Korean or Japanese first?

Question

I'm torn between 2 languages, Japanese and Korean, and I would love some input from learners of both. I want to learn both of them eventually, but I can't decide which first, or which will give me a better basis for the other, or even if I can (or should) learn them at the same time. Now for a little background info:

I became very interested in Japanese culture when I was 12 years old (I'm 19 at the moment) when I started watching anime. These days, I don’t watch anime so much anymore, but I love to read, so I read a lot of manga, and would love to be able to read in my target language eventually. However, a couple years ago my friend introduced me to Kpop. Now Korean music makes up a good portion of the stuff that I listen to most often (like, every day). I also started watching Korean dramas and I really like them. But, my problem is that I eventually want to live in either Tokyo or Seoul. I was leaning more towards Tokyo for many years, but I found some a good blog from someone who has been living in Korea for a while (Simon and Martina anyone?) and it looks amazing. That along with the shift in media I enjoy, as well as the Earthquake and tsunami and radiation and all the other problems Japan is having right now, has made me consider another option....Seoul.

It has always been my dream to study abroad. This year I will be going to college for my first year of Hospitality and Tourism, and I was hoping that next year around this time I would go study in another country - that, or I was also looking into teaching English as a Second Language/a working holiday. Japan has just canceled all of the study abroad programs due to the recent disaster though, and I heard that it is easier to get used to ESL if I began in Korea and did Japan later. Since I want to have a career in the Tourism industry, learning Japanese would be better I know, but in light of the recent tragedy, again, are the amount of travelers going to stay the same?

As for the actual language part of it, I’m at about the same level for both I think, not having any formal training but knowing some common vocabulary and phrases. I’ve listened to Japanese a lot longer and it’s easier for me to pronounce, but right now all of the media I am consuming is Korean. I can get the hang of it if I try hard I think, right now it is difficult. Hangul also looks easier to learn and I know I can pick that up right away, but I found out that they also use Hanja for reading beyond that on the internet, and I’m not sure of the difficulty compared to that of learning Kanji/Hiragana/Katakana. I also have language programs for both but it looks like if I want to read it I will have to find other resources on my own.

I would really love a second opinion on this, I know it might seem an easy decision since I want to learn both anyway, but whichever I choose first could affect my future career options as well as any experiences to be had in Tokyo or Seoul.

Thanks so much for reading all this, I know it was long winded XD

I would very much appreciate any help :)

Answer 1

I totally understand your dillema, I'm also in the process of getting ready to study in Japan in college. However growing up in a military base you inevitably hear stories of Korea, then korean friends, the music and finally a trip to Seoul in relation to Tae kwon do really tempts one. I though made the choice to focus on Japanese. When you're thinking of pursuing two languages especially that can be hard to diffrentiate for an Anglophone I decided since I started Japanese first it would be better to follow through so there's no risk of me confusing any part of it with the Korean language or losing any knowledge I've already gained. You've gotta gauge how well you think you'll be able to pick it up and which is a larger passion for you so no matter how hard at the least you'll be inspired.

Answer 2

I'm not really interested in Japanese... I have been learning Korean for the past 1 year and I find that Korean is actually very easy to learn but it can get a little difficult at the back due to its rules and usage, but it is still manageable. Korean has very little alphabets, its like English alphabets. Once u know how it sounds, when it joins together, you will know how it will pronounce. (I'm not very good at expressing my words) But i think its better to go with the one that you are most interested and not the most that will benefit you most, as it is passion that makes you continue~~~ (Again, not a very good expresser)

Answer 3

As you may know, Korean language has little in common with Japanese. Even if you had mastered Korean language, it doesn’t help you to learn Japanese language and vice verse.

In Korea, government ordered to stop teaching Hanja (Kanji in Japanese) in school in 1970. So many young person cannot read nor write Hanja, although highly-educated person can do that. So I don’t think you need to care about Hanja, if you chose Korean first. On the other hand, you have to master Kanji if you learn Japanese.



On the other hand, the GDP of Japan is 5-7 times those of Korea and the population of Japanese speaker is twice Korean. I think future career option you will miss when you chose Korean first is bigger than the other.

Answer 4

Haha. I'm probably completely biased, but I'm going to say my favorite type is Chinese! That's right, I said it!! And so what if I'm only choosing that because I'm about a quarter Chinese! That doesn't matter! :| Lol. No, but on a serious note, I have to agree. Korean music is probably the best out of the other three. YG Entertainment is one of the largest Hip-Hop producing companies in the world! Duhh.

Answer 5

The fact of the matter enhancing ones linguistic skills is a vastly exhaustive endeavor. One lingual factor (such as speaking) cannot strengthened while ignoring the other aspects. All dimensions must be covered.



One must be fully motivated.



Language learning must be made fun to evade discouragement. Start with supplies from your library and take some classes if possible. Lessons are vital , but as are these:



1) Listening/watching: Keep listening to radio stations as well as watching TV shows in the target language. (Subtitles are crucial here)



2) Writing/reading/communication: Discover discussion forums on things that you find interesting and FUN (music/various artists, hobbies, etc.) and start communicating there with other people using only the target language. Start using instant messaging systems in case you find some new friends or start emailing them. Do NOT fear making mistakes or hesitating, because even native speakers do make mistakes and do hesitate at times! The more enjoyable the experience, the more proneness to success.



3) Purchase a bilingual dictionary with your native language and the target language. Upon encountering a new word, search it up in the dictionary. Placing words in their context is one of the greatest antics to increase one's vocabulary and grammar knowledge. The more skillful in reading and writing also, the better. Memorizing in itself isn't the best way to go with learning vocabulary, grammar or any other language brackets! For idioms, you should buy a dictionary which explains the words and shows you examples of how to use the words.



The most crucial point is to make it as fun as possible for yourself. Try to locate interesting topics. Read online newspapers, listen radio stations online, if you find a discussion forum for e.g. your favorite hobby or your idols in music do participate there, etc. The essential word here is context, which indicates that it is simpler to learn new words and their usage as well as grammar when you use/see them in their real context . The more frequent you see and hear the new words in their context and the more you use them in your speech & writing, the easier it becomes to remember their meanings and correct spelling. Although don't fear making flaws since native speakers do make mistakes at points.



I apologize, but there isn't an easy method. Mastery of a foreign language in short time span (such as 6 months) is neigh on impossible. Any language is challenging unless you grew up speaking it.



Finally but not least: Never ever use online translators. They are inaccurate and useless. Do refrain from overrated, overpriced language gimmicks such as Rosetta Stone.



Good luck!

Answer 6

I was stuck between learning Korean and Japanese., but i chose Korean because i love the language, i find writing and speaking easier, but also because i'll be moving there after university to fufill my dream. I don't regret chosing Korean over Japanese i really enjoy it and it's a really beautiful language

Answer 7

I already know one of the languages so it's hard for me to say, but I heard from my friends that Japanese is much easier to learn if you don't know either. Also depends on what language you speak now. My Caucasian friends say Korean is simpler, while my Asian friends think Japanese is :P

Answer 8

Korean may be slightly easier for an Anglophone because Korean is an alphabetic language, whereas Japanese has no alphabet, but is literate with symbols such as Chinese. As an Anglophone, Korean may be an easier concept to grasp.

Answer 9

Learn Japanese! With a Kyoto accent. I demand it!

Answer 10

These days you can learn how to speak Korean over the internet. Check out this online course, it's voted as the best Korean online course of all time: http://www.rocketlearner.com/korean The course is very easy to follow, I was able to learn Korean in just 3 months.



I live in New York City, I wanted to go to a Korean language teacher but that would have cost me over $800 per month. Good thing with this internet, $800 it's a lot of money for me.

Answer 11

write korean and japanese on separate pieces of paper and mix them up and select one