the fuedal era. So I started google-ing things, but that wasn’t enough. I ended up at Border’s probably every other weekend looking through books on Japanese culture and language. I really liked the language, but they didn’t offer it at my shool!![those fiends!]
    I was self taught for about 3 years[while learning Spanish] Until I finally got to college.:) This fall I will be taking my second semester of Japanese. I’m very proud of myself because I’d already taught myself most of the stuff my sensei taught in first semester Japanese.

    Yes, I am a language nerd,but I still blame my friend for making me fall in love with Japanese culture.

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