fellow created his own kanji learning "book" for common kanji
http://www.hellodamage.com/kanjidicks/main.htm
"So far, all kanji books have been written by people that are language experts and professors. It turns out that professors are the people least-qualified to teach kanji. (well, second only to Japanese people). Here's why: By the time some dude gets a PhD. In Japanese, he has totally forgotten the basic problems that drive students crazy. He's all into the 2,000 year old etymological roots of “cow” (牛)instead of remembering that ‘cow' looks exactly like ‘noon'(午) and what a pain that is."
-Quote from the site and a great point
- something that boosts the credibility of my efforts given I am NOT a fluent Japanese speaker
he combines the student prospective, with logic, mnemonics, humor, and bad language...
"Don't be fooled by my hype, though: even with my awesome system of jaw-dropping logic, kanji is still a motherfucker."
Friday, August 28, 2009
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Saturday, August 22, 2009
paper
concept attributes:
immersion + media + narrative + user-interest + technology (the glue) +
crucial elements of language learning:
1. immersion (culturally and linguistically)
2. content put into context, which is interesting to user/student
3. translative resources (i.e. quick reference and quick-ACCESS dictionaries and grammar resources)
*paper dictionary is a quick-reference, however "rikai-chan" - a firefox plug in - provides instant definitions upon hovering over a given word....
immersion + media + narrative + user-interest + technology (the glue) +
crucial elements of language learning:
1. immersion (culturally and linguistically)
2. content put into context, which is interesting to user/student
3. translative resources (i.e. quick reference and quick-ACCESS dictionaries and grammar resources)
*paper dictionary is a quick-reference, however "rikai-chan" - a firefox plug in - provides instant definitions upon hovering over a given word....
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
domain list & map draft 00
DOMAINS:
- Japanese Language
- Japanese Culture
- Language Education
- Visual & Narrative Mnemonics
- Cultural Immersion
- Immersion Through Interactivity
- Japanese Language
- Japanese Culture
- Language Education
- Visual & Narrative Mnemonics
- Cultural Immersion
- Immersion Through Interactivity
Monday, August 17, 2009
prototype proposal redraft
01 - straight forward framed "visual dictionary" - emphasis on memorization while studying
02 - simplified "visual dictionary" with isometric "stages" for each word/term - emphasis on memorization upon quick reference
03 - system/network of animated bubbles, each filled with "relevant" vocab and grammar. interactive.
02 - simplified "visual dictionary" with isometric "stages" for each word/term - emphasis on memorization upon quick reference
03 - system/network of animated bubbles, each filled with "relevant" vocab and grammar. interactive.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
visual dictionary idea...
isometric images, left corner english - right corner japanese. click it to hear pronunciation. scene above illustrates word
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
two prototypes
two planned prototypes, under-development:
PROJECT ONE:
Projected Animated Character: A Japanese speaking, animated character will (somehow) appear in the room with the user and will (ideally) interact with the user, providing an entertaining, unique, and engaging exposure to spoken Japanese language and, depending on the character's design, a glimpse into Japanese culture and media...
PROJECT TWO:
Narrative Dictionary: A Japanese language dictionary, which features quick-reference capabilities as well as a brief, comic (manga) style narrative to enhance memorization of vocabulary and usage (and potentially grammar). Not only will the narrative serve as a mnemonic device, but it will also offer an example of the word in a sentence...
PROJECT ONE:
Projected Animated Character: A Japanese speaking, animated character will (somehow) appear in the room with the user and will (ideally) interact with the user, providing an entertaining, unique, and engaging exposure to spoken Japanese language and, depending on the character's design, a glimpse into Japanese culture and media...
PROJECT TWO:
Narrative Dictionary: A Japanese language dictionary, which features quick-reference capabilities as well as a brief, comic (manga) style narrative to enhance memorization of vocabulary and usage (and potentially grammar). Not only will the narrative serve as a mnemonic device, but it will also offer an example of the word in a sentence...
more thought equations
idea: bringing animated characters to life in a real setting (via projection?) for the home or office, I'm thinking...
The character would speak entirely in Japanese and could potentially/ideally possess interactive properties...
For example, in the kitchen, the character could be preparing a bento lunch box, speaking to an actual person in the room about what the person would like.
so that wasn't much of a thought equation, but there should be more of those to come...
The use of animated characters prevents some of the awkwardness and unnatural-ness of having a video taped person projected. The character would be more versatile, would bring an element of Japanese media and pop culture into the scenario, would enhance the level of entertainment (potentially) versus merely simulating a human to human interaction.
The character would speak entirely in Japanese and could potentially/ideally possess interactive properties...
For example, in the kitchen, the character could be preparing a bento lunch box, speaking to an actual person in the room about what the person would like.
so that wasn't much of a thought equation, but there should be more of those to come...
The use of animated characters prevents some of the awkwardness and unnatural-ness of having a video taped person projected. The character would be more versatile, would bring an element of Japanese media and pop culture into the scenario, would enhance the level of entertainment (potentially) versus merely simulating a human to human interaction.
Monday, August 10, 2009
More Japanese Language Precedents
http://www.guidetojapanese.org/blog/ - a good internet resource for language studying techniques relevant to Japanese
http://www.popjisyo.org/
- Give it a Japanese URL and it will provide roll over definition in English of words and phrases
http://www.polarcloud.com/rikaichan/
- a plugin for firefox that has the same functionality as the above link, but built right into the browser's interface
http://www.popjisyo.org/
- Give it a Japanese URL and it will provide roll over definition in English of words and phrases
http://www.polarcloud.com/rikaichan/
- a plugin for firefox that has the same functionality as the above link, but built right into the browser's interface
Remote Cultural Experience - pt2
So I've established what I don't want
what about some ideas towards something that might work, something to prototype?
What are the elements of cultural immersion that make it so valuable for learning a language?
- hearing and seeing the language in context, in abundance
- deprivation from native language
- offers/forces linguistic interactions, which reinforce speaking and listening skills in relevant, practical situations
lets evaluate some ideas that serve as alternatives to the previously mentioned VR idea
japanese media on-line + [?technology?] = idea?
japanese media on-line + game system + [?delivery?] = idea?
japanese media on-line + animation + game system = idea?
Making a game out of the concept brings into the question of whether the level of immersion the user will experience
- if the project brings cultural immersion to the user's everyday life and alters his or her typical surroundings (i.e. some sort of augemented reality setup), the user will gain some element of the "forced" nature of listening and reading when actually immersed in the foreign culture.
- if the project is a game, in which the user must set aside time to sit down and engage in the narrative, then the project lacks integration into the user's daily life and produces a "shallower" immersive experience. The user can always save and exit the digital environment whenever he or she pleases...
- (which is true for the previous scenario, yet the idea would be to bring the game to other, realworld activities so the user would not have to quit the game to be productive in some other field.)
what about some ideas towards something that might work, something to prototype?
What are the elements of cultural immersion that make it so valuable for learning a language?
- hearing and seeing the language in context, in abundance
- deprivation from native language
- offers/forces linguistic interactions, which reinforce speaking and listening skills in relevant, practical situations
lets evaluate some ideas that serve as alternatives to the previously mentioned VR idea
japanese media on-line + [?technology?] = idea?
japanese media on-line + game system + [?delivery?] = idea?
japanese media on-line + animation + game system = idea?
Making a game out of the concept brings into the question of whether the level of immersion the user will experience
- if the project brings cultural immersion to the user's everyday life and alters his or her typical surroundings (i.e. some sort of augemented reality setup), the user will gain some element of the "forced" nature of listening and reading when actually immersed in the foreign culture.
- if the project is a game, in which the user must set aside time to sit down and engage in the narrative, then the project lacks integration into the user's daily life and produces a "shallower" immersive experience. The user can always save and exit the digital environment whenever he or she pleases...
- (which is true for the previous scenario, yet the idea would be to bring the game to other, realworld activities so the user would not have to quit the game to be productive in some other field.)
Remote Cultural Experience
some thoughts:
The reasons for pursuing Remote Cultural Experience should be fairly straight-forward; however, I completely lack a concept or a means to achieve this solution
My initial thought was to incorporate some form of virtual reality.
The idea would be to
*dump some VR helmet on the user and barrage him or her with a POV video of Tokyo, complete with someone talking at you, people talking near you, Japanese writing everywhere.
*To bump up the level of interactivity and, therefore, enhance the level of immersion for the user, the video could be one
component to a VR game, in which the user could speak or carry out actions necessary to complete a level...
This all seems some what heavy handed, like cutting down a tree by driving a truck into it. Sure the tree will come down, but at what cost? The VR idea sounds costly, too literal, "un-clever", and at the end of the day, who wants to put that whole getup on?
Not to mention, would it even prove affective?
The reasons for pursuing Remote Cultural Experience should be fairly straight-forward; however, I completely lack a concept or a means to achieve this solution
My initial thought was to incorporate some form of virtual reality.
The idea would be to
*dump some VR helmet on the user and barrage him or her with a POV video of Tokyo, complete with someone talking at you, people talking near you, Japanese writing everywhere.
*To bump up the level of interactivity and, therefore, enhance the level of immersion for the user, the video could be one
component to a VR game, in which the user could speak or carry out actions necessary to complete a level...
This all seems some what heavy handed, like cutting down a tree by driving a truck into it. Sure the tree will come down, but at what cost? The VR idea sounds costly, too literal, "un-clever", and at the end of the day, who wants to put that whole getup on?
Not to mention, would it even prove affective?
Japanese Language Precedents
JIM BREEN'S "EDICT" and JMDICT" projects
http://www.csse.monash.edu.au/~jwb/edict.html - EDICT
http://www.csse.monash.edu.au/~jwb/j_jmdict.html - JMDICT
http://www.csse.monash.edu.au/~jwb/japanese.html - Jim Breen's "Japanese Page"
EDICT & JMDICT are both public domain Japanese dictionaries in the form of plain-text and XML documents. EDICT is Japanese to English, while JMDICT is Japanese to multiple languages, including English.
EDICT has been utilized in many dictionary-type projects, including popular study resource for Japanese language students jisho.org
http://jisho.org/
Jisho.org is a well-structured website offering a straightforward English-Japanese (and visa-versa) dictionary interface in addition to sample sentences for many words, effective Kanji dictionary (Kanji characters are Chinese characters used in Japanese context), etc
http://www.csse.monash.edu.au/~jwb/edict.html - EDICT
http://www.csse.monash.edu.au/~jwb/j_jmdict.html - JMDICT
http://www.csse.monash.edu.au/~jwb/japanese.html - Jim Breen's "Japanese Page"
EDICT & JMDICT are both public domain Japanese dictionaries in the form of plain-text and XML documents. EDICT is Japanese to English, while JMDICT is Japanese to multiple languages, including English.
EDICT has been utilized in many dictionary-type projects, including popular study resource for Japanese language students jisho.org
http://jisho.org/
Jisho.org is a well-structured website offering a straightforward English-Japanese (and visa-versa) dictionary interface in addition to sample sentences for many words, effective Kanji dictionary (Kanji characters are Chinese characters used in Japanese context), etc
Saturday, August 8, 2009
Saturday, August 1, 2009
NEW CONCEPTS
New Ideas:
*A 2-MODE VISUAL GRAMMAR DICTIONARY FOR JAPANESE
- we have plenty of dictionaries for quick or direct reference, but grammar patterns always require lengthy explanations and complex, chapter-long demonstrations
- the idea of a grammar dictionary (which already exists in title, but not in concept "http://www.thejapanshop.com/product.php?productid=16170") ditches the lengthy explanations and provides a single sentence, "equation style" ( [noun] + blah blah blah + [noun]: comparison between nouns) definition for immediate reference
- USES: translation work, reading, and viewing Japanese media. The viewer/reader does not face the daunting task of whipping out a massive textbook in order to learn from exposing his or herself to Japanese media.
- Aids in the use of Japanese media as a means of study, which is always perferable given it provides an entertaining, often narrative, platform for cultural exposure and linguistic practice.
- 2-MODE: A "Quick-Reference Mode" is available as well as a "Study Mode"
- "Study Mode" makes use of different concepts and a more involved layout, which presents the user with the lengthy, "text-book style" grammar explanations IN ADDITION TO a small, narrative animated sequence to serve as a mnemonic device.
- When studying abroad in Japan, I found that grammar patterns, in addition to vocabulary and Kanji (Chinese characters used in Japanese text), were easier to memorize if I drew a small one or two panel comic using the linguistic properties at hand.
- I use this small narrative element as a means of assisting students in memorizing the given material. Having a visibly tangible narrative to latch onto will put the grammar in context in addition to adding a personal, visual element to the lesson.
* REMOTE CULTURAL IMMERSION
- All I have is the above title.
- I have no idea how to achieve this. I know what I do not want to do though.
- I do NOT want to merely put a user in a virtual environment. I do not think virtual reality setups are practical or reasonable at this stage of technological accomplishments or societal-usage of said technology
Another idea, is there a way to make virtual reality tech more usable? wide spread?
*A 2-MODE VISUAL GRAMMAR DICTIONARY FOR JAPANESE
- we have plenty of dictionaries for quick or direct reference, but grammar patterns always require lengthy explanations and complex, chapter-long demonstrations
- the idea of a grammar dictionary (which already exists in title, but not in concept "http://www.thejapanshop.com/product.php?productid=16170") ditches the lengthy explanations and provides a single sentence, "equation style" ( [noun] + blah blah blah + [noun]: comparison between nouns) definition for immediate reference
- USES: translation work, reading, and viewing Japanese media. The viewer/reader does not face the daunting task of whipping out a massive textbook in order to learn from exposing his or herself to Japanese media.
- Aids in the use of Japanese media as a means of study, which is always perferable given it provides an entertaining, often narrative, platform for cultural exposure and linguistic practice.
- 2-MODE: A "Quick-Reference Mode" is available as well as a "Study Mode"
- "Study Mode" makes use of different concepts and a more involved layout, which presents the user with the lengthy, "text-book style" grammar explanations IN ADDITION TO a small, narrative animated sequence to serve as a mnemonic device.
- When studying abroad in Japan, I found that grammar patterns, in addition to vocabulary and Kanji (Chinese characters used in Japanese text), were easier to memorize if I drew a small one or two panel comic using the linguistic properties at hand.
- I use this small narrative element as a means of assisting students in memorizing the given material. Having a visibly tangible narrative to latch onto will put the grammar in context in addition to adding a personal, visual element to the lesson.
* REMOTE CULTURAL IMMERSION
- All I have is the above title.
- I have no idea how to achieve this. I know what I do not want to do though.
- I do NOT want to merely put a user in a virtual environment. I do not think virtual reality setups are practical or reasonable at this stage of technological accomplishments or societal-usage of said technology
Another idea, is there a way to make virtual reality tech more usable? wide spread?
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