... but, learning Japanese is not that easy

JAKARTA (JP): Learning Japanese may bolster one's resume, but unless one has a knack for mastering foreign languages, Japanese is probably one of the most difficult tongues to master.

Hani Iskadarwati, a lecturer at the Japanese studies department of the University of Indonesia, said the biggest obstacle is the Kanji (Japanese characters).

Irawati Agustine, of Darma Persada University, said mastering the Kanji is the first barrier one has to overcome. "If students already have the basic skills in the language, it will be easier for them to follow lectures at the university."

Nandang Rahmat, of Padjadjaran University, attributes a lack of opportunity to practice the language as one of the chief problems in studying and teaching Japanese.

Nandang said the modern Japanese language recognizes 2,100 characters. A degree-program student is expected to know at least 2,000 characters at the end of his five-year study, while a diploma-program student may only learn about 1,000 characters after three years of study.

As if that wasn't enough, there are different types Japanese characters that a student must learn, to be able to write Japanese, a consultant for Japanese language education at the Japan Foundation, Sheddy Tjandra, pointed out.

As well as the Kanji, there are the Hiragana and the Katakana, each with 46 different characters.

"Usually, high schools only teach 25 Kanji, because writing is not as important as it is in the colleges," Tjandra said. "The emphasis in high schools is on the capability in speaking."

Tjandra also finds a lack of opportunity to practice the language as a major problem. "Lack of practice influences the learning process because language is not a science but a skill."

Yudin, a student of the Japanese department in Darma Persada University's School of Letters, found the biggest problem for him is in writing Japanese.

Yudin chose Japanese studies because he was interested in the culture. "Although Japan is now an advanced country, it is still able to conserve its culture and traditions," he said.

Yudin also did not hide his admiration for the Japanese character, including such things as being hardworking and having strong discipline.

Irawati said the majority of people choose Japanese studies because they intend to work for Japanese companies, or have some dealings with Japanese people. "Some are learning Japanese because they want to go there to learn the language and the culture," she said.

Those who make it through the rigorous course will not have to worry about jobs later on, because, Irawati pointed out, the university receives many letters from companies seeking to recruit graduating students.

Nandang also said most of his students had no trouble finding employment after graduation. Many graduates from Padjadjaran's Japanese studies are now working for Japanese companies and travel and tour operators. Some have also become language instructors, he added. (05)