Not sure if this would go in General Discussion or the Koohii Lounge!

I'm curious if anyone here is also studying another Japanese language in addition to Japanese, or thought of studying one. (For example, the languages on Tofugu's article: http://www.tofugu.com/2012/08/03/japans-...languages/)

I've been learning Japanese Sign Language almost as long as I have been Japanese and am at a conversational level. I absolutely adore JSL and have gotten to use it in and outside of Japan as well. I've learned it mostly through YouTube, as well as some tutoring. I really love the movie ゆずり葉, a movie almost entirely in JSL, directed by a Deaf director. I had to ask my mother-in-law in Japan to order it and ship it to me! Since it's hard to acquire overseas.

I just started learning Aynu Itak (アイヌ語). I hope to stick with it. I considered learning earlier this year, and even asked LordSilent if he could add Aynu to Tadoku (ReadMOD), but then decided not to learn it because I was worried I was wasting time learning another language when I could be focusing on Japanese and JSL. But this time I'm determined that if I take it slow, I'll really enjoy learning a third language. I asked LordSilent again about adding the language so I can read some Aynu for Tadoku! We'll see what he says. He was willing to add it last time, so maybe he'll be willing again. Any other Aynu learners might be interested in this too.

Anyone else? I find Tofugu's list of languages so interesting. I'd love the hear from the experiences of other people learning those languages!

lumiina Wrote:Not sure if this would go in General Discussion or the Koohii Lounge!

I'm curious if anyone here is also studying another Japanese language in addition to Japanese, or thought of studying one. (For example, the languages on Tofugu's article: http://www.tofugu.com/2012/08/03/japans-...languages/)

The Miyako vid in this link is mad, just had to say it. Also the last movie of Kawase 2つ目の窓 has a few songs in Amami as well, they were pretty nice if anyone is interested.

I just saw that Miyako video shared on my feed from someone learning Aynu in Japan (which made me wonder who might be learning these other languages, leading to my post here) and had forgotten it was on this article.

Amami actually has its own village sign, separate from Japanese Sign Language, that's endangered. I'm so curious to see it, but haven't found any videos on it yet.

I had a Japanese Sign Language tutor for a short time when I started studying Japanese a couple of years ago here in the US. It was a great experience, but it was (and still is) really hard to remember all the signs I learned without any outside practice. I'd love to keep learning JSL, but I think the best option is for me to be in Japan and learn from the Deaf Japanese there.

Great post! I have definitely thought about it with Ainu. If I ever end up living in Hokkaido I will certainly engage with that culture as much as I can. I hadn't even considered JSL but that sounds like it'd be a really rewarding experience as well, and probably a greatly appreciated attribute. Where did you find tutors, OP? How did you end up using it outside of Japan? Thanks.

It's kind of a long story, but after a lot of googling over a long period of time, I finally came up with the results of a JSL signer from Japan in my area who worked at a local university teaching ASL to Japanese exchange students. He couldn't find a job after graduating and ended up moving back to Japan, but while he was here he tutored me for many months. Before that I had been learning on my own for years without ever actually signing to someone. I was excited that I could actually converse with the foundation I built up, and was happy to have someone to practice with and give me feedback to help me improve.

Other opportunities outside of the US have consisted of chats on Google Hangouts. I ran a 手話サークル for a short time on Google Hangouts, and there was also a native JSL signer who joined in. Eventually we got busy and didn't find the time to meet anymore, but it was fun while it lasted. And we may start it up again sometime. The native JSL signer is actually someone I had been following on twitter for a long time and communicating with, and it was nice to finally talk with her in person (through webcam)!

Decided to give up Aynu again <(^_^). I really hope I don't go back to it and end up giving it up again! I just realized, I love Japanese and JSL so much, I don't really want to pick up another language and sacrifice the time I could be spending on the others.

But anyhow, discussion still open if anyone wanted to join it, despite my decision on Aynu. I still was tempted by it, ha. And I am learning JSL.

I'd like to learn Ainu at some point and Okinawan. But Those are way in the future. Not only do I want my Japanese and Vietnamese to be excellent before that, but I want passable Mandarin and Korean too. Although who knows, I might end up dabbling early, especially if I end up in a relevant part of Japan. But assuming those languages are kept at a purely academic distance, it'll be a while before I get to them.