Japanese-English Language Help Section
It is my goal to go to Japan to continue my martial arts training. I also want to see Ise and see my favorite animal, The Irimote Cat. I do not wish to enter Japan with as little understanding as I have in japanese. I feel it is rude to go to want stay in a country for a while and not at least know some of the language.
This section is to help non-native speakers learn english better for the same reason. It is tailored to those of you who speak Japanese. But, I’m sure that this section will still help many regardless of your native language.
A little about my english ability: I was born in the US and my english is extremely good. I am a writer of sorts and I can tell you the meaning of most any word, how it is used, and I will try to provide you an example sentence as well. There is a Post on this site labeled “What’s This Mean?” If you want to know what a word means type your question here and I will answer it as soon as I can. Of course, if you are on any one of my posts and find a word I typed that you don’t know feel free to ask what it means there. I don’t mind if any of my posts stray from their topic. The pursuit of knowledge is more important than the desire to make a post look neat and tidy. My posts are like conversations. Each one can change direction and flow. Don’t be shy. I won’t get mad.
I will also post language questions about mostly japanese words and phrases also. So if you can, please help me as well.
Note: You have found a very good sempai. This not me being pompous or arrogant. It is the truth. If you feel I am too boastful, ask another native english speaker what the words, “Apophus”, “Exegesis”, or “Triskaidekaphobia” mean. Or the difference between “Inept” and “Inapt”. They will not know any of them unless they are very, very good (or have a dictionary handy). My only problem in english is that I like long compounded, run-on sentences. Hence, the reason I use so many commas (,). This is a personal writing preference. To me, it looks like how I speak. And I have won an award for my writing, so boo to the naysayers. So, go ahead, ask me anything you wish.
I believe Ise is due to be “renewed” in 2012. There is still a chance to step into the not-quite completed shrine/compound before they block it off to tourists. You should hurry, is what I am saying. It would be greatly disappointing to go to Honshu, and be allowed to step up to the outer most gate and then… that’s it. Then you will have to be like all of the other tourists, and look at the pretty pictures, buy the gifts, and wait another 20 years before Amateratsu is moved again.