Hi everyone!

Well, 2009 has arrived and everyone I've spoken to in the last few days is
stressed about
the return to work. Hope you are all coping ok!

I'm still struggling away with learning Japanese. One of the striking aspects
for a beginner
with English as L1 is the need to 'chant' so many greetings and others 'ritual'
statements -
before eating, after eating, on leaving shops... even saying thank you, for
which "chiz"
would be enough in Newcastle, requires a carefully intoned "Arigatou gozaimasu"
- once I
started getting that right, my relationship with shopkeepers and so forth
improved
enormously. I've been surprised by how much difference a focus on intonation
makes for
basic communication. As for really communicating in Japanese, well, I'm still in
a 'silent
period'... It's a tough language. I found learning Spanish difficult but looking
back that
was a walk in the park.

A technical question, just in case there's anyone out there with knowledge of
Japanese
phonology...
I've seen the basic rules for voicing for sequences of sounds, but I can't find
the logic
behind "shima" (island) being voiced to "jima". Why is it Oomishima, but
Kurumijima?
Yashima, but Miyajima? Is there a phonological basis for these, or as place
names should I
just take them as they are?

All the best for the New Year, and I look forward to hearing from you.

Alex.

IATEFL PronSIG Discussion List Moderator.