The Elegance Of The Japanese Alphabet
Topics: learn japanese, japanese language, learn japanese language, language, japanese
The Japanese Alphabet is an elegant system of writing that consists of two main scripts known as the Hiragana and Katakana alphabets.
It’s these two writing scripts that comprise the some 100 kana characters that are used to write and pronounce every sound in the Japanese language. Learning the alphabet has always been a difficult task for new students, as the characters often bare little if any resemblance to one another.
One of the best strategies that people use to learn the kana is to associated mnemonics with each of the hiragana and katakana Japanese alphabet characters. An example would be examining the character ‘tsu’ and associating it with a tsunami wave. The character resembles a wave that is curved. Since anyone can associate a tsunami with a wave, all we need to take is the ‘tsu’ sound, and think of ‘tsunami’.
Through a mnemonic technique such as this we’re able to memorise a character that we perhaps normally wouldn’t be able to. We can do this for a number of other characters, however it’s often the ‘tsu’ character that poses many problems for new students of the Japanese alphabet.
As ones studies of the Japanese language progress, the other writing system or alphabet known as the kanji is learnt. This system of writing is quite complex as it consists of many thousands of characters, and thus a mastery of it would involve a mastery of Japanese itself. New students however will find the kanji to be quite daunting, and so the kana is the preferred system of writing, as it is used by the Japanese each and every day, and is also easier to learn than the kanji.
The kana is divided into both the hiragana and katakana alphabets. The hiragana is used by Japanese for native words whilst the katakana is more frequently used for foreign words and foreign names. A native Japanese person will typically write their name in the hiragana alphabet, whilst a foreigner will usually write their name in katakana.
There are a number of changes that can take place with the Japanese alphabet characters, such as the dakuten and handakuten. These modifications typically result in different sounds and meanings of characters. One thing is for certain is that learning the kana becomes easier the more you associate mnemonics with each character. In time, learning both the alphabets will become an easy task that you can easily fulfill.
John Hubert maintains a site on the (learnthekana.com) Japanese Alphabet which also teaches ways of memorizing (learnthekana.com) similar hiragana and katakana characters.
Previous Articles Highlighter:
Cosmetic Dentistry Changes More Than Your Smile (1)
The Full Face Effect: An unshapely or even aging face can be improved or rejuvenated with certain procedures in the Smile Makeover category, including orthodontics and or oral maxillofacial surgery.
The Best Creative Wedding Gift Idea (2)
This creative gift idea can be created by an office supply store for a relatively low price or the wedding guest may opt to create the calendar themselves on their own computers.
Last Minute Holiday Savings Is So Last Year (3)
So in the fast moving travel industry, a trend away from last minute holidays as the savings weren't there to the same extent as in previous years could be back as quickly as it went as other considerations factor in - such as a travel company's ability to survive a recession, and medium size travel firms could be squeezed as holidaymakers place their faith in the biggest companies, hoping that the chances of them being able to fulfil a holiday are higher.
What Are The Basics For Affiliate Success? (4)
There is so much advice on the internet for affiliate marketing newbies. Most of it is free but you do have to sort out the good advice from the bad.
What Can A Small Business Blog Do For You? (5)
What this does is create fresh content to get people to come back. There is far too much repetitive content on the internet. Having a blog gives you the opportunity to show what you know and keep things new and enticing.
Hybrid Cars Are The Future Of Transportation (6)
During its first release the hybrid cars were not appealing to many people. To charge the battery you must plug it into the household socket. At that time it was inconvenient at the same time inefficient because it incurred a huge electricity bill.
Brief Review Of Bus Rental Services (7)
The number of mofussil routes operated by Coimbatore division is 119 with 500 buses The number of town buses in the city is around 800 in 228 different routes. The city is also served by auto rickhaws.
Get Online Information For Train To Derby (8)
Speeds 1610 map. Derby recently celebrated its 2,000th year as a settlement. New research (2004) into the history and archaeology of Derby has provided evidence that the Vikings and Anglo-Saxons probably co-existed, occupying two areas of land surrounded by water.
How To Step Up To Difficult Conversations And Confront The People Who Drive You Crazy (9)
Listing the people around you and identifying what they do that gets to you, is a first step. You have to recognize your own boundaries. What is negotiable for you and what is not?
How To Book Train Travel From Newport (10)
The original down platform became Nos. 1 and 2.The bay became No. 3, the south face of the up platform Nos. 4 and 5 and the north face Nos.
Newer Articles Highlighter:
Brief Review Of Bus From Goa (1)
Goa has a total of 224 km (139 mi) of National highway, 232 km (144 mi) of state highway and 815 km of district highway. Goa's sole airport, the Dabolim Airport, is both a military and civilian airport catering to domestic and international airlines that stop en route to other Indian destinations.
Great Ways To Sell Your Annuity? Check It Out! (2)
When you sell your annuity, you get everything. Whether you are getting your first home or a retirement vacation home, selling your annuity can make it happen. How do you sell your annuity?
Energy Of The Future Hybrid Fuel (3)
Car gas consumption, and control with consuming gas. Concerns over such matters are understandable, as people just cannot afford to be luxuriant with expenses and such these days. When talking about saving on vehicle gas money, fuel for hybrid cars comes to stand as a smart solution.
Some Of My New Favorite Office Gadgets! (4)
Alright so my office is at home so I kind of do live in it, but with all the time I spend here, I cannot just sit here and not have cool stuff surrounding me.
Fundamental Steps You Must Know To Starting An Online Home Business (5)
In this article you will find the blueprint to starting an online business from what is the best business to start off with to the most profitable way to market your business.
Low Cost Flights Boosting Turkey's Property Investment And Tourism Attraction (6)
What's more, the future direction for the holiday market is likely to embrace self-catering more and more as holiday makers hit by the credit crunch and general state of the world's economy seek more affordable ways to vacation.
What Are The Massive Profits That Can Be Gained By Owning A Roth IRA Account? (7)
IRAs Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) were first set up in 1974 to allow people to save up for their retirement without having that money taxed while it was in the account.
Hong Kong - Gourmet Food And Accommodation Paradise (8)
Hong Kong-based Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts - www.shangri-la.com - manages 54 hotels under Shangri-La and Traders brands with a rooms inventory of over 27,000. Shangri-La hotels are five-star deluxe properties featuring extensive luxury facilities and services.
Investing 401k Money In Real Estate With A Self Investing IRA (9)
Karen is a professional writer who advocates socially conscious real estate investing with vehicles such as IRAs, 401Ks & other retirement assets. For more information, or to get involved, please visit (www.ira-and-realestate.com) now.
Here's 4 Criteria To Become A Professional Translator (10)
Therefore, someone who only knows many foreign languages may not be a good translator. Additionally, it will be good if you are a native speaker of the target language as you will tend to understand more about the dialect and culture of the way they speak.