For majority of the Western world, the Japanese language looks complicated, difficult, and nigh-impossible to understand.
At first glance, there’s very few similarities between both English and Japanese. So few that it’s easy to overlook the fact that Japanese is not actually as hard to learn contrary to popular belief. In fact, it is a lot easier, especially with various Japanese classes in Singapore available online these days.
Here are three reasons that should convince you why it’s a lot easier to learn Japanese than you think.
1. Japanese literally doesn’t sound difficult
Sounds in Japanese are actually a lot easier and more simple than you’d think. You could argue that’s simpler than English.
Why? Because unlike English, which can have as many as 24 vowel sounds, Japanese only has five. Not to mention, the basic consonant sounds are fairly simple as well.
Japanese also is different from other Asian languages like Mandarin or Vietnamese in that it’s not a tone language. This means that you could shout a particular word or phrase and it would still mean the same thing as if you had just whispered it. Although this does not apply to every situation, the difference in meaning depending on your voice’s pitch isn’t really as big as when compared to other languages.
2. Grammar is really easy to understand in Japanese
English grammar is hard to understand. Some excellent writers argue that perfect grammar doesn’t really exist; that it’s just a bunch of structural rules that the people who created it don’t really fully understand themselves.
Japanese is the complete opposite.
In Japanese, grammar and structure is really easy to understand. Also, there are no gendered nouns and pronouns in Japanese. You’re never going to have to worry about mistakenly calling something a he or a she in Japanese because it doesn’t exist within the context of the language.
3. Kanji is fun and easy to learn
Kanji is one of the subjects that most Japanese language students have difficulties with. But, thanks to modern technology and the Internet, that’s no longer the case. There are various Japanese lessons and apps available online, to practice and learn Japanese kanji in a relatively short time.
Even if you can’t fully write kanji just yet, you’ll be able to at least understand and read the language much faster using today’s technology.
So, if you need a valid reason why you should try and learn Japanese, consider the fact that it’s not really that difficult to learn. Of course, the language-learning experience is very subjective. It can be hard for you, but easy for others, and vice versa.
Regardless, what’s important is that you try to find out what kind of learning method works best for you, and once you do find out, don’t give up. Take advantage of Japanese classes available in language schools to help you out in your journey.
So long as you are determined enough to learn, you’ll find yourself picking up a new language like Japanese in no time.
