Japanese Sentence Patterns for Effective Communication: A Self-Study Course and Reference

by Taeko Kamiya

An indispensable tool for acquiring basic communication skills in a limited amount of time.

With Japanese Sentence Patterns for Effective Communication, even absolute beginners can learn to communicate in Japanese in a matter of days. Designed specifically for native-English speakers approaching Japanese as a second language, this book presents 142 essential Japanese sentence patterns, first by giving equivalents in English, then following with Japanese translations. Each pattern is accompanied by a concise, easy-to-follow explanation and several Japanese example sentences that demonstrate its usage. In addition, practice sections for each pattern allow the student to test his or her understanding of the material presented.

Japanese Sentence Patterns for Effective Communication is organized into twelve chapters according to communicative function, including such tasks as making simple, declarative statements about people and things in the world; making comparisons; talking about events in the past, present and future; expressing desire, conjecture and intention;
stating causes or reasons; making requests; asking and giving permission; and using the passive and causative-passive voices. Extensive charts at the back of the book outline the rules for inflecting and conjugating adjectives and verbs-essential to fluent communication.

Genres: Japanese Literature, Language, Reference, Japan, Nonfiction

366 pages, Paperback

First published November 18, 2005

About the author

Taeko Kamiya is a internationally recognized linguist, teacher and author. She studied at Doshisha Women's College (Kyoto) before receiving Masters degrees from the University of San Francisco in education and from Monterey Institute of International Studies in linguistics. She taught Japanese for twenty-five years at the Defense Language Institute in Monterey, California, and has written several critically acclaimed books about the Japanese Language.

Reviews

[Zoe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Works well as a grammar dictionary as well as a very basic textbook. I would have liked if the vocabulary was organized better so the same words would't constantly be reintroduced before practice sessions some times and not others.

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Japanese Sentence Patterns is a good self-study tool to help the beginner to early intermediate Japanese student along with grammar and review. It's very condensed and contains a good bit of study material. My problems with it were in the typos that I found both in English and in Japanese; though there weren't too many of them, people studying Japanese on their own can't really verify if something is an error made in Japanese readily because presumably there is no teacher on hand. Overall though, it is a really handy study tool for someone taking on the language on his/her own.

[Pipat Methavanitpong · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very handy Japanese daily conversation reference. But, a reader must have a basic grammar before reading this. A reader who has finished Minna no Nihongo-1 as well as mine will find this book comfortable to read and study along.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Since this isn't aimed towards people who are seriously learning the language, there was romaji under everything. I ended up sharpying them out. A very handy tool if you're going to Japan either as a complete noob to the language or someone trying to brush up their skills.

[Michael]

I need to brush up on the ol' Nihongo.

[Jennifer Christensen · Rating 4 out of 5]

making sentence flashcards.

[Hamza Abdo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book to add to your Japanese Study Collection. Recommend.

[Duncan]

Seems like it contains a lot of useful phrases