Queen of Glitches continues to learn Japanese

３3歳。イギリス人。日本語を勉強していて単語リストや漢字についてテキストを書く。よろしくね～ (Please contact me if you spot any mistakes in my posts!)

[queenofglitchesstudies]

Need to reread No Longer Human for a local book club that covers translated fiction. All I remember is weird lines about women (not unusual for books at the time) and... joining the communist party, which was illegal, because he thought it was funny?

[foone]

Basically if I'm reading my tech news correctly, Cloud Strife has taken all the windows computers offline? Is that right?

[foone]

[queenofglitchesstudies]

Anyone else using the Aedict dictionary app on android suddenly having issues?

[redgoldsparks]

I have my first ever small international book event coming up on July 21 IN JAPAN! Here's the event link.

Date and time: 14:00-15:30, Sunday, July 21

Venue: Shinjuku 2-chome Footbath Café & Bar Don-yoku (Tokyo)

Capacity: 15 people (first come first served) RSVP to [email protected]

Participation is free, but please make one food or drink order at the venue on the day of the event.

I will be in conversation with Mika Kobayashi, the translator of the Japanese edition of Gender Queer. We'll be speaking mostly in English though Mika might do some translation on the fly? Readers who supported the crowdfunding campaign through Thousands of Books will be able to pick up their copies early. I will also have stickers and maybe some zines!

Japanese event description below the cut.

著者来日イベント開催のお知らせ

こんにちは、サウザンブックスPRIDE叢書です。『ジェンダー・クィア』の作者のマイア・コベイブさんが、来月に日本にいらっしゃることになり、滞在中に少しお時間をいただけましたので、急遽、簡単なイベントを開催いたします！

『ジェンダー・クィア』の作者、マイア・コベイブさんを囲む会

・日時：7/21（日）14:00-15:30 ・会場：新宿二丁目 足湯café&bar どん浴 ・定員：15名（申し込制・先着順） ・参加費：無料（当日、会場にて1オーダーをお願いします）

・イベント内容：
 マイアさんを囲んで、『ジェンダー・クィア』出版プロジェクトについてや、クィアをテーマにした本や映画、音楽についてなど、出版クラファン発起人で翻訳者の小林美香さんと一緒に、リラックスしてお話しする時間にしたく思っております。また、イベント中の翻訳サポートは完全ではございません。その点はご了承くださいませ。英語が苦手な方は、スマホの翻訳アプリなどを用意しておいてくださいね！

・参加方法：以下のメールアドレス宛にお申し込みください。 [email protected]

※重要なお知らせ：​​​日本語版『ジェンダー・クィア』の完成時期について

日本語版『ジェンダー・クィア』は、現状では7/16〜18にかけて、印刷・製本が完了する予定です。完成し次第すぐに皆様へは発送いたします。当イベントにご参加される方で、マイアさんのサインをご希望の方には、イベント会場にて日本語版『ジェンダー・クィア』をお渡しすることも可能です。イベント申し込みの際に、ご希望の書籍の受け取り方法についてお知らせくださいませ。 また、会場では、書籍の先行販売も実施いたします。クラウドファンディング未参加で、本イベントにご参加いただく方につきましては、そちらのご利用をご検討ください。

[ichigo-kuriimu]

the japanese “-ne?” particle and the british slang term “innit” serve the same function

[ichigo-kuriimu]

Standard English: It’s cold, isn’t it?

Japanese: Samui desu ne?

British: It’s fuckin’ freezin’, innit?

[ichigo-kuriimu]

i have to do everything around here

[notahorseindisguise]

i hate this cause i did japanese for like a year and this explains the use of the -ne particle WAYYYY better than my teachers ever did. it took me ages to comprehend what this post makes abundantly clear.

my teachers: its like a, a little rise at the end of a sentence, to show that you are seeking a response, while not warranting the -ka particle which would make it a proper question.

me: ok. i guess i get that??

this post: its like saying “innit?” 

me: oh. oh no.

[wind-on-the-panes-deactivated20]

fun fact: afaik, "-ne" was inherited from the Portuguese settlers/priests that stayed in Japan in the 16th century. It comes from "né?", which the contraction of "não é?", "isn't it?".

It's LITERALLY "innit".

[twofingerswhiskey]

oh so like "eh" in canadian

[the-last-teabender]

*un-Babels your Tower*

[queenofglitches]

hey so a guy at my work Japanese group made this joke last week and I died a little on the inside

[queenofglitchesstudies]

JP langblr mutuals, I have set up an Instagram account for posting pictures of my trip starting this weekend. Please DM me if you want to follow, since I'm keeping it fairly private (and family will be viewing it). I won't be following back, as it's pretty likely I won't be using it beyond then.

[queenofglitchesstudies]

JP langblr mutuals, I have set up an Instagram account for posting pictures of my trip starting this weekend. Please DM me if you want to follow, since I'm keeping it fairly private (and family will be viewing it). I won't be following back, as it's pretty likely I won't be using it beyond then.

[queenofglitchesstudies]

JP langblr mutuals, I have set up an Instagram account for posting pictures of my trip starting this weekend. Please DM me if you want to follow, since I'm keeping it fairly private (and family will be viewing it). I won't be following back, as it's pretty likely I won't be using it beyond then.

[kierensjpnjourney]

hiii i need a bit of help!

soo um… to sum it up; i never learnt how to study. and i want to learn how to study, mostlyyyy so i can learn japanese could i have some study tips or techniques, maybe? i've already figured out i learn best when reading if that helps ┐(´◡｀)┌ otherwise um… no clue ;;

so umh... help pls,,

[benkyoutobentou]

There's no need to be embarrassed about asking this, many of us on studyblr and langblr have had similar experiences (myself included- there's a reason why I consider Japanese to be the language that taught me how to study languages). I'm not sure exactly where you're stuck, but I have some general studying tips on my blog under the tag #tips.

If you don't know where to start with content since learning a language is such a large undertaking, I personally suggest starting with studying N5 material for the JLPT, even if you never intend on actually taking the test. This is just to give you a starting point and some basics to learn. For textbooks, Genki is very popular and it seems to be well liked. I also have my own post on just a few Japanese language learning resources here if you'd like some recommendations straight from the koi's horse's mouth.

For actual study and review, I really suggest taking notes on the material you're studying. I prefer handwriting because that helps me remember best, but everyone is different. As for reviewing it, I usually go back to my notes at a later time (usually a completely different day) and highlight or underline the main points. That way, you're seeing the ideas all over again while also signaling to your brain that they're important. I also suggest writing out any example sentences, and for grammar points, I highlight/underline the grammar points in the sentences themselves as well.

These are very basic study tips to help you get started, but I hope I helped you out at least a bit! Don't hesitate to ask around if you're looking for more specific tips, langblr is generally filled with nice, helpful people, and if there's one thing we all love talking about, it's languages!

[queenofglitches]

Okay so I didn't pass again but what confuses me is that I did better in listening than reading.

I thought reading was okay and listening was terrible (felt like something was off with whatever sound system was used or the recording but nothing stuck in my head) but my scores are the other way around.

Every time I've taken it I've been able to judge what went relatively well and what didn't. So I'm stumped this time.

[ruhua-langblr]

Duolingo Sucks, Now What?: A Guide

Now that the quality of Duolingo has fallen (even more) due to AI and people are more willing to make the jump here are just some alternative apps and what languages they have:

"I just want an identical experience to DL"

Busuu (Languages: Spanish, Japanese, French, English, German, Dutch, Italian, Portuguese, Chinese, Polish, Turkish, Russian, Arabic, Korean)

"I want a good audio-based app"

Language Transfer (Languages: French, Swahili, Italian, Greek, German, Turkish, Arabic, Spanish, English for Spanish Speakers)

"I want a good audio-based app and money's no object"

Pimsleur (Literally so many languages)

Glossika (Also a lot of languages, but minority languages are free)

*anecdote: I borrowed my brother's Japanese Pimsleur CD as a kid and I still remember how to say the weather is nice over a decade later. You can find the CDs at libraries and "other" places I'm sure.

"I have a pretty neat library card"

Mango (Languages: So many and all endangered/Indigenous courses are free even if you don't have a library that has a partnership with Mango)

"I want SRS flashcards and have an android"

AnkiDroid: (Theoretically all languages, pre-made decks can be found easily)

"I want SRS flashcards and I have an iphone"

AnkiApp: It's almost as good as AnkiDroid and free compared to the official Anki app for iphone

"I don't mind ads and just want to learn Korean"

lingory

"I want an app made for Mandarin that's BETTER than DL and has multiple languages to learn Mandarin in"

ChineseSkill (You can use their older version of the course for free)

"I don't like any of these apps you mentioned already, give me one more"

Bunpo: (Languages: Japanese, Spanish, French, German, Korean, and Mandarin)

[queenofglitchesstudies]

So I'm finally going back to Japan in April. We're mostly spending our time in Kyoto and a couple of days in Tokyo. If anyone has any suggestions that I might not have done before (have definitely hit the big tourist spots), please let me know!

[ayin-me-yesh]

In light of Duolingo laying off its translators, here are my favourite language apps (primarily for Mandarin Chinese, Japanese, and te reo Māori).

Multiple Language

Anki is a flashcard programme and app that's not exclusively for languages. While making your own decks is ideal, you can also download shared decks for most languages.

If you're learning Japanese, specifically, Seth Clydesdale has websites for practicing alongside Genki's 2nd or 3rd editions, and he also provides his own shared Anki decks for Genki.

And if you're learning te reo Māori, specifically, here's a guide on how to make your own deck.

TOFU Learn is an app for learning vocabulary that's very similar to Anki. However, it has particularly excellent shared decks for East Asian languages. I've used it extensively for practicing 汉字. Additionally, if you're learning te reo Māori, there's a shared deck of vocabulary from Māori Made Easy!

Mandarin Chinese

Hello Chinese is a fantastic app for people at the HSK 1-4 levels. While there's a paid version, the only thing paying unlocks is access to podcast lessons, which imo are not really necessary. Without paying you still have access to all the gamified lessons which are laid out much like Duolingo's lessons. However, unlike Duolingo, Hello Chinese actually teaches grammar directly, properly teaches 汉字, and includes native audio practice.

Japanese

Renshuu is a website and app for learning and practicing Japanese. The vast majority of its content is available for free. There's also a Discord community where you can practice alongside others.

Kanji Dojo is a free and open source for learning and practicing the stroke order of kanji. You can learn progressively by JLPT level or by Japanese grades. There's also the option to learn and practice kana stroke order as well.

[pigswithwings]

@birdwithabat

[amayabikuni]

With the Oppenheimer movie getting all the garbage attention, unfriendly reminder that the US occupied Okinawa after WW2 and decades later "returned" it to Japan. Not only is there still an American base there, but Okinawa is an independent nation, not an Island of Japan. Neither Japan nor the US should have at any point taken control of the island.

Both governments are currently complicit in the unlawful occupation of Okinawa. Anyone who wants to learn more can check out Rob Kajiwara on YouTube, who is an Okinawan activist pressing for the return of the island to it's people.

[softsoundingsea]

I don’t suggest supporting Rob Kajiwara. While parts of his views are for the betterment of Okinawa (Ryūkyūs/LooChoo) in relation to Japan, he also has views and opinions that are problematic. He and some of those whose opinions he has shared have been anti-black and various individuals he knows are homophobic/anti-lgbtqia. He has shown himself to talk down to other Okinawan diaspora, too, in the form of discrediting them and saying they aren’t Okinawan [for having a different opinion].

I suggest following Risako Sakai, Nozomi Nakaganeku Saito, Anne Shimabuku, Wendy Matsumura, Yuuji Koutaro and Ukwanshin Kabudan for more nuanced views of issues that impact Shimanchu in and out of the Ryūkyūan Archipeligo (and also share their opinions in English). 

Nozomi recently made a Twitter post about Oppenheimer. 

[queenofglitchesstudies]

Good luck to anyone sitting the JLPT today. I'm at SOAS for the N1 and once again 勉強足りない >.<

[nihongoseito]

「準備」と「用意」と「支度」の違いは？

these three words, 準備 (じゅんび), 用意 (ようい), and 支度 (したく), are all defined as "preparations" or somehow "getting ready," but they each have their own nuance. if you're interested in the (native japanese) source for this info, see the end of the post!

準備: the broadest

「準備」は、「用意」「支度」に比べて広い範囲で使えるため、迷った場合には「準備」を使うと考えて良いでしょう。具体的なものをそろえるほか、企画や計画をすることも対象に含みます。

the word 準備 is very common. you've probably heard it in phrases like 「準備いい？」, meaning "are you ready?" you can use 準備 pretty much anytime you're not sure which word to pick, since it can be used for physical as well as mental and emotional preparations.

旅行の準備で忙しい。 = i'm busy getting ready for my trip.

スピーチの準備を注意深くした。 = i prepared my speech carefully.

心の準備をしなさい！ = steel yourself!

用意: halfway in between

「用意」は、「準備」よりも狭い使用範囲で、具体的な対象がある場合に使われることが多いです。そのため「準備」とは異なり、具体的な対象がない、「計画を用意」「心の用意」とは一般的に言いません。

unlike 準備, the word 用意 is usually used for physical, material preparations, rather than mental preparations or plans.

出発の用意をしてください。 = please prepare for departure.

パーティーの用意はいい？ = is everything ready for the party?

お風呂の用意ができた。 = the bath is ready.

支度: the most specific

「支度」は、主に衣服や食事、荷物に対して使用され、より限定的な表現として使われます。「準備」「用意」よりも、必要なものを揃えてから物事を実行するまでの時間が短いことが特徴です。

lastly, 支度 is like a more specific version of 用意 in that 支度 usually refers to preparations involving food, clothes, luggage, etc. this word has the nuance that the window for preparation is very slim: as soon as the necessary things are assembled, their intended usage will soon or immediately be carried out.

夕食の支度ができた。 = dinner is ready.

子どもたちに散歩の支度をさせた。 = i got the children ready for their walk.

すぐに旅行の支度をしなさい。 = get ready for the trip at once.

so there you have it! when in doubt, use 準備, and remember that 用意 and 支度 refer to physical preparations with varying specificity. feel free to send me an ask if you have any questions :) お疲れ様です！

source: blognihongo

[vibinwiththefrogs-deactivated20]

I will not hesitate to buy a good Japanese LGBT novel if anyone knows any good ones. Last year someone on Tumblr brought up Koisenu Futari, and immediately on a whim I ordered the book, and it's still my #1 fave

[dokushoclub]

I asked some people from my book club and got some recommendations for Japanese LGBT light novels that I'll gladly share although I haven't read them yet myself:

私の推しは悪役令嬢 (I'm in Love with the Villainess) is a isekai light novel series by Inori with a central lesbian romance and discussions of sexuality.

裏世界ピクニック (Otherside Picnic) is a sci-fi and horror novel by MIYAZAWA Iori that features a lesbian romance and also has asexuality representation.

博多豚骨ラーメンズ (Hakata Tonkotsu Ramens) by KISAKI Chiaki has a crossdressing main character and a gay side character.

宝石商リチャード氏の謎鑑定 (The Case Files of Jeweler Richard) is a light novel series by by TSUJIMURA Nanako that features queer characters and themes.