Vital Information About Japan (Sunday, April 17th)

I thought I'd take a study break and share with you some of the wonders contained within Minna no Nihongo, my japanese textbook.  A close perusal reveals many important facets, not only of japanese word etymology, and how to speak the language, but culture as well.

For instance, the textbook, very correctly, I might add, assumes that anyone learning the Japanese language will need to know several key phrases and words with a certain amount of urgency.  Examples include the ability to ask what time of day it is, or where Shinjuku station is.  They also make references to key locations that are important to visit regularly (the supermarket, bank, Osaka castle, etc.) and thus make it a priority to teach this vocabulary first.

Here's one sample from Lesson 5:


Below my dirty fingernail, you can see an overexposed example of Lesson 5's vocabulary.

 At the botom of the next page of the vocab list, as shown below, you'll be able to see why I believe the Japanese people have their priorities straight.  I think it speaks for itself:

This textbook doesn't shy away from other important topics, either.  For instance, in addition to learning the language, they assume you will want to know how to use a toilet in Japan.  Here's the relevant section of the textbook:

I'm definitely glad I read this before trying to use a japanese toilet.  I think they should, in fact, move this section up a bit and put it right on the first page of the textbook, because no offense, as important as it is to learn to speak Japanese ASAP, it's even more important to know how to relieve yourself.  I love the way the picture also shows you how to use the toilet "Western style" as a point of comparison, in case you've forgotten how to do so.

Well back to the books!  Sayounara suckers!!