Japanese Language

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0 height="100%"><tr> <td valign="top" width=200 BGCOLOR="#003333" TEXT="#F7F7FF" background="03cd4c00dduajq.gif"> <div> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="95" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 46 WIDTH="91"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="46" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="91" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="07840f00.gif" border=0 width="320" height="240" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> </td> <td valign="top" BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#003333" FACE="Arial" ><B>Anime' - Hem :The Fanzine</B></FONT>     |     <A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Anime Hem :The Fanzine"><U>home</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id13.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Anime Hem (Front Page)"><U>Anime' - Hem (Front Page)</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id12.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE=" This issue"><U>             This issue</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id24.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE=" editors note"><U>             editors note</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id30.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE=" Club,Fan, and Special Inter"><U>             Club,Fan, and Special Interest links</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id29.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE=" Interview Corner"><U>              Interview Corner</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id36.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE=" Reviews"><U>              Review's</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id28.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE=" Japanese Culture: Yesterda"><U>              Japanese Culture: Yesterday and today</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id14.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE=" Subscription,Advertisng, a"><U>              Subscription,Advertisng, and Back Issues</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id22.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE=" Fan Forum "><U>              Fan Forum </U></A>   |   <B>              Japanese Language</B>   |   <A HREF="id35.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE=" Japanese Language pg2"><U>              Japanese Language pg2</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id37.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE=" Art Page"><U>              Art Page</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id34.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE=" ©My anime generation"><U>             ©My anime generation</U></A></div> <div>               Japanese Language</div> <div> <IMG SRC="0d500b60.gif" border=0 width="256" height="182" ALT="PhotoFinish Picture" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <bR> <div> Japanese Language Corner:</div> <div> This months lesson - Vocabulary</div> <bR> <div> Greetings! </div> <div> This is the first of what I hope to be a continuing monthly installment to help you, the reader become a little more adept at speaking/understanding the japanese language.</div> <div> The on-line edition will be updated as frequently as possible and I will do my best to take questions and answers there as well as via snail mail. If it takes a while for me to reply to a question; don't despair. I will be consulting with a friend of mine to aid in explaining things, so that might take a bit. Included with the vocabulary will be a listing of 2 books I use to help sketch this out. I highly recommend them to anyone, as well as going to the public library to discover other resources including language tapes, C.D.'s, and other books. You will find that local libraries have quite an extensive collection for everyone from beginners to advanced learners who just want to brush up on their language skills. The only topic not available to my knowledge is a book containing the latest in slang terms or street lingo. However,  I am in the process of reading and prepping from a book called "What's japanese in japanese animation" an anime' resource guide. As the title entails it's designed to give insight into the puns, side jokes, and visual humor animators and storytellers in japan employ in some of your favorite series/movies/OVA's.</div> <div> Note: Reference material is very helpful, but does not substitute for having a solid instructor teaching you the language. Instructors fill in what the books,C.D.'s, and tapes can't; experience. That's something you can't replace.</div> <div> They have actually used the language in casual and serious conversation and can relate that to the student so that the student can avoid conversational pitfalls.</div> <div>  I'll also be referring to it at my anime' club's meetings if you are interested in attending (not the November meeting but the  February meeting). Anyway, I'll be including my e-mail address somewhere in the `zine for you to contact</div> <div> me at. I also have a search engine set up whose site I will e-mail out to anyone who is researching japanese culture. Hope to catch you on - line, at the meeting, or via snail mail!</div> <div> On to the vocabulary list....</div> <bR> <div> <B>(`)</B> is an emphasis, accent marker. </div> <div> Italics that are bold indicate an expression, phrase as opposed to a single word, series of single word definition(s).                </div> <bR> <div> <I><B><U>ABUNAI</U></B></I> (pronounced ah - boo - n - eye (I as in "Hi" or "My") - dangerous, risky, precarious; critical</div> <bR> <div> <I><B><U>abunai me ni au</U></B></I> ( ( ' ) is supposed to be over the e in me, and over the a in au)(last part of phrase pronounced m - ay n - ee - aw<B>)</B> - "to have a terrible experience."</div> <bR> <div> <I><B><U>Abunai</U></B></I> ( ( ' ) supposed to be over the letter a) - look out! ;watch out!</div> <bR> <div> <I><B><U>ahoo </U></B></I>( the second o is supposed to have an( ' ) over it pronounced ah - ho) - fool; idiot; blockhead </div> <bR> <div> <I><B><U>ahoo na</U></B></I> (" na pronounced n - ah ) - foolish; stupid</div> <bR> <div> <I><B><U>ahorashu</U></B></I> ( the u in this word is long, pronounced oo as in the word "tune" or "June". the a is also long as in the word ah ) (word pronounced ah - ho - r- ah - sh - oo) - foolish; silly; ridiculous</div> <bR> <div> <I><B><U>ANO</U></B></I><I><B> </B></I>( pronounced ah - no ) - that; those </div> <div> <I><B>Ano ne</B></I> (ne pronounced n - ay) - "You see!", "I say, listen!"</div> <bR> <div> <I><B><U>ANOO</U></B></I><B> </B>(pronounced ah - no) - well; I say; look here </div> <bR> <div> <I><B><U>BAKA</U></B></I><B> </B>(( ` ) is supposed to be over the 1<FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >st</FONT> letter a) (pronounced b - ah - k - ah) - fool, blockhead, idiot, folly, nonsense, absurdity;</div> <div> <I><B><U>baka o iu </U></B></I><I>( last part of phrase pronounced</I> oh - ee- oo<I>)</I>"to talk nonsense"; <I><B><U>baka o miru</U></B></I><I><B> </B></I>(the last half of the expression is pronounced oh - me - r - oo ) "to be fooled"; <I><B><U>baka o suru</U></B></I><I><B> </B></I>( last half of expression pronounced oh - s - oo - r - oo )<I><B>" </B></I>to make<I><B> </B></I>a fool of oneself"; <I><B><U>baka ni suru</U></B></I> ( the last half of the expression is pronounced n - ee - s - oo - r - oo )<I><B> </B></I>" to make fun of"; " make fool of"; <I><B><U>baka na hito</U></B></I><I><B> </B></I>(last half of expression pronounced is pronounced n - ah - h - ee - to )"foolish person "; <I><B><U>baka ni</U></B></I><I><B> </B></I>(ni pronounced n - ee )<I><B> </B></I>"awfully".</div> <bR> <div> <I><B><U>bakabakashi</U></B></I>(( ` ) is supposed to be over the first I) ( pronounced      b - ah - k - ah - b - ah - k - ah - sh - ee "      - foolish, silly"; <I><B>bakabakashii koto</B></I>( koto is pronounced k - oh - t - oh )<I><B> </B></I>"foolish matter"</div> <bR> <div> <I><B><U>Baka yaroo</U></B></I><I><B> </B></I>(( ` ) is supposed to be over the a in yaroo) (yaroo is pronounced  y - ah - r - oh ) - This is the `vulgar' or `rude' way of saying "You fool!", and "Idiot!". </div> <bR> <div> <I><B><U>Bakemono </U></B></I>(( ` ) is supposed to be over the 1st o) (pronounced b - ah - k - ay - m - uh (oo) - n - oh ) - ghost, goblin.</div> <div> <I><B><U>Bakuhatsu</U></B></I> (pronounced b - ah - k - oo - h - ah - t - s - oo) - explosion, detonation; <I><B><U>bakuhatsu suru</U></B></I><I><B> </B></I>"to (explode, blow up, burst)".</div> <bR> <div> <I><B><U>Daijoobu</U></B></I> (( ` ) is supposed to be over the 1st o) (pronounced d - eye(long I as in "Hi" or "My") - j - oh - b - oo ) - Safe, secure, certain; certainly,  undoubtedly, without fail; I am sure; I assure you.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Books</B></div> <div> After some careful reading and studying I have found the following 2 reference books quite interesting and helpful. The first is my source assistant with the vocabulary. It's a dictionary I found at the East Library here in the springs, it's an english to japanese, japanese to english dictionary. I have had my suspicions about the use of some words of dialogue, so I decided to look them up.</div> <div> This dictionary (from random house), though old (written in 1993), was fairly easy to use and gave each word and expression a clear meaning(s) and pronunciation. I would recommend that you find a later edition to see if any slang expressions had been added or new words covering the high tech revolution. The book is from the "Living Language" series. Do look for this one!</div> <div> My second "must read" is Barron's "Learn Japanese the fast and fun way". It contains a great deal of useful information concerning pronunciation, conversational phrases, and many good exercises. For basic conversation this is truly a must. The only drawbacks are;</div> <div> 1) There is no tape or C.D. with it.</div> <div> 2 )The book I have from the library has some cue/vocabulary cards missing from it.</div> <div> Also, as I stated in the beginning, this does not replace a competent language instructor.</div> <div> But, if you want to get started on your own this is a good book.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Summary and preview</B></div> <div> I know this was not a very long vocabulary list. I fleshed it out some with some extra expressions and such. In the next issue with vocabulary I will give a full two - page list. The words and expressions I have included so far are the ones most popularly used in various anime' productions. </div> <div> The next issue I will put in some sentences/phrases commonly used in ordinary conversation.</div> <div> I would like to thank at this time the local library; East Library on Union and Montebello for the research material.</div> <div> If you wish to increase your vocabulary now and not wait for future issues go to your local library or sign up for a course in japanese language at a local community college, on line, or check out the foreign language center here in the Springs.</div> <div> See you next issue!</div> <bR> <div> The Editor</div> <bR> <div> _____________________________________________________</div> <div> Update May 2001</div> <div> Heres a list of vocab words and phrases. It isn't as detailed as the above list but I should have it that detailed by the end of the month (gomen).</div> <div> Japanese Language Corner Pt2</div> <div> Phrases:</div> <div> For everyday use (some of these related to your favorite anime characters) -</div> <bR> <div> <I><B><U>Yes/No</U></B></I> - Hai/ie  (1<FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >st</FONT> word pronounced like "hi" with long I. 2<FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >nd</FONT> pronounced ee - ay)</div> <bR> <div> <I><B><U>Thank You</U></B></I> - Domo Arigato (pronounced d - oh - m - oh - ah - r - ee - g - ah - toe) </div> <bR> <div> <I><B><U>No, Thank you</U></B></I> - Kekko desu, arigato (1<FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >st</FONT> word pronounced k - eh - k - k - oh, "eh" stands for short e like in pet)</div> <bR> <div> <I><B><U>Please</U></B></I> <I><B>(offering)</B></I> - Dozo (pronounced d - oh - z - oh)</div> <div>     "       <I><B>(Asking for something) </B></I>- Onegai shimasu (pronounced oh - n - eh - guy sh - ee m - ah - s)</div> <bR> <div> <I><B><U>I don't understand</U></B></I> - Wakarimasen (pronunced w - ah - k - ah - ree - m - ah - sen)</div> <bR> <div> <I><B><U>Do you speak english?</U></B></I> - Eigo hanashimasu ka (you should pronounce ei as long a in the word "hay", "hanashimasu" is pronunced ~ h - ah - n - ah - she - m - ah - ss)</div> <bR> <div> <I><B><U>I can't speak Japanese</U></B></I> - Nihongo wa hanasemasen (pronounced n - ee - h -ah - n - go - w - ah - h - ah - n - ah - s - a as in long a - m - ah - s - en)</div> <bR> <div> <I><B><U>I don't know</U></B></I> - Shirimasen (1<FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >st</FONT> part pronounced sh - e, as in long e - r - e, also long e sound)</div> <bR> <div> 07/13/01____________________________________________</div> <bR> <div> <I><B><U>Please, speak more slowly</U></B></I> - Mo Skoshi yukkuri hanashte kudasai</div> <bR> <div> <I><B><U>Please write it down for me</U></B></I> - Kaite kurimasen ka?</div> <bR> <div> <I><B><U>My name is ...</U></B></I> - Watashi no namae wa (insert your name)dess</div> <bR> <div> <I><B><U>How do you do, pleased to meet you</U></B></I> - Hajimemashte, dozo yoroshku</div> <bR> <div> <I><B><U>Good morning</U></B></I> - Ohayo gozaimasu</div> <bR> <div> <I><B><U>Good afternoon</U></B></I> - Konichi wa</div> <bR> <div> <I><B><U>Good evening</U></B></I> - Konban wa</div> <bR> <div> <I><B><U>Good night</U></B></I><I> </I>- (before bed) Oyasumi nasai</div> <div>                         (taking off from a multi-person event) Osaki ni</div> <bR> <div> <I><B><U>Goodbye</U></B></I> - Sayonara</div> <bR> <div> <I><B><U>How are you?</U></B></I> - Ogenki desu ka</div> <bR> <div> <I><B><U>Excuse me, please</U></B></I> - Shitsurei shimasu</div> <bR> <div> <I><B><U>Sorry</U></B></I> - Sumimasen/gomen nasai</div> <bR> <div> <I><B><U>I'm really sorry</U></B></I> -  Honto ni sumimasen</div> <bR> <div> <I><B><U>Can you help me?</U></B></I> - Choto sumimasen </div> <bR> <div> <I><B><U>Can you tell me (insert appropriate word/phrase of what you want to be told)?</U></B></I> -(see previous in english sentence)o oshiete kuremasen ka?</div> <bR> <div> <B><U>May I have ( insert word)</U></B> - (insert name of what you want) </div> <div> itadakemasu ka</div> <bR> <div> <I><B><U>I would like</U></B></I> ( insert name of what you would like) - ( see previous in parenthesis)o itadakemasu  ka</div> <bR> <div> <I><B><U>Is there (insert word) here </U></B></I>-  Koko ni (insert word)ga arimasu ka?</div> <bR> <div> <I><B><U>Where can I get (insert word)</U></B></I> - (insert word) wa  doko ni arimasu ka?</div> <bR> <div> <I><B><U>How much is it?</U></B></I> - Ikura desu ka?</div> <bR> <div> <I><B><U>What time is it?</U></B></I> - Ima naji desu ka?</div> <bR> <div> <I><B><U>Excellent/amazing</U></B></I> - Sugoi!</div> <bR> <div> <I><B><U>Cheers!</U></B></I> - Kampai! ( when toasting something)</div> <bR> <div> <I><B><U>Go Away!</U></B></I> - Atchi e ite</div> <bR> <div> <I><B><U>Where is the rest/bath room?</U></B></I> - Otearai wa doko tskaemasu ka?</div> <bR> <div> <I><B><U>Note:</U></B></I><I> </I> itadakimasu  (1<FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >st</FONT> word pronounced e, as in long e sound - t - ah - d - ah - k - e, again as in long e sound) can often be heard when a character is about to eat. This is the case in shows like "Tenchi Muyo!" and " Taanda Boorin". It means, literally "I receive". This is also mentioned in the book "Japanese Phrase Book" in the etiquette section at the front.</div> <bR> <div>  <B><U>vowel note:</U></B></div> <div> Just to save space and peace of mind here are the vowels and their pronunciations for japanese. I should have done this much sooner but, oh well; Gomen!</div> <div> <B><U>A</U></B> as in the words "pa" and "ma", but shorter emphasis time</div> <div> <B><U>E</U></B> as in the words "head, or "bed"</div> <div> <B><U>I</U></B>  as in the words "beef", or "chief" in other words like an "e "</div> <div> <B><U>O</U></B> as in the words "pour", or "door" again shorter emphasis time like the vowel "e "</div> <div> <B><U>U</U></B>  as in the word "put"</div> <div> ______________________________________________-</div> <bR> <div> <B><U>pronunciation note:</U></B></div> <div> Here are some more things to remember when pronouncing words and phrases in the list.</div> <div> <B><U>ai</U></B> - This  you pronounce like the 'i' sound in the word "dine" or "mine"</div> <div> <B><U>ae</U></B> - This has a duel sound pronunciation ; "ah -eh" eh pronounced like the 'a' in "may" or "day" *</div> <div> <B><U>ei</U></B> - This  combo you pronounce as in the 'a' sound in the word                                                         </div> <div> "may" or "play"</div> <div> * Don't ask, when I checked my reference they had something in it that was even less comprehensible than what I came up with</div> <div> - Gomen</div> <div> Also G & J are pronounced as they would normally be at the beginning of a word and similarly through out (if this makes little sense to you; you're not alone. However I have double-checked and it's correct). Any consonant except N at the end of the word gets emphasized for example (and please don't use this particular word without making sure it's a single adult you're talking to - see your local language professor and ask them why) the  'k' in "Pink" is "pink - ku" </div> <bR> <bR> <div> <I><B><U>Book review</U></B></I></div> <div> Another good book is entitled "Japanese Phrase Book" this is by</div> <div> eyewitness travel guide. It has all the usefull expressions plus what to look for in regards sign posts and like the works I have encountered it includes the numbers, pronounciations. It also gives the business traveller some good hints as well. </div> <div> Good reading and remember if the book store doesn't have it your local library should, or you can request it and they will happily find a copy.</div> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>