If you are studying or have studied the Japanese language, there are some experiences we all share. Here are my top 5.
Maiku Miraa San
If you use or used the Minna no nihongo text book, then Maiku Miraa san is your homie. This is the character in the book you were supposed to learn the language alongside. Maiku Miraa is the Japanese way of pronouncing the name Mike Miller. Mr. Miller is a company employee who is new to Japan and is trying to learn the language. The book shadowed his movements in Japan and the student is supposed to learn what to say in different situations from Maiku’s experiences.
Kanji
Anime Reality Check
Most people who chose to study Japanese do so with the expectation of being able to watch anime without the subtitles relatively soon. It soon dawns on us that it would take a while to get to that level. If you were learning the polite -masu form, for instance, you would need to conjugate the verbs into the casual form first because most anime use casual Japanese. However, you still keep the hope alive and celebrate the little successes like when you understand an entire phrase or even episode without subtitles 😀
The accent and non-verbal cues
This also resonates with other language students. Once you have the grammar and vocabulary down, you need to muster the correct intonations and facial expressions. More specific to Japanese, as a student, you are assimilated into the world of bows and constant use of your facial expressions. Every ‘yoroshiku onegaishimasu’ and ‘arigatou’ is accompanied with a bow. Furthermore, there are different kinds of bows which carry different meanings.
JLPT
Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) is an annual exam that tests your language proficiency level. All nihongo students aspire to rise up the ranks to the prestigious N1 level. In my twenty something years of the 8-4-4 system, I have yet to find a more rigorous exam system.
Let me know what experiences you find unique to the nihongo student.
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