Language | BILINGUAL Oct 5, 2015
Seeking patterns in the blurred connections that turn two Japanese words into one
by Peter Backhaus
When two words melt into one in Japanese, they frequently seal their morphological relationship with a "blurring" of the second part.
Language | WELL SAID Oct 5, 2015
The more you study 'sureba suru-hodo,' the better you'll speak
by Akemi Tanahashi and Hitomi Tashiro
Today we introduce the proper use of XばXほどY, which means "the more X, the more Y."
Language | COMMUNICATION CUES Oct 5, 2015
Fish oil supplements do not protect against mental decline despite common belief, a study says.
Language | MORNING ENGLISH Oct 5, 2015
Last week the media obsessed over the story about the 17-year-old girl who was sued by a talent agency for violating the terms of her contract, which stipulated that she could not be involved in any romantic relationships.
National Sep 30, 2015
Japanese falls from favor at elite Pyongyang university amid ongoing diplomatic tensions
by Takuya Karube
Until a decade ago or so, Japanese was one of the most popular languages studied by elite students in North Korea, even though the two countries have never had good relations, diplomatic or otherwise. But today the situation is very different. At the only North ...
Language | BILINGUAL Sep 28, 2015
Where's the justice? In Japan's legal terminology, it's almost nowhere to be seen
by Colin P.A. Jones
'Where's the justice?!" That's the common refrain of people who lose in court. In Japan, the answer may be "nowhere," at least as far as terminology goes. The Japanese word for "justice," seigi (正義), is rarely used as a legal term the way it is ...
Language | WELL SAID Sep 28, 2015
Much more to learn in regard to 'ni tai shite'
by Akemi Tanahashi and Hitomi Tashiro
Language | COMMUNICATION CUES Sep 28, 2015
Finland's Santa Claus Office avoided bankruptcy thanks to the help of a new owner.
Language | MORNING ENGLISH Sep 28, 2015
Let's discuss the changing meaning of words
by Jiji
If you say "yabai" in Japanese when you eat something, does it mean "very tasty" or "rather poisonous"?
National Sep 25, 2015
New reforms threaten future of Japanese language study in England
by William Hollingworth
Teachers in England are concerned the study of Japanese in their country could be severely undermined in light of plans to scrap one of the most important exams in the subject. From 2017, education firm Pearson is planning to scrap A and A-S levels in ...
Language | BILINGUAL Sep 21, 2015
When translation gets tough, bow to the 'Green Goddess'
by Daniel Morales
The Kenkyusha New Japanese-English Dictionary is a legendary tome that earned its adana (nickname) from its beautiful hunter-green dust jacket.