Summary of Lecture on Learning Japanese and Kanji
The lecture discusses the personal journey and strategies of Josen, a proficient speaker of Japanese who passed the JLPT N2 level and memorized all 2000+ Jouyou Kanji. He shares valuable insights on overcoming the challenges of learning Japanese and specifically kanji, including selecting the right learning tools, creating effective study habits, and leveraging technology and structured methods to streamline learning.
Key Points from the Lecture
Background and Motivation
- Josen began learning Japanese at age 14, driven by his desire to watch anime without subtitles.
- His initial challenge was overcoming the barrier of kanji, which he initially found overwhelming.
Initial Learning Approach
- Started with Rosetta Stone, which helped by making learning engaging through matching words with pictures instead of providing translations.
Importance of Japanese Characters
- Japanese has three character sets: Hiragana, Katakana, and Kanji.
- Hiragana: Used widely and should be learned first.
- Katakana: Used for foreign words and onomatopoeia.
- Kanji: Originating from China, these characters represent words or ideas and are crucial for reading and writing Japanese.
Overcoming Challenges with Kanji
- Took college classes to regularly engage with the language, which helped deal with motivational fluctuations.
- Classes introduced him to kanji systematically, making the learning process less intimidating.
Advanced Learning Techniques
- Discovered the "Remembering the Kanji" book by Heisig which uses a mnemonic method for learning characters by breaking them down into components to form memorable stories.
- Combined book learning with Anki, a flashcard app that helped reinforce memory through spaced repetition.
Building Effective Study Habits
- Developed a habit of studying kanji every morning by linking it with his routine of waking up (habit stacking as mentioned in James Clear's "Atomic Habits").
Tools and Strategies
- Book: "Remembering the Kanji" by Heisig.
- App: Anki, specifically using decks built for kanji learning, which allowed for customization and visualization of mnemonic stories.
- Habit formation techniques from "Atomic Habits" to maintain consistency:
- Cue: Trigger that starts the habit, like an alarm.
- Craving: Motivation for pursuing the behavior.
- Response: The actual habit (studying kanji).
- Reward: A treat or benefit received after completing the habit session.
Conclusion and Outcomes
- Josen increased his kanji study from one character a day to 15, eventually covering all Jouyou Kanji.
- Achieved his goal to watch "One Piece" without subtitles, demonstrating practical application of his learning achievement.
Recommendations for Learners
- Start with small, manageable goals and gradually increase the difficulty.
- Choose learning tools that make the process enjoyable and engaging.
- Leverage technology and structured methods like mnemonic devices and spaced repetition for efficient learning.
- Consider regular classes or create a habitual learning routine to maintain motivation.
- Utilize habit formation strategies to make learning an integral part of daily life.