I am considering learning a second language, I am 20 years old and have no history with the language. I am wanting to learn Japanese because I would love to live there someday, great culture they have! I want to know how hard it will be for me, an American, to learn how to speak it with enough fluentcy to hold down a job. I will worry about learning how to read the language later.
2006-09-30 12:10:13 · 7 answers · asked by Speak freely 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Languages
I took Japanese in college, but it was hard.
First, different characters. No "A, B, C's".
Second, different cultures. They have over 40 words for the English word "Love" (wish we had more). Each meaning has a specific voice intonation, and gesturing.
Third, each person based on their social standing (rich, poor, etc) had to communicate at their social standing. It was rude to speak out of your social standing. However, foriener's are granted their own "social standings" approprate to them.
2006-09-30 12:13:42 · answer #1 · answered by Giggly Giraffe 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
To speak, not at all. To read and write? That's another story. I didn't learn to speak Japanese until I was 17 and now that I'm 23 I can comfortably get along in a conversation and read and write casual letters. Speaking a language is usually the easiest part, but you truly cannot expect fluency unless you also learn to read and write it. Teaching for a Japan-based english tutoring company, such as AEON and NOVA, or getting a teaching job with JET, is probably your best bet, because they don't expect you to speak Japanese for your job duties. That situation, you can make a decent wage too, so you can afford lessons. Contrary to popular belief you CANNOT learn from anime! Please don't repeat stuff from anime! The best way to learn if you can't go to Japan for a job is to enroll in a college class. Hope that helps you.
2006-09-30 12:55:02 · answer #2 · answered by cookiesrme 4 · 14⤊ 0⤋
I think it is very hard. You´must be committed to learn it
2006-09-30 12:56:03 · answer #3 · answered by tanahcr 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
You may learn the language, but you will probably wind up offending someone because it is hard to learn what to say and when to say it. They have so many levels of politeness and codes of conduct.
2006-09-30 17:30:30 · answer #4 · answered by Chops 2 · 3⤊ 8⤋
It's hard for you English talking people because you pronunciation is way to different, for me as a Spanish language speaker i learn it quiet easily.
2006-09-30 12:53:00 · answer #5 · answered by Maaka 4 · 1⤊ 15⤋
I t must not be that hard as 200 million japanesse seem to speak it.......some as young as 2years old can speak it as well
2006-09-30 12:14:02 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 13⤋
its hard, trust me lol
H
2006-09-30 12:12:41 · answer #7 · answered by Henry_Tee 7 · 3⤊ 9⤋