doug e lewis Posted September 26, 2011 Report Posted September 26, 2011 A very general question .. which Chris Bowen might be well situated to answer: I have been looking for Japanese language books so I can do more than say "hello, goodbye or I am sorry", order sushi, know which technique is which in Shotokan, and even read more than basic nihonto oriented kanji; ie some modern kana very little success. I have a couple of Japanese/English & English/Japanese dictionaries, but the are all for Japanese speakers, not English speakers. Library --- nope, so far. Amazon.com --- well that is were the dictionaries came from, and ..... maybe must look harder. There are no language classes near me. I need direction. help! thanks. doug lewis Quote
runagmc Posted September 27, 2011 Report Posted September 27, 2011 I don't know if this will help, but here's a website that has some stuff... http://www.learn-hiragana-katakana.com/ ... -hiragana/ Quote
Justin Grant Posted September 27, 2011 Report Posted September 27, 2011 I broke down and purchased the Genki I book and workbook, hired a Japanese tutor and take classes one night a week. Memorize the Hiragana, Katagana, and then learn basic sentence structure first in the book, then it takes you into more complicated grammer. Kanji come secondarly, and the book teaches you 58 Kanji before you move on to the second level. It is not quick but it sticks. Your mileage may very.. Me Quote
doug e lewis Posted September 28, 2011 Author Report Posted September 28, 2011 Thank you Adam & Justin just checked out "hiragana-katakana" site -- looks like fun and esy to use; especially for ignorant gai-jin like me [probably misspelled .. I am in a rush w/ no dictionary handy] must go home for extended nap now in preparation for big High Desert Oktoberfest party in Johnson Valley. at my age it takes days of prep. doug Quote
cabowen Posted September 28, 2011 Report Posted September 28, 2011 I am sorry to say that I am at a loss to recommend any Japanese language texts...It has been a loooong time since I used one and they are all packed away awaiting the move into our house.... Quote
doug e lewis Posted September 29, 2011 Author Report Posted September 29, 2011 Well, Chris, I do understand. thanks for responding. i guess i will just have to come to Japan and help you unpack and look for them. how long did it take you till you could read katakana, kanji, or hiragana? I know you have been in Japan for a while, so I bet emersion learning is the best. I just always feel i am missing something, in haiku, art, etc. not knowing even the basics of Nihongi. there -- i have learned a word have a good week end. doug Quote
cabowen Posted September 30, 2011 Report Posted September 30, 2011 Actually, I moved back to the US about 6 years ago and have been building my Japanese house ever since.... It took a few months to get the kana and the basic grammar....I did most of my learning at the local "akachochin", which are small neighborhood bars that serve simple food....Japanese girl friends are another standard source.....Highly recommended.... Quote
Henry Wilson Posted September 30, 2011 Report Posted September 30, 2011 I recommend the Genki course. Quote
runagmc Posted October 1, 2011 Report Posted October 1, 2011 Why pay for language classes when you could just date Japanese girls? Brilliant :lol: Quote
doug e lewis Posted October 4, 2011 Author Report Posted October 4, 2011 Wow! very nice house! so when do we all get to come up for a house warming party?? I'll bring a keg of fine sake. and getting Japanese girlfriend sounds like a great idea -- even if I don't learn much nihongi, i am sure she can teach me something :lol: must find nice nisei woman who likes red haired [well, some gray] short 60 yr+ men with Nick" names like 2 Dawg Doug, and Tanuki-sama, etc. the search begins!! doug Quote
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