#japanese book reviews
Let’s Learn Natively (TL :Japanese) | Reading
Why it’s important to read as much native materials as you possibly can in your target language and where/how to start.
※ When learners first embark on their journey of picking up a new language, the first thing we do is familiarize ourselves with the alphabet, pronunciation, and other important innerworkings on the language. With Japanese, the first step is to learn hiragana and katakana. A lot of people stop in the middle of that because they feel that it’s not worth learning the language if they have to learn that many letters. But what if you’ve made it past that point? Where do you go from there? Of course, we move on to basic grammar and sentence structure so that you can begin to understand why sentences are formed the way that they are. (and, of course, vocab words).
※ However, while textbooks and workbooks do teach us the way that sentences are formed, it’s stiff. Of course, the purpose behind that is to make sure that you understand the basics before you move on to more native/nuanced versions of the structures. But once you’re ready to do that, where do you go? Click below to keep reading:
Natively - Japanese Book Tracking
What is Natively?
It’s like Goodreads, but for Japanese language learners reading books/manga/etc. in Japanese. You can track books you’ve read, and mark books that you want to read using Read and Want to Read lists. You can follow other users and select books to browse by level and type. This way you will know before you even pick it up if the book will be suitable for your own level. If you don’t know your level, find a book that you’ve already read and check it’s level, then find books with the same level. You can also find suggestions for books that you might never have heard of, and see a book’s ratings from other users (and sometimes a review).
Grading Books by Level
When you add books that you have read, you can grade them with a qualitative grading system. You compare two books that you have read at a time and assign them a relative difficulty. The system will then use these ratings from all users to give the book a relative level.
This is very useful because even as a relative system, you can get a feel for whether or not a book is going to suit your current level. And while there are many manga suggestions to choose from, there are also actual books, as well as light novels and even textbooks.
How I Use Natively
I have been trying to use it to keep track of my reading (like I do with Goodreads) as I have been reading more manga, and then grading the manga I read to help populate the level database on Natively. I also would like to use it to find a novel that suits my level that I can read when I have more time, and write reviews on books I’ve already read. If you would like you can follow me, and you can also follow your friends who have accounts.
Check it out!
