Japanese Thoughts

Looking for Hiragana all around me

2007-03-05T12:46:00.000-08:00

Lately I look out for Japanese written all around me. The only way I recognize it is when I see hiragana characters written. Riding the subway I look at the ads and the advisories from the MTA to see if they are written in Japanese. When shopping I look at the labels on the clothing and the shoes to see if there are care instructions in Japanese. I try to recognize words in movies where Japanese is spoken (like in BABEL, the only things I understood without closed captions was when a question was asked).

Self-Introduction (HIRAGANA)

2007-02-26T19:21:00.000-08:00

はじめまして　エリザベタ　です。
Columbia だいがく　の　ひしょ　です。
しゅっしうん　は　New Jersey です。　
ロシヤ　から　きました。　
たんじょぅび　は　はちがつ　じゅぅさんにち　でぅす。　
どぅぞよろしく。

Self-Introduction

2007-02-26T13:27:00.000-08:00

Hajimemashite Erizabeta desu. "Columbia" daigaku no hisho desu. Syusshin wa "New Jersey" desu. Roshiya kara kimashita. Tanjôbi wa hachi-gatsu jûsan-nichi desu.

Dôzo yoroshiku.

Midterm Exam

2007-02-23T07:57:00.000-08:00

i can't say i love exams, i doubt many people do. if i must be tested then i would like to be tested on the following criteria:

my understanding of what i am seeing/reading: reading comprehension type questions preferably in romanji since i still cannot read hiragana comfortably.
practice of speech/accent: a practical speaking portion to an exam.
matching of vocabulary to their english translations from one column to another.
short answers and some multiple choice.

...not so easy...

2007-02-12T08:48:00.000-08:00

The japanese class is fast paced and is taking a lot of effort from me to keep up with. Since this language is so different in the alphabet, the sound, the grammar - everything it is basically difficult to relate it and committ things to memory. I often wonder how the other students handle it in addition to a full class load. Personally I am doing the best that I can and dedicating as much time to it as possible. The homework is taking a lot of time but it is easy to follow and the repetition is helpfull. The vocabulary and the hiragana at this point are the most difficult aspects. I am having a hard time memorizing both but will continue to practice and put forth an effort.

Why Japanese?

2007-01-29T07:34:00.000-08:00

1. Because I already have a strong foundation in Romance and Slavic languages with Spanish, French, Russian, and some Italian, and I want my language skills to be well rounded (globally).
2. Because I have a friend who took Japanese and I thought that was hot.
3. Because Japanese movies are scary (at least the ones re-made in America).
4. Because I study karate.
5. Because it sounds good to my ears.
6. Because my job pays for it.
7. Because I am ready for a challenge.
8. Why Not?