02-04-2008, 12:27 AM
This is a recommendation that my oldest brother gave me to a little while ago:
"ISBN: 978-4-7700-2855-6
Title: The Kodansha Kanji Learner's Dictionary
Price: ¥3900 (about $35.00)
Reason: The very best Kanji dictionary ever published in a portable size.
"Don't let any old-fashioned stalwarts fool you about the Kodansha Kanji Dictionary. They don't like it because it uses a new-fangled S.K.I.P. system instead of the old, traditional Radical Index system (note that in order to appease the stalwarts, the Kodansha dictionary happens to have a radical index in the back of the book for people who refuse to learn new, better techniques). In fact, S.K.I.P. is far superior to the antiquated, slow, error-prone radical system. When proficient with S.K.I.P., you can find any Kanji in about 10 seconds (yes, I've timed it). To find the same Kanji using the radical system, you can spend up to 5 MINUTES trying to find the same Kanji and that's if you're lucky (as in, you didn't run into a Kanji with a hidden radical and you started with the correct reference radical)! Also, don't let the name fool you. The book is better titled, "The Practical Kodansha Kanji Dictionary" because it has every single Kanji that the Japanese government has approved for mass consumption since the 1940s -- over 2,200 (with over 30,000 combinations) and every single one has it's English meanings -- something notably missing from most other Kanji dictionaries!"
(This is from an email he sent me)
I also recommend "The Kanji Handbook", which uses the radical system but also implements a neat little character-substitution technique that is aimed at memory-aid for English speakers. It claims to be one of the best ways to learn Kanji, but I haven't been able to really try it out for myself so I can't personally guarentee anything.
I know of another, but I can't think of the name... I'll find it at my college's library tomorrow and get back to you with the name of it, as well as a description ^_^ .
"The trouble with trying to make something idiot proof is that idiots are so smart." ~A corollary to Murphy's Law
If you make people think they're thinking, they'll love you; but if you actually make them think, they'll hate you. ~Don Marquis
Quote:
Originally Posted by noodle
But, that's always f-ed up individuals that kill in secluded areas up high in the mountains. Thats neither the army nor the governments agenda! I hope those people rott in hell, but an army or government shouldn't be judged by psycho individuals.
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