lumiina
Member
Registered: 2014-04-28
Posts: 35
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!
Last edited by lumiina (October 11, 10:02 pm)
lumiina
Member
Registered: 2014-04-28
Posts: 35
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.
lumiina
Member
Registered: 2014-04-28
Posts: 35
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)!
