Japanese language

 

こんにちは (konnichiwa→hello!)

日本語 (Nihongo) which means Japanese language is the 9th most spoken language in the world with over 128 million speakers. The language consists of three types of writing systems : Hiragana (Japanese alphabets) , Katakana (Japanese characters for English words) and Kanji (adopted Chinese characters). There are over 4000 Kanji in the language which make it a difficult one and is a major reason why people give up on it soon. Inspite being tough , the diverse , vibrant and unique culture of Japan makes this language stand out.

There are roughly 15000 Japanese speakers in India. Most of them learn the language to work, study or live in Japan. Others learn for a better career opportunity. Infatuation with anime , J-pop , and manga is also a reason for pursuing this beautiful language. Meanwhile professional interest in learning Japanese has begun to soar. Increasing your Japanese language skills will increase your rarity as a human resource, which should lead to a higher annual income and career advancement.Japan evokes technology. Automobile , infrastructure , shipbuilding , optical media , electronics , Japan leads in almost all sectors making this language a lucrative asset to possess. Japanese companies like Honda , Sony , Panasonic , Toyota are among the largest Multi National Companies in India.

Due to complexity of the language , there is a high demand for Japanese specialists in our country but dearth of teachers and instructors results in less numbers of students introduced to the language.  Jawaharlal Nehru University, Delhi university, Doon university and Savitribai Phule University are the few notable universities in India offering courses in Japanese , though the seats available for the same are low compared to other foreign languages. Students pursue this language from private institutions as well , though this is only limited to Metropolitan cities.

Thousands of Indians apply for the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) conducted in six zones of the country, twice in a year in July and December.The test evaluates and the judge the level of proficiency in the Japanese language .If you want to know more about Japanese studies or want to participate in various activities related to Japan's culture , visit The Japan Foundation. It is Japan's only institution dedicated to carrying out comprehensive international cultural exchange programs throughout the world. So next time if you are confused how to greet a Japanese , just say konnichiwa with a smiling face and bow a little but restrain yourself from using this phrase late night or early morning. 

-Aanchal Singh