Barely any japanese?

[moffeltoff]

I was just wondering is it possibul to get by and perhaps even properly talk to people in Japan especially Tokyo if you are limited to european languages?
I mean will it be juuust ok or will there be any bigger problems?
Lets take me as an example I can do the total basics like hello,how are you ,thanks ,Iｴm from germany etc. but I would never call myself someone ,who can lead a conversation in japanese.
Any thoughts on that?^^

[leonmarino]

I always tell everybody who so dearly want to go to Japan: if you don't speak Japanese well or if you're not with someone who does, Japan is probably no fun at all.

Good luck studying!!

[moffeltoff]

But I have to study for my A-levels and for my practica XD
Well ok I it has to be done^^


But arenｴt the japanese fan of foreign languages?^^

[leonmarino]

Sure, a lot of 'em are fans of the English language. However, I have yet failed to meet a Japanese person that speaks a decent level of English.
(I mean in person!! The people from Japan on this forum seem to speak a very good level of English, probably better than me!!) (Ok, maybe I did meet a few, but they lived abroad for quite a few years, and those are pretty rare..)

No but seriously, a lot of the road signs are in Japanese, virtually all menu cards in Japanese, especially if you want to eat some good Japanese food in your local Izakaya (or at least in my limited experience). And the subtitles are in Japanese too!! If you choose a Japanese song that is.. :p

[moffeltoff]

Well ok is there anything you would advice me to do to get to a decent level of japanese any books you would recommend?

[leonmarino]

I'm a big fan of the Pimsleur (http://www.jref.com/forum/showthread.php?t=11137) method.. It doesn't learn you to read though, but it's good to be able to speak a few words I guess!!

Other people on this forum have more experience with other methods, which includes writing/reading, so I'm anxiously waiting on other people's input on this subject.. :relief:

[yukio_michael]

japanesepod101.com

i hate to have to add this text because my response is too small...

[Supervin]

But I have to study for my A-levels
Sixth formers in Germany do A-levels? Or do you go to an international school?

[marsans]

My mom lived in japan for awhile with my dad and she never learned japanese, she said she got around pretty easily just speaking english.

My dad on the other hand picked up japanese quickly and didnt really have an opinion.

[moffeltoff]

Sixth formers in Germany do A-levels? Or do you go to an international school?

Well the german equivalent to A-levels in germany is the Abitur.
You start by taking exams if you are qualified to take the major courses you want to take after that you need to collect at least 250points from the 4 half terms together.
If you manage to get those you start with your pre exams and then you move on to the actual written exam followed by your oral exams and last but not least your presentation.
You need to be tested in Mathematics (which is everything algebra,analysis,analytical geometry etc.) ,german ,your two major subjects mine are english and economy-politics and also if you arenｴt majoring in either a language or a science you need to be tested in one of them I chose Biology.
And it also depends on where you live in Hessen we have this newly introduces central exam which make it a bit harder again...
But it shouldnｴt be a problem to get my Abitur the only thing concerning me is how good it will be we still have numerus clausus in germany ans I need the equivalent of an A if I want to study psychology.

[Supervin]

Ah, I see. Good luck with it then. :)

[maushan3]

japanesepod101.com

i hate to have to add this text because my response is too small...

Yukio, any response is valid and well appreciated.

My guess would be for you to study the most you can and do your trip to Japan. I mean, I seriously doubt anyone has gone to Japan their first time speaking fluent Japanese, so go, do the best you can and enjoy!

Mauricio

[nice gaijin]

Do what you can, but don't set unrealistic goals for yourself. Depending on how far down the line you go, you'll probably be able to say a few words and phrases that will help you get around, and maybe hold a simple conversation, but the responses you get from native speakers (especially people working in the service industry) will probably leave you with your head spinning. Don't get frustrated about this; it's all part of the learning process.

Countless foreigners have visited and enjoyed their trips to Japan without knowing a word of Japanese, and Countless foreigners actually LIVE in Japan without knowing a word of Japanese. Studying a little bit will prove helpful, but it's not entirely necessary :)

[storeyinallinanyways]

I came to live in Japan with the *bare* basics and found it ok. Most shop assistants I encountered in konbinis / restaurants had some knowledge of English and were always very helpful.

I've been taking lessons here and find I am absorbing a lot more because I'm surrounded by the language every day. I've learned more in 8 weeks of lessons here than I did in 5 months of lessons back home!

You won't be stuck, and I have a couple of friends who don't speak a word and get on fine, but Japanese people do appreciate when you make the effort to speak the language. ;)

Oh, and yes, as nice gaijin says, you will find that once you use the phrases you have learned, the reply will probably sound like gobbledigook to you, but don't be discouraged by this! The more Japanese you learn, the more you'll pick up!