Computer reading/speaking program needed

[Bramicus]

I'm going nuts trying to learn to read and speak Japanese (at the same time) on my own. Not only are there two separate phonetic alphabets in Japanese, but the kanji all mean different things at different times, and each kanji -- even having the same meaning -- is spoken completely differently at different times! Since I do not have a human teacher I can see every day (without paying $25/hour), I have to choose between either listening to pre-recorded conversations that teach me the spoken language without showing me what is being said in written form, and books that teach me the meaning of what is written, but without teaching me (letting me actually hear) the true pronunciation. Japanese for Busy People - Kana Version does a fair job, but doesn't give me proper pronunciation with pitch, etc., and -- at least the first book -- doesn't do Kanji.

What I am looking for is a computer program that shows me Japanese as it is written, for example selections from Japanese newspaper articles or written literature, and then when I click on a word -- or a sentence -- the program not only shows me the meaning of that word or sentence, but also pronounces it (says it aloud) for me as well.

There is one program that does this well for other languages: Instant Language (used to be known as Transparent Language). This program is great for Western languages. Unfortunately, they have decided that for their Japanese version, Instant Japanese, they use only Romanji. :-(

Before you tell me, yes, I know I can use the other methods and eventually combine them. But I know the way I learn language best and efficiently: by reading aloud with an immediate check on my pronunciation. Does anyone here know of a computer program that does what I'm looking for, but that shows Japanese as it is written while at the same time pronounces what is written the way it is actually spoken?

[dc_johnson45]

The Rosetta Stone software may be good for you. While I don't think it does large chunks of text, it does have native speakers saying the words.

There are two levels, 2 CDs each (4 CDs total, Japanese level 1 & 2). Since I've never used it past Level 1, CD 1, perhaps the higher levels do what you want?

The software has an option for romanji/kana/kanji viewing.

[Bramicus]

I don't think so. What I am looking for would have entire passages in Japanese text. There would be separate windows (which could be kept open or closed at will) showing the meaning of the word and sentence, respectively, that are at the cursor. Double-clicking (or using a function key) would produce audio of a native Japanese speaker saying the word or sentence, respectively. Additionally, double-clicking on a kanji would show the pronunciation (in kana) for that kanji as used there.

[Fantt]

Good luck Bramicus! If you find that, let me know because I'd be interested too!

One thing to note - I watch a lot of Japanese news, and they use subtitles for pretty everything that anyone ever says. One thing you can do, once you learn some grammar and some kanji would be to start watching Japanese news.

If you've just started learning, I suggest you learn as much basic grammar as possible - I'm using the Genki textbooks which do introduce Kanji starting in lesson three. Both volumes use no romaji after the first 2 lessons.

For listening, you should find a copy of pimsleur. I can provide transcript notes for the first 30 lessons. But I would skip hardcore listening until you get a good handle on the grammar. Unless you just have a ton of time to study.

If you have Japanese for Busy People, I'd suggest getting the audio CDs which actually contain a good bit of spoken Japanese.