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Language and Travel Plans!: JAPANNIVERSARY!
10 years ago
General
Oh god the terrible word-play...
So my husband and I are officially planning a trip to Japan for next year!! In the meantime, we are also trying to learn as much Japanese as possible until then. Honestly, we're a little worried about getting lost and being unable to communicate, or missing out on cool stuff because we can't read or communicate. Or just generally offending someone by making some stupid mistake. (Plus we both have always wanted to learn Japanese but never got the chance because neither of our school's taught it. :V)
We have all the translation apps (the Google Translate app and World Lens are both pretty freakin' sweet, btw) but we don't want to rely entirely on books and technology to do all the work, because we know it won't always been the fastest, most convenient, or most reliable way to communicate. Besides, attempting to learn the language-even if you suck at it- is the best way to show respect. I have a coworker who took Japanese all through school and who has lent me all his favorite textbooks, and we've bought a few language books to learn the kana and beginner kanji, so we're pretty serious about it. I have plans to use my art to help me study as well...possibly making a coloring book featuring Tomiko to help me memorize my kana (it would basically be like an ABC coloring book).
One of the ways my coworker (and a few other sources) suggested to study was to find a Japanese penpal looking to learn or improve their English. I found a website for international penpals, but it's so awkward introducing yourself to strangers you don't really have much in common with and just being like, "HI I CAN'T SPEAK YOUR LANGUAGE AND I WANT YOU TO TEACH ME, OK? OK." I know there are a bunch of Japanese furs here on FA, and it would be awesome to have someone with common interests to talk to, but I feel so awkward cold-calling (cold-messaging?) people lest I scare them off, thinking I'm one of those awkward-drama-llama-weirdos (you know what I'm talking about...)
._."
Suggestions? Anyone know anyone who's a native Japanese-speaker that they could introduce me to?
So my husband and I are officially planning a trip to Japan for next year!! In the meantime, we are also trying to learn as much Japanese as possible until then. Honestly, we're a little worried about getting lost and being unable to communicate, or missing out on cool stuff because we can't read or communicate. Or just generally offending someone by making some stupid mistake. (Plus we both have always wanted to learn Japanese but never got the chance because neither of our school's taught it. :V)
We have all the translation apps (the Google Translate app and World Lens are both pretty freakin' sweet, btw) but we don't want to rely entirely on books and technology to do all the work, because we know it won't always been the fastest, most convenient, or most reliable way to communicate. Besides, attempting to learn the language-even if you suck at it- is the best way to show respect. I have a coworker who took Japanese all through school and who has lent me all his favorite textbooks, and we've bought a few language books to learn the kana and beginner kanji, so we're pretty serious about it. I have plans to use my art to help me study as well...possibly making a coloring book featuring Tomiko to help me memorize my kana (it would basically be like an ABC coloring book).
One of the ways my coworker (and a few other sources) suggested to study was to find a Japanese penpal looking to learn or improve their English. I found a website for international penpals, but it's so awkward introducing yourself to strangers you don't really have much in common with and just being like, "HI I CAN'T SPEAK YOUR LANGUAGE AND I WANT YOU TO TEACH ME, OK? OK." I know there are a bunch of Japanese furs here on FA, and it would be awesome to have someone with common interests to talk to, but I feel so awkward cold-calling (cold-messaging?) people lest I scare them off, thinking I'm one of those awkward-drama-llama-weirdos (you know what I'm talking about...)
._."
Suggestions? Anyone know anyone who's a native Japanese-speaker that they could introduce me to?
Id go with Rosetta stone to start learning
lol, I'll have to pick your brain eventually, then. ;P