Starseeker
Vault Senior Citizen
Luke said:Flop said:
I plan on start studying full time starting autumn 2005, then study for three years, and after that move to Japan for a couple of years. One thing I would like to do there is to live in a temple of some sort for one year or so, if I can endure it - sort of like a trial - and study martial arts. To stay in shape, and to see if it would help me retrieve some sort of balance in my mind - not because "OMG KILL BILL IS SOO KOOOL!!!!!11".
I also plan on going to Japan for a one-two week vacation at the end of next summer, before the semester starts, if I only get a good job during the summer.
Starseeker said:
Ok, so I'm obviously no expert, but isn't it like, utterly impossible to read/write japanese unless you know at least the 2000 or so 'standard' kanji signs? As far as I understand, all japanese words can be written in kana, but if there is a kanji symbol for a word, that one is preferred, is it not so?
And I think I understand what Flop means with 'don't worry about the Kanji'; that I shouldn't deplore over how damn difficult it will probably be, and that it will come gradually.
Some additions:
(*) Get a japanese girlfriend, preferrably thanks to wearing a "looking for a japanese girlfriend" hoody from j-list
(*) I also want to hunt sometime to try it out.
(*) Experience the combination of tv+food+sex, like get a blowjob while casually watching a really good movie and eating some really good snack.
(*) Own my very own super-duper cool sports car.
Damn this place moves fast.
Anyway, 2000 standard signs aren't that bad. You should see my students in my Chinese class.
The Chinese program is set up as follows: first year, 500 words/signs, second year 500-1000more(1000-1500 now), third year 1000 more(2000-2500 now), and fourth year 500-2500 more(3000 - 5000 words). The reason for the difference is that we know it's harder for some people to learn language, esp. the signs since it's based on a completely different system. But, in order for anyone to be semi-literate/competent in Chinese, it's recommended that you know at least 10,000 words. I'll get back to my point though. It's very easy to learn them if you are in the environment, since you are literally bombarded with them every single day. The Chinese program was intensive for my students because they had no environment to practice in. I was one of the few people they know personally that speaks fluent Chinese. But when they were able to take a exchange trip for one month to China, they came back and told me that their Chinese got much better than they were able to learn in one year.
The Japanese department was next door. It's the same thing. My Japanese got a lot better when I was dating a Japanese girl. I almost became fluent when I went to Japan. Alas, fate wasn't on my side, since I didn't stay that long.
I also learned from personal experience that you have to keep hammer at it. Language is one thing that either you learned it by heart or you don't. It has to do with how your brain process the information.
A few things:
1. If you have the ability to understand Kanji, that will actually gives you a lot of repect by some. It shows education and dedication. Most people use Kanji when they want to explore deeper or higher concepts.
2. Don't worry about the girlfriend.
Since you are white(I am assuming here), you shouldn't have too much trouble. As long as - you don't try too hard, are fairly gentleman, know how to have fun, can drink, able to take risks, have a idea for a job, and not an asshole. Don't over do anything and try not to give anybody obvious special attention. It's one of those delicate Japanese cultural webs that are difficult to explain, but that should get you going. Of course, being rich and connected will instantly gives you 5 star status. 
3. Go to cheaper places. Tokyo is nice for a visit, but way too expensive to live in. Look for smaller towns that are 1-3 hours away from big cities. They are cheaper, more authentic, and you will be forced to speak Japanese all the time since nobody speaks that much English. A few of my Canadian friends were able to set up a exchange trip with local small-middle town high schools through the Japanese counsulate. Check with your Japanese community.
By the way I have that hoody, or I used to before I gave it to my friend when he went to Japan.
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LOL , welsh, I didn't know you know Chinese.
Or maybe I just missed the memo on that? Come see me, we'll rock the house in Beijing! 8) As for my appetities, well, I always wanted to date different girls. I didn't mention Chinese since that would be obvious. One of my ex white girl friends had clear blond hair and green eyes. That was my hollywood movie dream come true. Oh, if you want to do the food+sex thing, why not go have sushi on a beautiful Japanese girl? I forgot what the traditon is called in Japan, but it's quite expensive.
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120GB? Nice. One of my friends has 400GBs. I thought he was nuts until I found my supplier for everything Asian in Vancouver. Original Boa concerts, animes, soaps, games and movies. He has 4 terabytes of data. That's nuts.
