The Basics

Foreign language learning is not as easy as anyone thinks. Why? Simply because our 1st language ( the language you grew up with) complicates learning with the other languages. It interferes with logical association of how we see or call things in the language we got used to our entire life to the new language we ought to learn, Japanese for instance. But don't get me wrong, it maybe the reason why we have difficulty learning new languages but it is also the reason that we are able to do it as well. It just need a little tweak so your language learning goes smoothly.



That's the first thing you need to know so you will not get confused why its hard for you to learn a new language such as Nihongo. Remember, its never your fault why other languages are difficult for you as there are factors affecting language learning, such as; multiple intelligence, the gap between your language and the language you are trying to learn, the environment, interest, and other cognitive and emotional barriers. So don't get too frustrated when you don't get it the first time :)



As for the basics, all language learning starts with ME-MO-RI-ZA-TION. Yup, thats right! don't worry I feel the same. I have problems with memorization too but we all have to go through it. We can always take it slow but if memorization is your edge then GOOD FOR YOU!



I would love to start blabbering about memorizing words by now in Nihongo but since they have different writing system than of English, we have to go through them as well. Many would say, " I just want to learn how to speak and don't give a damn about writing". Well, in Japanese it doesn't work that way. You see, in order for one to learn how o speak the language, one must learn the building blocks of all languages and those are the phonemes ( the sound system) and the morphemes (word formations). It is a lot easier actually in Nihongo as their basic sound system is all in their basic writing system (hiragana/katakana).



Basically, there are three writing system in Japanese, the Hiragana, Katakana and the Kanji. Hiragana and Katakana are the writing systems of the Japanese made themselves. They consist of the same phonemes only that Katakana is used for foreign words and origins while Hiragana is for general use in Nihongo. Kanji however, is the most difficult writing system (I think). Its origin is of China and shares the same characters with them. However, china uses more old and complex Kanji characters than of Japanese. Both people can understand a little when writing the characters but both can never read the words a loud as both have different language sound system.



Below, is the chart for the Hiragana characters with their corresponding sounds. Please try to memorize them as they will come handy in our further lessons in Japanese.

The roman characters in Japanese are called "Romaji". Under each characters are their respective romaji which represents how they are pronounced. Once you memorized them or at least familiarized yourselvess with these characters, you may be able to proceed to memorizing new Japanese words :)