World+Languages

Although we currently only teach French and Spanish at Rodillian we are hoping to embark on a more worldwide journey into languages. This will primarily be done via the [|Rodillian MFL Weblog]. See the left hand column. Hopefully in the next academic year we will be able to offer taster courses in a variety of languages each running for a number of weeks.

Japanese is already up and running on the [|Rodillian weblog]. You can find the first 10 lessons [|HERE] and some audio visual resources [|HER]E

Here is a taster of one of the learning videos: media type="custom" key="3574364"

And below is an example of the content of a Japanese lesson:

[|Japanese Lesson 10]
Meeting Someone New We are often asked by our students learning [|Japanese] how to introduce oneself to someone new. The interaction is normally very formal and filled with a few bows. Below is a typical Japanese conversation between two people meeting for the first [|time]: (In Kanji, Hiragana, and Romaji) || **[|English] Meaning** || こんにちは. はじめまして. Konnichi wa. Hajimemashite. || Hello. Nice to meet you. || はじめまして. おげんきですか. Hajimemashite. O-genki desu ka? || Nice to meet you. How are you? || はい、げんきです. Hai, genki desu. || I am fine. || わたしは______ともうします. あなたのおなまえは？ Watashi wa ______ to moushimasu. Anata no o-namae wa? || My name is ______. What is your name? || わたしは______といいます. よろしくおねがいします. Watashi wa ______ to iimasu. Yoroshiku o-negai shimasu. || My name is ______. Pleased to make your acquaintance. || よろしくおねがいします. Yoroshiku o-negai shimasu. || Pleased to make your acquaintance. || || Other Common Phrases We are often asked how to say "I love you" in Japanese. This would be "Anata o ai shite imasu" BUT be advised that the Japanese typically don't use the word for love (愛 - あい - ai) when talking about their feelings for someone else (not even a boyfriend, girlfriend, spouse, child, parent, etc.). They would typically say "Anata no koto ga suki desu" or "Anata ga daisuki desu". "Suki" means "like" and "daisuki" means "favorite". This may seem strange but this is just what they say for "I love you". (English Letters)** || **English Meaning** || (used when someone is going to bed) || ("My stomach is empty.") || ||
 * || || **Japanese**
 * **Person 1:** || こんにちは. 始めまして.
 * **Person 2:** || 始めまして. お元気ですか.
 * **Person 1:** || はい、元気です.
 * **Person 1:** || 私は______と申します. 　あなたのお名前は？
 * **Person 2:** || 私は______と言います. 宜しくお願いします.
 * **Person 1:** || 宜しくお願いします.
 * Explanation:** "Hajimemashite" literally means "it is a beginning" but would be the equivalent of "Nice to meet you" in [|English]. It would only be used the first [|time] meeting someone. As learned in [|Lesson 9][[image:http://i.ixnp.com/images/v3.74/t.gif link="http://www.typepad.com/site/blogs/6a01053602e88f970c01053602e893970c/post/lesson09.cfm"]], "genki" means "in good spirits". "O-genki desu ka" is literally asking "Are you in good spirits?". This is the most common way of asking "How are you?" in Japanese. The other person responds "Yes, I am in good spirits". "Mousu" is the ultra polite form of the verb "iu" (to say). Both people are literally saying "I am said/called _____". "Namae" is the word for "name". An "o" is added in front of it (and other words throughout this exchange) to show respect. This is not done when talking about yourself. "Yoroshii" means "good/fine" and "negai" is a wish or request. "Yoroshiku o-negai shimasu" literally means "I request/wish kindly of you". It is basically like saying "Please treat me well". It can be used in other situations as well - such as when asking for a favor.
 * || **漢字 - Kanji** || **ひらがな - Hiragana** || **Romaji
 * 誕生日おめでとうございます || たんじょうびおめでとうございます || tanjoubi omedetou gozaimasu  || Happy Birthday! ||
 * 明けましておめでとうございます || あけましておめでとうございます || akemashite omedetou gozaimasu || Happy New Year! ||
 * おめでとうございます || おめでとうございます || omedetou gozaimasu || Congratulations! ||
 * お休みなさい || おやすみなさい || oyasuminasai || Good night.
 * 御免なさい || ごめんなさい || gomennasai || I'm sorry. ||
 * すみません || すみません || sumimasen || Excuse me. ||
 * トイレは何処ですか || トイレはどこですか || toire wa doko desu ka || Where is the bathroom? ||
 * お腹が空いています || おなかがすいています || onaka ga suite imasu || I am hungry.