#language lackquisition

[dr-wyatt]

Language Lackquisition #11: 日本人の名前は意外と複雑(Japanese names are complex)

This week, Doc helps Emi pick a name for her character.

漫画のネタのために「せいこ」と読む名前を調べていて「精子」を見つけました。マジかよと思いました。精子は本当の名前ですか。精子と名付けられた人が本当にいますか。そんなやばい名前が存在するのが信じられません。

Japanese names are incredibly complex. One name can have many kanji combinations and one kanji combination for a name can have many pronunciations. Many people don't seem to know this but the meaning of a name is in the KANJI, not the pronunciation. With the name "Seiko", it can mean "holy child" (聖子) or "Awakened child" (醒子) depending on the kanji. "Seiko" as is means nothing, except for maybe the name of a watch company. Another thing about names is that you cannot haphazardly combine two kanji together to make a name. Otherwise you get "aborted fetus" instead of "water child" (水子(mizuko)) or "semen" instead of "Pure child" (精子(Seiko, Kiyoko, Shouko, Sumiko)). I pray nobody is named these.

I actually did help some friends pick kanji for their characters. It was not fun.

[dr-wyatt]

Language Lackquisition #18: 給付金がキター！(My stimulus check arrived!)

Last month, I got my stimulus check and not gonna lie, I was was tempted to use it to buy an electronic dictionary but I stopped myself and bought a computer instead.

[dr-wyatt]

Language Lackquisition #16:新しい友達、新しい後悔(New friends, new regrets)

This week, Emi introduces Doc to one of her friends.

英語字幕付きのアニメを見るのは勉強ではありません。そんな馬鹿な勉強方法は認めません。

I have a couple of friends that are learning Japanese as well and as much as I think they're great people, their study methods disgust me. It should be obvious but reading English subtitles or scanlations will not make you better at Japanese. With all the typos and bad grammar, it won't even make you better at English.

[dr-wyatt]

Language Lackquisition #17:日本語の「computer」の言い方(How to say "computer" in Japanese)

This week, Doc teaches Emi how to say "computer" in Japanese.

In the Japanese side of the tech world, a lot of words are just borrowed from English. Even words that are native to Japanese are either replaced or used interchangeably with their English equivalent. It's actually very convenient as I don't have to relearn a whole bunch of computer terms.

[dr-wyatt]

Language Lackquisition #15:友達探し(Friend hunt)

This week, Doc tries to to find a Japanese language exchange partner.

僕はディズニーワールドの近くに住んでますよ。友達になって一緒に行こう！（お金がないからあなたがチケットを払ってもらいますｗ）

I recently joined one of those language exchange services to try to find a Japanese language partner. I haven't done much with it yet but I had a hard-ass time coming up with a decent introduction. Not only is it hard to introduce myself without sounding hella boring, all my Japanese ability flew right out the window.

[dr-wyatt]

Language Lackquisition #14:自粛期間中に勉強すればどう？(Why not study during the quarantine?)

This week, Emi tries to pass the time during the quarantine.

In my opinion, now is a good time to try learning a new language. I mean, what else are you gonna do? Work? Forget that. Sit back, relax and enjoy the NEET life for a bit and learn a new language. If you actually get good at it, you can put it on your resume when the quarantine is over. Bilingualism is always an eye catcher. You're welcome.

[dr-wyatt]

Language Lackquisition #13: 寝ながら勉強(Studying in your sleep)

This week, Doc tries studying in his sleep.

西洋人は日本語と韓国語の違いが分かりませんのでオチは通じないのかもしれません。

I always bump into the "study while you sleep" thing whenever I look for new study methods. Normally, I'm against such lazy methods but for shits and giggles and because one person I follow also does it, I decided to give it a shot. The results so far are inconclusive. Every time I tried, something failed. Either my earbud's battery died too soon or the playlist would give up halfway through. Fortunately, I worked out the kinks and got it working but I've only had a few successful days so more testing is to be done. If I burst out of bed spouting random Korean, I'd still call that a success.

[dr-wyatt]

Language Lackquisition #12: 僕と同じ興味を持ってる友達が欲しい(I want a friend with the same interests as me)

僕には日本語に興味を持っている友達がいません。というかいますが興味が非常に浅いです。友達には「カワイイ」とか「バカ」とかのアニメで（ローマ字で）覚えたいくつかの言葉以外、日本語はどうでもいいです。僕は日本語に（深い）興味を持っている友達が欲しいです。日本人の友達も欲しいです。独り言を言うのが嫌いですから。

I love my friends but I wish I had someone to talk to about Japanese. Better yet, I wish I had someone to talk to IN Japanese but sadly, I only hang around weeaboos that think calling me "Doc Senpai~" won't make me want to throw a brick at them.

Loosely based off a conversation I had with a friend. I'm still waiting to be introduced. (slicks hair back)