Research

Research:  In less than one month, I will fly to Japan with little to no knowledge of the language.  I have flashbacks of my trip to Italy.  I was six months pregnant with Sean Ryan (as he was called then) sitting on my bladder.  I was convinced that I could survive if I knew how to ask for the location of a bathroom.  So, I practiced and practiced until I could ask.  I got up my courage and asked the host at a restaurant, only to realize that I did not have a clue what he responded.

I have no illusions that I am going to learn Japanese between now and when I leave.  My goal is to learn to say hello, goodbye, excuse me, and I am sorry.  So here is my three prong approach:

1 - Download iPad apps:  Learn Japanese in 24 Hours - the native speaker says it clearly at a normal speed and then slowly.  Kana Writing - practicing the two Japanese alphabets (Hiragana and Katakana) on the iPad or iPhone.  I saw an app that had you chose a noun, verb, etc. and then it would say a phrase or sentence for you.  I think that is my next download.

2 - Audio CD: Berlitz Japanese in 60 minutes - has 11 audio sections.  I bought this CD for Kyle while he was taking Japanese at the local community college.  I found it while I was packing.  I have been listening to this before I go to sleep.  I have lots of Japanese words swirling around in my brain, but have not idea what they mean.  I can get to about the third segment and then I fall asleep.

3 - Books:  I love books.  I bought a pocket Japanese Dictionary (Random House), a Japanese Phrasebook and Dictionary (Lonely Planet), Japanese Hiragana & Katakana for Beginners (Tuttle), Japanese a Language Map, and The Japanese Way: Aspects of Behavior, Attitudes and Customs of the Japanese (Takada and Lampkin).