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Introduction

I have written this book to help people who are committed to learning Japanese and desire to expand their knowledge of Japanese through use of the informal speech style. They face a continuing struggle. The foreigners I meet commonly remark that there are few opportunities to speak in, and listen to, the formal Japanese that they’ve studied in their language classes.

Clearly, a gap exists between the formal Japanese to which first-time learners are introduced in the classroom, and the more informal everyday Japanese that most people in Japan actually use.

This book is meant to lessen that gap. Once you’re able to comprehend informal Japanese, that will help you to understand more of what people around you are saying, which, in turn, gives you more confidence in your own speaking abilities. This book is aimed primarily at those who are beginners to the study of Japanese. It uses simple examples to illustrate and explain the characteristics of the informal speech style.

But it is advisable to study the formal speech style of Japanese before working your way through this book. If you have taken a “typical” class, focusing on formal speech style, you already know that when you first start learning Japanese, it is better to be extra polite rather than being too casual, which can accidentally cause offense. You will find that Japanese people are typically polite and respectful of their relationships with others, and that relational factors like status, sex, and age are reflected in the Japanese language itself. For Japanese people, therefore, everyday communication is tailored to what is appropriate in the context of the relationship with another person. For people starting to learn Japanese, that aspect of the language can be a little strange, if not downright difficult.

As you gradually get used to the language, and particularly when you wish to develop closer friendships with Japanese people, of course, you are more likely to be conversing in the informal speech style and hearing it spoken all around you. Indeed, formal speech might sound awkward in such situations. Familiarity with informal speech also helps men avoid sounding too feminine in their speech or women coming across as too masculine.

The following conversation is a good reminder of how learning a new language can affect us and change us. Whatever your own reasons are for learning conversational, informal Japanese, as you take Japanese out into the community, I can only hope that this book helps you to succeed in your goals!

A :	How many languages can you speak?
B :	Three. How come?
A :	I’m going to Japan shortly.
B :	How long will you be there?
A :	Three years.
B :	Wow! That should be enough time to get good at Japanese.
A :	Hmm, I don’t know. It’s supposed to be really tough to learn.
B :	You can do it! It’s a great opportunity. By studying the language you’ll learn a lot about Japanese culture… and probably your own! Plus, you might find that your Japanese language skills can open up some interesting job opportunities in the future. Who knows? I think you should go for it!
A :	I guess you’re right. Well then, I’m going to put everything I can into learning Japanese.