JAPN 401 - Structure of Japanese Language |
Fall 2018
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Course Description This course aims to develop basic understanding of structural features of Japanese language. Students will be introduced to basic phonetic, phonological, morphological, syntactic, and discourse levels of Japanese. Taught in Japanese. (Prereq: JAPN 300 or equivalent) Units: 4 Course Files
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Reflective Narrative After a year studying abroad this course offered an advanced approach on how students can look at language. In this course we studied various grammar points, honorific speech styles in Japan, as well as take a linguistic approach to how language is physically used. In this course we studied vocab, kanji, phrases, and grammar points as well as implemented them into improving our self-introduction, formal speech, discuss linguistics, and writing. We studied casual speech and formal speech, and the nuances of Japanese sonkeigo and kenjougo in order to appropriately match our language based on a social setting. Working with other students we even presented and practiced learned forms of speech. During one of the course sections we even learned IPA, the International Phonetic Alphabet, and utilized how sounds are formed and processed by native and nonnative speakers of both Japanese and English languages. From the contents of this course I learned that a linguistic approach to studying language is very helpful and rewarding. We held open class discussions where peers and myself were able to reflect on our combined skill levels in context to linguistics. This course also satisfied the MLO 1, Japanese Language and Communication. After learning about IPA I have become more aware on speech pattern of myself and those around me, and in the future I hope to study a third language using a better improved learning approach. This course also helped better cement learned speech and pronunciation habits formed in earlier language courses in America and abroad. |