Colloquial Japanese With Important Construction and Grammar Notes

Customer Reviews:

Romaji-- I DONT MIND!.......2004-12-09

This book is about Grammar-- and it explains this REALLY well if you are the type of learner that is good at using patterns, and experimenting with them.

Each lesson builds on the previous lessons, and by the end of the book there one can express a decent amount of ideas if all the vocab, and sentence structures are mastered.

You wont be able to say everything you want(not a realistic expectation of any ONE book anyway)--- but if you are creative and can think on your toes-- you should be able to talk around these problem areas so that your meaning is understood.

like saying "a scientist who looks at stars" if you dont know the word for "an ASTRONOMER." --granted: its a little more wordy-- but totally understandable. And being wordy is definitely better than just going---

a.... guy...... um...... stars..... looks at...

--- right?

Which makes this book a great foundation before more indepth independent learning.

I got this book at a used store-- and I have to say it is one of the best written grammar references that I have ever found for studying japanese. It has a couple of issues that keep it from being a 5 star book in my opinion-- some dated vocabulary items and a lack of less formal registers. My friends here in Japan do not talk to me this politely! haha...

Also, I doubt that it could really be used as a stand alone textbook for most students. I understood some of the reasoning and sentence structures from prior experience studying the language, and am not sure that a novice would follow everything perfectly on their own.--- That said though, I dont think that this is necessarily a bad thing.

Its better to have native friends who can help you anyway, and this is a good book to elict their help-- it makes the rules and patterns clear to THEM! SO they can teach you better!

As for the supposed evils of Romaji-- I understand the arguments for why people say its BAD! And in some ways--i think they are right, but usually for the wrong reasons.

When I am studying GRAMMAR issues, I like to isolate the grammar-- and not worry if i am reading a particular kanji correctly.

its not always best to learn GRAMMAR only in context-- in context is good, great even... but you can do both... its not just an either or thing... and a book like this is a nice shortcut to understanding.

when I am studying Grammar, pronunciation and character meanings are just problems I dont want to or need to worry about. I can read the roman alphabet just fine-- and Its not always better to reinvent the wheel.

Aside from a few vowel length issues, and the /N/+/a vowel/ as two sylables like in kinen (no smoking) ki-n-e-n -- romaji usually reperesents japanese close enough for GRAMMAR study.

I agree, that it is better for the serious student to learn kanji, and the kana (as I have)-- it makes life easier. And its just a practical fact that advanced books assume a knowledge of the written language.

Do they NEED to?... not really... it would be possilble to learn very fluent japanese (spoken) with just romaji and some japanese friends or advanced texts in romaji.... but thats not the case, most Advanced books have Kanji and Kana only-- so its better to start early if you are serious because you will have to start sooner or later.

But, like I said. This book is not a reader. Its not a writing tutor. Its about word order. Sentence patterns. And building up from basic sentences, to more complex expressions of ideas. The roman letters dont change word order-- or anything else about japanese grammar. Kanji etc are only REAL japanese because JAPANESE people write japanese that way. They are marks on a page which represents sounds (yes--even kanji!)... same as roman letters.

--- so dont worry... this book is doing what it intends even though it only uses romaji.

-- And for all of you out there who still hate ROMAJI! I know I probably didnt change anyone's minds about it... but thats ok...

You should perk up! this can be a glass half-full kind of book for you too! The grammar points are really good. Even experienced students can probably learn SOMETHING from this book...

So-- buy a black pen-- transcribe the romaji to kana and kanji... and cross out the ROMAJI! it could be like a cool little writing workbook for you too... at no extra cost! Then you would get GRAMMAR--WRITING PRACTICE... and later... READING practice from one little book... and it wouldnt have any romaji anymore if it bothered you that much! We all need practice right?

Also...There are lots of other books that have REAL japanese by japanese authors with genuine kanji usage in them for reading practice-- which are more fun to read than a grammar book anyway. And more helpful because Japanese people don't speak intermediate japanese--if i can steal a thought from Barry Farber.

If you're like me, and dont mind (or even like) romaji... get it for just the grammar... its still worth it!

Revolutionary concept, so why use devolutionary script?.......2004-01-24

If you hate the Japanese scripts, those being hiragana and katakana (with usage of Chinese characters, i.e. kanji), you are in luck. This book, fortunately for you and unfortunately for the rest of us, has absolutely no Japanese script in it. It's entirely presented in romanji.

This is a bad thing, as far as I'm concerned. If you really want to learn mastery of the Japanese language, you will NOT use romanji. Why would you? Wouldn't you want to learn to read it, too, and not just speak it?

The concept of this book is that speech is made up of units, not of words. For instance, traditional grammar books will teach you vocabulary words, then make up sentences with them. Wouldn't it be faster to learn phrases since that's how language is usually spoken? So that's what this book does; it presents the Japanese language in groups of phrases, and it does a very good job of it.

Alas, if it were not for the romanji... I wish they'd do a kana version. The least they could have done was put kana AND romanji in. I would have preferred it to no kana at all.

So, I cannot recommend it. It's a shame, too. It's an otherwise marvelous, fun book.

A great book.......2000-05-20

I would just like to make an amendment to my other review, this book doesnt have kana or kanji in it, I was partially mixing it up with another book, but aside from the lack of kana it is an excellent grammar book.

quite a good book.......1999-12-23

I have been studying Japanese for about ten years, although only seriously the last couple. This book was a very good resource for me, and had great grammar and sentence structure information in it. The only thing about the book I noticed was that it had alot of romaji in it and it distracted me a bit at times, but there is also Japanese writing so it was good for everyone. Certainly a worth while buy for the beginner and even into intermediate level.

Colloquial Japanese With Important Construction and Grammar Notes.

Average customer rating:

Colloquial Japanese With Important Construction and Grammar Notes.
Noboru. Inamoto
Manufacturer: Charles E. Tuttle Co.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000NZJNTG

Book Description

The Nikon Coolpix 990 digital camera is one of the best. If you own one of these cameras and want to get the most from it, here's the book for you. Complete, clear explanations show you how to use this versatile camera's many controls to get much better and more interesting photographs. To get the most from this, or any camera, you need to understand both concepts and procedures; the "whys" and "hows" of photography.

Concepts of photography are the underlying principles that apply regardless of the camera you are using. They include such things as how sharpness and exposure affect your images and the way they are perceived by viewers. Understanding concepts answers the "why" kinds of questions you might have about photography.

Procedures are those things specific to one kind of camera, and explain step-by-step how you set your camera's controls to capture an image just the way you want to. Understanding procedures gives you the answers to the "how" kinds of questions you might have. For example, among the many things you'll see are how to throw the background out of focus, how to keep everything in a landscape sharp, how to avoid or creatively use blur; how to photograph sunrises, sunsets; and how to take pictures at night with city lights, the moon, or fireworks.

This book is organized around the concepts of digital photography because that's how photographers think. You think about scenes and subjects, highlights and shadows, softness and sharpness, color and tone. The procedures you use with the Nikon Coolpix 990 camera are integrated throughout the concepts. They appear in those places where they apply and are described step-by-step. This integrated approach lets you first understand the concepts of photography and then see step by step how to use the Coolpix 990 in all kinds of photographic situations.

Customer Reviews:

Better Than the Manual.......2003-01-30

I found this book to contain a clear and orderly presentation of basic photographic methods and considerations. At no point does the author's explanation become too complex to understand and follow.
Perhaps more to point, again and again I have had to leave the official manufacuter's manual and go to this book to understand the camera's many features.
Because Coolpix 990s were manufactured for such a short time, this book would seem to have a limited audience; however, as far as I can see, Nikon simply replaced it with the 995 with a 4x optical zoom, a popup flash and --------- a proprietary battery. It is a blessing that the 990 uses readily available and relatively affordable AA batteries ( and readily rechargable ).
In short, the 990 book by Mr. Curtin should apply to the vast majority of the settings and features on the 995.
It was through this book I learned of the use of the Command Dial while in the Play mode - allowing you to review dozens of conditions and settings in place when each photo was taken. Having trouble taking a photo? Simply go back and Play a photo you previously took under similar conditions in order to review your settings - this has saved much frustration, helped me learn a lot about the camera and lead to learning about photography (digital) under various light conditions.
A definite thumbs up for this author. Worth every penny and then some.

Excellent!.......2002-10-16

This is a fabulous book for beginning or intermediate photographers using a Nikon Coolpix 990. A very easy read, this book teaches the novice photographer, like myself, to customize camera settings in order to take more professional pictures. It goes beyond the automatic, pre-set modes without getting too technical. It explains very understandable language how different settings, apertures, and flash modes can affect the outcome of each image. If you use this camera (or wish to use it) for more complicated photographs such as sunsets, night scenes, fireworks, etc., this is the book to have.

Not that bad.......2001-10-18

When I bought my Nikon 990, I needed more information about the camera than was included in the box. The book begins with a tour of the camera controls and features. Following that, the book gets into information fundamental to those not familiar with manual photography as it relates specifically to your Nikon digital camera. My previous camera had been all automatic, so I found this information very valuable. While other reviews have complained about the production value of the book, I've found that the pages are loaded with information. A great book to get you started with your new camera.

Rather Disappointing.......2001-07-31

This is a nice book for those who will not read the Nikon user's guide. There is nothing technical here that is not in the user's manual, and no special tips or tricks. Any general photographic advice can often be found in better, free tutorials on the Internet. (e.g. see Luminous Landscape) A much better guide is Mastering Nikon Digital Cameras, an e-book (CD) by Peter iNova. His e-book should be recommended accessory #1. I bought the Short Course based upon advice from Steve's Digicams, and was disappointed in his recommendation. I looked at Short Course once, and put it away, to sell whenever I sell my CP 990. I have referred to iNova's book repeatedly, and keep finding new tips, from which I derive new thoughts and ideas.

An Invaluable Aid.......2001-06-14

I found Dennis P. Curtin's book to be an invaluable aid to exploiting the features on my Coolpix 990. Recognition plays a minor role in the capture of a great picture. The photographer also needs to execute the "whys" and the "hows".

The "whys" are the fundamental photographic principles that universally apply to taking pictures. They include primers on exposure and sharpness. The "hows" are instructions on setting the camera's features to achieve the effects you desire.

The book is organized around digital photography's basic concepts. The author leads the reader into discussions of scene, subject, color, tone, highlights, shadow, sharpness and softness. He introduces you to the photographic concept and then how to exploit it using the features on the Coolpix 990.

The time spent reading and studying this book will result in your capturing more effect, interesting and creative images.

Book Description

After more than a century of proliferation and growth, the nonprofit sector has reached a crossroads. The continued success of an organization's mission no longer depends on fresh, new programs and the extension of services, but on innovative management and revitalized organizational structure. The time has come for all nonprofits to consider mergers and alliances in their strategic plans. For many, this may seem a distasteful alternative after decades of Wall Street mergers made at the expense of workers, communities, and consumers-- but it doesn't have to be that way.

In Nonprofit Mergers and Alliances, Thomas McLaughlin describes a context for nonprofit mergers and discusses the forces that shape their use. He demonstrates that nonprofit mergers are fundamentally different from corporate mergers, that they can be of immense benefit to the community as well as the merging organizations, and that failure to merge can be disastrous for everyone. McLaughlin focuses on the concerns of the nonprofit sector: achieving the mission, retaining tax-exempt status, behaving responsibly in the community. He shows nonprofit managers and board members how to make their way through the merger process without repeating Wall Street misbehavior.

Using real-world examples and case studies, Nonprofit Mergers and Alliances offers clear, practical, step-by-step guidance through the merger process from preliminary considerations to actual implementation-- pointing out pitfalls and offering insightful commentary along the way. This immensely helpful volume provides:
* A penetrating discussion of the reasons to collaborate
* The C.O.R.E.(TM) model, a merger/alliance analysis framework
* Advice on partner selection
* Structure choice analyses
* Step-by-step guidance through merger and alliance processes
* A disk with forms and worksheets that any nonprofit can customize for its own needs.

Supplemented with easy-to-use checklists and analytical tables, Nonprofit Mergers and Alliances helps nonprofit board members and managers make the right decisions, monitor the entire process, anticipate problems, and find solutions quickly. The information contained in this book will help any nonprofit organization ensure the successful continuation of its mission in the immediate future as well as for years to come.

"We have two goals for this book. The first is to describe a context for nonprofit mergers, including a discussion of the forces helping to shape nonprofits' use of mergers and alliances. It is important that nonprofit managers and board leaders be aware of both the similarities and the differences in their sector's merger patterns and techniques. Ultimately, a nonprofit sector that knows well how to collaborate will be far more effective in the pursuit of its public-spirited mission . . . . The second goal is to provide concrete guidance based on actual nonprofit mergers." --From the author's Preface.

"Tom McLaughlin thoroughly addresses the subject in his timely and excellent new book Nonprofit Mergers and Alliances. It is a must for every nonprofit professional and board member." --Jere B. Ratcliffe Chief Scout Executive Boy Scouts of America.

"In a time when all nonprofit managers need to re-evaluate how to most effectively leverage the total assets of their organizations in support of their social mission, McLaughlin provides a comprehensive framework for understanding how to evaluate one's own organization and the tools needed to effectively link with potential partners." --Jed Emerson Executive Director The Roberts Foundation

"As the government continues to reduce both grants to and contracted services with nonprofits, some organizations are going to be forced to consider mergers and alliances. The key, as Tom so rightly points out, is to be prepared for change before there are no choices left. As usual, Tom is out in front of yet another business trend in the nonprofit sector." --Paul Clolery Editor in Chief Nonprofit Times.

Customer Reviews:

one of the best book written on the subject.......1999-04-22

McLaughlin does a painstaking job of providing an indepth analysis of mergers and strategic allainces in america's nonprofit sector. Highly recommended for scholars and students of nonprofit sector. An insighful work!

Average customer rating:
The 2007-2012 World Outlook for Real Estate Investment Trusts
Philip M. Parker
Manufacturer: ICON Group International, Inc.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Econometrics | Economics | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0497336235
Release Date: 2006-05-18

Product Description

This study covers the world outlook for real estate investment trusts across more than 200 countries. For each year reported, estimates are given for the latent demand, or potential industry earnings (P.I.E.), for the country in question (in millions of U.S. dollars), the percent share the country is of the region and of the globe. These comparative benchmarks allow the reader to quickly gauge a country vis-à-vis others. Using econometric models which project fundamental economic dynamics within each country and across countries, latent demand estimates are created. This report does not discuss the specific players in the market serving the latent demand, nor specific details at the product level. The study also does not consider short-term cyclicalities that might affect realized sales. The study, therefore, is strategic in nature, taking an aggregate and long-run view, irrespective of the players or products involved.

Econometric Analysis of the Real Estate Market and Investment (Routledge Studies in Business Organizations & Networks)

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Econometric Analysis of the Real Estate Market and Investment (Routledge Studies in Business Organizations & Networks)
Peijie Wang
Manufacturer: Routledge
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Library Binding

Econometrics | Economics | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

Public Finance | Economics | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

General | Popular Economics | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

General | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

General | Real Estate | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

Investments | Real Estate | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

General | Investing | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

All Titles | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books

Business & Investing | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books
ASIN: 0415241812

Book Description

This book provides an economic and econometric analysis of real estate investment and real estate market behavior. Wang examines fluctuations in the real estate business to reveal the mechanisms governing the interactions between the industry and other sectors of the economy.

Book Description

A practical, hands-on book for people working with emergent, developing, and at-risk readers in the preschool and early elementary years. Initial shared book experiences with Big Book versions of favorite predictable stories lead students into concrete learning experiences across the curriculum. Slaughter's many teaching suggestions and classroom ideas will inspire creative teachers and children to come up with thousands of extensions of their own. An annotated bibliography of more than 100 children's books is included.

Book Description

The comprehensive guide to rock climbing in the western half of Joshua Tree National Park.

Customer Reviews:

SWEEEET!.......2006-03-31

Just got my copy and after spending a couple hours with this guide, all I can say is Wow! Kinda thick, but so much info and really liked the history section. Can't wait to visit some of the new spots...

Only question, when are the other volumes coming out?

Average customer rating:

California Quail

The California Quail
Aldo Starker Leopold
Manufacturer: Univ of California Pr
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Birdwatching | Outdoors & Nature | Subjects | Books

ASIN: 0520033620

Book Description

This well-illustrated, comprehensive book summarizes what is known about the history, biology, and management of the California Quail. The California Quail is the definitive work on this beautiful bird.

Customer Reviews:

California Quail.......2005-08-24

This book was extremely informative about the life of the
California Quail. It was easy to read and at times had more
detail than I was interested in--but, overall it is a great
reference work for anyone interested in birdwatching. I never
knew that quail had such interesting lives until I read this
delightful book.

Proud Quail of the San Joaquin (Old California, Book 3)

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A gritty heroine!

Proud Quail of the San Joaquin (Old California, Book 3)
Stephen Bly
Manufacturer: Crossway Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

Historical | Genre Fiction | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

Romance | Fiction | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

General | Fiction | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

Regency | Historical | Romance | Subjects | Books

General | Historical | Romance | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 1581341520

Customer Reviews:

A gritty heroine!.......2000-09-27

Was delighted to find this novel set near my own home town! What a challenge to tame the land she inherited and take on the special needs of the neighboring love interest. An interesting issue developed here: a wounded man's emotional needs set in the rugged times of the west in the 1800s. Was great to see the mother and grandmother continued in this story. Enjoyed the women in this family very much!

Average customer rating:

THE CALIFORNIA QUAIL
A. Starker. Illustrated by G.M. Christman. Leopold
Manufacturer: University of California Press.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000P8U7UA

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California Quail (EC 1567)
Z. Turnbull and S. Sells
Manufacturer: OREGON STATE UNIVERSITY
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Pamphlet
ASIN: B000R00KVC

Product Description

THIS IS A NEW BULLETIN,4 PAGES COVERING:WHERE THEY LIVE AND WHY,SPECIES DESCRIPTION,CREATING HABITAT,AND FUN FACTS.

Dicky: A true story of a California Valley Quail

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Dicky: A true story of a California Valley Quail
Edward B Cassina
Manufacturer: Vantage Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Geology of the southern part of the Quail quadrangle, California (California. Division of Mines and Geology. Special report)

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Geology of the southern part of the Quail quadrangle, California (California. Division of Mines and Geology. Special report)
Charles W Jennings
Manufacturer: Division of Mines
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

Guide to hunting the quail of California

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Guide to hunting the quail of California
SoÌnke Mastrup
Manufacturer: California Department of Fish and Game
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding
ASIN: B00072OE9E

Guide to hunting the quail of California: A game bird heritage project

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Guide to hunting the quail of California: A game bird heritage project
SoÌnke Mastrup
Manufacturer: The Department
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding
ASIN: B0006P37AO

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Mountain Quail In California
Bob Kuhn
Manufacturer: Remington Game Art Collection
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000KAFT56

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