TLDR;
Steve Kaufmann discusses his experiences learning Japanese over 50 years ago and how he would approach it today, emphasizing simplification. He highlights the importance of learning kanji, hiragana, and katakana, improving listening skills to differentiate similar-sounding words, understanding Japanese grammar, and practicing speaking with online tutors. He stresses the significance of reading in context and not getting bogged down by minor grammatical errors or overly polite language early on.
- Learning kanji is crucial for understanding meaning in Japanese.
- Supplementing kanji with hiragana is essential for reading.
- Listening to the language helps differentiate similar-sounding words.
- Focus on understanding patterns rather than memorizing grammar rules.
- Speaking with a supportive tutor enhances language skills.
Introduction [0:00]
Steve Kaufmann reflects on his journey of learning Japanese, which began in 1971 when he was assigned to the Canadian embassy in Tokyo. He quickly engaged with Japanese speakers and even delivered speeches in Japanese. His prior knowledge of Chinese characters significantly aided his Japanese learning. He will share five key tips for learning Japanese, emphasizing a simplified approach. He shares a story about not understanding the meaning of "Fumochitai" (barren land) from a Netflix series, highlighting the importance of knowing kanji to understand the meaning, which phonetics alone cannot convey.
Tip 1: Learning kanji [0:36]
Learning kanji is essential for understanding Japanese. While Steve had prior experience with Chinese characters, he notes that the frequency of kanji usage follows Zipf's law, meaning that a small number of kanji appear very frequently. Knowing just 100 kanji can provide comprehension of almost 50% of any text, and learning 500 kanji can increase comprehension to 75-80%. He advises against making kanji learning seem more daunting than it is. Confidence comes from recognizing common characters in context. While tools like SRS systems (Anki) and books like Heisig's can be helpful, the key is to start reading and see the characters in context to understand their meanings and sounds, which can vary. For example, "shokai" can mean "to introduce" or be part of a company name like "Okamotoshokai," so context is crucial.
Tip 2: Hiragana and katakana [4:47]
In addition to kanji, learning hiragana is important to supplement the kanji. Steve recalls using hiragana-only readers in Japan, which were challenging due to the lack of spacing between words. Now, resources like LingQ offer texts with kanji and furigana (small hiragana above the kanji). He suggests using AI to convert texts into hiragana for additional practice. Hiragana originated from stylized Chinese characters used by ladies, while katakana was developed by monks for Buddhist texts. Katakana is now used for foreign loanwords. Steve recommends focusing on hiragana because katakana is less frequently used and can be harder to get used to. He experimented with converting text to katakana and importing it into LingQ for reading practice. He advises setting a goal to learn at least 500-1000 characters and then start reading to gradually acquire more.
Tip 3: Listening and similar-sounding words [8:43]
Japanese has many words that sound the same, especially for beginners, due to fewer phonemes compared to English (25 vs. 44). Many words come from Chinese, where tones differentiate meanings, but Japanese lacks tones, leading to similar-sounding words. Through extensive listening, one can differentiate words like "kawarimasu" and "wakarimasu." Patience and time are essential to allow the brain to adjust, and context often determines the meaning. While pitch can differentiate words like "Hashi" (bridge) and "Hashi" (chopsticks), pitch varies by region, and context is more reliable. Focusing on pitch can complicate learning, so it's not essential.
Tip 4: Grammar [10:31]
Japanese word order differs from English. Using resources like LingQ with interlinear translation can help learners get used to the placement of verbs. Steve avoids memorizing grammatical explanations, emphasizing that Japanese grammar is regular and patterns become clear with exposure. Similarly, politeness levels in speech will evolve naturally with practice. It's more important to focus on cultural cues like removing shoes when entering a home or avoiding disrespectful body language. Grammar and politeness will improve with exposure and are not something to worry about excessively early on.
Tip 5: Speaking [12:02]
After about six months of listening and reading to build vocabulary, find an online tutor for speaking practice. Unlike his early days in Japan, there are now abundant online resources and tutors available. He had supportive Japanese colleagues at the Canadian Embassy who patiently spoke with him. Seek a supportive tutor who provides feedback without excessive correction, allowing for comfortable conversation. Set goals for vocabulary, kanji knowledge, and hiragana familiarity to facilitate reading. If possible, speak with Japanese speakers in your area. Otherwise, online tutors can help take your language skills to the next level.
