Monthly Archives: June 2011

New Lesson: Japanese Word Classes

Posted on June 30, 2011 by Kenneth

This next grammar lesson is another overview. Japanese Word Classes covers nouns, pronouns, verbs, all three classes of adjectives, and particles. Verbs and adjectives especially will get a more detailed treatment in later lessons, as will demonstratives (“ko-so-a-do” words) and … Continue reading →

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New Lesson: Desu and Masu

Posted on June 29, 2011 by Kenneth

The second introductory grammar lesson, Desu and Masu, is now available. Desu is the Japanese copula, a verb meaning “to be”, and –masu is the polite verb suffix. Together with The Structure of a Japanese Sentence, this lesson covers the … Continue reading →

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New Lesson: Greetings and Other Expressions

Posted on June 25, 2011 by Kenneth

I’ve posted the second of the two lessons on expressions, Greetings and Other Expressions. You may want to start with the first, Names and Introductions. No grammar is necessary for these pages, but you’ll get the most out of them … Continue reading →

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New Lesson: Names and Introductions

Posted on June 23, 2011 by Kenneth

The first of the Beginning Lessons is now out. This series will cover material typical of a first course in Japanese. The first lesson, Names and Introductions, will be one of two sections on basic expressions, which will be followed … Continue reading →

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New Lesson: Levels of Formality

Posted on June 22, 2011 by Kenneth

Levels of Formality is finally out. I stuck to the culture side of things for the most recent draft, and I’m happy with the result. It’s not my greatest work ever, though; there is definitely some serious revision in my … Continue reading →

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Intro Series Progress

Posted on June 21, 2011 by Kenneth

By now it’s been nearly a week since I posted the last new lesson in Introduction to the Japanese Language. The second part of the series has turned out to be far more difficult to write. My main dilemma is … Continue reading →

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Lesson Update: Structure of a Japanese Sentence

Posted on June 20, 2011 by Kenneth

I’ve revised the introduction to The Structure of a Japanese Sentence and added a section on modifiers (i.e. adjectives and possessives), a glaring omission. More grammar coming up.

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Page Update: Hiragana and Katakana

Posted on June 20, 2011 by Kenneth

I’ve added a complete Hiragana chart (including voiced, combination, doubled sounds) and flashcard list (for computer flashcard programs) to Hiragana and Katakana, which is now top level lesson page. I’ll leave a link in the reference section of the intro … Continue reading →

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Links and Contact Pages Now Up

Posted on June 17, 2011 by Kenneth

The Contact page is up, so if you’d like to give some feedback on the Introduction to the Japanese Language series or anything else, I’d love to hear from you. I’ve started building the Links section, adding some links to … Continue reading →

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New Lesson: More on Pronunciation

Posted on June 15, 2011 by Kenneth

As of today, the writing and pronunciation portion of the introduction is now complete. More on Pronunciation covers the last of what you need to know in order to start speaking Japanese. I’ve also updated the beginning of Hiragana and … Continue reading →

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