Cercatore’s Congeries

I have this habit of learning words from different languages. I know Urdu, English, Hindi and Punjabi so far. I can’t write Hindi and Punjabi although I can speak and comprehend these two languages. Umm! I think Punjabi is just a different dialect of Urdu. I also know a bit of Arabic. Languages are fun and each language has this uncanny ability of invoking some “new” within you.

Nowadays, my interest has been drawn towards the Oriental languages. I feel they are very similar to Urdu, my mother tongue. I can’t point to what it is but it feels like I am speaking my native language when I say some Oriental words. I guess deep down all languages are connected. What is that connection? Is it syntax, grammer, context or is it just the soul? I wonder….

Today, in my spare time, I ventured to take a lesson in Japenese. All online. This is what I have learned.

Japenese language don’t have an alphabet. They have a syllabary.

In Japense, people call your last name first and then the first name. And one may add “san” , “chan” or “kun” to show respect.

Q. How do you use “~ san,” “~ kun” and “~ chan”?

A. “~ san （～さん）” is a title of respect added to a name. It can be used with both male and female names, and with either surnames or given names. It can also be attached to the name of occupations and titles.

surname	Yamada-san 山田さん	Mr. Yamada
given name	Yoko-san 陽子さん	Miss. Yoko
occupation	honya-san 本屋さん	bookseller
	sakanaya-san 魚屋さん	fishmonger
title	shichou-san 市長さん	mayor
	oisha-san お医者さん	doctor
	bengoshi-san 弁護士さん	lawyer

“~ kun （～君）” is used to address men who are younger or the same age as the speaker. A male might address female inferiors by “~ kun,” usually in schools or companies. It can be attached to both surnames and given names. It is less polite than “~ san.” It isn’t used between women or when addressing one’s superiors.

“~ chan （～ちゃん）” is often attached to children’s names when calling them by their given names. It can also be attached to kinship terms in a childish language.

Mika-chan 美香ちゃん	Mika
ojii-chan おじいちゃん	grandpa
obaa-chan おばあちゃん	grandma
oji-chan おじちゃん	uncle

Here are some more words/phrases I learned today:

Konnichiwa — Hello
Watashi — I
Tomodachi — Friend
Hajememashite — How do you do?
Dozou Yoroshiku — Nice to meet you.
Iie — No
Shi — Don’t
Hai — Yes
Gakusei — Student
Hisho — secretary
Anata — You
Go Senman Wo – What is your specialization?
Sou desu ka — I see

Check out this webpage to listen to the audio of these Japenese words.

Check out this resource of Japenese language? It has a grammer section and comes fully equipped with easy lesson plans, which includes audios as well. The site offers different kind of lessons and its easy to get confused as where to begin. Personally, I believe its best to do the intoduductory lessons first, develop an interest in grammer (“I want to know more” mentality) and then go ahead and learn some grammer. Oh, don’t forget to check out, really interesting Question of the Week archive.

Happy Learning!

Arigato Gozaimasu (Thank you very much), for reading this post.

Later days

This is one of my favourite uplifting song. Its the 8th end theme of one of my favourite animes Bleach. Its in Japenese. I love Oriental languages. So sweet, mashaAllah. I am a fan. 

Maketakunai Shi

Nakitakunai Shi

Warattetai Kara

Movin! Movin!

Maketakunai Shi

Nakitakunai Shi

Warattetai Kara

Movin! Movin!

Check out the full lyrics here.

Today, I heard a very heart-breaking story on TV. This really sweet-eyed dog was beaten up by his owner with a stick. Then he was hung on some heat-generating device (don’t recall the name) and left to die. When he was rescued, his one leg had to be amputated to save his life. It was so shocking to hear this. Who would do such a thing to an innocent cute animal?  And the dog’s eyes were full of pain, just one look tells you that. 

So, the TV program then talked about this Vancouver based organization, BSCPCA,  that works to save abused animals and provide them with better home. Its possible to volunteerwith them, adopt an abused animal through them and donate for this cause. 

While I was writing this, a thought creeped into my mind. “Given all the cruelty towards humans we are seeing in this era, why would anyone want to bother protecting an animal”. Quite a twisted thought that was generated by twisted events of this world. So, a positive thought creeped in. An Islamic story I remember reading once. “Once a prostitute was going back home. On her way, she met a dog that looked totally thirsty. The well was very far away from where she was. She had no vessel to carry the water. So, she basically went all the well, took her shoe off, filled it with water, went back to the dog while her feet hurt from contact with the hot ground. So, this was a very beautiful and sincere deed. When this prostitute died, she was entered into heaven due to this one good deed”.

So, people, take care of the animals around you. Because you never know…

Go check out BCSPCA and related organizations today. 

Later days

Take care

Kind Regards

Peace and Blessing Everyone

I just learned how to make a movie using “Windows Movie Maker”.  Here is my first movie. Here, I am reciting my poem “Sisters”. I hope you all enjoy it. Do provide me with feedback.

Thanks

Take care

Kind Regards