Comments on: Girl Talk

By: Darren

Darren — Thu, 15 Sep 2005 00:31:22 +0000

I wonder how easy that is to apply when speaking. Actually, I have a book about accent & intonation which goes into some depth on the subject. Unfortunately, the Japanese in it is way beyond my current level. However, there are many illustrations showing how the different sounds of Japanese are produced. Worth a look..
http://www.amazon.co.jp/exec/obidos/ASIN/487424176X/notestomyself-20

By: Roy

Roy — Wed, 14 Sep 2005 15:36:07 +0000

The vowel sounds with japanese male speech are generally slightly closer to the front of the mouth while with women it’s closer to the back. It helps a bit lessen the inflections.

By: Darren

Darren — Mon, 12 Sep 2005 00:55:52 +0000

みよ、分かりました…気を付けます！

By: Darren

Darren — Mon, 12 Sep 2005 00:49:58 +0000

Kocchi, thanks for commenting. The thing is, even if you hang out with Japanese guys and listen to the way the speak, often you don’t know the way in which you are speaking yourself. And often, even if you are using strange intonation, people will be kind and forgiving and not tell you. While this is probably a good thing, it does hinder the speed of your progress.

By: miyo

miyo — Sat, 10 Sep 2005 17:13:42 +0000

Japanese girl like cute & girly sounding guys??? No way!!
話すのはおもしろいだろうけど、男としては見ない・・・。気持ち悪い。
Darren、気をつけて！（＾＾；；

By: kocchi

kocchi — Fri, 09 Sep 2005 19:35:32 +0000

After reading your last two posts, it sounds like the same problems I have (though no one tells me that directly, I can imagine it). It feels like if I talk natually (less higher pitch) I might end up sounding vulgar. But listening to my Japanese guy friends talk in Japanese gives me ideas how I should speak.

By: Darren

Darren — Fri, 09 Sep 2005 11:56:19 +0000

Really? If I slurred I’d be afraid that people wouldn’t understand me, or would have to guess at the words I was saying.
I hadn’t really realised before that the male voice was so much flatter in Japanese.
Do Japanese girls like cute sounding guys?? Well, I’m not looking, in any case =)

By: Tae Kim

Tae Kim — Fri, 09 Sep 2005 10:57:01 +0000

Male speech I guess is flater and has less rising intonations. It might help to slur your speech a bit too since girls usually speak with a clearer accent. But then again, sounding cute and girly might help you get (Japanese) girls so it’s up to you. Guys will probably be grossed out though…