Category Archives: Kanji

On Getting Rid of Japanese in Japan

Posted on September 25, 2013 by E.

Kanji is hard. The hieroglyphic written script (just one of three) used in Japanese has a weird history, borrowed and bastardized from the Chinese. And it takes years, even for the Japanese, to learn. For foreigners used to Roman scripts, … Continue reading →

Posted in Kanji, language | Tagged , , , | 7 Comments

On Getting by in Japan (Without Speaking Japanese)

Posted on July 17, 2013 by E.

Weird things happen when you half-ass a language in its native culture.

Posted in Kanji, language, Uncategorized | Tagged | 25 Comments

On Being Illiterate in Japan | 馬鹿外人

Posted on December 8, 2010 by E.

There are incomprehensible signs, everywhere, and every sign is made of smaller signs I can’t read. I can’t read a map or follow directions. I am educated and illiterate, wealthy and incapable of communicating anything to anyone. But, I have … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture Shock, Kanji, Uncategorized | 7 Comments