Track first-language transfer in a Japanese journal

The idea

For each entry, date your attempted sentence and intended meaning; add a checked Japanese version and its context. Compare the forms and note a possible influence from a language you know as a hypothesis. Group repeated patterns, create a fresh example, check it in a reliable source and set a date to recall it.

Examples

• 昨日きのう、図書館としょかんで本ほんを借かりました。Yesterday I borrowed a book at the library.
• 週末しゅうまつは友達ともだちと映画えいがを見みます。On weekends I watch films with friends.
• この店みせは駅えきから近ちかいです。This shop is close to the station.
• 雨あめが降ふっているので、傘かさを持もっていきます。Because it is raining, I will take an umbrella.
• 日本語にほんごを勉強べんきょうしてから、寝ねます。After studying Japanese, I will go to bed.
• 明日あした、先生せんせいに質問しつもんします。Tomorrow I will ask the teacher a question.

Watch out

A difference between languages does not prove the cause of an error. Particles depend on the Japanese construction and context, not on a one-to-one translation.

Try it yourself

1. 図書館としょかん＿本ほんを借かりました。（で／に）

   Show answer or example answer

   で

   で marks the place where borrowing occurs; record the verb and place together.

2. 友達ともだち＿映画えいがを見みます。（と／を）

   Show answer or example answer

   と

   と marks the companion watching the film; keep the relationship and verb in the entry.

3. 先生せんせい＿質問しつもんします。（に／で）

   Show answer or example answer

   に

   に marks the person addressed by the question; record 質問する with its recipient.

Use it today

Record one sentence you produced, verify its intended meaning and particle, then write and check a new sentence using the same construction tomorrow.