Monday, December 6, 2010

二十ねんごのわたし

二十ごの わたしはニューヨークにいます。まちはしずかです。かぞくといぬといっしょにいます。しゅじん はハンサム ですよ. こども とても しんせつです.

げつようびからきんようびまではたらきます。おおきいかいしゃのしゃいんです。 じかんはひまこうえんをさんぽします。ときどきかいものします。どうようびとにちようびやすみます。クラシックをききます。せがつはたのしです。

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Katakana Analysis Final

1) ラーメン (Ramen)
This word comes from the Japanese adaptation of the Chinese word for "pulled noodles" = 拉面 =
"la1 mian4"

I think that the purpose of writing "Ramen" in Katakana is because the Japanese would like to identify that it is a foreign food. Indicating that it was initially from China.

It is essentially, a "loan word", that can be found widely used in Japan. Not only can this word be found on packaging but also on lanterns outside of Ramen shops.

According to this website:
Ramen became popular in the early 1900s, and was originally called "chuka-soba" but later on, during the 1950s, it was popularized once again, this time, becoming more wide spread.

According this this website:
"Ramen" was probably translated from "la mian" in Chinese. People believed that Chinese settlers in Japan influenced their food culture and therefore, allowed "ramen" noodles to evolve.

Ramen is a direct adaptation of a Chinese style dish; thus, to recognize and appreciate the word, it is written in katakana.

2) ブラシ (Brush)
Even though Japan already has a word for "brush" which is くし or 櫛, which means "comb," "brush" in Katakana can serve as other forms of "brushes" such as paintbrush, calligraphy brush, make up brush, etc.

A calligraphy brush in Japanese is called: ふで。 

Therefore, as there are many different types of brushes, the general term "brush" can be used to group them under an umbrella category. In that case, it can be a relatively novel term that was borrowed as a "loan word".

Additionally, as I found this word on an American product that was probably also being marketed to Japan, the katakana usage doesn't surprise me, as it directly creates the idea that it is a foreign made product.

Neko-chan (FINAL DRAFT)

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Thanksgiving!

こんにちは!

あしたは Vacation です。わたしのかぞくときどきcelebrate Thanksgiving. でも、ことしパーテイをしません。ともだちと Connecticut へいきます。ともだちのこぞくはおおきです。ぜんぶんはじゅうにんです。

We're going to need a lot of food.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Monday, November 15, 2010

Robot!

みんなさん!Robot  の ミュージック ビデオ を みせて ください。

すごい!


Wednesday, November 10, 2010

てがみです

やまださんへ

はじめまして。わたしはマイです。コロンビアだいがくのよねんせいです。ニューヨークからきました。アメリカじんです。らいねんのごがつひこうきでにほんへいきます。

コロンビアのせいがつはむずかしいですが、たのしいです。まいにちクラスはいぞがしいです。

コロンビアのキャンパスはとてもきれいです。にぎやかです。

やまださんのかぞくはおげんきですか。

らいねんごがつのさんじゅうにちににほんへいきます。

これからおせわになります。よろしくおねがいします。

Wednesday, November 3, 2010

にほんのCooking Show!

Youtube videos は とても だいすきです。

たべものもだいすきです。

せんしゅうのきんようびにわたしはともだちと St. Mark's へいきました。

わたしたち、お たいしょ レストラン へ いきました。
やきとり を たべました。

そして、That is why I wanted to learn how to make やきとり。

おいしですね!

Tuesday, November 2, 2010

Cyril Takayama のマジック

このYoutube Video はたのしです。

Cyril Takayama です.

Takayama-さんはマジッシュンです。

おねがいします。



Monday, October 25, 2010

Katakana Analysis Draft

1) ラーメン (Ramen)
This word comes from the Japanese adaptation of the Chinese word for "pulled noodles" = 拉面 =
"la1 mian4"

I think that the purpose of writing "Ramen" in Katakana is because the Japanese would like to identify that it is a foreign food. Indicating that it was initially from China.

It is essentially, a "loan word", that can be found widely used in Japan. Not only can this word be found on packaging but also on lanterns outside of Ramen shops.

According to this website:
Ramen became popular in the early 1900s, and was originally called "chuka-soba" but later on, during the 1950s, it was popularized once again, this time, becoming more wide spread.

According this this website:
"Ramen" was probably translated from "la mian" in Chinese. People believed that Chinese settlers in Japan influenced their food culture and therefore, allowed "ramen" noodles to evolve.

Ramen is a direct adaptation of a Chinese style dish; thus, to recognize and appreciate the word, it is written in katakana.

2) ブラシ (Brush)
Even though Japan already has a word for "brush" which is くし or 櫛, which means "comb," "brush" in Katakana can serve as other forms of "brushes" such as paintbrush, calligraphy brush, make up brush, etc.

A calligraphy brush in Japanese is called: ふで。 

Therefore, as there are many different types of brushes, the general term "brush" can be used to group them under an umbrella category. In that case, it can be a relatively novel term that was borrowed as a "loan word".


Monday, October 11, 2010

Funny



Japanese parody.
Enjoy!

みなさん! おさけをのみます!

わたしはにじゅういっさいです。たんじょうびはさんがつじゅういちにちです。ときどきおさけをのみます。

Monday, October 4, 2010

わたしはきのうべんきょうしました!

わたしわごぜんいちじからごごじゅうじまでべんきょうしました。

まいばんわたしわべんきょうします。

まいばんごぜんにじにねます。たいへんですね。



Monday, September 20, 2010

Why Japanese?

Why did I choose to study Japanese?
I wanted to study Japanese purely out of interest. One of my good friend studied Japanese for many years and after she went abroad for several months, she inspired me to learn.

I've always wanted to study Japanese because I'm interested in Japanese culture. Although I've never been to Japan, I would like to visit one day. I'd like to visit the big city as well as the country.

I feel very fortunate to be studying Japanese at Columbia University. We have a great program and I'm very glad that I have this opportunity to learn.

Class has been very exciting. We learn so much every week. I'm learning new vocabulary every week. Basic grammar, etc.

What I find the most difficult is memorizing and writing Hiragana.

I hope that my Japanese language proficiency will dramatically improve by the end of the semester.

Japanese is one of my hardest classes but, I enjoy it the most.

わたしはまいです  

はじめまして!わたしはまいです。Columbia だいがくのよねんせいです。New York からきました。よろしくおねがいします。

こちらわすごいですね。

にほんごわたのしいです。