CONTRIBUTED BY MEREDITH NOVARIO
I kind of like being illiterate here in Okinawa. My mind is free to wander instead of reading every which sign and headline that crosses my path. But when it's a menu I can't read or I'm really on the prowl for something specific, the illiteracy stinks. Way back when, I got up close and personal with two out of four of the alphabets or written forms that the Japanese use. One of those forms is the English alphabet so that was easy.
And Katakana is also easy. AND ENDLESSLY USEFUL. Oh, my friends, the menus will be unlocked. Not totally unlocked but a footinthedoor kind of unlocked. Or just enough unlocked that when you sound out TO-MA-TO you will fill with glee and accomplishment.
But if you loved them and have never...
BRAVA! Oh how I’ve longed to know about this and be able to recognize something – ANYTHING – that I’m seeing out there! Arigato.
I think you predicted I’d be Abiba in Japanese, huh… ok. Fair enough.
I went to an orientation for Kumon on Friday. They are “famous” for their math program for kids, but they also teach Japanese for English speakers. It’s primarily reading & writing. You do homework daily (20 min) & have two 30 min classes a week ($55 per month). It’s mostly for kids (5 years is the youngest), but they let adults take it too and I think my husband and I are going to try it during Nov & Dec while my stepdaughter is here to do it with us (she’s 12). They teach on Kadena at Schilling on W & F. Will post again later about how it goes and if it seems helpful…
http://www.trymango.com
is a free language program that offers 100 lessons of several different languages(including japanese)
I learned some katakana and kanji when we lived here before (as well as some speaking phrases) but I have not really brushed up on my skills since being back. I am determined to get back to my vocab and katakana lessons again. I hate not being able to communicate and having to rely on my handy dictionary all the time when I want to ask something at a store. I think I might even take an actual class this time and try to learn some hiragana too…oh if I only had more time in the day…haha.
Joelle – I have never heard of Kumon, it sounds interesting. How did you find out about it – through their own website or through Kadena somehow?
I am so glad someone new what Kumon was. We have one right around the corner, but didnt know what it was. I will have to go check it out and see if they have openings!!!
Erin- The sign is a light blue with Kumon on it. The o is a smiley face!
I CANNOT believe this is the first time I’m reading this post. And I thought I had read them ALL. Just learning one Katakana a day is better than getting a Little Orphan Annie Decoder Ring!
I would suggest to anyone interested that you learn hiragana first…it will be more useful to you.
Of course learning both would be best. I’ve found that knowing Hiragana is great if you already know some Japanese. But if you don’t, I think being able to sound out the Katakana and discovering a cognate of English (hence to-ma-to for tomato etc. ) is more practical. But I understand your point of view. They are the same sounds, so just learning both shouldn’t take twice as long.
livemocha.com is a great free program to learn languages