Learning Japanese?

[Quioxte]

So, recently I decided to learn Japanese, as it seems like the most interesting culture and language to learn about. So, I could anybody recommend me some websites and whatnot to start with?

[Eidolon]

http://piggymoo.com/forum/learn-japanese-t296.html

Maybe.

I haven't tried it.

Good luck!

[Jackass McAwesome]

This one's pretty detailed:

http://www.simnet.is/benegaut/InstantzJP/index.html

[Desu]

Yay... another weeaboo.

First. If you've never tried learning a language before, I recommend you check out http://anonym.to?http://how-to-learn-an ... index.html . Check out their forum. It's highly active and very helpful.

http://anonym.to?http://www.guidetojapanese.org/ <<< The only free website on Japanese I know of that isn't totally crap.

http://anonym.to?http://ichi2.net/anki/ <<< Download this. Download the JLPT Vocabulary pack of flashcards (you can figure it out once you open the program). Learn at least 20 new words a day. I learn 40-50 words a day ATM.

Before you can use the anki program, you must learn the Japanese phonetic alphabet, otherwise you won't be able to read anything. They have 2 alphabets: (1) hiragana - for traditional Japanese words and the "ends" of words. (2) katakana - for foreign words, cognates.

Hiragana and katakana take a while to read (2-3 weeks looking at flashcards). Honestly the alphabet is harder than the kanji characters. I don't know why, but 2000 kanji seems easier than the damn alphabet. So if you're struggling just to learn to read the alphabet, don't worry, we're all in the same boat.

Spend at least 30 minutes of uninterrupted study a day. Don't whore the language in the beginning because then you'll burn out and you'll give up.

I've seriously learned some Japanese from anime, so go download like at least 50 hours of anime. Try not to emulate everything from anime though, because it's just like American cartoons -- you don't want to talk exactly like that. But of course all the vocabulary and the grammar (mostly) is the same. Note: You won't learn crap from watching subbed anime unless you're also studying Japanese. Don't be a weeaboo and think you'll learn Japanese just by hearing a cartoon character speak it.

In case you get serious, I might as well recommend a couple of books I have that are awesome:
Japanese Sentence Patterns for Effective Communication by Kamiya (from the most basic grammar to advanced stuff, really good)
How to Tell the Difference Between Japanese Particles by Chino (this is an advanced book)

[Quioxte]

Why thank you all for your info, it was very informative and extremely helpful. Hopefully I will keep my inspiration, as I really want to learn about the Japanese Culture. Thanks Again!

[Jesusaurisrex]

I would recommend the hundreds of free podcasts out there on Itunes (if you have an ipod) that way you can learn any time, anywhere. even in your sleep, it weird how much your mind can take in while you sleep. one day i woke up knowing how to speak advanced spanish. I forgot it the next day, but if i kept it up... i would kick my Spanish classes ass.

[Night]

I'm actually attempting to teach myself Japanese at well
There this one site, something like genkijapan.com or something, i suggest you google it.
And don't believe people that say that watching anime will not teach you Japanese!!!! It's lies!

[Lovey]

I think watching anime is good review, but you probably won't learn anywhere near as much as doing real work. (But I did practically jump when I realized I understood a word or two in a dubbed vid. very rewarding. )

But..hmmm...let me get my bookmark list:

studyjapanese.org--
I go here mostly for the kanji dictionary on the right side. Stroke order I can actually print!

nuthatch.com---Kik's Kanji Dictionary
I just started using this, but it's alright.

thejapanesepage.com--
Lots of lessons, and some cultural things.

japanesepod101--
Mostly videos/podcasts, teaching conversational things, but still good. (I'm only just now trying it, though.)

japanese.about.com
Very, very helpful. This thing is my biggest source so far.

So..there you go. Lovey's links. xD

---Maybe I'm the odd-man-out, but 2-3 weeks for the kana? I got those in a less than a few days. But, i used online flashcards. (Google: Chipchat Hirigana tutor) I find real fcards stupid and cumbersome, but my first go, I could read almost all the hiragana in an hour. 's very helpful.

[AWOL]

Get DreamKana.

Best program for learning hiragana and katakana ever.

EDIT: Oh, and get Rikaichan.

[Kirby]

Find a Japanese person on Skype who wants to learn English.

[fishpit]

If you want to efficiently master japanese or any other language ajatt may work for you:
http://www.alljapaneseallthetime.com/blog/about
Basically, you immerse yourself in japanese, learn kanji/kana using menmonics, and mine sentences.
It takes a lot work and time though, which is why I haven't started my plan of improving my mandarin ajatt style. XD

btw, I've lived in japan for 8 years , (then a few years in US) than 4 years, yet my japanese is still crap since i lacked motivation and I didn't use it. The point is, you really have to put yourself in a japanese filled environment (doesn't have to be in japan of course).

[Verdana]

I'm learning Japanese as well. I've been learning the kanji for some 15 months now using the Heisig's Remembering the Kanji method and AJATT method. I'm able to read and understand a book written for Japanese 13 year old girls in its original form.

Recommended resources:

Method and motivation:
http://www.alljapaneseallthetime.com/bl ... to-fluency

Writing:
http://kanji.koohii.com/study
http://www.amazon.com/Remembering-Kanji ... 805&sr=1-1
http://www.amazon.com/Remembering-Kana- ... 825&sr=1-1

Grammar:
http://www.guidetojapanese.org/learn/grammar
http://www.amazon.com/All-About-Particl ... 4770027818

Dictionary:
http://jisho.org/

Music, TV, radio:
http://www.last.fm/
http://xorsyst.com/japan/keyholetv-mac-linux-windows/ - I listen to this all the time when I'm home

General advice:
- Learn how to write kanji first. Then learn kana.
- When watching things in Japanese, do it without subtitles whenever possible.
- Make it fun. If it's not fun, do something else. In Japanese.

And also Anki as already recommended.
Good luck and have fun!

[AWOL]

Verdana Wrote:Wall o' Text

This is actually pretty good advice. Also, I'd prefer learning kana first as all grammar is written in kana and most kanji have the kana above them.

[Psychoqueen]

Japanese is a language I would like to learn, but I think it is too complicated for my mind to comprehend. Not unless I could get a proper tutor and one-on-one lesson.

What is a Weeaboo?

[AWOL]

Japanese is just as complex as any other language (not much). Weaboo is a western term referring to someone who is obsessed with Japan/Japanese culture.