The CHI tenten
Posted by harvey in Language on 28. Feb, 2007 | 5 Comments
「縮む」 – 「ちぢむ」 – pronounced “chijimu”.
In modern Japanese, this ち with the “ten ten” is pronounced exactly like 「じ」。
Likewise, the world 「身近」- 「みぢか」pronounced “mijika”. Also uses this annoying rare 「ち」 with the quotes.
The thing that irks me about this, is that when looking words up in the dictionary, or even when inputing [...]
JLPT Level 1 Required
Posted by harvey in Culture on 27. Feb, 2007 | 9 Comments
So you’ve got JLPT 1… But now what do you do?
How about a free 3 month cruise around the world?
Peace Boat is a Japan based NGO/NPO that organizes crusies visiting 15-20 countries over three months while conducting environmental and peace awareness activities.
Normally joining Peace Boat requires payment, but if you have Japanese, or Spanish language [...]
Japanese Language School Recommendations
Posted by harvey in Language on 26. Feb, 2007 | 7 Comments
I get a lot of questions from people looking for language schools to study Japaense in Japan.
There are a few major options including…
Studying abroad while affiliated with a Univeristy
Getting into an academically focused institution, like IUC
Going to a “regular” language school
Most people who ask me about this are looking for the third option. I have [...]
Mt. Tepouzan
Posted by harvey in Humor, Osaka, Travel on 25. Feb, 2007 | 7 Comments
I’m not even a professional mountain climber, but I climbed one of the most extreme mountains in Japan.
I didn’t even bring any equipment, and I was wearing my Adidas sneakers. It was raining.
This mountain, Mount Tempozan (天保山), at an astounding 4.53 meters, is the lowest mountain in Japan. The mountain is located in Tempozan Park [...]
Kobe Chinatown – Chinese Burger
Posted by harvey in Food on 22. Feb, 2007 | 5 Comments
Back to Kobe Chinatown!
Though the Chinatown in Yokohama is much larger than Kobe’s Chinatown, Kobe has it’s own nice neat feel to it.
Of course, the reason anyone goes to Chinatown in Japan is to eat…
Below is what the Japanese call a “Chinese Burger”… What is the Chinese name for this? Does anyone know? I think [...]
Japanese Textbook Recommendations
Posted by harvey in Books, Language on 19. Feb, 2007 | 16 Comments
I am often asked about textbook recommendations for learning Japanese. I finally got around to asking my most trusted Japanese teachers and friends about books they recommended for beginners… And narrowed it down to these.
The incredibly popular Genki: An Integrated Course in Elementary Japanese.
japanese_textbook_recommendations
Genki has been receiving rave reviews. Clear explainations, a great audio [...]
Reverse Culture Shock – Greggman
Posted by harvey in Culture on 18. Feb, 2007 | 3 Comments
I’m sure most of you remember Greggman, the successful game programmer who has been in Japan even longer than I have, and who has recently return to the US, for various reasons.
He has has been experiencing reverse culture shock after going home and posted about it on his blog.
Check it out, let me know what [...]
Kansai-ben Round-up
Posted by harvey in Language, Media, Osaka on 17. Feb, 2007 | No Comments
In case anyone has missed them, here is a quick wrap-up of all the Kansai-ben lessons so far.
Kansai-ben Lesson 9 – Moute
Kansai-ben Lesson 8 – I don’t mind
Kansai-ben Lesson 7 – Revival!
Kansai-ben Lesson 6 – with Bonus!
Kansai-ben Lesson 5 – Honma
Kansai-ben Lesson 4 – Toke
Kansai-ben Lesson 3 – Oru
Kansai-ben Lesson 2 – eeyarouka?
Kansai-ben [...]
