Learning Japanese Via Memorizing Songs
10/25/15
So, I've been exploring the idea of studying Japanese again. I've decided that I want to accomplish something in the process, so I have something to show for my effort even if I never can hold a conversation in Japanese.
In some of my explorations, I ran across this interesting blog about learning languages efficiently. Some of its interesting arguments:
- Focus on input before focusing on output
- Make all voluntary/entertainment-based input the language you want to learn
- Memorize the language with whole sentences acquired from native sources
- Don't use subtitles
Now, I found this from an idea I had had. I was curious how many words I'd need to learn before I could understand a good chunk of the words being said. Searching for the answer to this question led to this post on the same blog. Turns out, 50% of the written content in any language are the top 100 words of that language. To get to 85% requires a mere 3000 words.
When I first read this, I decided to try to find some free content online to read/watch and transcribe the content into flashcards I can memorize with spaced-repetition.
Shortly after that conviction, it occurred to me that I am willing to listen to the same song on endless repeat for weeks or months (maybe longer, I only ever really decide to change songs when a new song finds its way to my ear). I realized memorizing Japanese songs, transcribing their content to flashcards, could be really awesome. I could sing songs in another language, and I could learn a bit of the language while I was at it. I would also really have to work on pronunciation to sing it well.
So, that's my goal for now. The song I'm listening to on endless repeat first?
I unironically love this song. I came across it from the anime that uses this song as its ending theme. I can't actually sit through the anime, it's just too painfully awkward for me. I mean, when I do force myself through it, I love it, but it's legit painful for me.
Still love the song. Somehow it just feels right as the first Japanese song to memorize.