2009 Spring book copy.indb - Right Stuf

language/culture books 37
LEARNING
MATERIALS
70 JAPANESE GESTURES
This whimsical look at Japan’s “language
of no language” introduces 70
gestures that will help you hurl insults,
fl irt, agree, excuse yourself, cross the
street, and even make promises - wordlessly!
Some are deadly, some are practical,
and some are wacky, but all are
genuine and used today on the streets
of Japan, at home, and in manga and
anime. Finally, a way to tell someone at
a loud party, “Hey! Your underwear is
showing!” in four easy hand motions.
ALL • #1933330015 • 160 pgs • $9.95
250 ESSENTIAL KANJI
FOR EVERYDAY USE
This introduction to reading kanji is
based on the characters most frequently
used in everyday situations.
Twenty-one lessons illustrate situations
in places like train stations, banks,
post offi ces, restaurants, hospitals, and
university campuses. All the tools you
need to feel comfortable and accomplish
your goals in these environments
are right here.
Vol. 1
ALL • #0804835586 • 240 pgs • $22.95
Vol. 2
ALL • #0804836388 • 232 pgs • $22.95
ALL ABOUT PARTICLES:
HANDBOOK OF JAPANESE
FUNCTION WORDS
All students of Japanese, whether they
have studied physics or not, know the
word “particle,” and they realize that
particles, like English prepositions,
require a special effort to master. All
About Particles covers 69 particles;
the most common ones along with the
less frequent. These particles have
over 200 usages - suffi cient to keep
most students hard at work for a good
many years.
ALL • #4770027818 • 128 pgs • $16.00
ESSENTIAL KANJI
An integrated course for learning to
read and write the 2,000 basic Japanese
characters, this book introduces
the kanji that are now in everyday use.
Devised for either home or classroom
use, this book has been tested and
refi ned by years of use in university
classes.
ALL • #0834802228 • 328 pgs • $19.98
HANDBOOK OF
JAPANESE VERBS
Even at the intermediate level, students
of the Japanese language are often
continually scratching their heads over
the usage of verbs. It is no wonder that
they should feel the need for a solid
reference book; one they can continually
turn to throughout their studying
careers. The introduction takes the fi rst
step toward comprehension by pointing
out the features of Japanese verbs
that stand in contrast to their English
counterparts.
ALL • #4770026838 • 256 pgs • $19.00
JAPANESE FOR
BUSY PEOPLE
>COURSE 1
This “survival Japanese for adults” series
reduces the burden on busy learners.
Vocabulary and grammar have been
limited to about a third of that typically
introduced in beginner courses, and emphasis
is given to words and sentence
patterns that the learner will fi nd immediately
useful. The accompanying CDs
include recordings of dialogues and exercises
from the text.
Textbook (3rd Edition) + CD
ALL • #9784770030085 • 288 pgs • $27.00
Workbook (3rd Edition) + CD
ALL • #9784770030344 • 128 pgs • $22.00
Kana Textbook (3rd Edition) + CD
ALL • #9784770030092 • 288 pgs • $27.00
Kana Workbook (3rd Edition) + CD
ALL • #9784770030375 • 128 pgs • $14.00
>COURSE 2
Picking up where Japanese for Busy
People I left off, the text goes beyond
survival Japanese, turning to the basics
of Japanese syntax. Topics covered include
plain forms of verbs and adjectives;
compound sentences; modifying,
terminal (“when”), and conditional (“if”)
clauses; clauses; potential and volitional
forms; and direct and indirect quotation.
By the end of the book, learners
will have acquired, through a series of
concise grammatical explanations and
extensive speaking and listening exercises,
a command of Japanese that will
enable them to carry on a variety of daily
conversations. The accompaning CDs
in the 3rd edition include recordings of
dialogues and exercises from the text.
Textbook (2nd Edition)
ALL • #4770018843 • 288 pgs • $27.00
Kana Textbook (3rd Edition) + CD
ALL • #9784770030108 • 288 pgs • $29.00
Workbook (3rd Edition) + CD
ALL • #9784770030351 • 128 pgs • $25.00
>COURSE 3
The book introduces a range of sentence
patterns for expressing suppositions,
impressions, and beliefs;
indicating cause, reason, or purpose;
describing changes; making suggestions;
stating decisions or intentions;
and for apologizing and making excuses.
In addition, it teaches passive,
causative, and causativepassive
constructions; honorifi c and humble
speech; and special expressions for the
giving and receiving of objects and services.
The accompaning CDs in the 3rd
edition include recordings of dialogues
and exercises from the text.
Textbook (2nd Edition)
ALL • #477001886X • 248 pgs • $29.00
Kana Textbook (3rd Edition) + CD
ALL • #9784770030115 • 288 pgs • $32.00
Workbook (3rd Edition) + CD
ALL • #9784770030368 • 128 pgs • $29.99
JAPANESE PARTICLE
WORKBOOK
Introduces 60 particles and their 188
basic functions in order of frequency of
usage. Each is illustrated with example
sentences, and exercises are presented
every few lessons to allow users to test
their understanding, writing directly in
the workbook and checking their work
against the answers provided. The Japanese
language portions of this book are
written in romaji, kana and kanji.
ALL • #0834804042 • 192 pgs • $24.95
JAPANESE STREET SLANG
Learn about the raw, down-and-dirty
street language as it is used in Japan
ちょっと 待 って! これを 読 んで 下 さい!!
(WAIT! READ THIS!!)
So now you’ve done it. You’re totally hooked on anime and manga and all you
want is more, more, more! While you could wait for everything you want to
fi nally get picked up in the States, you could also take the next step and learn
Japanese yourself! To help you along on your quest, Right Stuf has created
the section you see before you. We’ve gathered some of the top textbooks
and learning aids to get you started along with many cultural books. Looking
for something that you don’t see here? Drop us a line and let us know what
you’re searching for!
Now, before you leap into this section, here are some notes on the Japanese
language for total beginners:
Japan has three different sets of writing: hiragana (a syllabic alphabet usually
used for native words), katakana (a syllabic alphabet usually used for foreign
words), and kanji (symbols representing whole words/concepts). “Kana” refers
to both hiragana and katakana. You’ll want to start out learning kana,
and then work your way up to kanji.
You’ve probably also heard the term romaji tossed around. Romaji is basically
writing out Japanese words using the western (“Roman”) alphabet. So while
“dog” is “いぬ” in written Japanese, you may also see its romaji form of “inu”
in Western textbooks.
The best way to get a true grasp on the language is to start with a series that
focuses on hiragana and katakana, but some Westerners aren’t as comfortable
learning that way. For those of you who just want a quick jumpstart, you
may want to check out the books that focus on romaji. We’ve tried to mark
which style each book uses.
today. Witty mini-essays trace the fascinating
origins of many expressions and
the rollicking example sentences reveal
just how and where they may be heard.
The Japanese language portions of this
book are written in romaji.
13+ • #0834802503 • 190 pgs • $14.95
KANA DE MANGA
>ORIGINAL SERIES
Kana de Manga makes learning hiragana
and katakana easy and fun for
those who already enjoy Japanese
comics. Each page has a humorous
manga illustration representing a
word that begins with the hiragana or
katakana character featured prominently
at the top. A brief explanation
accompanies each drawing, and there
is a work area where students can
practice writing.
N/R • #9784921205010 • 112 pgs • $9.99
>JAPANESE SOUND FX
Japanese manga artists rely heavily
upon onomatopoeia - sound-effect
words - to tell their stories. This special
edition in the Kana de Manga series
features more than 100 Japanese onomatopoeia
and their English equivalents
in categories such as “humans,” “animals,”
“machines,” and “nature.”
N/R • #9784921205126 • 112 pgs • $9.99
KANJI DE MANGA
>ORIGINAL SERIES
The Kanji de Manga series uses original
comic artwork to teach readers how
to identify and write the most common
Japanese kanji ideographs. Each page
features its own comic strip, kanji pronunciation
guide, stroke order, and English
explanations. The box set includes
both Kana de Manga as well as Kanji
De Manga volumes 1-2 in a nice box.
Vol. 1
N/R • # 9784921205027 • 144 pgs • $9.99
Vol. 2
N/R • # 9784921205034 • 144 pgs • $9.99
Box Set (Vol. 1-2 + Kana de Manga)
N/R • #9784921205065 • 336 pgs • $26.99
Vol. 3
N/R • #9784921205041 • 112 pgs • $9.99
Vol. 4
N/R • #9784921205096 • 144 pgs • $9.99
Vol. 5
N/R • #9784921205102 • 144 pgs • $9.99
>YOJIJUKUGO
Yojijukugo are four-kanji expressions
that make up some of the best-known
and best-loved Japanese idioms.
These include gems like “kill two birds
with one stone,” “time is money,” and
many more! Features 80 Japanese
idioms, each accompanied by a full
English explanation, kanji breakdown,
example sentence, and an original
manga drawing.
N/R • #9784921205225 • 112 pgs • $9.99
LIVING LANGUAGE
>ULTIMATE JAPANESE
BEGINNER-INTERMEDIATE
Developed by the experts at Living
Language, this book offers a highly effective
combination of conversational
Japanese with grammar and culture.
It covers the equivalent of two years of
college-level study.
ALL • #140002112X • 528 pgs • $18.00
SURVIVAL JAPANESE
This handy book provides all the vocabulary
and phrases you need for
your fi rst day in Japan. Revised and
updated with Japanese syllabaric script
and standard romanji transcription, this
edition contains a unique phonetic system
that will encourage you to try communicating
on your own after just a few
lessons. This book is a must have for all
your expeditions to Japan!
N/R • #0804833680 • 160 pgs • $6.95
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