What dialect of Japanese is best to learn?

Question

I want to go to Japan in the future. A lot. And I'm sure that by elarning the language I'd get by a lot easier. I know that the different dialects are clearly different, but which one would be the best for me to learn? I've heard that the KAtakana dialect is the easiest to learn, but would ALL Japanese people be able to udnerstand me if I am speaking that?
Just in general, taking into account each aspect, which would be the best for me to learn?
P.S: Want to avoid Kanji if I can!!
Thanks.

Answer 1

Note: Katakana is not a dialect it's the written part of Japanese. There are variations in spoken Japanese but that's the same with any country.

There are 3 written parts on Japanese: Katakana, Hiragana, and Kanji and they are 3 used very widely in Japan.

Hiragana is used for writing Japanese that come from Japanese orgins (like names, nouns, adj. etc..) The Hiragana characters represent sounds.

Katakana is used to write words that are usually taken from other languages (American names, German words, and such) that have been adapted into the Japanese language. Katakana represent the same sounds found in Hiragana only with different characters. Words that are taken from English sound close to the English word in Japanese. You would will probably have an easier time reading and understand things written in Katakana.

You can write Japanese all in Hiragana or all in Katakana. But generally you wanna stay with everything Japanese orgins in Hiragan and everything taken from non-Japanese and some Asian orgins in Katakana.

Kanji is the Chinese writing system that the Japanese adopted into their own. Kanji is not the spelling out of words, the symbols themselves are actual words. I Japan, instead of writing out a word in Hiragana, they usually use Kanji instead (though you can flipflop back and forth and still be understood.)

In written form you will encounter all 3 parts of the written Japanese together. It's all one big mix as needed. So try to at least give familiar with all 3 even if you aren't perfect at it.
Kanji will allow you to read a lot of what's there, but it won't help you speak it or pronounce it.

So find out what you're needs are going to be when you travel there and just try to learn as much as you can. Because trying to only learn on part of a language won't help much. I would start with the Hiragana and Katakana to learn the sounds that are made in Japanese and then progress to the Kanji. Try to get comfortable with seeing it written on paper so you can identify the characters. And then, learn some common expressions.

Note: The Japanese are VERY formal and there is ususally a way to say something formally and informally so make sure you know the difference, in writing and in speech.

Answer 2

Katakana and kanji are writing systems, not dialects. You do not need to know how to write in order to speak. If you need to write but don't know either of these systems (or hiragana), you can just use romanization.

As for your original question, the standard dialect is called 'hyoujungo' and is spoken natively in Tokyo and most of the eastern part of Japan. Although there are areas where people don't use it all the time, it is taught in the schools, and most people can speak and understand it when they need to (such as when talking with foreigners). Thus, I recommend you start with 'hyoujungo', although I would also suggest learning a bit of the local dialect wherever you end up once you get there. (Steven Segal and Edward Norton both speak Osaka dialect, BTW, as that's where they spent the majority of their time there. Sophia di Copola speaks 'hyoujungo'.)

Answer 3

Learn the dialect spoken in Tokyo. That'll be the norm that's taught everywhere. Though Osaka-ben is another good option. It's considered much more rough and impolite in Tokyo, but it's also much more colorful. You'll be understood everywhere. You can't speak katakana or kanji. They're equivilent to the alphabet or any other writing system.

Answer 4

139

Answer 5

If you want to take up Japanese, taking kanji is the best option. Since kanji is quite similar to Chinese characters, then you can master both. ^_^; I think that you should learn kanji. =_=;

Answer 6

katakana would be the second best
but it would be better to learn all forms
kanji roma.(dont remember how it is totally spelt. katakana

Answer 7

You should learn Osaka-ben for sure, everyone will love you.