JAPN 401 - Structure of Japanese Language
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.
Meets MLO 1
Meets MLO 1
Course Reflective Narrative
In JAPN 401, we studied the science behind linguistics and how linguistic tools can be used to better our Japanese proficiency. Throughout the course, we were encouraged to speak only in Japanese, which helped with composition and comprehension in the language. Some examples of this was our 1-minute linguist assignment, where we had to connect some aspect of linguistics we had learned so far to a past experience. Oftentimes, we also completed in-class exercises in pairs, which helped improve our Japanese proficiency with like-minded peers. Ultimately, both of these contributed to the completion of MLO 1.1.
Due to the nature of the course, we largely focused on the linguistic aspects of the Japanese language, which also helped improve our Japanese proficiency. We applied these linguistic skills in terms of learning about dialects, pitch-accents, and intonation to improve our speaking skills. Proof of my improvement in Japanese proficiency can be found from our midterm exam.
Being in this course has helped me understand speech patterns better with the people around me. Before this course, I used to get upset when people didn’t give feedback when I was having a conversation with them because I felt like they weren’t paying attention to my thoughts or feelings. Thanks to JAPN 401, however, I learned that this expectation of backchanneling came from my parent’s expectation of the same feedback, due to their upbringings in their native languages. Overall, it’s helped me become more understanding and more confident in my Japanese and interpersonal communication skills. In the future, I hope to work more on my intonation so I can sound more fluent when speaking Japanese, and to better improve my kanji recognition and writing skills.
1-Minute Linguist
Midterm Exam PDF
Due to the nature of the course, we largely focused on the linguistic aspects of the Japanese language, which also helped improve our Japanese proficiency. We applied these linguistic skills in terms of learning about dialects, pitch-accents, and intonation to improve our speaking skills. Proof of my improvement in Japanese proficiency can be found from our midterm exam.
Being in this course has helped me understand speech patterns better with the people around me. Before this course, I used to get upset when people didn’t give feedback when I was having a conversation with them because I felt like they weren’t paying attention to my thoughts or feelings. Thanks to JAPN 401, however, I learned that this expectation of backchanneling came from my parent’s expectation of the same feedback, due to their upbringings in their native languages. Overall, it’s helped me become more understanding and more confident in my Japanese and interpersonal communication skills. In the future, I hope to work more on my intonation so I can sound more fluent when speaking Japanese, and to better improve my kanji recognition and writing skills.
1-Minute Linguist
Midterm Exam PDF