Hakes - The Everything conversational Japanese book: basic instructions for speaking this fascinating language in any setting

THE
EVERYTHING
CONVERSATIONAL
JAPANESE
BOOK Basic instructions
for speaking this
fascinating
language
in any settingMolly Hakes
Copyright 2005, F+W Publications, Inc. All rights reserved. This book, or parts thereof, may not be reproduced in any form without permission from the publisher; exceptions are made for brief excerpts used in published reviews. An Everything Series Book. Everything and everything.com are registered trademarks of F+W Publications, Inc. www.adamsmedia.com ISBN 10: 1-59337-147-0 ISBN 13: 978-1-59337-147-0 (paperback) ISBN 13: 978-1-60550-452-0 (EPUB) Printed in the United States of America. www.adamsmedia.com ISBN 10: 1-59337-147-0 ISBN 13: 978-1-59337-147-0 (paperback) ISBN 13: 978-1-60550-452-0 (EPUB) Printed in the United States of America.

J I H G F E D C B Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Hakes, Molly. The everything conversational Japanese book / Molly Hakes. p. cm. (Everything series book) ISBN 1-59337-147-0 ISBN 13: 978-1-60550-452-0 (EPUB) 1. I. Title. II. II.

Series: Everything series PL539.H25 2004 495.683421 dc22 2004013357 This publication is designed to provide accurate and authoritative information with regard to the subject matter covered. It is sold with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in rendering legal, accounting, or other professional advice. If legal advice or other expert assistance is required, the services of a competent professional person should be sought. From a Declaration of Principles jointly adopted by a Committee of the American Bar Association and a Committee of Publishers and Associations Many of the designations used by manufacturers and sellers to distinguish their products are claimed as trademarks. Where those designations appear in this book and Adams Media was aware of a trademark claim, the designations have been printed with initial capital letters. Master audio recording produced by Radio Garage Productions, West Des Moines, IA.

This book is available at quantity discounts for bulk purchases. For information, call 1-800-289-0963. The Series

My understanding of the language has been clarified. Learning another language has made me a better listener and communicator in many ways. My family's daily life is a strange hybrid of Japanese and American cultures. Experiencing, firsthand, an interracial, bicultural marriage has challenged not only my linguistic abilities, but has pushed me to better understand my own culture. It took leaving the Midwest to realize the unique advantages of small-town life; and, likewise, living in Japan has romanticized for me the amazing diversity of people, culture, language, and life in the United States. Balancing the many roles of my life to create time for this project was a character-building experience.

Many nights I typed with one hand while nursing my daughter to sleep. My husband did more than his share of the cooking and cleaning throughout my affair with the laptop without batting an eye. What we have gained from this experience is the satisfaction that an essential blend of language, culture, colloquialisms, and idioms are being passed on to someone who will make good use of them.

To my family, whose unwavering support is my shushoku.

Acknowledgments

My gratitude goes to Barb Doyen, of Doyen Literary Services, for always watching my back. Thanks are due to all the people who let me quote their stories and pick their brains: Sara Snyder, Maki Ueda, Shoo Kamei, Sooei Kodama, and the countless others who have both directly and indirectly influenced this book.

I need to thank my first editor, Eric Hall, for his positive attitude. Julie Gutin's flexibility and humble nature made for smooth editing. Jay Weiss, too, made recording the audio CD a joy. My husband, Nobuhiro Watanabe, deserves props for his perserverence in late-night editing sessions and for his patience during practices for the recording of the audio CD. My parents, too, deserve thanks for their love, support, and flexibility as holiday festivities and production deadlines butted heads.

Top Ten Reasons to Learn Japanese

1. While traveling, hidden treasures are discovered by those who know how to ask for them.
2. With some rudimentary Japanese, you'll know where you're going and how to get there!
3. Sushi, sushi, and more sushi! Do you want to be able to order what you want to eat, or would you rather be stuck with delicacies like sea urchin gonads?
4. You can make special requests, from asking for an extra pillow to ordering vegetarian entres.
5. You can gain the immediate respect of residents, wherever you go.
6. You will not go into shock at the cash register.
7. You'll have the skills to be able to decipher the ultrapolite lingo of a business lunch!
8. You can discover the world of Japanimation, especially the work of Hayao Miyazaki, Japan's top animator, political commentator, and conservationist.
9. You never know when Japanese may come in handy, even after you leave Japan.
10. Gaining a deeper understanding of Japanese may just help you with your English!

Introduction

The great samurai warrior Katsumoto would have his work cut out for him today.

He is best remembered for his heroic efforts to protect Japanese culture from Western influences, an issue that is prevalent even in the twenty-first century. Increased globalization is threatening many cultures and languages around the world, and Japan is no exception. By learning to speak another language, you are doing the world a favor. For all its amazing advances in technology, travel, and communications, globalization has also paved the way for unbridled importing and exporting of culture. Residents of the countries being threatened are becoming increasingly aware of how quickly language and culture can be lost. By learning another language, you make your own contribution to keeping it alive and in use.