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[polyglot-axolotl]

here’s an interesting internet word i just learned:

垢作る（あかつくる） = to make an account (on a website)

the use of 垢 is as an ateji from アカウントを作る! 💻🖱

[polyglot-axolotl]

Are you an intermediate or advanced Japanese language learner looking for things to practice reading? I found this cool website called WURK @ https://eigobu.jp/. Their subtitle is 働くあなたのため学びのメディア which if you do/don’t need help translating it… might help you figure out if this site is for you.

On the left you’ll find 5 main categories:

日本語

英語

心理

教養

テクノロジー

Lately, I’ve been reading about Japanese internet slang　ネット用語 under 日本語. I have no shame in saying I read sentences more than twice. I don’t have a lot of reading material or access to borrow them so I’m not too hard on myself, we all have to start somewhere. Anyway, the link to that specific category is here: https://eigobu.jp/magazine/category/internet-slang

I don’t normally make these posts, but I hope someone can make good use of it too.

[polyglot-axolotl]

On Consuming Content “Below Your Level”

I recently saw a post of tips for language learners that warned against consuming content (such as books or shows) that was below your level, which this person described as something where you know most/all of the vocabulary. It painted this time spent as a waste, as if the only reason for immersing in your target language is to learn more vocabulary. I have to disagree.

Any time spent in your target language is time well spent and is worthwhile. No matter the level of the content and no matter how well you understand it. There are always benefits to consuming content (especially that made for natives!) in your TL. Even if you understand every single word, you might learn a new grammar concept. Even if you understand all of the words and grammar, you might pick up on some slang. Immersing in your target language teaches more than just vocabulary and grammar.

Even if you aren’t learning tangible things, immersing is important to a language learner’s journey. It can ingrain things that are harder to learn from a textbook, such as speaking cadence or sentence structure.

Additionally, the end goal is always to be able to completely understand things with fluency and ease. If I didn’t want to understand things in a different language, I just wouldn’t study it, not look for the most difficult piece of literature in my TL just so that I can maybe pick up on a few obscure terms that I’ll never see again. Being able to fully understand things in your target language is awesome! It’s a huge confidence booster, especially the first time you experience it in a new language. You should celebrate being able to fully understand something in your target language, not feel guilty over it.

TLDR; there is no such thing as “wasted time” when immersing in your target language. If you want to read or watch something, you should do it without worrying if you’ll learn enough vocabulary from it for it to be worth your while. If it’s in your target language it’s worth your while.

[polyglot-axolotl]

If you’re a Japanese blog, langblr, or anything in between, like this so I can follow u!♡

[polyglot-axolotl]

More screenshots released over the course of today seem to support the theory that everyone starts on their island with a Jock and Uchi villager.

How do we all feel about this?

[polyglot-axolotl]

テレワークの単語

Work From Home Vocabulary

Some words related to working from home (from daily vocabulary, teleconference software, etc.):

テレワーク　telework (work from home).

通話　つうわ　telephone call, voice call

取り込む　取り込む　to be busy

発表中　はっぴょうちゅう　presenting

連絡可能　れんらくかのう　available (lit. it’s possible to contact)

退席中　たいせきちゅう　away, unavailable (lit. away from one’s seat)

状態不安　じょうたいふめい　status unknown

制御を要求　せいぎょをようきゅう　request control

共有　きょうゆう　sharing (files, devices on a network, posts on social media, etc.)

表示　ひょうじ　display (show on screen)

[polyglot-axolotl]

Colours: RADICAL Vocab Flashcards

Thought i’d try a slightly different approach, particularly for the nouns to remember them. By breaking down individual meanings of the radicals within each character + pairing with a context driving trigger sentence. With Chinese, the radicals tell a story of how the word came to be, so perhaps looking at Chinese characters through that approach will encourage another level of    long-term memory.

**Radical meanings are in bold + the vocabulary is CAPITALISED

[polyglot-axolotl]

“一頭牛，兩匹馬， yì tóu niú, liǎng pǐ mǎ, 三條魚，四隻鴨， sān tiáo yú, sì zhī yā, 五本書，六枝筆， wǔ běn shū, liù zhī bǐ, 七棵果樹八朵花。 qī kè guǒshù bā duǒ huā. 使用詞語要恰當， shǐyòng cíyǔ yào qiàdàng, 搭配不好出笑話。 dāpèi bù hǎo chū xiàohuà.”

—

measure word children’s song! (量詞歌) very loose translation, and of course the MW don’t really carry over:

“A head of cattle, two horses three fish, four ducks  five books, six pens seven fruit trees, eight flowers you have to pair the appropriate words or else it’ll come out a joke”

For my Mandarin class we have to memorize two songs and a story a week, and it’s a pain in the ass. But look at this handy little one with measure words from last week. (and now you know who to ask for all the kids’ song you could want)

[polyglot-axolotl]

Made a studygram

Finally got myself to make a studygram and keep track of my study, if you have instagram please feel free to check it out and contact in case you study languages too <3 https://www.instagram.com/polyglot.axolotl/

[polyglot-axolotl]

you might think the best part of langblr is the motivation and community.

you’re mistaken.

it’s really the

✨duolingo owl memes✨

[polyglot-axolotl]

coming soon: the duolingo owl will break into your home at night and beat the shit out of you if you don’t know the word for potato in french

[polyglot-axolotl]

日本の都道府県

Japan’s Prefectures　日本の都道府県

Hokkaidō　北海道

1. Hokkaidō　北海道

Tōhoku　東北

2. Aomori　青森

3. Iwate　岩手

4. Miyagi　宮城

5. Akita　秋田

6. Yamagata　山形

7. Fukushima　福島

Kantō　関東

8. Ibaraki　茨城

9. Tochigi　栃木

10. Gunma　群馬

11. Saitama　埼玉

12. Chiba　千葉

13. Tokyo　東京（都）

14. Kanagawa　神奈川

Chūbu　中部

15. Niigata　��潟

16. Toyama　富山

17. Ishikawa　石川

18. Fukui　福井

19. Yamanashi　山梨

20. Nagano　長野

21. Gifu　岐阜

22. Shizuoka　静岡

23. Aichi　愛知

Kansai　関西

24. Mie　三重

25. Shiga　滋賀

26. Kyoto　京都（府）

27. Osaka　大阪（府）

28. Hyōgo　兵庫

29. Nara　奈良

30. Wakayama　和歌山

Chūgoku　中国

31. Tottori　鳥取

32. Shimane　島根

33. Okayama　岡山

34. Hiroshima　広島

35. Yamaguchi　山口

Shikoku　四国

36. Tokushima　徳島

37. Kagawa　香川

38. Ehime　愛媛

39. Kōchi　高知

Kyūshū　九州

40. Fukuoka　福岡

41. Saga　相模

42. Nagasaki　長崎

43. Kumamoto　熊本

44. Ōita　大分

45. Miyazaki　宮崎

46. Kagoshima　鹿児島

Okinawa　沖縄

47. Okinawa　沖縄

Japan has 47 prefectures (都道府県　とどうふけん). 43 are prefectures or ー県 (けん), 1 circuit or ー道 (ど) [Hokkaidō],  1 metropolis or ー都 (と) [Tokyo], and 2 urban prefectures or ー府 (ふ) [Kyoto, Osaka].

[polyglot-axolotl]

0.25 x 0.75

= ¼ x ¾

= 3/16 or 0.1875

れーてんにご かける れーてんななご は よんぶんのいち かける よんぶんのさん で じゅうろくぶんのさん もしくは れーてんいちはちななご

[polyglot-axolotl]

Lesser Known Language Learning Tips

((ways that get you closer to learning as you did with your first language))

–most ideas were found in “How to Learn a Language : INPUT (why most methods don’t work)” (see below)

1. Context

Comprehensible input is key. Receiving the language in “messages” that you can understand. Having visual aids (show/movie) or not being completely blind to the content (reading a book you already know in a different language) are good examples.

Acquisition not just rote memorization is the point. In one video I watched this was explained as: being told a joke and immediately getting it vs. having the details of a joke explained to you. You will hold onto that information because it made intuitive sense to you (and also maybe was interesting to you). Relying on your brain’s natural pattern recognition systems will do you better.

2. Maximizing Input

If you would watch a video in a foreign language, it’s best to watch with subtitles in that language and watch with a good amount of focus. Reading a book is alright as well but the input isn’t as great because you don’t have all the sensory information available in videos (and especially if you consider the rate of input). Also, you would be driven to look more words and grammar structures up in a book (most of which you won’t even retain). Allowing your brain to receive this information passively is actually good! You won’t notice all that your brain absorbs in that moment but in downtime, your subconscious behind to recall and connect and store details, or certain small details may resurface later. Stricter forms of learning shouldn’t be done away with entirely of course, it can trigger acquisition to some degree anyway. And if you’re taking a class, acquisition isn’t always the quickest way to learn the material.

3. Talking =/= Practice

Talking and conversations themselves are not the key for language acquisition. Instead, shadowing seems to be a more important method to use. Shadowing consists of watching native speakers (preferably in video) and mimicking them. Copying the movements of their mouths and getting a hang of the phonemes in the language are something that this method offers. You are also bound to begin distinguishing between different accents and colloquial vs formal speech. When starting with a new language (especially one with vastly different sounds from any you speak), it is important not to overextend yourself. Don’t reach the point of frustration. It’s suggested that you begin with just a few syllables. You can slowly extend the amount of time you spend in practice. Additional tips: slowing down the video + recording your voice to track your inprovement in pronunciation

4) Making your experience positive

Immediately forcing yourself to speak with other people is actually not the greatest for everyone. You may start associating the language with negativity due to embarrassment and shame. As a result, you may be less inclined to study or place mental blocks in your mind. Causing yourself to get overly frustrated while studying is also not a good idea.

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[polyglot-axolotl]

Passed the N3 (after 4 tries)

Yeah, I'm super mediocre, but it's a nice thing to finally being able to pass it. Next is the HSK 4 this May!!!

[polyglot-axolotl]

Roofs in ancien China