Narendra Modi Calls For Japanese to be Taught Online

English: Image of Narendra Modi at the World Economic Forum in India (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Prime minister Narendra Modi (the 15th Prime minister of India) wants Japan to take the time to create Japanese language courses online so that more people can learn the language. He said that Indian languages could also be introduced to Japan, but what prompted this?

In India they had introduced Japanese as a language to be learnt in schools. However, there was a shortage of Japanese teachers to teach the subject. If Japanese was more readily available to learn this could be prevented. Narendra Modi believes that mutual language learning support would help their countries.

Modi arrived in Kyoto on Saturday and was received by Shinzo Abe and is scheduled to hold a talk with him.

I certainly would not object to more Japanese language learning material becoming available, especially if it was free and open source and hopefully all in one place!

What support do you think the Japanese government should add?

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Motivational Fun: Abe Chan

Common Myna found in Karachi (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

In 2012 a video of a Japanese speaking pet Common Hill Myna bird was uploaded onto YouTube.

Myna birds are part of the starling family and the Common Hill Myna is pretty well known for it's ability to copy human speech.

Abe Chan has a surprising grasp of the Japanese language and is able to carry out small conversations with it owner.
Here is a YouTube clip of Abe Chan trying to answer the phone for the family.






In English this is what they are saying:

Abe-Chan: Urm Hello, this is the Ono family. What’s wrong?

Owner: Abe-chan, you’re a little too early. Once the phone’s picked up, then properly say 'hello'.

Abe-Chan: Okay, understood.


If you would like to see more Abe-Chan Youtube clips here is a link to their Youtube account: https://www.youtube.com/user/newSuperAbechan

Here are a few Myna Related Facts!

• In India it is referred to as 'Farmers Friend' because it eats all kinds of crop destroying insects.
• Common Indian Mynas were brought to Melbourne in 1862.
• Mynas cause a number of problems since they are noisy and smell when they gather in large numbers. They are also very competitive and fearless and have been known to attack people.

I think if this little Myna can learn this much Japanese then you can too! You're no bird brain! stay motivated!

Some Myna related articles for you

• Learn Japanese from this bird, for free!
• This is What a Bird Speaking Japanese Sounds Like
• The ubiquitous Javan Myna
• Creating an oasis for the tiny winged visitors
• Pushy myna birds a major nest pest
• Zimbabwe: Exotic Myna Bird A Troublesome Invasive Species
• Exotic Myna bird causes problems
• squabbling mynas (again)
• myna at the window sill
• mynas squabbling over food