Accent: How to develop a Japanese accent

Q: I have a question how do u develope the Japanese accent? u sound so cool when you speak japanese   - rika

A: Thank you!  It just depends how you learn.  If you learn from a book or use roman abc letters then there’s a very good chance you’ll have a horrible accent.  It’ll probably sound good to you or your friends, but not so in Japan!

I guess the key is to just listen to lots and lots of real Japanese and learn to speak it by copying what you hear, rather than trying to read and speak it.

One other really fantastic trick I use is to really mickey take the accent of the language I’m learning.
For example, speak an English phrase, but then say it in the thickest most stereotypical Japanese accent you can possibly imagine.  Really, really go over the top.   Then try saying it in Japanese with the same ultra thick accent. You’ll think it sounds silly, but it really, really works!

Having said that unlike say Italian or French where the stereotypical accent is still current, be careful you don’t copy a Japanese “samurai style” accent because no-one speaks like that anymore, as I found from experience!
Instead get a favourite anime character, or even better a Japanese TV comedian, and really try and imitate their accent.

When you speak, speak like you are that person, really get in their head and speak just like they do.  Copy their face and body language as well  This will really, really help!

Be genki,
Richard
From: learnjapanesefaq.com

Accent: Katakana - Part 1

Surfing the web, just came across "Richard's website" and found this great fun for listening enhancement.

Have fun:

I suggest you to have a look at my "Katakana posts" for more information...

Japanese Proverbs - An Intro

Kotowaza
 
A Japanese proverb (諺, ことわざ kotowaza) may take the form of:

• a short saying (言い習わし iinarawashi),
• an idiomatic phrase (慣用句 kan'yōku), or
• a four-character idiom (四字熟語 yojijukugo).

Although "proverb" and "saying" are practically synonymous, the same cannot be said about "idiomatic phrase" and "four-character idiom". Not all kan'yōku and yojijukugo are proverbial.

For instance, the kan'yōku 狐の嫁入り kitsune no yomeiri (Literally: a fox's wedding. Meaning: a sun-shower) and the yojijukugo 小春日和 koharubiyori (Literally: small spring weather. Meaning: Indian summer – warm spring-like weather in early winter) are not proverbs.

To be considered a proverb, a word or phrase must express a common truth or wisdom; it cannot be a mere noun.

Usage

The Japanese love proverbs and use them frequently in their everyday life, often citing just the first part of a well-known phrase in an effort to be brief. For example, one might say I no naka no kawazu (井の中の蛙 a frog in a well?) to refer to the proverb I no naka no kawazu, taikai o shirazu (井の中の蛙、大海を知らず a frog in a well cannot conceive of the ocean).

The heavy employment of proverbs enables Japanese language to be compact, quick and simple. Evidence might be found in Japanese animation and manga, but also appears in news and cultural programs, and in much fiction.

Examples of Japanese proverbs

Sayings

• 案ずるより産むが易し。
  • Anzuru yori umu ga yasushi.
  • Literally: Giving birth to a baby is easier than worrying about it.
  • Meaning: Fear is greater than the danger. / An attempt is sometimes easier than expected.
• 出る杭は打たれる。
  • Deru kui wa utareru.
  • Literally: The stake that sticks up gets hammered down.
  • Meaning: If you stand out, you will be subject to criticism.
• 知らぬが仏
  • Shiranu ga hotoke.
  • Literally: Not knowing is Buddha.
  • Meaning: Ignorance is bliss. / What you don't know can't hurt you.
• 見ぬが花
  • Minu ga hana.
  • Literally: Not seeing is a flower.
  • Meaning: Reality can't compete with imagination.

Idiomatic phrases

• 猫に小判 neko ni koban
  • Literally: giving money to a cat
  • Meaning: casting pearls before swine / Giving something of value to a recipient that does not value it

• 七転び八起き nanakorobi yaoki
  • Literally: fall seven times and stand up eight
  • Meaning: When life knocks you down, stand back up / Keep trying.

• 猿も木から落ちる Saru mo ki kara ochiru
  • Literally: Even monkeys fall from trees
  • Meaning: Anyone can make a mistake.

Four-character idioms

• 十人十色 jūnin toiro
  • Literally: ten persons, ten colors
  • Meaning:　To each his own. / Different strokes for different folks.

• 悪因悪果 akuin akka
  • Literally: evil cause, evil effect / bad causes bring bad results
  • Meaning: Sow evil and reap evil. / You reap what you sow.
  • Note: this is a Buddhist sentiment that emphasizes the idea of karmic retribution.

• 弱肉強食 jaku niku kyō shoku
  • Literally: The weak are meat; the strong eat.
  • Meaning: Survival of the fittest.

Source: Wikipedia

Tsukimi - Moon Viewing

Tsukimi is an annual Japanese event in appreciation of the full moon. It falls on the night of August 15 (of the lunar calendar), as the full moon in the clear autumn sky is quite beautiful.
The date changes every year in the solar calendar, this year it falls on September 22nd.
Tsukimi-dango (rice dumplings), susuki (Japanese pampas grass) and autumn fruits are offered to the moon. When the Japanese see the full moon, they see an image of a rabbit making rice cakes (mochi).

Macdonald's in Japan has been offering a, "tsukimi-burger," which has an egg inside and represents the moon, as a seasonal menu item since 1991.

By Namiko Abe, Japanese Language Guide.