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The million dollar question. - Printable Version

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The million dollar question. - FreyaXI - 2009-07-22

Ok so I'm really taking Japanese and the culture, music new and olf. Literature and things like that but..well I bought RTK 1 and 3 plust RTKana, and for the awesome million dollar question... Where and how do I start? I have Anki for an SRS and such I have most of the needed equipment. My only draw back is I can't write. My penmanship for english alone is terrible and for Kanji/Kana it's only going to get worse but... well How does one start studying the Kanji?

I know this question has been asked for ages but I can never get a straight answer... Please don't flame I am being rather sincere about this so.. Thanks for you help!

The million dollar question. - activeaero - 2009-07-22

This is going to sound rude and I really don't mean for it to come of this way but if you can't answer these questions for yourself with the vast amount of information available in the books you just purchased, on the Anki site itself (which shows you exactly how to use it and even includes a RTK deck), and in the threads in this forum then you might want to consider a different hobby because it requires a TON of self motivated work. If you can't find the motivation to research something like this, which has been covered an infinite number of times, then you are definitely not going to have the motivation required for the rest of it.

To answer your question though.

1. Open the RTK book to page one. Start reading.
2. As you come across something you want to remember add it as an Anki card. The Anki website explains how to do this quite clearly both in text and video format.

The million dollar question. - FreyaXI - 2009-07-22

Ok, well I know a majority of it is self motivated and no you didn't sound rude. I was more or less looking for anytips or atleast a jumping off point... I've read what you told me to read thousands of times and I know how to work Anki like a charm. Its more or less what is a good thing to start at working on? Quite a simple question really.

The million dollar question. - FreyaXI - 2009-07-22

Thanks alot Jen, yeah I read AJATT for some reason i just don't think I was smart enough to pick up where to start XD I have a large intrest in Japan it's culture, the language the music (new and old) and I was more or less looking on where to start XD I have a good ear for the conversational stuff and pronounciations(SP? probably.) Are more of my specialty than writing is. My penmanship is bad but Im more looking on reading and comprehending more than writing only for the sheer reason is I don't really ever plan to live there, maybe as an ALT through one of the various programs for about a year tops but its more the tourist inside me than anything for that XD

The million dollar question. - thermal - 2009-07-22

This is the most important thing for you to read: http://www.alljapaneseallthetime.com/blog/about/overview-page

Once you understand that do RTK1. The RTK1 book itself explains what to do. Use the RTK Anki deck for reviews. Personally I suspended everything, then would unsuspend a chapter at a time and go through it. When that's done unsuspend the next chapter. Make sure you do your reviews everyday. Don't forget to check the stories on this site if you can't think of anything good for a particular kanji.

Whilst doing RTK1 listen to as much Japanese (pure Japanese, no English such as Japanese learner tapes often have "Side 1, Dialog A. The Beach". In fact avoid any learner material all together) as you can. However, I would be wary of listening to Japanese whilst doing stuff in English in the beginner phase. You want to keep the languages as distinct as possible.

Once you have completed RTK1 come back and get more advice. Or read more of AJATT to figure out what to do next.

The million dollar question. - FreyaXI - 2009-07-22

Thanks alot thermal ^^.

I have nothing in english to actually listen to anymore. Most of its Japanese vocal stuff or some instrumental stuff. (Helps me sleep. I know it doesnt have the language in it but I use it more for sleep related issues.) among my web browser and a majority of my messaging programs and such are actually the japanese versions so Im pretty well set at seeing the language all day everyday 24/7/365 its just the studying part I need guidance and I really appreciate it ^-^

The million dollar question. - thermal - 2009-07-23

No worries!

Cool, listening to music is good, but also try and listen to some podcasts, etc. In particular listening to the same story/podcast over and over again can help your brain learn the sounds.

Good stuff with using the Japanese versions. Just don't pay too much attention though. You don't really want to pay any attention to the written form of Japanese until you have done RTK1. You can learn hiragana and katakana and read stuff on the side though if you want, but it's probably easier to learn them after you have learnt the kanji and are ready to get stuck into the written form.

I wouldn't even learn grammar now until you have finished RTK1 and have had a lot of exposure to the sound of the language.

The million dollar question. - FreyaXI - 2009-07-23

I think the versions and things like that are more for familiarization than anything. Im learning the kana side of things with my fiancee (she takes a class.) which was more for credits than anything but I tag along time to time and do what she does to help her study and *Shrugs* to get what I can out of it myself. so i know most of the kana. It's the kanji that kills me XD

The million dollar question. - Tobberoth - 2009-07-23

I just want to put even more emphasis behind what thermal said: Listen to more than music. Japanese music is generally not a good source of learning or getting used to Japanese since poetic and sung Japanese differs greatly from "normal" Japanese in both structure and pronunciation.

Of course, listening to Japanese music is great! Just make sure you listen to Japanese podcasts, radios, news as well so you get used to all the various facets of Japanese, it will help you a lot when you learn vocabulary later.

The million dollar question. - Yonosa - 2009-07-23

Tobberoth Wrote:I just want to put even more emphasis behind what thermal said: Listen to more than music. Japanese music is generally not a good source of learning or getting used to Japanese since poetic and sung Japanese differs greatly from "normal" Japanese in both structure and pronunciation.

Of course, listening to Japanese music is great! Just make sure you listen to Japanese podcasts, radios, news as well so you get used to all the various facets of Japanese, it will help you a lot when you learn vocabulary later.
Yeah try to stream J-Tv if possible, I have found that J-music is awesome for vocabulary though, It is so easy to put a couple songs you love into the SRS, and you'll be amazed with how easily and with how much vocabulary you'll come out with from that.

The million dollar question. - thermal - 2009-07-23

To OP, for JTV check out.

http://www.v2p.jp/video/english/index.html
http://www.livestation.com/