Should you go to grad school for Japanese? | Ichimon Japan 74

Should you go to grad school for Japanese? | Ichimon Japan 74

Author: JapanKyo.com August 21, 2023 Duration: 49:00

On this episode of Ichimon Japan we ask: Should you go to grad school for Japanese?

Topics Discussed

  • About why we went to grad school
  • Whether you should attend a Japanese focused graduate school program
  • About Japanese linguistics programs
  • The good and bad of doing a master's degree focused on Japanese linguistics
  • About different fields within linguistics (sociolinguistics, syntax, phonology, etc)
  • About attending the University of Hawaii's Japanese language and linguistics M.A. program
  • Whether it's worth doing a Phd degree
  • About attending Phd programs
  • And much more!

Support on Patreon & Ko-fi

If you enjoy Ichimon Japan and want to ensure that we're able to produce more episodes, then please consider becoming a patron on Patreon.com. You can join for just $1 a month. Patrons get first access to podcast episodes, as well as updates on what I'm working on for JapanKyo.com. If you join the $3 a month tier you get access to the back catalog of the Japanese Plus Alpha podcast (a short series on interesting Japanese words and features of the Japanese language). If you would like to do a one time donation, that is also possible. Just use the Ko-fi link below. All donations are greatly appreciated! And if you can't support financially, that's ok. Consider telling a friend about the show!

  • Support on Patreon
    https://patreon.com/japankyo
  • Support on Ko-fi
    https://www.ko-fi.com/japankyo

Links, Videos, Etc.

To learn more about the MAJISON Tokaido Challenge, check out the latest episode of Japan Station. See the link below

https://www.japankyo.com/2023/08/im-walking-from-kyoto-to-tokyo-and-im-legally-blind-japan-station-majison-tokaido-challenge/

We Want Your Questions

Is there something about Japan that confuses you? Is there something about Japanese culture that you would like to learn more about? Is there something in Japanese history that you would like us to explain? We're always looking for new questions about Japan to answer, so if you have one, please send it to ichimon@japankyo.com.

Special Thanks

Opening/Closing Theme: Produced by Apol (YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, Fiverr)

Ichimon Japan cover art: Produced by Erik R.

Follow Japankyo on Social Media

Full Show Notes

 


Curious about why some Japanese words sound so specific or what really lies behind a historical anecdote you heard? Ichimon Japan: A Podcast About Japan and the Japanese Language by JapanKyo.com digs into exactly those kinds of inquiries. Hosts Tony and Ryan, both holding master's degrees in Japanese Language & Linguistics, use listener questions as a starting point for deep, conversational explorations. Their approach is grounded in personal experience living in Japan and thorough research using Japanese and English sources, which allows them to move beyond surface-level explanations. Within this podcast, you'll hear discussions that weave together language quirks, societal norms, and lesser-known historical threads, all while gently correcting common misunderstandings about the country. It feels less like a formal lecture and more like joining two knowledgeable friends who are eager to share what they've learned. Whether the topic is a subtle cultural practice, the etymology of a phrase, or an event from Japan's past, each episode builds a richer, more nuanced picture. The result is a consistently engaging listen for anyone wanting to move past stereotypes and develop a deeper, more informed appreciation for Japan and its language.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 86

Ichimon Japan: A Podcast About Japan and the Japanese Language by JapanKyo.com
Podcast Episodes
12 What's better: rural life or city life in Japan? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:39
On this episode of Ichimon Japan we ask: What's better: rural life or city life in Japan? Topics Discussed The pros and cons of living in rural Japan The pros and cons of living in a big city in Japan Life in Ishikawa Pr…
11 What is the Curse of the Colonel? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:01
On this episode of Ichimon Japan we ask: What is the Curse of the Colonel? Topics Discussed What the famous Curse of the Colonel is How tall and how heavy the statues of Colonel Sanders that are seen at Japanese KFC loca…
10 What is Panty Town? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:28
On this episode of Ichimon Japan we ask: What is Panty Town? Topics Discussed The town of Shimogigaoka (下木ヶ丘) and its plan to use panty vending machines for publicity The history of the town of Shimogigaoka What fundoshi…
09 Was Momotaro a thief? (All About Peach Bob) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:09
On this episode of Ichimon Japan we ask: Was Momotarō a thief? Topics Discussed The folktale/fairy tale of Momotarō Whether Peach Boy is a good English title for Momotarō How old the story of Momotarō is Kunio Yanagita T…
08 What are your Japanese studying tips? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:01
On this episode of Ichimon Japan we ask: What are your Japanese studying tips? Topics Discussed How and why Tony and Ryan started studying Japanese The structure of Japanese Strategies and tips for studying Japanese and…
05 What's the deal with fish girl on a cliff? (Ponyo) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:04:53
On this episode of Ichimon Japan we ask: What's the deal with "fish girl on a cliff?" And by "fish girl on a cliff" we mean the 2008 Studio Ghibli film Ponyo. Topics Discussed The general reception of Ponyo Whether Ponyo…
04 What's it like being a "fake priest" in Japan? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 56:34
On this episode of Ichimon Japan we ask: What's it like being a fake priest in Japan? Topics Discussed What a nisebokushi is The different terminology for priests in Japanese (shinpu vs bokushi) The phenomenon of having…