Don't forget to sing your heart, in place of me your song forever

みんな！元気！？

Hello there! How are you?

Today's topic is about something I get a lot of questions about. The evil that is known as KANJI DUN DUN DUN!!!!! For those of you that are new to studying and don't know anything about Kanji let me teach you about it. Kanji (漢字) is the Japanese word for "Chinese Characters" What Kanji literally means is "Han Characters" as Kanji was introduced to Japan from China during the Han Dynasty. Because the Japanese didn't have a writing system they adapted the Chinese way of writing for hundreds of years. A question that I get asked often is "Can Japanese people read Chinese?" Keep in mind that the Chinese writing system has gone through many changes over thousands of years but to some extent they can. Its much like if a native English speaker is looking at a Spanish or French document. You might recognize a few words because they look very similar to English because of their Latin roots.

Because the Chinese simplified their characters many Japanese can't read them in their simple form. Example: 車 is car in Japanese "kuruma" When the Chinese simplified the kanji it turned into this 车 Which is very different. Some characters where simplified by the Japanese but not Chinese. 佛 means Buddha in Chinese but in Japanese its 仏. Some characters were simplified in both languages but not the same. 氣 use to mean air in simplified Chinese it is 气 but in Japanese 気 its the ki in "genki". Some kanji simplified both ways and created lots of cognates 國 use to be country but it has been simplified to 国 (read as "kuni" in Japanese) in both Chinese and Japanese. Click here to see a better explanation on the differences and similarities of Chinese and Japanese characters

Another question I get a lot is "How important is it for me to learn Kanji?" The answer is "VERY!!!" I've met people that have said "I'm not going to worry about learning Kanji until I'm better at speaking." I can't say this point enough. "DO NOT BLOW OFF KANJI!" After you master Hiragana and Katakana I suggest that you immediately work on learning Kanji. The truth is that Kanji is part of the everyday language and I think that a lot of foreign classrooms ignore it until upper levels. Which I feel is a mistake.

What rate you learn Kanji is up to you but what I find is best for me is to learn 5 a week. One a day more or less then giving you the weekend to review them. THIS ALSO APPLIES TO PEOPLE WHO HAVEN'T LEARN HIRAGANA OR KATAKANA!!!! You can learn one sound a week. "a i u e o" "ka ki ku ke ko" "sa shi su se so" and so on. If you use this method you can learn up to 250 kanji a year!

How many Kanji do I need to learn? There are three lists and I don't want to go into TOO much detail about them so here are the lists and explanations of them. Kyouiku, Jouyou, and Jinmeiyou

Tools: Here are some good kanji tools for you.
Online:
http://japanese-kanji.com/ - You can drill yourself on the kanji (allows for different lists to be selected)
DS: If you have a DS and understand hiragana I suggest getting the game なぞっておぼえる大人の漢字練習(nazotte oboeru otona no kanji renshuu) There are three versions and it teaches you how to write the on-yomi and the kun-yomi as well as stroke order. Each version adds another mini-game as well as updates the list of kanji.

Well this was a long post. I'll make another one about on-yomi and kun-yomi and talk about Kanji (without references to Chinese) at another time.

SEE YOU NEXT ROUND!

~Lala~

back and alive

おひさしぶり！みんなげんき？

Hello everyone! Its been a while! How are you all? I've been busy with a lot of things so I haven't really had time to update this blog. I think about it more then I actually blog >_<. Anyways I wanted to bring up some topics for discussion. I get a lot of questions about how people can "rate" their Japanese skills. The truth is there are tests that can help you. Today I'm going to talk about them.

JLPT
The first test is one that many people have heard of. Its called the "Japanese Language Proficiency Test" or JLPT for short. Its Japanese name is 日本語能力試験 (nihongo nouryoku shiken) which translates to "Japanese Ability Test" This test is give twice a year in Japan and soon to be twice in the US. Originally the format was there were four levels and they go backwards. Level 4 being the easiest and level 1 being the hardest. Until this year. The levels have been renamed and split apart. They also added a new level. The format now is levels N5 to N1. N3 being the new level. This is a standardized test and multiple choice. You are graded on your ability to read kanji, understand basic vocabulary, reading, conjugating, and listening comprehension. The JLPT is administered in over 50 countries. The new N5 level is for those who have completed at least 1 year of Japanese language learning. Applicants for Japanese citizenship are screened based on JLPT achievements. Until 2003 the JLPT was the standard test given to students who wished to study in Japan
To find out more about the JLPT please visit http://www.jlpt.jp/e/ or http://www.jflalc.org/

Japanese Kanji Aptitude Test. Its Japanese name is 日本漢字能力検定試験, (nihongo kanji nouryoku kentei shiken) thankfully it has a short name "kanji kentei" This test is given to students starting from the 1st grade up. Like the JLPT the levels go backwards. Level 10 being the easiest and level 1 being the hardest. There are "pre-levels" for 2 and 1. The kanji kenti is not as well known as the JLPT and doesn't really have an value as far as work and school go. It does however give you an idea of how much kanji one knows and studying for it is the greatest benefit you can get. You are graded on the on-yomi and kun-yomi (Japanese and Chinese readings) stroke order, and voiced sounds. For more information contact a Japanese teacher who can help you find the nearest test center. http://www.kanken.or.jp/index.php (Japanese only)

BJT
For those who want to enter the Japanese work force, the JLPT is not enough. Many business require that a person take the BJT or Business Japanese Proficiency Test. Known in Japan as "ビジネス日本語能力テスト" (BIZUNESU nihongo nouryoku TESUTO) Offered in only a few countries the BJT is split in to two sections. The first in multiple choice and the second is an oral interview. You are placed in a mock business scenario and must interact as if you were interacting with a customer. The test is given completely in Japanese so having passed at least JLPT N2 would be a pre-requisite.
For more information: http://www.kanken.or.jp/bjt/english/index.html

Last but not least - EJU
The EJU is the "Examination for Japanese University Admission for International Students" Which that long of an English name are you scared to see the Japanese name? 日本留学試験 (nihon ryugaku shiken) LOL shortest one yet! Depending on your major you are given certain tests. If you are studying Japanese you have to the the JFL Test. (Think ESL but in Japanese) Others include Maths, Sciences, and Arts. The test is offered in English and Japanese unless you are taking the JFT test. Then its only in Japanese. In Japan you have to take a test before you are allowed into a university. This is for foreign students looking to attend any higher education facility.
For more information: http://www.jasso.go.jp/eju/index_e.html

Well that's all for tonight. I've got US history II homework to finish tomorrow as well as keeping up with Japanese studies of course!

SEE YOU NEXT ROUND!
~Lala~