Introduction to Japanese - Why Learn Japanese?

Summary

This introductory Japanese lesson with Alicia and Risa explores the transformative power of learning a new language, emphasizing how it can enhance job prospects, cultural understanding, and cognitive health. They highlight the unique appeal of Japanese, from its influential pop culture to its economic significance, and provide practical advice on getting started, including the importance of learning basic phrases and understanding the Japanese writing system, Kana. The lesson concludes with a warm invitation to the next session, promising to demystify Japanese pronunciation.

Takeaways

• 🌟 Learning a new language can change your life by opening up new opportunities and experiences.
• 🛂 Knowing another language provides greater job opportunities and the freedom to live and work in different countries.
• 🌐 Language learning enhances your ability to be more open-minded and understand different cultures, fostering empathy and personal growth.
• 🧠 Studies show that learning a new language improves memory and can delay the onset of cognitive decline like Alzheimer's and Dementia.
• 🇯🇵 Japanese pop culture, including animations, comics, and games, has a global influence, and understanding the language gives access to untranslated content.
• 💼 Japan's economy is the third largest in the world, and knowledge of Japanese can open business opportunities and provide a competitive edge in the global market.
• 🏅 Japan is known for innovation and has a strong electronics and automobile industry, making language knowledge valuable in these sectors.
• 🗺️ Learning Japanese can enhance travel experiences, especially with the upcoming 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo and the majority of Japanese not speaking English.
• 🏰 Japan offers rich historical sites and cultural experiences, such as Mount Fuji and Himi Castle, which are best appreciated with understanding of the language.
• 📚 Japanese writing system, Kana, consists of characters representing syllables, which can be learned with the help of Romanization, making it more accessible for beginners.
• 🙏 Learning basic phrases like 'thank you' in Japanese is a practical start to language acquisition and cultural interaction.

Q & A

What is the main purpose of the video 'Introduction to Japanese'?

The main purpose of the video is to introduce viewers to the Japanese language, explain the benefits of learning a new language, and specifically, the advantages of learning Japanese.

What are some of the life-changing benefits mentioned in the script for learning a new language?

Learning a new language can unlock new pathways, provide greater job opportunities, allow for the freedom to live and work in another country, and make one more open-minded, seeing the world from a new perspective.

How does learning a new language impact one's cognitive abilities according to the script?

Learning a new language improves memory and keeps the brain healthy, significantly delaying the onset of Alzheimer's and Dementia, potentially adding up to five more years of quality life.

Why is Japanese pop culture significant in the context of learning the language?

Japanese pop culture, including animations, comics, and games like Pokemon, Mario, and Playstation, is globally popular. Knowing Japanese allows one to access content that may not be translated into other languages.

What economic reasons are given in the script for learning Japanese?

Japan is the third largest economy in the world with significant industries in electronics and automobiles. Learning Japanese opens up business opportunities and understanding of Japanese work ethic and business etiquette can be beneficial in international dealings.

Why is the ability to speak Japanese important for tourists visiting Japan?

The majority of the Japanese population cannot speak English, so knowing Japanese can help tourists make friends and navigate more easily. Additionally, Japan has many world heritage sites and a rich history to explore.

What is the significance of the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo mentioned in the script?

The 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo is an example of a major international event that highlights Japan's growing tourism sector and the potential benefits of knowing Japanese for engaging with this event.

What is the Japanese writing system called, and how does it differ from the English alphabet?

The Japanese writing system is called 'Kana', which consists of characters representing syllables, unlike the English alphabet which uses letters.

How can English speakers get started with learning Japanese based on the script?

English speakers can start by learning their first word in Japanese and using Romanization called 'Romaji' to read Japanese before becoming familiar with the characters.

What phrase did the script teach viewers as a useful starting point for learning Japanese?

The script taught viewers the phrase 'arigatou', which means 'thank you' in Japanese.

What does the script suggest as a method to make learning Japanese easier for beginners?

The script suggests using Romanization, specifically 'Romaji', to help beginners read Japanese before they are familiar with the characters.