Composition 3

私のうちはニューヨークにあります。うちはちさいですが、きれいです。ニューヨークが好きです。おおきいですが、べんりです。International relationsのにとがしたいです。今暇です。セタラルパークへやすみにいきます。まいあさはたらきます、それからちレストランへひるごはんをたべにいきます。わたしのりょしんデラワイアにいます。近いです。わたしのふたごのしまいですが。わかりません。

Katakana Analysis

From the manga VB Rose:　キャチ。In the manga, this phrase was used as an onomatopoeia to describe the sounds of being caught by someone after tripping. As far as I am aware, there is no phrase that accurately represents this idea in either kanji or hiragana. If you think about it, this sound does fit the situation. There is the sound of wind whistling through your ears as you fall (キャ), and then a light impact as someone catches you (チ). It is more pleasing to the eye (as well as simpler to add) in manga to see a short katakana onomatopoeia made of simple lines, than a longer hiragana phrase or a complex kanji character. It is also less distracting to a reader reading the English translation that has kept in the katakana than seeing a long phrase or complex character. Keiko had asked if I had perhaps missed a character, as she said the word キャッチ is usually used to imply catching something. But I double-checked the manga page, and the word was キャチ、not キャッチ。

From a McDonald's sign: ドライブスルー。This is a loan word/foreign word from the English "drivethru". Translating it into kanji or hiragana would mean creating a new word or character, and for something so close to the English equivalent it is much simpler to transcribe it phonetically using katakana instead. The Japanese did not have such a word before it was brought over from another country.

One of the textbooks mentioned specifically that katakana, "which has rather straight lines" is used for loan words and foreign names. I think they said it this way to make it easier to tell apart when looking at a piece of writing, as well as telling the reader they will at least know the type of word that is there, even if it's not something they can read/understand.

The second one introduces katakana as used for borrowed words and onomatopoeia. I find it interesting that they specifically mentioned the second one, as onomatopoeia are not something a new student will come across much as they are starting out, since they are neither very much in print (disregarding manga) nor very useful things to know for a new student.

The third source specifies that they are phonetic representations of sounds, which lets the student know that once they learn the basics, they will always be able to sound something out even if they're not sure what it means. Since they are phonetic though, most of the time the student should be able to figure it out.

The last textbook excerpt also mentions the difference in shape of the characters (more angular, as opposed "to the flowing lines of hiragana") and the fact that it is used for loan words, onomatopoeia, and also words the writer wishes to emphasize. This is the first time I've heard of the last reason, and I find it interesting. It also notes that younger people and people in urban centers are more likely to use katakana and loan words, even if a Japanese version of the word exists. I think this was partly to help reassure people thinking about visiting that if they get stuck, it will be easier to find someone who will understand at least part of what you are saying, especially if they are in an city and/or surrounded by younger people.

コーヒーのぶた

ブーブーは
コーヒーのぶた
おいしい、ね

アメリカは
ところハンサム
じゃありません

コンサート
はたかいです
たのしいね

てがみ

やまださんへ
こんにちは！私輪Ｅｍｉｌｙ　Ｐｕｔｓｃｈｅｒです。私はコロンビア大学の一年生です。コロンビアはお起きです。大学は難しいですが、楽しいです。私は土手も忙しいです。あまり暇じゃありません。ろくがつにじゅうごにちににほねいきます。
よろしくおねがいします！
Emily Putscher

Katakna Analysis Draft

From the manga VB Rose:　キャチ。In the manga, this phrase was used as an onomatopoeia to describe the sounds of being caught by someone after tripping. As far as I am aware, there is no phrase that accurately represents this idea in either kanji or hiragana. If you think about it, this sound does fit the situation. There is the sound of wind whistling through your ears as you fall (キャ), and then a light impact as someone catches you (チ). It is more pleasing to the eye (as well as simpler to add) in manga to see a short katakana onomatopoeia made of simple lines, than a longer hiragana phrase or a complex kanji character. It is also less distracting to a reader reading the English translation that has kept in the katakana than seeing a long phrase or complex character.

From a McDonald's sign: ドライブスルー。This is a loan word/foreign word from the English "drivethru". Translating it into kanji or hiragana would mean creating a new word or character, and for something so close to the English equivalent it is much simpler to transcribe it phonetically using katakana instead. The Japanese did not have such a word before it was brought over from another country.

One of the textbooks mentioned specifically that katakana, "which has rather straight lines" is used for loan words and foreign names. I think they said it this way to make it easier to tell apart when looking at a piece of writing, as well as telling the reader they will at least know the type of word that is there, even if it's not something they can read/understand.

The second one introduces katakana as used for borrowed words and onomatopoeia. I find it interesting that they specifically mentioned the second one, as onomatopoeia are not something a new student will come across much as they are starting out, since they are neither very much in print (disregarding manga) nor very useful things to know for a new student.

The third source specifies that they are phonetic representations of sounds, which lets the student know that once they learn the basics, they will always be able to sound something out even if they're not sure what it means. Since they are phonetic though, most of the time the student should be able to figure it out.

The last textbook excerpt also mentions the difference in shape of the characters (more angular, as opposed "to the flowing lines of hiragana") and the fact that it is used for loan words, onomatopoeia, and also words the writer wishes to emphasize. This is the first time I've heard of the last reason, and I find it interesting. It also notes that younger people and people in urban centers are more likely to use katakana and loan words, even if a Japanese version of the word exists. I think this was partly to help reassure people thinking about visiting that if they get stuck, it will be easier to find someone who will understand at least part of what you are saying, especially if they are in an city and/or surrounded by younger people.

My Halloween Plans

I'm going to a Miyavi concert! For those who don't know, Miyavi is a Japanese musician who happens to be a fantastic guitarist as well as an amazing singer. When I was at Barnard for the pre-college program last summer, he was actually in town as well. Sadly, only for the first night of the program, which is when they wouldn't let us off campus. Even for food, despite the fact they neglected to provide us with dinner. ...that's not really important.

TL;DR: I was sad. But I found out he was actually coming back again this year (on Halloween, no less) and I knew there was no way I was going to miss it. My friend Alexa (one of the awesome Bostonians I was visiting last weekend) is coming down here to join me at the concert.

And because we are major dorks, cosplayers, and it's Halloween, we decided we had to dress up. Alexa is a fantastic Summoner Yuna cosplayer, and I still have parts of my Lulu, so we decided to throw together casual/concert outfits for the two. And be generally awesome.

せんしゅうどようびにどこですか？

コスプラユ！ わたしはホンゴユイです。ユイはふしぎゆぎのキャラクタです。ともだちとボストんへいきました。ボソトんのちかてつはおそい。わたしはボソトんもこようびからにちようびまでです。ボソトんへバスでいきましたか。

おは世ございます！

わたしはいちじからはちじさんまでです。いまべんきょします。にほんごのしゅくだいとInternational Politicsしゅくだい。

And for those who wanted to see more cosplay, here's what I did last Saturday:

I study Japanese because I'm a dork.

No, really. A friend of mine got me started reading manga in 7th grade (it was either Planet Ladder or Othello I read first, both of which are not well-known now) and ever since I've been addicted. A few years later I started cosplaying (making my own costumes, thank you very much, and yes that is me) and going to anime conventions, and I knew that I wanted to study the language.
It's not just because of anime and manga that I have a fascination with the language and the culture, but I certainly never would have gotten this into the culture without it. Is it the most high-brow, cultured reason someone could have to study Japanese? Of course not. But it's mine, and I'm proud of it.
I am really excited to be studying Japanese (if you hadn't guessed) but I am really hoping to study the language all four years and come out fluent (or as close as I can get) at the end. I also hope to study abroad in Japan sometime during my years as a college student, because nothing teachers you a language better than complete immersion.
However, after two weeks of studying I am having a little trouble. I have never been amazing when it comes to route memorization (partly because I have a lazy streak a mile wide) so having all this information (plus the first of three completely new writing systems) thrown at me is a little overwhelming. Unlike trying to memorize dates of boring historical events, I have a good motivation to get memorizing. Soon I hope to start really settling in with my study system so I'll start having an easier time with it. For now, expect to find me buried in flashcards and spouting what seems like nonsense as I do my best to memorize everything.

こんいちわ。はじめまして

わたしわEmilyです。Barnardだいがくのいちねねせです。わたしはじゅはっさいです。わたしはあめりかじんです。Delawareからきました。どぞよるしく。