二十ねんご、わたしはニューヨークのおおきいぎんこうではたらきます。まいにち、せいがつはとてもいそがしいですか、おもしるいです。かぞくがさんにんいます：わたしとつまとこどもです。そしでにきやかです。うちはとでもおおきいです、そしてきれいです。くるまやプールやいぬがあります。
しゅうまつはだいたいひまです。つまとこどもとスポーツをします。つまはりょうりがじょうずですから、いつもうちでごはんをたべます。
でも、つまはにほんりょうりがあまりじょうずじゃありません。そしでSan-Chanへいきます。二十ねんごSan-Chanのりょうりもとでもおいしいです。
Monday, December 5, 2011
Three Senryu Literary Works with Katakana
Three Senryu Literary Works with Katakana
バスケットボール
ペキンのなつ
リッデムプシュン
Basketball,
Summer in Beijing
Redemption
With packs of superstars, the US men's national basketball team (also widely known as "Dream Team") is arguably the best national team in the world. However, they were defeated by their own arrogance and in the summer of 2004 in Athens after losing to Argentina in semifinal. Four years later, they successfully redeemed themselves in Beijing by winning the gold medal once again.
Katakana analysis:
バスケットボール: Loan word from English
リッデムプシュン: Loan word from English
（２）About the early snow in New York City this year
ウァイトゆき
ニューヨークのあき
とてもアーリー
White Snow
Fall in New York
Very early
Katakana analysis:
ウァイト: Loan word from English
ニューヨーク: Loan word from English
アーリー: Loan word from English
（３）
あめのくうこう
テレサ・テンのうた
なつのサッドネス
Raining at airport
Teresa Teng's song
Sadness of summer
"くうこう" is one of Teresa Teng's famous songs (see previous blog entries on Japanese singers). It is filled with a feeling of sadness throughout although the setting of the song is in summertime.
Katakana analysis:
テレサ・テン: Onomatopoeia
サッドネス: Loan word from English
Sunday, November 27, 2011
Katakana Analysis Final Project
I picked the following three phrases in Katakana for this analysis project:
（１）ナイーブ (loanword, naive)
source: http://www.naive-home.jp/
Interestingly, I found this Japanese body works brand called ナイーブ. In English, the direct translation of ナイーブ is "naive", but it seems the meaning of the Katakana word has changed a little bit over the years to also imply "tender", "refreshing", and "young".
（２）スナック (loanword, snack)
source: http://blog.goo.ne.jp/hide-kurach/e/5c71c84772787d8d28c35d8692a21f42
The English word that corresponds to スナック is obviously "snack", but the meaning of スナック has expanded to include "bars" where people go have a drink and hang out after a day's work. The picture in the URL above is perhaps that of some popular bars in Japan.
（３）ピカチュウ：(Onomatopoeia, emphasis, Pikachu)
source: http://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/List_of_Japanese_Pok%C3%A9mon_names
I used to play a lot of video games, and one of my favorite is Pokemon. ピカチュウ is perhaps the most well-known Pokemon throught the world. Like other Pokemon, its name is also written in Katakana and resembles the pronounciation in English.
For another reason, the character of Pikachu is sort of foreign to Japanese people (it's not a human character in real life anyways), and usually the names of foreigners are written in Katakana to emphasize their foreign origin. Therefore, the usage of ピカチュウ has dual purposes: Onamatopoeia and emphasis.
(4)スズキ (emphasis (unconventional usage), Suzuki)
Suzuki is a Japanese car maker, but why is it that its name is written in Katakana on its website? Well, Katakana names usually sound stylish, international and of foreign origin to Japanese people. As an influential international player, Suzuki may want to distinguish itself among other Japanese car makers and promote itself as stylish and cool. Also, the name will naturally stand out in newspapers when put together with hiragana phrases that surround it.
Textbook usage analysis:
Sometimes Katakana is used for purpose of *emphasis*, but this usage is sometimes less focused on in Japanese textbooks, like the one Matsui sensei showed us. In contrast, usages for loanword and onomatopoeia are well explained.
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
Sunday, November 20, 2011
Three Haiku Literary Works with Katakana
（１）About US men's national basketball
バスケットボール
ペキンのなつ
リッデムプシュン
Basketball,
Summer in Beijing
Redemption
With packs of superstars, the US men's national basketball team (also widely known as "Dream Team") is arguably the best national team in the world. However, they were defeated by their own arrogance and in the summer of 2004 in Athens after losing to Argentina in semifinal. Four years later, they successfully redeemed themselves in Beijing by winning the gold medal once again.
Katakana analysis:
バスケットボール: Loan word from English
リッデムプシュン: Loan word from English
（２）About the early snow in New York City this year
ウァイトゆき
ニューヨークのあき
とてもアーリー
White Snow
Fall in New York
Very early
Katakana analysis:
ウァイト: Loan word from English
ニューヨーク: Loan word from English
アーリー: Loan word from English
（３）
あめのくうこう
テレサ・テンのうた
なつのサッドネス
Raining at airport
Teresa Teng's song
Sadness of summer
"くうこう" is one of Teresa Teng's famous songs (see previous blog entries on Japanese singers). It is filled with a feeling of sadness throughout although the setting of the song is in summertime.
Katakana analysis:
テレサ・テン: Onomatopoeia
サッドネス: Loan word from English
バスケットボール
ペキンのなつ
リッデムプシュン
Basketball,
Summer in Beijing
Redemption
With packs of superstars, the US men's national basketball team (also widely known as "Dream Team") is arguably the best national team in the world. However, they were defeated by their own arrogance and in the summer of 2004 in Athens after losing to Argentina in semifinal. Four years later, they successfully redeemed themselves in Beijing by winning the gold medal once again.
Katakana analysis:
バスケットボール: Loan word from English
リッデムプシュン: Loan word from English
（２）About the early snow in New York City this year
ウァイトゆき
ニューヨークのあき
とてもアーリー
White Snow
Fall in New York
Very early
Katakana analysis:
ウァイト: Loan word from English
ニューヨーク: Loan word from English
アーリー: Loan word from English
（３）
あめのくうこう
テレサ・テンのうた
なつのサッドネス
Raining at airport
Teresa Teng's song
Sadness of summer
"くうこう" is one of Teresa Teng's famous songs (see previous blog entries on Japanese singers). It is filled with a feeling of sadness throughout although the setting of the song is in summertime.
Katakana analysis:
テレサ・テン: Onomatopoeia
サッドネス: Loan word from English
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
やまださんにてがみをかきましょう
やまださんへ
はじめましで！わたしはZiping Zhuoです。コロンビアだいがくのよねんせです。きんゆうこうがくをべんきょします。
わたしのせいかつはいそがしいですが、たのしいです。ニューヨークはにぎやかです。そしてべんりです。だいがくのがくせいはひまじゃありませんが、しんせつです。わたしのクラスはおもしるいです。
しちがつついたちににほんへひこうきでいきます。
よろしくおねがいします。
はじめましで！わたしはZiping Zhuoです。コロンビアだいがくのよねんせです。きんゆうこうがくをべんきょします。
わたしのせいかつはいそがしいですが、たのしいです。ニューヨークはにぎやかです。そしてべんりです。だいがくのがくせいはひまじゃありませんが、しんせつです。わたしのクラスはおもしるいです。
しちがつついたちににほんへひこうきでいきます。
よろしくおねがいします。
Sunday, October 30, 2011
Katakana Analysis Draft
I picked the following three phrases in Katakana for this analysis project:
（１）ナイーブ (loanword, naive)
source: http://www.naive-home.jp/
Interestingly, I found this Japanese body works brand called ナイーブ. In English, the direct translation of ナイーブ is "naive", but it seems the meaning of the Katakana word has changed a little bit over the years to also imply "tender", "refreshing", and "young".
（２）スナック (loanword, snack)
source: http://blog.goo.ne.jp/hide-kurach/e/5c71c84772787d8d28c35d8692a21f42
The English word that corresponds to スナック is obviously "snack", but the meaning of スナック has expanded to include "bars" where people go have a drink and hang out after a day's work. The picture in the URL above is perhaps that of some popular bars in Japan.
（３）ピカチュウ：(Onomatopoeia, Pikachu)
source: http://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/List_of_Japanese_Pok%C3%A9mon_names
I used to play a lot of video games, and one of my favorite is Pokemon. ピカチュウ is perhaps the most well-known Pokemon throught the world. Like other Pokemon, its name is also written in Katakana and resembles the pronounciation in English.
（１）ナイーブ (loanword, naive)
source: http://www.naive-home.jp/
Interestingly, I found this Japanese body works brand called ナイーブ. In English, the direct translation of ナイーブ is "naive", but it seems the meaning of the Katakana word has changed a little bit over the years to also imply "tender", "refreshing", and "young".
（２）スナック (loanword, snack)
source: http://blog.goo.ne.jp/hide-kurach/e/5c71c84772787d8d28c35d8692a21f42
The English word that corresponds to スナック is obviously "snack", but the meaning of スナック has expanded to include "bars" where people go have a drink and hang out after a day's work. The picture in the URL above is perhaps that of some popular bars in Japan.
（３）ピカチュウ：(Onomatopoeia, Pikachu)
source: http://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/List_of_Japanese_Pok%C3%A9mon_names
I used to play a lot of video games, and one of my favorite is Pokemon. ピカチュウ is perhaps the most well-known Pokemon throught the world. Like other Pokemon, its name is also written in Katakana and resembles the pronounciation in English.
Monday, October 10, 2011
stuff about me
わたしのたんじょびわしがつついたちです(April Fool's Day). (I am usually made fun of by a lot of people that day ^-^)
まいにち、わたしわはちじにおきます、じゅうにちじにねます。にほんごをべんきょしますまいあさ。(I sleep earlier than most of my floormates do since I have a 9:10am Japanese class. )
Beijingからきました、ひとりでアメリカへきました。(My family is still in Beijing.)
おちゃをのみます。
ありがとございます！
まいにち、わたしわはちじにおきます、じゅうにちじにねます。にほんごをべんきょしますまいあさ。(I sleep earlier than most of my floormates do since I have a 9:10am Japanese class. )
Beijingからきました、ひとりでアメリカへきました。(My family is still in Beijing.)
おちゃをのみます。
ありがとございます！
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
singers I like
Today I will briefly write about two of my favorite singers: 坂井泉水(さかい いずみ) and Teresa Teng (テレサ・テン, kanji: 邓丽君). They both had great achievements as singers (Teresa from late 1970s to mid 1990s and 坂井泉水 from early 1990s to 2000s), but sadly, both have passed away.
I came to know about 坂井泉水 for her songs "運命のルーレット廻して" for Detective Conan, and "DAN DAN 心魅かれてく" for Dragon Ball. (I am a fan of Japanese manga too ^-^). Her voice is just amazing, and the lyrics are soul healing. I find it especially encouraging to listen to her songs over and over again when feeling low. Unlike many other singers, 坂井泉水 composed most of her songs by herself and her other songs, like "負けないで", "my friend" (for manga Slam Dunk), and "きっと忘れない" are also well known in Japan, and thought of as encouraging songs.
Teresa Teng is considered to be one of the best singers ever by many. Raised in Taiwan and fluent in Mandarin, English and Japanese, Teresa made a fame in her late teens by singing various traditional Chinese songs, and later on, Japanese ones. Her 1974 song "空港" (kuu kou) became an immediate hit in Japan. The later half of 1980s was definitely the prime time for her career in Japan, when she won the Japan Grand Prix (kanji: 全日本有线放松大赏, year 1984-86) three times in a row by three different songs, something no one has ever accomplished or even dreamed about then. Her success as a singer deserves more praise due to her identity as a non-Japanese. Nowadays, her songs are still being playing everyday in bars, restaurants, and many other places across the world.
Here are some of the youtube videos that I would like to share about the two singers. Enjoy!
Teresa Teng:
時の流れに身をまかせ: (Grand Prix Champion, 1986)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aVoXLoS9p7k&feature=related
愛人 (Grand Prix Champion, 1985):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0tPAddMqNLM
つぐない (Grand Prix Champion, 1984):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NeVdlNZ4yMQ&feature=related
別れの予感:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YxFPNKLaO10&feature=related
空港:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qKKL0Wj4-oc&feature=related
坂井泉水:
負けないで:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FvMYT-UMTiU&feature=related
きっと忘れない:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1trDzLp_Ixg&feature=related
My Friend:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uq-9bjST27g&feature=related
DAN DAN 心魅かれてく:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U4YUluTzY4Q
素直に言えなくて:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FRliZUlwsko&NR=1
I came to know about 坂井泉水 for her songs "運命のルーレット廻して" for Detective Conan, and "DAN DAN 心魅かれてく" for Dragon Ball. (I am a fan of Japanese manga too ^-^). Her voice is just amazing, and the lyrics are soul healing. I find it especially encouraging to listen to her songs over and over again when feeling low. Unlike many other singers, 坂井泉水 composed most of her songs by herself and her other songs, like "負けないで", "my friend" (for manga Slam Dunk), and "きっと忘れない" are also well known in Japan, and thought of as encouraging songs.
Teresa Teng is considered to be one of the best singers ever by many. Raised in Taiwan and fluent in Mandarin, English and Japanese, Teresa made a fame in her late teens by singing various traditional Chinese songs, and later on, Japanese ones. Her 1974 song "空港" (kuu kou) became an immediate hit in Japan. The later half of 1980s was definitely the prime time for her career in Japan, when she won the Japan Grand Prix (kanji: 全日本有线放松大赏, year 1984-86) three times in a row by three different songs, something no one has ever accomplished or even dreamed about then. Her success as a singer deserves more praise due to her identity as a non-Japanese. Nowadays, her songs are still being playing everyday in bars, restaurants, and many other places across the world.
Here are some of the youtube videos that I would like to share about the two singers. Enjoy!
Teresa Teng:
時の流れに身をまかせ: (Grand Prix Champion, 1986)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aVoXLoS9p7k&feature=related
愛人 (Grand Prix Champion, 1985):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0tPAddMqNLM
つぐない (Grand Prix Champion, 1984):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NeVdlNZ4yMQ&feature=related
別れの予感:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YxFPNKLaO10&feature=related
空港:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qKKL0Wj4-oc&feature=related
坂井泉水:
負けないで:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FvMYT-UMTiU&feature=related
きっと忘れない:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1trDzLp_Ixg&feature=related
My Friend:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uq-9bjST27g&feature=related
DAN DAN 心魅かれてく:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U4YUluTzY4Q
素直に言えなくて:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FRliZUlwsko&NR=1
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
hello にほんご！
はじめまして！
わたしわ卓子平です。北京からきました、Columbiaだいがくのよねんせ、にじゅういさいです。ちゅこくじんです。まいにちわたしはにほんごをべんきょうします。
どうぞよろしく！
Hi everyone,
My name is Ziping Zhuo. I am from Beijing, an undergrad senior at Columbia University, and I am twenty one years old. I am a Chinese. I study Japanese everyday.
It is nice meeting you!
------
I am learning Japanese first because I have a natural interest in picking up different languages, and I have been deeply influenced by Japanese culture (like manga) since I was young. It is definitely interesting for me to be exposed to the language per se. Also, Japanese is spoken a lot in the business world. After a while, I expect to be able to process business information directly in Japanese, which should be pretty powerful. Hopefully it will come in handy in the future when I travel to Japan.
わたしわ卓子平です。北京からきました、Columbiaだいがくのよねんせ、にじゅういさいです。ちゅこくじんです。まいにちわたしはにほんごをべんきょうします。
どうぞよろしく！
Hi everyone,
My name is Ziping Zhuo. I am from Beijing, an undergrad senior at Columbia University, and I am twenty one years old. I am a Chinese. I study Japanese everyday.
It is nice meeting you!
------
I am learning Japanese first because I have a natural interest in picking up different languages, and I have been deeply influenced by Japanese culture (like manga) since I was young. It is definitely interesting for me to be exposed to the language per se. Also, Japanese is spoken a lot in the business world. After a while, I expect to be able to process business information directly in Japanese, which should be pretty powerful. Hopefully it will come in handy in the future when I travel to Japan.
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