lakev's recent activity
-
Comment on Modern men: Navigating life, relationships, and self-identity in ~life.men
-
Comment on Group updates for July 2023 in ~tildes.official
lakev Link ParentTo me it makes the most sense to put manga/manhwa/French comics/comics from wherever in comics, since they are non-animated sequential/panel-based art & stories. That is their medium. I realize...To me it makes the most sense to put manga/manhwa/French comics/comics from wherever in comics, since they are non-animated sequential/panel-based art & stories. That is their medium. I realize that something like an American superhero cartoon and comic are related culturally like Japanese anime and manga are, but I think it makes sense to just separate comics and animation because they are two different media.
-
Comment on Let's add (and rearrange?) some groups + a few notes about other short-term plans in ~tildes.official
lakev Link ParentJust want to also chime in and say I think a group for music makers could be really valuable. I like the idea of ~music.gear as well even though I think one could argue that gear talk could be...Just want to also chime in and say I think a group for music makers could be really valuable. I like the idea of ~music.gear as well even though I think one could argue that gear talk could be contained within ~music.makers since it would be a relevant topic for (most?) people in there. But maybe it makes sense in case gear talk would otherwise clutter ~music.makers?
-
Comment on Place to learn Japanese in ~humanities.languages
lakev Link ParentI just saw this in an email from WaniKani: "Summary Page & Kana-Vocabulary Opt-In We haven’t forgotten about these and we’re actively working on them. We’ll share more news when we have them!" No...I just saw this in an email from WaniKani:
"Summary Page & Kana-Vocabulary Opt-In
We haven’t forgotten about these and we’re actively working on them. We’ll share more news when we have them!"No more information on that but I guess they're working on making kana vocabulary optional?
-
Comment on <deleted topic> in ~tildes
lakev Link ParentYo grey does not get enough love. It is an amazing color. There can be so much variation as to what kind of grey (as with all colors) but because you're starting from something that's achromatic,...Yo grey does not get enough love. It is an amazing color. There can be so much variation as to what kind of grey (as with all colors) but because you're starting from something that's achromatic, any bit of chroma that is added (a touch of yellow, or blue) can make those differences really noticeable. Also, because it's so neutral, it's the perfect color to compliment any other color! That's one of my favorite aspects about it.
-
Comment on Place to learn Japanese in ~humanities.languages
lakev Link ParentIt's a challenging language but also super rewarding. And Japan is a lovely place to visit. Stay motivated (and/or disciplined)! がんばって!It's a challenging language but also super rewarding. And Japan is a lovely place to visit. Stay motivated (and/or disciplined)! がんばって!
-
Comment on Place to learn Japanese in ~humanities.languages
lakev (edited )Link ParentFor sure, though I'm definitely not an expert on Japanese, linguistics, or language pedagogy. I would say getting a strong foundation of hiragana and katakana is fundamental. I started learning...For sure, though I'm definitely not an expert on Japanese, linguistics, or language pedagogy. I would say getting a strong foundation of hiragana and katakana is fundamental. I started learning that stuff for probably at least a couple months before I even started my Japanese class which made everything else easier. I definitely would encourage you to keep practicing writing as well. It's supposed to really help you remember what you're learning.
As far as getting information from being able to read things around you, kanji is also going to be essential. I replied to another post in here about kanji resources, but I would also look to other user's suggestions there. I learned kanji mostly within the context of the Genki textbooks which from what I've gleaned seems to be a rather scattershot approach. From what I've heard/seen from others, its better to get familiar with the radicals and develop from there. Which I know Wani Kani has been good for in the past, but I'm not up on the best tools atm.
I hadn't heard of tadoku but that seems like it could be good and makes sense especially if you're interested in stories. I think I would have a hard time with a system that encourages you to not look stuff up, just because of how my brain works, but I understand that it's more about keeping the flow and interest and not getting side-tracked probably.
There's another post in here from someome talking about how understanding kanji can have a positive effect on piecing things together in other aspects of the language. I remember one of my instructors talking about how once you get a large enough number of kanji down you can start to infer the meanings of words you don't know.
I think reading is one of the most complex aspects of Japanese and that's because of kanji. You could have no reading skills and probably get by OK in Japan if you're good at speaking/listening and outgoing enough/not afraid to ask questions. You could also learn all the kanji superbly but if you can't hold a conversation and are there by yourself it can be very isolating.
So yeah, I dunno. That's why I say it depends on what your goals are. I only have the experience of learning it in school with some additional self-tought time, so I can't really speak to the best ways of going about it outside of that experience.
-
Comment on Place to learn Japanese in ~humanities.languages
lakev (edited )Link ParentI have Heisig's book and also the Kodansha Kanji Learner's Course, which I would recommend OP (and anyone else) look into as well. I also tried Wani Kani. Sometimes when a mnemonic was too...I have Heisig's book and also the Kodansha Kanji Learner's Course, which I would recommend OP (and anyone else) look into as well. I also tried Wani Kani. Sometimes when a mnemonic was too complicated or too outside of how my brain would naturally piece things together, I didn't find them helpful. So trying out myriad options is a good call I think. The user-generated stories sound like a great resource!
One of the things I love about the Kanji Learner's Course is that, imo, it is very well organized. It lays out a lot of relevant information about each kanji in a consistent way and in a concise space. I guess it's more of a "reference" than a "course," but it would probably be a really good supplement for Wani Kani or other programs that educate you about radicals and ramp up to more complex kanji.
Some of the indices in the back, like the "Stroke Count Index" can be super helpful for example if you're trying to look up a kanji and can puzzle out the number of strokes but not necessarily the stroke order. It also has an index of radicals and different kanji readings.
Gotta also recommend "2000 Most Common Japanese Words in Context." A book of vocab used in context of sensible sentences which helped new and learned vocab stick in my brain (I was using it as a supplement to a course that used the Genki textbooks).
I would look for all these different book resources that people are throwing out at your local public library or university library (many have "community borrower" cards so you can check out resources even if you're not a student!) and hopefully you can try them out before you buy!
-
Comment on Place to learn Japanese in ~humanities.languages
lakev Link ParentWow the Bailey Snyder conjugation practice site seems like a great tool! Wish I would have known about this earlier. Thanks for posting!Wow the Bailey Snyder conjugation practice site seems like a great tool! Wish I would have known about this earlier. Thanks for posting!
-
Comment on Place to learn Japanese in ~humanities.languages
lakev (edited )LinkYeah you've got some great advice in this thread already. I'm going to emphasize figuring out what your goals are. Do you want to be able to listen/watch Japanese media with no subtitles? Do you...Yeah you've got some great advice in this thread already. I'm going to emphasize figuring out what your goals are. Do you want to be able to listen/watch Japanese media with no subtitles? Do you want to be able to read authentic texts or play an old game that has only Japanese text? Do you want to be able to speak well enough for getting by on vacation? Knowing your goals will help you figure out how to focus your time among the four aspects of the language (speaking, listening, reading, writing). If your goal is to be as fluent as possible then I agree with the sentiment that there's no substitute for using the language every day and being immersed in whatever ways you can.
I think it's also important to figure out how you yourself learn best. For me I really need to understand the nitty gritty of the rules behind the language. I studied for two years at the university level and that was really helpful for getting answers to those types of questions, and for being in an environment where I was using it daily. Unfortunately that's not a free option (unless you get a job at a university). But some universities do have language clubs that meet weekly and are actually open to the public as well, so that may be worth looking into. It may also be helpful to look for multiple language exchange partners as everyone speaks differently even if they're speaking the same dialect.
And as you go on I would pay attention to the aspects you're struggling with the most so you can give them extra focus. Listening was actually the one I had the hardest time with, so I needed to spend more time with listening examples and conversations, etc.
Oh! I found Quizlet to be helpful for learning vocab, at least in the context of the Genki textbooks. I was also able to make my own lists of words that related to fields of study I was in, so that was helpful. But I've never used Memrise and didn't really get into Anki, so I can't speak to a comparison.
And don't sleep on learning about different aspects of the culture. It would be a weird combo to speak Japanese well but know nothing of the culture, history, or current affairs.
-
Comment on What have your experiences been with losing interest in video games as you get older? in ~games
lakev (edited )Link ParentIt can be hard to walk away from a game, especially when you've put a lot of time and energy in, or have enjoyed it, but yeah, it's important to know when to quit. Last year I was really enjoying...It can be hard to walk away from a game, especially when you've put a lot of time and energy in, or have enjoyed it, but yeah, it's important to know when to quit.
Last year I was really enjoying FF7 Remake but had to put it down after progressing most or all of the way through Shinra Tower. I felt bad giving up when there was probably only one boss left, but I was just losing my patience with the game and needed to move on.
This year I finally watched the rest of the game on YouTube and came to find there were like seven boss fights left! I couldn't believe it! Couple that with the fact that the ending made no sense to me and I'm very glad I walked away when I did.
-
Comment on What was the best piece of content that came out as a result of the pandemic? in ~misc
lakev Link ParentWhat's the story with Outtakes? Alternate takes of performances? Additional songs that didn't make the cut? Bloopers? Watching that during the pandemic was such a raw emotional experience. Very...What's the story with Outtakes? Alternate takes of performances? Additional songs that didn't make the cut? Bloopers?
Watching that during the pandemic was such a raw emotional experience. Very cathartic but in a "walk through the pain" sort of way. Haven't been able to get in a mental space to rewatch it. Did buy the OST on cassette though 'cause the music is phenomenal.
-
Comment on Super Mario RPG - Nintendo Direct 6.21.2023 in ~games
lakev (edited )Link ParentLike many here I'm super stoked for this and also super surprised it's actually happening. I'm hoping they don't change the timing of the bonus offense and defense hits too much. Each enemy had...Like many here I'm super stoked for this and also super surprised it's actually happening. I'm hoping they don't change the timing of the bonus offense and defense hits too much. Each enemy had it's own feel and that muscle memory is ingrained at this point. I just played this game again earlier this year actially. It's a great one to revisit every few years. I'm curious about the new "chains" and circular meter on the left hand side. Charging up for something I guess. I hope a lot of people who have never played it give it a shot.
-
Comment on What music documentaries have you enjoyed? in ~music
lakev Link ParentOh my gosh, yes! Same story here. Hadn't heard of them, and after seeing the trailer for the movie ("Your favorite band's favorite band") I was like, how the hell have I gone this long without...Oh my gosh, yes! Same story here. Hadn't heard of them, and after seeing the trailer for the movie ("Your favorite band's favorite band") I was like, how the hell have I gone this long without being aware of these guys? Huge fan now, big respect to them, and yeah Edgar Wright did a great job with the movie.
-
What music documentaries have you enjoyed?
I've realized recently how much of a throughline music documentaries and behind-the-scenes features have been in my life. Like watching whatever VH1 "Behind the Music" was on or watching Prodigy's...
I've realized recently how much of a throughline music documentaries and behind-the-scenes features have been in my life. Like watching whatever VH1 "Behind the Music" was on or watching Prodigy's "Electronic Punks" VHS for the umpteenth time.
What music docs have you really enjoyed historically or recently?
I've been working my way through Hip Hop Evolution on Netflix and it has been a real joy re-familiarizing myself with 90s and aughts hip hop and diving deeper into the 70s and 80s. I feel like they've done a really good job covering the history and the context for the different styles emerging.
Sound City details the history of the prolific LA studio where many well-known rock artists have recorded. There is a palpable reverence for analog recording and the Neve Electronics 8028 mixing console specifically. I thought it was interesting to learn about and hear from the different bands about their experiences there.
I'm guessing most people have seen Peter Jackson's recent one, Get Back, so for something more obscure... if you're a Depeche Mode fan there's a series of short docs on YouTube, one for each album up through Exciter I think. Really cool history on the band and the process of creating each album, cut together from interviews with the band members as well as many of their team and recording collaborators.
26 votes -
Comment on What pedals are y'all rockin? in ~music
lakev LinkI've been trying out some different pedals as I continue to shape "THE SOUND" (Friends reference). Hologram Microcosm - still playing around with it. I think Jorb put it well (me paraphrasing)...I've been trying out some different pedals as I continue to shape "THE SOUND" (Friends reference).
Hologram Microcosm - still playing around with it. I think Jorb put it well (me paraphrasing) that it tends to take the lead when you're collaborating with it.
I tried out the Chase Bliss Generation Loss Mk II for a bit but realized the sound degradation goals of that pedal aren't really in line with what I'm going for. I really wanted something with a versatile wow and flutter though and found out about kinotone's ribbons pedal with enough lead time to snag one from their most recent batch. It's like a two person outfit out of Minnesota I think. I like the reverb for the option of pre- or post-effect.
I use Earthquaker Devices' Avalanche Run a lot, especially playing with the delay time and repeats - crazy sounds can be found in there. I enjoy the reverse delay on this one too, and really appreciate all the timing division options. Though I could do some really cool live improv stuff with it if it had MIDI. But, I just recently snagged an Empress Effects Echosystem, and I'm looking forward to playing around with it. It seems like a really good pedal for people who love playing with delay.
Had the Red Panda Context V2 for a while and I think it's a great solution for reverb in a pedal. But I sold it for other stuff since I was getting what I needed out of some Quadraverbs.
-
Comment on What pedals are y'all rockin? in ~music
lakev (edited )Link ParentI think this is a good way to put it, and why I've been on the fence about selling it as I slowly continue to experiment with it and try to dig deeper. Immediately felt the same way about...I think this is a good way to put it, and why I've been on the fence about selling it as I slowly continue to experiment with it and try to dig deeper. Immediately felt the same way about Eathquaker Devices' Rainbow Machine after borrowing one. It has it's sound and not a sound I'm looking for. Even with something like the "astral" setting on the Astral Destiny, which I think is so lovely, I just couldn't imagine using it on more than one song because it's such a specific sound.
Is there any actual advantage to using words like "manly," "masculine," "feminine," "girly," instead of words that more accurately describe what a person is referring to and don't assume certain roles, traits, behaviors for each gender, or reinforce gender stereotypes (as these of course can be very different between cultures or individual people?) "Physically strong," "caring," "emotionally open," "dependable," "stoic." These words and phrases and combinations of these words and phrases of course do not apply solely to any particular gender. So I'm wondering what the utility of the words really are (aside from a more meta conversation like how people are using them here to talk about how people have historically thought about masculinity/femininity in different cultures.)