Let's Learn Japanese - I

Hi there!!^_^

This section will give you an overview on how to speak, write and read the Japanese language. This segment is added to help and aid those who would love to learn the language and are unable to join professional courses due to lack of time for proper class or other reasons, for those who would like to get a feel of the Language and would be motivated to join proper classes later on.

I would also try my level best in helping out those of you who’ve already been taking classes and are about to or will be taking the JLPT exams. However, before we begin, one needs to understand that the best way to learn is always to find a professional teacher who has attained a degree in the language and as a teacher. Since I have neither, I hope you understand that my knowledge is limited.^^”. You are always welcome to share your views, ask questions when in doubt and I will do my best to answer as fast as I can.>o<. With that, let us begin! ^o^

FACTS That you will need to know :

• The Japanese language is called “nihongo”in Japanese, where Nihon means Japan and “go” means language.  :) 

• The Japanese language has three scripts, viz

1. “Hiragana” - This script is used to write any word that has Japanese origins. Like, “tamago”(egg). 
2. “Katakana” - This script is used to write any word that has foreign origins. Like, “Pascon” (Personal Computer) 
3. “Kanji” - This script is used to pictorially depict any word. The Japanese language has many similar sounding words but different Kanji to explain the difference in meaning. Kanji might sound like a curse, but as you slowly learn to be at home with the language you will start to appriciate the benifits of having Kanji. 
4. “Romaji” is the term used when Japanese is written using the Roman/Latin script. I will be using Romaji along with the other three scripts, using each at appropriate places. If all goes well, you too will be able to read and undersand all four soon. :)

Unlike any of the tutorials on the net, I want to teach you guys how to write and read along with how to speak. ^_^. After all, wouldn’t  you just love to be able to stare at those Japanese alphabets you see while watching anime and exclaim “HEY,I KNOW WHAT THAT MEANS!!!”? During my initial days of learning, every time I could recogonise a Kanji, it used to give me a thrill! :D. So while learning, let's learn it properly!

Pronunciation of alphabets

The Japanese language has 46 basic alphabets, 25 modified alphabets and a few combined alphabets. This is true for both Hiragana and Katakana script. However, these are very easy to learn and remember. So, let us begin. ^o^

Basic alphabets:

a	i	u	e	o
ka	ki	ku	ke	ko
sa	shi	su	se	so
ta	chi	tsu	te	to
na	ni	nu	ne	no
ha	hi	fu	he	ho
ma	mi	mu	me	mo
ya		yu		yo
ra	ri	ru	re	ro
wa				wo
n

 Modified alphabets:

ga	gi	gu	ge	go
za	ji	zu	ze	zo
da	ji	zu	de	do
ba	bi	bu	be	bo
pa	pi	pu	pe	po

The combined alphabets are made adding “ya, yu and yo” to the “ki, gi, shi, ji, chi, ji, ni, hi, bi, pi, mi and ri” alphabets.  This will look and feel easier after you’ve practiced a fair few times. Don’t be afraid and give it a try.

Combined alphabets:

kya	kyu	kyo
gya	gyu	gyo
sha	shu	sho
jya	jyu	jyo
chya	chyu	chyo
jya	jyu	jyo
nya	nyu	nyo
hya	hyu	hyo
bya	byu	byo
pya	pyu	pyo
mya	my	myo
rya	ryu	ryo

Here are the Japanese counterparts of the above, In both Hiragana and Katakana.

Now, you need to know that Japanese language has five vowels “a,i,u,e,o” and the remaining alphabets barring “n” are consonants that have been combined with the five vowels. “n” is a standalone consonant and sometimes its pronunciation changes to “m”. However, at all times, the written form remains “n”.

How to write:

Today on how to write, we we learn how to correctly write the first five alphabets in the Hiragana script. The five vowels. Please note the stroke orders as it is important to follow the strokes at all times. Just press play to begin ^^.

That was easy enough wasn’t it?^_^

Some new words:

Let us learn some words in Japanese.^__^. Later, I will also teach you how to form simple sentences using these words.

n.b. - “ou” is to stress on the elongation of “o”.

(Press the button to listen to the pronunciations.:)

VEGETABLES	yasai
FRUITS	kudamono
ANIMALS	doubutsu
PLANTS	shokubutsu
BIRDS	tori
YEAR	toshi, nen
MONTH	getsu, gatsu
DAY	hi, bi, nichi
SUPERMARKET	suppa
APARTMENT	apaato

I know at this point you are all thinking “boring words” but stocking up your vocabulary on these words will come in handy later on.^_^.

This is all for this tutorial. In the next one, We will be learning how to form simple sentences and Japanese greetings, so till then, practice hard, ne!^__^.

I hope you found this tutorial helpful, fun and easy to learn. I didn’t know how best to teach so I took a lot of references from how my sensei teaches in class. Many thanks to Ruma sensei.:3

Thankyou,

Nia Dutta.

5th, 6th, 7th and 8th KAC (mini) meets

To be honest,  Mini Meets are basically arranged for the members to enjoy an outing. Anime screening, continuous anime discussion or sharing doesn't happen since the meets happen either at Amusement Parks, Cinema Halls or similar venues.  On that note, KAC’s 5^th (which was a Durga Puja outing),  6^th ( an outing to Nicco Park),  7^th ( Tintin movie meet),  8^th (visiting a Japanese Cultural Program at Rabindra Okakura Bhaban) Meets were mini meets, so far.

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5^th Mini Meet (6.10.2011):

Durga Puja Outing- 

(From Left: Krishna, Nia, Sayanee and Abhishek)

(From Left: Nia, Sayanee, Abhishek & Kaushik)

(The Phuchka Competition)

It was primarily arranged for Kaushik Mizu since he was new to Kolkata & never enjoyed the pujas of South Kolkata. The meet was announced at a very short notice & happened a week after the 4th Meet.  Thus, a lot of the members didn’t have time to adjust their schedules to make it to the meet & on the day of the meet only 5 of us managed to gather together (Nia, Abhishek, Sayanee, Kaushik & Krishna). 
First, we gathered at South City mall & planned to visit the puja pandals of Jodhpur Park, Selimpore Palli, Babubagan & Deshpriya Park (if we had enough time). 
Since it was Dashami (the last day of the pujas), the pandals were relatively empty & we could take photos of the idol & surrounding properly. After visiting Babubagan, we had a Phuchka (Panipuri) eating competition on which all of us participated. Nia withdrew from the competition after eating 6, Sayanee followed her after eating 14, Krishna forfeited after eating  17. Then the competition was entirely between Abhishek & Kaushik. After having 35, Abhishek withdrew. Kaushik stopped only after 50. The vendor was literally scared of us! When the competition ended, Nia & Abhishek had to return to their homes. Thus, the outing came to an end after dollops of fun and food.

6^th Mini Meet (6.11.2011):

Adventure at Nicco Park.

(From Left: Pratyay, Sayanee, Ayanti & Aditi at front, Aesha & Bibhas)

(Promit)

(Aditi & Kaushik)

(on the roller-coaster)

(From left: Kaushik, Bibhas, Promit, Sayanee, Aesha, Aditi & Ayanti. Pratyay at the front)

The idea of this meet solely arose from the fact that members had demanded an outing to an amusement park. Thus, a date was fixed and Nicco Park was the location chosen (Aquatica was voted out since winter was approaching). The time allotted  was 10.30am, but thanks to of our usual laziness, most of us gathered around 11.30am. Kaushik (Approx 2pm) was the second latest  to arrive & Promit was the last (around 2.30 pm). Finally, the headcount was- Aditi, Ayanti, Pratyay, Sayanee, Aesha, Bibhas, Kaushik and Promit. Aesha was a new member at  the meet.
 First, the attendees tried their hands at target shooting/throwing games and then, the ride- Moon Raker was raided by us which had small seats & we barely managed to fit those in pairs. Then, we decided to ride the Cyclone (Biggest Roller Coaster in Kolkata), after waiting almost 45 minutes on the queue, finally our turn came & we again divided ourselves among pairs. The ride was worth remembering for a lifetime! We couldn’t visit the Scary House as it was under maintenance. The last ride we tried was the Striking Cars. Then it was eating time (as usual). Sayanee & Bibhas left after that & the rest enjoyed the toy train ride before parting ways.

7th Mini Meet (13.11.2011):

Movie Outing (The Adventures of Tintin)-

(From Left: Kaushik, Binhas, Ayanti, Sayanee, Pratyay, Sayantan, Hindol, Abhishek, Krishna)

(Buddha Manga at a mall)

(Food!)

(From left: Kashyap, Deepraj, Krishna, Ayanti, Bibhas, Pratyay, Shriya, Sayanee)

A week after the 6th meet, we already decided on the 7th meet and this time it was a movie outing. The movie chosen was The Adventures of Tintin (as most of us were quite attached to Hergé's Tintin since childhood). After voting, the chosen movie hall was Salt Lake Big Bazaar’s Kulraj Broadways, show timing was 11.10am. Yet again, thanks to the usual 'punctuality' of the members, we all got scattered hall tickets. The attendee list was- Abhishek, Sayanee, Sayantan, Bibhas, Ayanti, Pratyay, Hindol, Kaushik & Krishna. Nevertheless, the movie was fantastic & nostalgic. After that, we all decided to visit the nearby Mani Square Mall. After having lunch there (with burgers & loads of French fries), Abhishek & Hindol had to leave. Shriya, Kashyap & Deepraj joined the rest after that and finally when endless chatting was done in front of the mall, the meet was over!

8th Mini Meet (20.11.2011):

Experiencing the Japanese Cultural Event held at Rabindra Okakura Bhaban-

(From Left: Kaushik, Sayantan, Abhishek, Suplab, Sayanee, Aesha, Ayanti, Pratyay & Pratisruti)

(The goodies which we got!)

(Sayantan and Pratyay with their calligraphy)

November 2011was probably  the busiest month for KAC, as we were having meets on every alternative Sunday. Yet another meet was held on the second last Sunday of November when our member Aesha invited us a day before saying that the institute where she is studying Japanese (ROB) is hosting a Japanese cultural event. Abhishek, Sayantan, Sayanee, Aesha, Pratyay, Ayanti, Bibhas, Suplab, Promit, Kaushik & Nikhil (who was extremely late) attended the meet under such short notice.
We tried our hands at origami, calligraphy & tasted Japanese delicacies. The meet started at 6 and around 8pm, Abhishek & Sayanee had to leave and were escorted by Sayantan. Nikhil joined the gang after that and all of them enjoyed the vibrant dance program which was the last event of the day.

We're Back!

The renovations are almost complete here.
Time to move in the furniture. :)

Watch this space!

The Japanese Traditional Dolls Exhibition

Nippon o-ningyou no tenji

Event : Nippon o-ningyou no tenjin

Date :10th January 2011.

Venue : ICCR, Kolkata at ho chi minh sarani (opposite the American counsulate).

Overview:  This year, Japanese cultural activities in Kolkata began with the Japanese traditional doll exhibition. Acquired from different regions of Japan and representing different cultures, it was a unique opportunity for everyone to learn more about Japan. The inauguration ceremony kicked off at 4:00pm with the consul general of Japan giving his speech before the door to the exhibition room was opened to the public. The ceremony was inaugurated by the consul general of Japan, Mr. Mitsuo Kawaguchi.

Mr. Mitsuo Kawaguchi.

Many people came to the exhibition over the week. People were also treated to go-cha, which is Japanese tea.

Now, to the dolls in display and the history associated with them.^__^.

Clay dolls of a prince and princess. Look at the details put into them. :)

This doll is kept outside every house on Daughter's day to show how each family is thankful to God for having a daughter. The festival is named "o-hina matsuri" or the princess festival.

These dolls are used to celebrate "Boy's day".

This picture is of a mythological creature named "Shoujo" who has red hair and is very shy and said to be fond of snakes.

O-yama ningyou.(Mountain dolls)

Geiji (Consort dolls)

Buriburi (A doll depicting the old game of hitting a hammer)

4th KAC Meet

Date: 25.09.2011

Venue: Deepraj's house

There was almost a 4 month gap between the third and fourth meet; thus, at the time of announcement, there was a tremendous amount of enthusiasm & expectation from the members!
When we were scouting for potential venues, KAC member Deepraj generously offered his place in Baguiati for the meet.
On the day, we formed 2 gangs to reach the place. The first one was the North gang who reached the place around 1pm & the South Gang who had some difficulty in reaching the meeting spot & was late by 1 hour. After all of us met up at the bus-stop near Deepraj’s home, Dipanjan suddenly had to leave and Suplab had suffered an injury.Thus, only 16 of us went to the house & made ourselves at home. 

(Chayan & Abhishek)

(From left: Shriya, Sayanee, Ayanti, Aditi, Alex & Pratyay)

The meet began with an introduction round. Then anime discussion & screening started, but alas! A powercut happened and by the time the power returned, it was lunch time already. Kaushik & Deepraj went out to get pizza for all of us! 

(the guy gang during lunch)

(Ayanti with the mask)

(During the Roleplay)

(Shriya's handmade cake)

Post lunch, it was roleplay time(which was a comedy/parody) conducted by the girls. Shriya, Aditi and Ayanti were pokemons & Sayanee was a hollow Ichigo, Kaushik was the only guy to make guest appearances (of the Panda of Ranma ½ & Togepi). The performance had members in splits. This was follwed by karaoke! Aditi mesmerized us with her awesome singing & then Kaushik gave another great performance. 







It was 5.30 by then & the Southern gang had to leave. Shriya had baked us a delicious cake which was passed around before leaving. The North gang left after more anime sharing & Krishna gave a karaoke performance. This was our most-successful meet till date and we returned home, with a bunch of precious memories that we'll never ever forget.

Highlights:

·         Thank you so much, Deepraj, for lending your house for our wild gang!

·         We had a whopping 16 members attending! (It was suppose to be 18, but Dipanjan suddenly had to leave for home & Suplab hurt his back when he was about to go out of the house).

·         New Members to join the ‘offline’ Base- Sayantan, Shriya, Chayan, Deepraj, Kashyap, Promit, Bibhas, Xavier, Alex. Welcome!!

·         For the first time, proper anime sharing happened on the meet & members brought their anime goodies for display!

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