When eastern and western language systems meet: crossing the English vocabulary threshold versus breaking the Kanji barrier

Many lessons can be learned from relevant research in vocabulary- and language-learning strategy training as well as from comparative studies of those learning Oriental languages, which could greatly help language teachers and learners in Kanji-background countries. This article contrasts the minima...

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Main Author:	John Paul Loucky
Format:	Article
Language:	English
Published:	Penerbit UKM 2005
Online Access:	http://journalarticle.ukm.my/746/ http://journalarticle.ukm.my/746/ http://journalarticle.ukm.my/746/1/GemaVol4.2.2004No1.pdf

id	ukm-746
recordtype	eprints
spelling	ukm-7462016-12-14T06:28:04Z http://journalarticle.ukm.my/746/ When eastern and western language systems meet: crossing the English vocabulary threshold versus breaking the Kanji barrier John Paul Loucky, Many lessons can be learned from relevant research in vocabulary- and language-learning strategy training as well as from comparative studies of those learning Oriental languages, which could greatly help language teachers and learners in Kanji-background countries. This article contrasts the minimal threshold levels of vocabulary needed for reading common English text, versus that required for reading basic texts using Kanji characters, whether Chinese, Japanese or Korean. Both mnemonic and Semantic Field Keyword approaches hold great potential for helping such learners from Kanji-block countries by building upon their well-known strengths of rote-memorization, especially of visual images necessary for mastery in reading Kanji-based languages. These areas with a high potential for language learning strategy skill transfer are examined in this study. It compares methods of teaching a Kanji-based language like Japanese to non-natives, with more effective methods for teaching students from Kanji-based countries how to develop better EFL vocabulary and reading skills. Since this is written from an Asian language learners’ perspective, the term “Kanji” will be used in a generic sense to mean Chinese characters or language systems based upon them. When not capitalized, “kanji” will refer to specific use of these characters in Chinese, Japanese or Korean. Penerbit UKM 2005 Article PeerReviewed application/pdf en http://journalarticle.ukm.my/746/1/GemaVol4.2.2004No1.pdf John Paul Loucky, (2005) When eastern and western language systems meet: crossing the English vocabulary threshold versus breaking the Kanji barrier. GEMA: Online Journal of Language Studies, 5 (2). pp. 28-49. ISSN 1675-8021 http://www.ukm.my/ppbl/Gema/gemahome.html
repository_type	Digital Repository
institution_category	Local University
institution	Universiti Kebangasaan Malaysia
building	UKM Institutional Repository
collection	Online Access
language	English
description	Many lessons can be learned from relevant research in vocabulary- and language-learning strategy training as well as from comparative studies of those learning Oriental languages, which could greatly help language teachers and learners in Kanji-background countries. This article contrasts the minimal threshold levels of vocabulary needed for reading common English text, versus that required for reading basic texts using Kanji characters, whether Chinese, Japanese or Korean. Both mnemonic and Semantic Field Keyword approaches hold great potential for helping such learners from Kanji-block countries by building upon their well-known strengths of rote-memorization, especially of visual images necessary for mastery in reading Kanji-based languages. These areas with a high potential for language learning strategy skill transfer are examined in this study. It compares methods of teaching a Kanji-based language like Japanese to non-natives, with more effective methods for teaching students from Kanji-based countries how to develop better EFL vocabulary and reading skills. Since this is written from an Asian language learners’ perspective, the term “Kanji” will be used in a generic sense to mean Chinese characters or language systems based upon them. When not capitalized, “kanji” will refer to specific use of these characters in Chinese, Japanese or Korean.
format	Article
author	John Paul Loucky,
spellingShingle	John Paul Loucky, When eastern and western language systems meet: crossing the English vocabulary threshold versus breaking the Kanji barrier
author_facet	John Paul Loucky,
author_sort	John Paul Loucky,
title	When eastern and western language systems meet: crossing the English vocabulary threshold versus breaking the Kanji barrier
title_short	When eastern and western language systems meet: crossing the English vocabulary threshold versus breaking the Kanji barrier
title_full	When eastern and western language systems meet: crossing the English vocabulary threshold versus breaking the Kanji barrier
title_fullStr	When eastern and western language systems meet: crossing the English vocabulary threshold versus breaking the Kanji barrier
title_full_unstemmed	When eastern and western language systems meet: crossing the English vocabulary threshold versus breaking the Kanji barrier
title_sort	when eastern and western language systems meet: crossing the english vocabulary threshold versus breaking the kanji barrier
publisher	Penerbit UKM
publishDate	2005
url	http://journalarticle.ukm.my/746/ http://journalarticle.ukm.my/746/ http://journalarticle.ukm.my/746/1/GemaVol4.2.2004No1.pdf
first_indexed	2023-09-18T19:31:41Z
last_indexed	2023-09-18T19:31:41Z
_version_	1777405003534696448

When eastern and western language systems meet: crossing the English vocabulary threshold versus breaking the Kanji barrier

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