13 Secrets for Speaking Fluent Japanese

by Giles Murray

13 Secrets for Speaking Fluent Japanese presents tested shortcuts for Japanese language acquisition. Identifying two groups of people who actively and effectively study Japanese to the point of fluency-successful non-native learners and Japanese children-Giles Murray has collected from both groups the most rewarding and universal techniques which can be put to immediate use by both beginner and advanced students of Japanese.

This book is designed...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 4770023022
• ISBN13: 9784770023025
• Release Date: June 1999
• Publisher: Kodansha
• Length: 184 Pages
• Weight: 0.58 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 7.3" x 5.1"

Customer Reviews

Not just useful for Students of Japanese

Dont get me wrong, students of japanese are definately going to be the ones able to gain the most out of this book because it is specifically focused on learning the japanese language, and the many examples, quizes, and certain study tips are unique to Japan. But many of Murray's tips are useful for studying any language. Specifically im referring to the two chapters explaining stratagies for coping with not knowing the right word, or just plain not being able to remember it. As he notes, these are problems native speakers have too!!! they just know how to deal with it better.... While his examples are really great for japanese, the concept should be taught more often in other languages... GET OVER BEING AFRAID TO MAKE MISTAKES... and JUST TALK!!!! The style of this book is relaxed enough that it can simply be read for entertainments sake because of the games, and stories within. I really like how Murray doesnt take himself too seriously in his writing, which makes the information just that much more accessible, and therefore useable. The advice on katakana words is priceless... i completely agree, thats its a mistake to conciously avoid hundreds to thousands of vocabulary items we already know, because we THINK its not REAL japanese... who made us the language police (unless you're in France, then its understandable). The reality is that if actual real live Japanese people can understand it... thats good enough.He even made me think twice about a couple of my own study habits... personally, im not a fan of anime, manga, etc... if you like it, thats fine, its just not for me personally...but i will admit that Murray makes a great argument for reading manga as a study aid... actually made better in the chapter about sleezy romance novels.. but the point still applies... that it doesnt matter if we really like it... but that we can learn some useable japanese from the process. Great Book... definately worth a look if you're a student of any language, and a must own for beginning students of japanese.

Fresh and usable -- BUY THIS BOOK!!

I've lived in Japan most of my life. Having worked in education, I've read and know about language books, particularly those on practical Japanese language. What's good about this 13 Secrets book is that it teaches you how to express yourself in Japanese with individuality and character. I've read a lot of books which just try to make a boring language robot out of you. This book covers all sorts of areas of language, like jokes (straight and sarcastic) and the language of exaggeration, so you can make your point in conversations. It also teaches all sorts of practical techniques to help you get by even if you don't exactly the right word. If you set your thought patterns right, then you can say pretty much whatever you want to say. This was a revelation.The other thing that's good about this book are all the illustrations - especially the 'IF' manga. If you need to get a fresh perspective on Japanese and want to have fun talking to Japanese people then this book is great. Give it to people who are bored with Japanese or about to give up their studies and watch their language-acquisition juices start pumping all over again! A great shot in the linguistic arm!

great book to supplement your studies!

In selecting books on Japanese, it's all too easy to pick one out based solely on the potential it seemingly contains, the critical utility it will serve once you've gone through the arduous task of internalizing it --- only to discover a few weeks or months later that you haven't touched it, let alone used its lessons in any pragmatic way. Well, rest assured, this is one book you most certainly CAN use, and it is entertaining enough to supply many moments of cross-cultural laughter. Just memorize the jokes in the chapter on childrens' puns, for example, and ask them when the moment presents itself to any native Japanese. I guarantee you will have fun that outing. Memorize the forms of exaggeration, also, and pepper them in your speech now and again for more smiles and laughs. If you are in school, and you occassionally use these phrases, you will get compliments from your teachers and questioning stares from your peers: How did you learn THAT? There is a chapter on numbers that it likewise useful, asking you to count in excess of 100 billion, and integrate those into census statistics. So while you learn to count, you also learn how to say a few facts about Japan that most Japanese probably don't know! Murray largely steers clear of slang in this volume, ensuring that you won't be saying "Hip, Daddy-o" or some other outmoded colloquialism, which is always a risk with a 'new' Japanese text. Also, the book is varied enough that you can mine it for new uses as you learn; I've been opening it for the past eight months, and I still have a year to go before it all really falls into place. All in all, a wonderful supplement, and one of a handful of 'secret weapon' supplements that will jump-start your Japanese into the arena of actual, meaningful COMMUNICATION.

Japanese learning made fun and easy!

I have been studying Japanese for over seven years and have read countless textbooks and study guides, but I have never found such a unique blending of humor, practical tips, and useful study pointers as what's found in this wonderful book. "Thirteen Secrets" reinforces my belief that learning Japanese is fun, while being a totally unique language learning experience. Applicable to all study levels, this gem is a must for all folks interested in Japanese.

A saviour of the masses, learning for interesting people

Thirteen secrets offers a breath of fresh air from the dusty tombes of Japanese study. A book that caters for those that want to learn the easy and best way, through enjoyment. Imagination and manga are the ingredients that should and do make up this interactive Japanese study tool. Offering lively and insightful contemporary challenges, the author opens up important knew avenues of learning. I found its insightful instruction, tied seamlessly into games, anecdotes and dramatic stories, just the refreshment I needed. Drab Japanese study materials can be put aside... put on your thinking cap and preprare for fluency. Gaining new linguistic skills through enjoyment, what more can I ask for.