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Questions about pronunciation.
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FataliTEA
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PostPosted: Jan 05, 2008 5:49 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

admin wrote:
If you've spent time learning a second language and then attempt to learn a third, your brain kind of defaults to the second one automatically when it encounters something it doesn't understand.

Heh, I had the same problem. After learning French, I started Spanish, and so many times I was throwing French words into Spanish sentences. I thought it was just because of how similar the two languages are. When I start Japanese, it will be fun to hear the sentences that come out of my mouth.
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spacesamurai
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PostPosted: Jan 06, 2008 2:58 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I will try pimsleur next, cos everyone says its great.

Oddly enough, Japanese for Dummies has turned out to be pretty good. I like it because it doesn't teach a lot of phrases. So instead of simply learning how to say certain things, it helps you to break down the language and wrap your brain around it. And the things I learn from the book mesh with how I hear people speak Japanese. So I have put a certain amount of trust in it.
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FataliTEA
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PostPosted: Jan 07, 2008 3:19 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Wow, I started Pimsleur, and I must say, wow. In 26 minutes I already know a surprising amount. Well, I know how to speak a surprising amount for a 26 minute session. I'm very content. Very Happy
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Buzz Fledderjohn
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PostPosted: Jan 07, 2008 7:12 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

FataliTEA wrote:
Wow, I started Pimsleur, and I must say, wow. In 26 minutes I already know a surprising amount. Well, I know how to speak a surprising amount for a 26 minute session. I'm very content. Very Happy


Nihongo ga wakarimasu ka?
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FataliTEA
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PostPosted: Jan 07, 2008 3:25 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

watashiwa nihongoga skoshi wakarimas

or something like that anyways.
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Kevangogh
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PostPosted: Jan 07, 2008 8:38 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

FataliTEA wrote:
watashiwa nihongoga skoshi wakarimas

or something like that anyways.


When you write it out, you should probably separate the particles.

watashi wa nihongo ga sukoshi wakarimasu.
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spacesamurai
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PostPosted: Jan 08, 2008 1:31 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

admin wrote:
When you write it out, you should probably separate the particles.

watashi wa nihongo ga sukoshi wakarimasu.


Please correct me if I am wrong, but wouldn't chotto be a more acurate word the sukoshi given the context?
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Kevangogh
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PostPosted: Jan 08, 2008 2:30 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

The nuance is different. In the case of "sukoshi", you are saying "I can understand Japanese just a little." "Chotto" could be interpreted as "some", or even possibly a lot depending on how you use it. "I can understand some Japanese." I think "sukoshi" is more clearly smaller than "chotto." In this sentence, stick with "sukoshi."

Study grammar but keep in mind, this language is very cultural - you just have to use it and get the hang of it.
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Buzz Fledderjohn
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PostPosted: Jan 08, 2008 2:33 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

spacesamurai wrote:
admin wrote:
When you write it out, you should probably separate the particles.

watashi wa nihongo ga sukoshi wakarimasu.


Please correct me if I am wrong, but wouldn't chotto be a more acurate word the sukoshi given the context?


I think both can be used but sukoshi is more polite. Pimsleur always seems to teach the more polite version before the informal.
(Sorry I was typing this while admin had already answered Smile )
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spacesamurai
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PostPosted: Jan 08, 2008 3:13 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thanks, I learned a new word. Very Happy
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