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How To Study Intermediate Japanese – 会話

GoddessCarlie — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 08:43:58 +0000

Almost a year ago now I bought and reviewed my first impressions of An Integrated Approach to Intermediate Japanese textbook. Since then, much to my dismay, they have bought out an updated version that includes the CDs. Dammit! Especially it is only now that I am really having the chance to start using this textbook.

I’ve finished Japanese for Everyone (awesome textbook), and as here in Australia the kids are going back to school for the new year, I’ve decided to kick myself into gear and do a bit of my own formal study. So today I bought an exercise book and I’m going to get the show on the road…

I’ve pretty much already done chapter one, so this week I’m going to take it easy and review it. Then it’s down to business. I’d like to ideally do a chapter a week. I think this means I will sacrifice how many new kanji I can learn in a week in my quest to complete Heisig . But while I love the progress I make with it, I feel like I need more, hence doing this text book.

会話 – Conversations

First in the text book is a page in English with some culture notes. These are fine, interesting, but a bit of a waste of space. I will, of course, give it a glance before I move on to the first bit of meat in a chapter – 会話. There are three conversations, one super polite, one polite and one casual. To get through the conversations, I plan to do something like:

Listen to the dialogue and read along
learn the vocab I don’t know yet
read along as the dialogue is being spoken. Repeat this until I can say it at the same speed as the audio. My aim isn’t to memorize but rather just to get my tongue around talking as fast as the audio does. I’m not sure if they have done anything to the new version of audio is any different, but for my version it is pretty good, sounds almost as fast as real life (compared to other audio I’ve listened to!).
If I could be bothered, I would also like to do something like “scriptorium”. Take a look at this video as an example:

You can read more about it on Professor Arguelles’ website, but here’s a quick run down:

1. Read a sentence aloud.
2. Say each word aloud again as you write it.
3. Read the sentence aloud as you have written it.

I think it would be awesome writing practise, a chance to pay attention to the nitty gritty (it’s all to easy to understand something as you read it or listen to it, but when you go to say it, sometimes you are left wondering “what was that particle again?”). I also feel that I learn better when I write things down. Writing down the sentence will help me cement the vocab I have learnt.

To be honest, I’m not sure if I will start with 会話 even though it is at the beginning of the chapter. I think that I would listen to it while reading it, but do the rest of my study after I complete the rest of the chapter, or at least go through the grammar points. Listening is one of my poorer skills – I’m a good listener if you need to talk to someone, but I’m not good at learning something through listening. So this may end up being something I do later in the chapter. But, at this stage, this is what I want to do with the 会話 section of An Integrated Approach to Intermediate Japanese.

Hana Yori Dango – Episode One – Review

GoddessCarlie — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 14:48:07 +0000

Hana Yori Dango
花より男子
Boys Over Flowers
Episode One
First Aired: 2005
Carlie’s Rating:
Rate This Episode: Note: There is a rating embedded within this post, please visit this post to rate it.

The story of Tsukushi Makino, a poor girl who goes to a school filled with rich people. Then there is this group of boys called the “F4″, a group of rich bullies. Well, really, only one is the bully, a Tsukasa Domioji. The group decides to pick on Makino, which is the biggest mistake they could have made as she plans to fight back…

This was one of the first dramas that I watched, and is thus will always have a special place in my heart. I also read (in English) the manga years ago, and was one of the things that contributed to my Japanese learning journey.

This drama was also the start of a love affair with Matsumoto Jun. At first I didn’t get his appeal, but then he had me on his hook – another one Jun baited. We flirted for a while, but eventually I dumped him and moved on to different pastures.

Episode One has Makino get the reg tag, and thus becomes bullied by the school. Makino is a great heroine because she stands up for herself. Tsukasa, on the other hand, is a real piece of work. I’d forgotten how mean he was, how horrible he could be. I was definitely rooting for Rui at the start. I can’t remember if it was the same with the manga, it’s been so many years since I read it.

We do get a bit of insight into Tsukasa’s home life, so we gain a bit of perspective on why he is a huge a hole. The poor (figuratively) boy has issues, that’s for sure.

I love the punch near the end. *Pow*, right in the kisser. And then it ends on a cliff hanger, getting kidnapped by Tsukasa… oooh, what will happen next??

Overall, this is a pretty strong first episode for a drama compared to most. And hey, I already said I’ll probably be a bit biased to this, as it’s like a “precious” childhood memory.

Get Hana Yori Dango on DVD!

Maou – Episode One – Review

GoddessCarlie — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 01:38:59 +0000

Maou
魔王
Episode One
Original Air Date: 4th July 2008
Carlie’s Rating:
Rate This Episode: Note: There is a rating embedded within this post, please visit this post to rate it.

I’m so sad that this is a TBS drama, and so I can’t show screen captures. I’m very very sad, as Ikuta Toma is HOT with his new hair do.

OK, on with the review. Usually with first episodes I’m a bit iffy on them – either they suck or they are OK and it takes a few more episodes for me to really appreciate or get into the first episode. I have to say, with this drama, I am going to be totally biased. I don’t think I can give a proper review. My heart was beating so fast all the way through this because a certain someone looks really good. Yes, I am a sad person.

But I have to say, I really enjoyed this. Ohno was great in his role, although I would love to see him be a bit more charismatic. Perhaps I am picturing this all wrong, but I was picturing from the synopsis that Ohno would be really likeable but a demon underneath, and that Ikuta would perhaps be not so nice on the surface but a really good person who always does the right thing underneath. We didn’t quite get that, but it is no fault to the show, just my assumptions.

I liked the way, I believe it was Toma’s character who said something to the effect of “Who ever did this is a monster with no emotions” (very much paraphrasing this from memory, I could be way off!) and then the next shot is of Ohno’s character crying. It was a nice contrast.

Ohno is the master of the evil smirk.

I have seen many criticisms that Toma was over acting. I didn’t notice, to tell the truth. Perhaps I should pay a bit more attention to his performance, rather than… um.. other things.

Over all the plot is engaging. There are things that remain unanswered and I am curious to see how things pan out. I don’t mind these types of shows but to be honest it isn’t my favourite genre. But I’m looking forward to the next episode.

Love the actors in this show.

It may have been my expectations of the plot or the fact that this isn’t my “genre” but I didn’t get the feeling of “this is awesome” compared to other shows. Besides the thought of “Toma is awesome”.

So yes, expect lots of raving this season from me. I’m sorry, I can’t help it!

p.s. I forgot to mention the shower scene! Less than five minutes in and we have toplessness! For the win!

Image is the Judgement card from the fantastic, as yet unpublished, Shadowscapes deck by Stephanie Pui-Mun Law. I’m soooo buying this deck when it is published. And check out her other work, it’s fantastic.

Goddess Carlie’s Smackdown – Matsujun’s Mop Hair vs. Yamapi’s Mop Hair

GoddessCarlie — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 14:50:31 +0000

Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post's poll.

In the last poll, Shoushi vs Knight, Soushi was the clear winner with 61% of the votes. Congrats Soushi, you won our (and, somewhat, Riko’s too!) hearts.

This round it’s the battle of the Mop Hair Do. Which one does it for you? If any at all. But, you have to choose one. This may end up being a battle of the fan girls, but it’s all in good fun! So, which hair would you clean your floor with? Vote now, and share in the comments!

Last Friends – Episode Four – Review and Caps

GoddessCarlie — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 05:18:10 +0000

Last Friends
ラスト・フレンズ
Episode Four
First Aired: 1st May 2008
Carlie’s Rating:
Rate This Episode: Note: There is a rating embedded within this post, please visit this post to rate it.

Michiru stays at the share house while Sousuke stalks Ruka to find out where Michiru is. Meanwhile, Orugin and Eri go pair cup shopping.

They cut the opening sequence! Poo! I really enjoy the opening, I just feel it is so powerful, and they cut it! I don’t mind so much, it means an extra 30 seconds or so of action. But Poo!

It is refreshing to see Nishihara Aki acting like such a bitch after only seeing her in “good girl” roles such as Hana Yori Dango’s Yuki. I can’t help wonder if there is something going on with her bullying though…

I also feel sorry for Ruka. Why can’t we all be treated as equals? It’s stuff like that that pisses me off.

Ogurin is cute in a wall-paper kind of way. Yeah, his character is very bland. I like Eri, but her voice is so irritating! I can see her staring in a Japanese version of The Nanny.

In this episode we learn more about Sousuke from Michiru’s point of view. I feel so bad for Ruka that Michiru doesn’t even see her pain or how she worries for her. Michiru is blind to it all.

Is waiting all night in the rain for someone sweet or sinister (or stupid!). I can understand what they were trying to do at the end of this episode. Someone standing in the rain, waiting for me… that is a stupid yet sweet action. We see this kind of thing in Hana Yori Dango. However, because we know Sousuke’s history, we see it as a sinister action. I can see how Michiru could interpret it as an action of someone who cares for her very much.

BillyWest alerted me to this Mainichi news article (not currently accessible) where the author can’t understand why Michiru went back to Sousuke at this point. I think that the author of this article doesn’t fully understand what women can go through when they are in this situation. In fact, I can’t either, but I do know someone who has gone through this situation. In this show I see all the “classic” or “cliche” things that people in a domestic violent situation go through. I have seen someone go back to a violent man two times, something that I only understand on the surface. This news article thinks that this show isn’t an accurate portrayal of DV, but in my limited experience I think it is.

Another episode that I really enjoyed.

Um… Perhaps the whole Sousuke drama is getting a bit too melodramatic. A bit repetitive?

I am still enjoying this show a lot.

Densha Otoko – Movie – Review and Caps

GoddessCarlie — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 12:33:25 +0000

Title: 電車男
Romaji: Densha Otoko
English: Train Man
Staring: Takayuki Yamada, Miki Nakatani, Eita
Released: 2005
Carlie’s Rating:
Rate This Movie: Note: There is a rating embedded within this post, please visit this post to rate it.

Densha Otoko is the story of a nerd who saves a girl on the train from a drunk man. He then undergoes a transformation with help from his internet friends to woo the girl. It’s the classic story but this movie goes to show that the old stories still are the best.

The drama series was the first drama that I watched. It was OK, and I really enjoyed the first special.

It was back in the days before I paid attention to Oguri Shun and Horikita Maki. It was back in the days when it took me a moment to realise that “otoko” and “otaku” aren’t the same words. It was the beginning of something fantastic that would take over my life. Who knows how much spare time I would have now if I had never watched that show.

But it wasn’t until recently that I finally got around to watching the movie. I should say now, I know this movie, as well as the TV series is very popular. As I watched it, I couldn’t help compare it to the series.

In the series Densha Otoko was much more nerdy than Yamada could ever be. As for Hermes, well… I thought she didn’t display/command the awe that the Hermes in the series did. Ito Misaki, while very emotionless in her portrayal, does win over the movie Hermes, played by Miki Nakatani. However, Nakatani’s Hermes felt much more human, something that I quite liked.

Eita’s hair, always a character in itself, is two very enthusiastic thumbs up from me. Slick and sexy. Ooooh yeah.

Overall, this is such a sweet tale that has been told many times before. Looser boy falls for dream girl – I think this is the basis for a lot of shounen manga. This movie is a nice modern spin on it. Plus the “true story” tag, I can really understand why this movie has mass appeal. And it appeals to me as well.

I liked the ASCII art. I like that they explained what it is that Hermes likes about Densha Otoko.

I laughed during their “sweet” kiss. It was just awkward, and like in the series, he cries too much. Some bits dragged on for a bit.

What’s up with Orange Range? They have to be the kings of theme songs.

I like how the movie and the tv series are somewhat connected. A nice touch.

Overall, I give this

Buy Densha Otoko

Trailer

Reading Manga For Japanese Language Learning

GoddessCarlie — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 07:58:24 +0000

One goal for many learning Japanese is to be able to enjoy manga in it’s original language. It is one of my goals as well. I have quite a few manga in Japanese, collected from many places, such as YesAsia.com, I have mostly used these as motivation tools – “look at these manga, I will read them!!”

After about one year of studying Japanese, I tried. And surprised myself – I could do it!

Two Reasons Why Reading Manga Is Easy

The Sentences are very short, to fit in the little dialogue bubble. So for the most part, someone with even a small amount of grammar knowledge will be able to read the sentences.
There are pictures to help with meaning. Even you go through a page without understanding a word, often you can guess what was going on. Or you will later.
For instance, in Sugar x Life, there was a page where she was watching TV and I thought she was thinking back on the two guys she just met. Well, she was, but it wasn’t til she ran into the boys again that I realised the boys had been on the TV at the time she was thinking about them, and they were singers/idols.

Two Reasons Why It Is Hard To Read Manga (For Me)

Others might not have these problems, but here is what was hard for me when reading manga for the first time.

Kanji. While knowing kanji isn’t necessary because – at least in the manga I’m reading so far – they have furigana. So I know how to pronounce words, and sometimes I even learn a new kanji from knowing the word before. But often I think “If only I knew just a basic meaning about the kanji – even just an English key word from Heisig – then I would have an idea of the word’s meaning. Building slowly on my previous knowledge I’d be able to get more of an idea of meaning plus I’d probably be more likely to remember the word/kanji next time I encounter it.
Vocab. I simply don’t know enough words. At the moment I am working on vocab building exercises. The more words I know the easier it will be to infer meaning of unknown words, especially with the aid of pictures.

So get reading some manga now! You may be surprised in how much you understand. It’s a huge confidence booster. And if you give it a go and find you can’t understand, do not worry. Just put the book down, and then try again in a month. You’ll have something fun to aim for!

Goddess Carlie Smackdown – Soushi vs. Knight

GoddessCarlie — Sat, 24 May 2008 07:08:44 +0000

Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post's poll.

These two characters are from Zettai Kareshi… The question everyone is asking is who should Riko end up with? The slightly serious, slightly play-boy-ish, slightly obsessed with cream puffs manager Soushi; or the sekushi, often topless, slightly zany, slightly tall robot Knight?

Vote in the poll and tell us your thoughts in the comments!!

How Should You Structure Your Flash Card Deck?

GoddessCarlie — Sun, 18 May 2008 04:44:02 +0000

In my post Divide and Conquer – a Vocab Post, Atreya asked the question:

I am quite confused about the method by which I should structure my Anki Deck. By method I mean, how does one create the cards in Anki?

Now, the short answer is, of course: Any way you want.

But that doesn’t help those who may be a little lost in how to structure flash cards in their deck. The best way to structure your deck is a individual thing, and with trial and error you will find the best way that works for you. In this post I’ll show you the best way that works for me.

My program of choice is Anki, and so many examples are taken from Anki, however, I’m sure most, if not all, can be structured into any flash card system.

What Is The Purpose Of Your Deck?

To start, I think this is the most important question to ask when structuring your deck. In other words, what are your aims, what do you want to achieve by using a flash card program (or, *gasp* a paper based system). Here are some ideas:

To learn vocabulary
To help produce Japanese sentences
To practise translation
As a main study aid in learning Japanese (i.e. primary method of learning the language, for instance AJATT method)

My Purpose #1 – To Help Learn Grammar Structures

My original purpose in using a flash card program was to internalise grammar structures that I was learning. My primary focus was on grammar recognition.

Production and Recognition

Production (in the flash card-based system) took too much of my time that I could use on other activities for learning Japanese. I also actively used Japanese in ways that felt more normal and natural to me – I had a workbook where I responded to questions in my own words, and I kept a diary. Both these made more sense to me than trying to replicate someone else’s words. That’s like trying to do a speech with someone else’s script.

I use Recognition cards only in Anki.

In Anki you can change what kinds of cards are produced (Recognition/Production) in the model properties from the edit menu. What kind of cards you want produced is dependant on your purpose and what other activities you are doing in your study.

Japanese Ability

At the beginning, at least it is for me, impossible to eliminate English.. In fact, it makes more sense for me to use what I already know. Sure, something may not have a direct equivalent in English, but at least English will give you a starting point so that as you become more familiar with the language and see the word used in a different contexts, you will learn the nuances of the word and wont even think about the English equivalent.

Here is an example of how my cards were structured at the very beginning of my Japanese studies:

Front Side: うちにかえって、電話をします。
Flip Side: うちにかえって、でんわをします。
I’m going to go home and make a telephone call.

(from Japanese for Everyone, lesson 7)

I would use kanji that I knew or was learning.
Anki automatically puts in the readings/kana section, which is nice.
I would type out the translation directly from my text book.
This uses the default “Japanese” structure within Anki.

I would put in sentences after learning the grammar point. Anki helped reinforce these grammar points while practising new kanji and vocabulary. My method of reviewing was dependant on time as well as my motivation levels for the session.

If I was short on time, or wanted to get through the deck as quickly as possible, I would only read the sentence in my head, and if I knew all readings and understood everything I would pass the card.
If I had a bit more time, I would read out the sentence aloud.
For an ultimate study session, I would read aloud and write down the sentence. This way I also practised writing the kanji instead of just recognising it.

Progressing in Ability

As I progressed it became apparent that English translation wasn’t necessary. For simpler sentences, or ones I was very familiar with, I knew what they meant in Japanese. For more difficult sentences or ones I was not 100% familiar with, I often would have to break them down into smaller chunks and translated them in my head into English in order to understand, however, at the end I either understood in Japanese or I didn’t. The translation, written down as an answer in Anki, again wasn’t necessary.

However, I wasn’t ready to go all Japanese – Japanese, as I didn’t know enough vocabulary and I was still learning the most basic words. So some English was still necessary, but not a translation. My cards were structured like this:

Front Side: このごろは遊ぶためにアルバイトをする学生も多いそうだ。

Flip Side: このごろはあそぶためにアルバイトをするがくせいもおおいそうだ。

V(plain, non past)ために = “in order to”

遊ぶ　- to play, make a visit

(From An Integrated Approach to Intermediate Japanese, chapter 4)

Again, anki automatically makes the kana version.
I put the grammar point I am studying as a reference in case I have forgotten and can’t quite work out what is going on.
At the end I put definitions of unknown words or words I have trouble with.
To review, I use the same method as previously.
I don’t try and memorise anything, I am only trying to understand. So I am not memorising grammar points at all, the information is just there for if I don’t understand a sentence. If I don’t understand something, it helps me to break it down into grammar terms/points, but when actively using the language I don’t think “grammar” at all.

My Purpose #2 – To Learn The Kanji Via Heisig’s Method

Another goal of mine is to learn all the kanji via the Heisig method. Many use the Reviewing the Kanji website, and I recommend it very much. I still use it for sentence creation and visit the wonderful community there. However, I have decided to use Anki for reviewing the kanji as I like the option of more than just “yes” or “no” when advancing cards, and I like reviewing everything all at once.

For learning the kanji, I just use the Heisig model deck that is automatically in Anki.

In Heisig, I use the “production” method – that is, I am producing the Kanji from the Heisig keyword given. I have also slightly modified some entries – if i know the word the Kanji is in, then I often have both Heisig’s keyword and the kana in the front side. For example:

Front Side: およ（ぐ）・Swim
Flip Side: 泳ぐ
*Story*
*amount of strokes, and what chapter the kanji is from*

There is also a link to the Reviewing the Kanji webpage for that kanji.

My Purpose #3 – To Learn Vocab

Recently, I decided to learn vocabulary out of context. I decided that I needed to learn a lot of words quickly so that when reading and hearing authentic Japanese sources I would be reinforcing my learnings instead of hearing/seeing words I don’t know. Again the focus here was on recognition – this would be a simple exercise of learning new vocabulary for me to use elsewhere.

I used Anki’s “Japanese” model and modified it slightly – I added an extra, non essential field for sentences – so that if I had time I would also be able to review a sentence containing the word, but if I did not have time it did not matter.

In this case, the card is structured like:

Front Side: 思考する
Flip Side: しこうする
to think, consider
*sample sentence*

Where To Get Sentences/Material To Review From

Another thing to consider is where you will get your sample sentences and material from. Again, to answer this you will have to consider your purpose.

When reviewing grammar, I used sentences from my text book. I prefer to read sentences from books actually in books – I see no reason to add these into anki as I can just enjoy them straight from the source. Same with quotes from movies and websites – I would rather enjoy these in their original form, reinforcing grammar of course but not actively or consciously so. This is why I used textbook sources only.

For Heisig, obviously I used Heisig’s order of kanji as a source.

For vocab, I am pulling these from everywhere, including books I am reading and shows I am watching. If I want to get the word deeper into my head I will add it to anki, and later test my “knowledge” by reading or watching the source text again.

Why I Decided Not To Share My Anki File

Before I end this post, I just want to write a short note about why I have decided not to share my Anki file. The biggest reason is I don’t see how anyone will benifit from it. It is helpful to see how other people structure their decks, which is why I wrote this post. However, for the actual content, I see it being little use to people unless they have the same level of knowledge that I have.

I also think there is value in creating your own deck from your own sources. The material you put into your flash card file should be relevant to you. Adding it in yourself will aid you with learning it.

Your Turn

Share your own thoughts on structuring your flash card deck. What is your purpose for using a flash card program? Do you use production methods, fill in the blank methods, or other? Where do you get your material from to review (textbooks, manga, other?) I would love to hear your thoughts and ideas, as mine are always evolving.

Last Friends – Episode Three – Review and Caps

GoddessCarlie — Thu, 15 May 2008 12:42:22 +0000

Last Friends
ラスト・フレンズ
Episode Three
First Aired: 24th April 2008
Carlie’s Rating:
Rate This Episode: Note: There is a rating embedded within this post, please visit this post to rate it.

Ruka and Takeru see Sousuke about to abuse Michiru – so her secret is out. Takeru gets an unwanted phone call, and becomes the newest member of the share house. And the cups become a pair…

During the first scene, where Ruka and Takeru see the Sousuke and Michiru incident no.34, the music felt really upbeat somehow. It was a bit distracting in some parts. Music should compliment, not be distracting! How ever, it was good to see some of the same moments of last week’s episode from a different perspective.

A bit more is revealed about Takeru’s past – not much, but enough to wet our lips.

Ruka and Michiru have a girl talk, where Michiru reveals that she has never felt loved before by anyone, until now with Sousuke. Which explains a lot of her behaviour, how ever she completely disregards everything Ruka has felt and done for her. It must have also been painful for Ruka to hear her defending him.

Takeru joins the house and he and Ruka have “pair cupts”. Very cute. We know that the cups are important, as they are featured in the opening sequence, they are a what everyone was shopping for in the first episode when the three main characters “came together” – even if they didn’t know it themselves at the time – and well, Michiru and Sousuke also have pair cups. I could go on and on. In fact, we have at the d-addicts forum.

Michiru asks for help from Ruka which is a fantastic step. She calls Ruka and says she wants to see her. Having to sneak behind your boyfriend’s back should be a warning sign, but nothing is ever clear when you are living it.

Michiru realises that she needs both Sousuke and Ruka in her life. And so she stands up for herself when Sousuke tries to forbid her to see Ruka. Yay! This was, in my opinion, a very powerful scene. It crossed between the verbal fight between Michiru and Sousuke, and a card game between the share house. Watch carefully from when Ruka gets a good card or a bad one.

In the end, you could say, Ruka wins both fights. It felt like a very powerful ending for the episode. I cried. I don’t know how anyone could not be affected by this episode. It felt like Michiru made some “progress”, some how.

Very powerful episode.

Pass…

OK, you already know I liked this one.

GoddessCarlie.com » feature

How To Study Intermediate Japanese – 会話

会話 – Conversations

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How Should You Structure Your Flash Card Deck?

What Is The Purpose Of Your Deck?

My Purpose #1 – To Help Learn Grammar Structures

Production and Recognition

Japanese Ability

Progressing in Ability

My Purpose #2 – To Learn The Kanji Via Heisig’s Method

My Purpose #3 – To Learn Vocab

Where To Get Sentences/Material To Review From

Why I Decided Not To Share My Anki File

Your Turn

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