(Realistic) Goals!

For my first year of Japanese at Princeton, I have a few goals! By the end of the year, I would like to...

1. speak like a native. This does not mean I have the vocabulary nor the grammar level of a native per se, but rather that when I speak, the phrases and sentences I do know come out as if a native said it. This means accurate rhythm, pronunciation, speed, and also grammar. This can be done by paying greater attention to all parts of the homework, especially the eNunciate as well as the Shibata sensee's feedback on my speaking. I will also attend Japanese table 3 times a month; I really enjoyed it.

2. improve my handwriting. I have been told many times in this class that in Japan, handwriting is very important, to the extent that "one's personality is shown through one's writing". While I'm sure that reality is not that drastic, having a beautiful handwriting will help me appreciate Japanese even more. A few ways to do this is to take a few minutes to practice everyday, whether that be taking greater attention writing every character in the workbook, or even have individual writing practices on my own. Once I reach a higher level where I can write more than just a few phrases, I will start writing in person.

3. learn enough Japanese to be able to get around in Japan. Not only in the language but also culturally aware as well. Certain anime might help with this, plus weekly watching of Japanese movies.

Self Introduction

おはようございます〜

はじめまして、わたしは「Jae」です。わたしはプリンストンだいがくのがくせいです、にねんせいです。わたしのせんこうはけいざいです。わたしのにほんごのせんせいはさとうせんせいとしばたせんせいととくますせんせいです。

I wonder how I can combine independent sentences using conjunctions? That would help my introduction reduce its clunkiness.

One full week into the class now-- so far really enjoying it. We have finished learning all of the ひらがな, and although I knew them already, it was still nice to see しばた 先生 write them out on the board. The workbook exercises are simple but useful; my handwriting has improved considerably already. It has been ages since I've watched any anime, but maybe it's time to start again so I can practice listening. Any suggestions?

Besides basic greetings, we have also learned numbers, the time, various majors, as well as particles. I have had the same thought years ago when I started self-studying, but the similarities between Japanese with Korean and Chinese is truly astounding, as my teachers have told me. Particle-by-particle I can match up Korean and Japanese, and obviously looking at various kanji (Chinese characters) I am able to know the meaning (although the pronunciation is different). For example, the particle は in Japanese seems to match up perfectly with the usage of the Korean particle 는. On the other hand, the particle が seems to be 가, and か seems to be 까. The last two example, they even sound similar: ga/ka, ka/gga. As for kanji, the Japanese word for student, 学生 (gakusee), derives directly from the Chinese word for student, which is also written as 学生 (xue2 sheng1). So seeing a new kanji, I can roughly figure out the meaning, although the pronunciation is unknown. It's amazing to see such connections, and I'm sure I'll come across much more through my studies!!

じゃ、また

にほんごのクラス

私はジェイです、初めまして！

I am starting a Japanese course (JPN 101) this semester as a second year student at Princeton University. As a Korean who grew up in China, I have always been interested in Japanese culture as well as East Asian culture as a whole. I am really excited to start learning a new language, although the little bit of past knowledge will surely help me. Also, I hope my proficiency in Korean and Chinese will make this even more interesting and help me "connect the dots". I am juggling 5 courses at once, so it will be a lot of effort for me but I am sure it will be worth the time.

どうぞよろしく！