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New Book Provides a Window into the Japanese Language
by Harry Lawrence
"Nihongo Phonopoeia, a new book by Harry R. Lawrence III, offers a simple, phonetics-based system to learn and remember Japanese onomatopoeias
SAN FRANCISCO(PRWEB) July 17, 2005 -- "Nihongo Phonopoeia, a new book by Harry R. Lawrence III, offers a simple, phonetics-based system to learn and remember Japanese onomatopoeias.
"Onomatopoeias -- words that sound like what they stand for -- are an effective and simple way to find a window into the complexities of the Japanese language," says Lawrence. "My book, 'Nihongo Phonopoeia,' not only simplifies that system but also makes for an entertaining way to learn Japanese."
Lawrence says he got the idea when he was watching a particularly boring television program, eating a packet of chips while his dog was scratching itself furiously. Mentally he associated the word "boring" with the Japanese onomatopoeic term "bori bori, which indicates a crunching or scratching sound. Gradually he developed similar word parallels for other Japanese terms, creating an easy mode of entry into the language.
"Nihongo Phonopoeia" uses 54 examples of onomatopoeia, all accompanied by humorous sketches that illustrate the terms. The association of onomatopoeia and cartoons is not new; Lawrence believes that onomatopoeic words are useful in understanding Japanese manga and are in fact the "heartbeat" of Japanese comic books and animations.
"The driving principle behind 'Nihongo Phonopoeia' was to keep things as simple as possible without descending into dry academic grammar rules," says Lawrence. "The onomatopoeia system in the book is so reader-friendly and entertaining that it can be mastered even by children."
About the Author
Originally, from Melbourne, FL, Harry R Lawrence III came to Japan as a member of the US Air Force in 1987. He currently works in the IT department of the University of Maryland's University College Asia. He also teaches and develops curricula for English as a Second Language courses for Japanese corporations and high schools. He has lived and interacted with people in Japan for over 16 years, and his love for the Japanese language and for developing memorization systems for studying material inspired him to write "Nihongo Phonopoeia." For more information, please visit http://www.hlcreates.com
Contact Name: Harry Lawrence
Contact Phone: 011-81-425-45-4226 or 321-725-2686
Web Address: http://www.hlcreates.com