There is a chaotic level of energy at every convention, and it has been this way since the very first gaming or fan conventions started happening. This energy starts with the initial sign up and doesn’t flag even a little bit until the very last vendor has left and their booth has been taken down. Located in Boston, Massachusetts at the Boston Convention and Entertainment Center, PAX East is by far one of the largest gaming conventions held in the United States. It includes four days of raw energy and excitement, which kept the Japanese: The Game team on their feet in order to remain ready for action.

Exhibitor Badge from PAX East 2023

After signing in and getting our coveted Exhibitor Badges, the JTG team headed out into the chaos of the Exposition Hall! The “Expo Hall,” for short, is where the vendors all have booth space they can decorate how they wish in order to share their products. The JTG team was able to secure a small, one-table booth at this wonderful venue this year. On day 1, the biggest excitement is watching all of the empty booths fill up and fill out as the vendors arrive and set up their displays. We were all very interested in watching as everything that was going on at PAX East this year got set up on the first day around our humble booth. The aerial view coming into the hall from the main entrance was packed with sights to see and definitely gave our grand entrance a bigger sense of excitement. There were already big names set up in the Expo Hall when we arrived, including the amazing Pokemon Labs area and the GIgabyte display – both large names we were honored to be sharing the limelight with among the many others.

Our first task upon arrival was to find the proper booth. Even with a map it was a little disorienting for us! For perspective, the Exhibit Hall B – where the Expo Hall was held – is quoted at 184,000 square feet with a capacity to hold up to 26,285 guests safely. Our tasks as we spent four days within this area was to bring in as many new visitors to our booth to tell them about the unique way our game has been designed to help engage learners that don’t always fare well with the vocabulary dumps that most language learning programs provide. This interactive learning style makes the game a powerful tool to improve grammar skills without making it seem like the chore it comes across as in a classroom. Here’s a picture of our fearless leader David and our super saleslady Anna as they puzzle over the Expo Hall map!

Luckily, with an event this large in a venue as big as the Boston Convention and Entertainment Center, we were working with the wonderful people from PAX: a long-running convention that was once known simply as Penny Arcade Expo and featured arcade games! PAX has a long history of running these huge conventions to get new games out to the fans. They employ a wonderful team of “Enforcers” who work as a form of security within the Expo Hall to help vendors and fans have a safe experience. One of their jobs this year was ensuring that all attendees – vendor and customer alike – were wearing their masks for safety. One Enforcer stood out above the others for our small team, and we were sad to see the end of the convention time we got to spend together. Huge shoutout for “Mr. 100%” aka Matt, who kept our booth running smoothly, answered all our questions, and engaged in many jokes and “elbow bumps” to keep spirits up on both sides.

Thank you PAX East, for having such wonderful people on your team! We loved all our Enforcers.

Setting up was a sort of managed chaos. As a small company, we had far less to do than some of our bigger vendor neighbors! However, it seems like the largest amount of chaos came once the people started arriving and the real business started. Thursday afternoon into the evening was a wild ride of sales, teamwork, and playing JTG. The sales team had so much fun teaching people how to play the game, how to use all the features of the cards, and just generally talking about the importance of how we teach language in general and why our approach can help make the transition into multilingualism much easier for people of all ages. Watching the superstar, David, play games with other people was definitely an enlightening experience, especially when someone was able to beat him “at his own game.” Familiar with the ins and outs of the game, Anna was also a sight to be seen when playing against customers. Her delightful personality makes her an excellent, perennial part of the JTG team.

Not only did the Expo Hall host a multitude of vendors, there were also interactive games to play within he Expo Hall. One of the games was about hunting down geese at various vendor stalls; but by far the favorite of the convention was a game called Pinny Arcade: a play on the old name, Penny Arcade Expo. Many of the vendors had special pins that could be earned through various activities, such as playing the demo at the Pokemon Lab, or were just up for purchase at other vendors. Unfortunately, we were not able to participate in this game for PAX East 2023, but there’s definitely room for improvement with our setup, which will hopefully include custom pins we can add to that list! Here are a few of the pins I collected on Sunday:

One of the main draws to the Japanese: The Game booth was a LIVE demonstration, where you were able to play against a team member or one of your own friends (or a random stranger!) to learn how to play the game before making the commitment to purchasing. One of the biggest perks of buying Japanese: The Game is definitely the wonderful art that has been used on the cards, providing a very vibrant backdrop to the black felt that was used on our table. The cards show up wonderfully and it really helps to highlight the hard work that went into the art on the cards, the color differences between the types of cards, and the silhouettes that help players learn card placement. Here, we have our beautiful hand model Anna showing off the Core Deck with a sample sentence laid out next to the basic rules of the game. The second picture is a game in action where both sides have played sentences and are working to figure out what points to steal from their opponent.

While it may look daunting at first, the rules of Japanese: The Game are actually quite straight forward, and playing a few games is all that will be needed to get the better part of the rules down. Luckily, these are based on the rules of Japanese grammar, and so learning the rules of the game also awards players the knowledge of working Japanese grammar so they are better armed to create sentences when speaking Japanese. This is an excellent point in favor of the game as even a linguist (such as myself!) must admit that learning the grammar of a language by actually putting it into practice is an excellent way to get the basics down. Teaching customers about the importance of the word types that are specific to Japanese that we do not have in English was a very exciting part of telling customers about the benefits of Japanese: The Game!

Of course, no convention is complete without a healthy dose of costume play, or as it is called for short: cosplay. At PAX East we got to enjoy some really amazing costumes! Although there were children cosplaying at the convention, their pictures will not be included; however, we were very happy to see a new generation of cosplayers coming up with a supportive family that was willing to participate in their costumes! One small child was dressed as a Jedi and their adult counterpart was also wearing a Jedi costume, and it was very exciting to see the level of energy the child was radiating out into the crowd as they learned the fun of convention life and how exciting it is to engage in this wonderful hobby! Here are some of the best costumes we were able to see and photograph from the JTG booth!

Unfortunately, as with all good things, not even PAX East lasts forever. On Sunday at 6pm the Expo Hall closed down, and JTG as well as other vendors had to pack up and leave for the year. With luck, we will be back next year with new things to buy and more ways to entertain our wonderful customers. We at Japanese: The Game would like to thank each and every person who stopped by our booth to chat, play, or just listen to us talk about this game. We are all quite crazy for! You guys are the reason we do this, the lifeblood of our company, and our favorite people! So, thank you very much for making PAX East 2023 a smashing success that is going to help launch us into our most productive year yet!

We look forward to meeting new people at our next event, and visiting with with those we’ve already met, as we roll out new expansions and explore making new languages available! Thank you for taking time to revisit the fun and excitement of PAX East 2023, we hope the pictures were as fun to view as they were to take.

The post PAX East 2023 appeared first on Japanese: The Game.

1. Which should I start with, hiragana or katakana?
   • Start with hiragana. You’ll use it more! So it will get you to fluency faster.
2. Learn basic grammar: Japanese grammar is different from English, so take time to understand its basic structure.
   • After I took two semesters of college Japanese I still couldn’t build a sentence. Learn how the words fit together, and you’ll be able to make sense faster of all the Japanese you hear!
3. Watch Japanese media: Watch Japanese TV shows, movies, and anime to immerse yourself in the language and learn new words and expressions.
   • I know a guy who learned Japanese extremely fast mainly by watching Japanese soap operas. Why does that work? Because they’re talking about every-day things at a normal pace. I can’t personally recommend soaps, but I can say that the more true-to-life your media, the faster you’ll learn to speak Japanese.
4. Use flashcards: Use flashcards to memorize new vocabulary and kanji.
   • You’ve probably heard this before, but it’s true! The more ways you encounter a concept, the faster your brain will assimilate it. With flash cards, you see the words and concepts, and you touch them, and you can say them aloud. That’s three in one. Maybe you can even figure out more ways to interact with your flash cards. The language-learning card game Japanese: The Game is basically flash cards plus grammar patterns (in a card battle game format). I spent over a decade making Japanese: The Game, so you can see how much I believe in this tip!
5. Find a language exchange partner: Find a Japanese native speaker who wants to learn your native language, and practice speaking with them regularly.
   • We all need friends anyway. And when you like someone, you’re naturally motivated to work through the language barrier!
6. Use language learning apps: There are many language learning apps available that can help you practice Japanese.
   • I’m already fluent in Japanese, so I’m learning Scottish Gaelic with my wife (who is of Scottish ancestry) using an app. I can tell you, it’s very exciting to make progress together!!
7. Read Japanese news: Read Japanese news articles to improve your reading comprehension and learn new vocabulary.
   • Now, this is a tricky one because Japanese uses different characters. But even if you’re only advanced enough to read the headlines, and even with those you may have to look up most of the words on jisho.org, it’s still a great idea. Why? Because the news is something different every single day! And it usually teaches you something culturally relevant and often fascinating.
8. Listen to Japanese music: Listen to Japanese music and try to understand the lyrics.
   • This tip is listed in another recent blog post of mine because it’s a great idea and also I’m a huge music fan. Lyrics are usually short phrases and very often teach you a new language concept. And if you get a Japanese lyric stuck in your head, you’re going to learn it a hundred times better!
9. Use mnemonic devices: Use mnemonic devices to help you remember new vocabulary and kanji.
   • Okay, it’s confession time. I’m a purist. When I learn kanji, I like to know the ancient Chinese origin of a character, like that the kanji for cat (猫) literally means “quadruped that sounds like miao.” But if you want to learn kanji fast, you should probably take the saner route of memorizing with mnemonics. A friend of mine made a site that can help with this called NativShark which has a free trial.
10. Write Japanese: Practice writing Japanese characters and sentences to improve your writing skills.
    • I love writing the hiragana syllabary chart. It feels good. I do it during meetings as a doodle. Sometimes I’ll also sit down and write every kanji I can think of. I find it meditative, and it helps me remember.
11. Use social media: Follow Japanese people and Japanese language learners on social media to learn new words and expressions.
    • There are a million blogs and feeds and channels and handles to follow, which means you’re certain to find some that are ideal for your specific level and pace.
12. Learn kanji radicals: Kanji radicals are the building blocks of kanji, so understanding them will help you learn kanji faster.
    • The great thing is, there are a limited number of kanji radicals. These are the pieces you put together to make a kanji, and you’ll use 20-50 of these per day. Here are a few of them:
    ⼀ ⼁ ⼂ ⼃ ⼄ ⺃ ⼅ ⼆ ⼇ ⼈ ⺅ 𠆢 ⼉ ⼊ ⼋ ⼌ ⼍ ⼎ ⼏ ⼐ ⼑ ⺉ ⼒ ⼓ ⼔ ⼕ ⼗ ⼘ ⼙ ⼚ ⼛ ⼜
    If you just cringed because some are “missing” from my selection above, you obviously don’t need this tip. Technically there are 214 “historical radicals” but simplification, modernization, and standardization make it so that if you learn the radicals that have one, two, and three strokes, you’ll have a HUGE jump on your Japanese studies.
13. Use online resources: Use online resources like online dictionaries and language learning websites to supplement your learning.
    • I’ve already referred to jisho.org in this post, and you’re using an online resource right now. But I’m going to change t up on you. Use online resources OFFLINE! (Whoa.) Print out some hiragana or kanji practice paper. Print out some free flashcards from a PDF. You can even print out this blog post and check off the tips once you’ve used them. Here’s an extra checkbox for those of you who choose to do this: ▢
14. Speak out loud: Practice speaking Japanese out loud to improve your pronunciation and fluency.
    • This is especially fun to do while imitating your favorite characters from Japanese media. I don’t think I need to explain further.
15. Practice regularly: Practice Japanese regularly, even if it’s just for a few minutes each day. Consistency is key to learning a language.
    • This really is the key. I’ve had to re-learn SO MUCH JAPANESE because I wouldn’t just lock it in. All the best learning systems have you review the subject matter over and over. That’s because it works. So if you’re sincerely trying to learn Japanese, don’t let a weekday go by without some exposure to the language!

Good luck with your language learning journey!

The post 15 Quick Tips to Learn Japanese Faster appeared first on Japanese: The Game.

1. Watch Japanese TV shows and movies (with subtitles)

Let’s start with the obvious. Watching Japanese TV shows and movies with English subtitles is a great way to learn the language. Not only will you get used to the sound of Japanese, but you’ll also learn new words and phrases in context. Plus, you’ll get to enjoy some great entertainment in the process. Just don’t get too caught up in the plot and forget to learn anything! Try repeating phrases you hear. Make sure anyone else in the room understands you’re “studying” to minimize weird looks.

2. Listen to Japanese music (and sing along)

Music is a universal language, and Japanese music is no exception. Whether you’re into J-pop, rock, or hip-hop, there’s something for everyone. And by listening to Japanese music, you’ll pick up new vocabulary and grammar structures without even realizing it. Plus, singing along is a fun way to practice your pronunciation and intonation. Just remember: it may be acceptable to sing “Butterfly” by Kaela Kimura at the top of your lungs on the train in America, but they do not do that in Japan.

3. Use a Japanese learning app (and compete with friends)

Learning apps like Duolingo, Memrise, and Rosetta Stone are great for building vocabulary and grammar skills. But let’s be real, they can also be a bit boring. So why not make it a competition with your friends? Challenge each other to see who can get the highest score or complete the most lessons in a week. Not only will it make learning more fun, but you’ll also hold each other accountable and stay motivated. Duolingo and a few others even have competition built right in!

4. Label everything in your house in Japanese (even your pet)

Labeling everyday objects in your house with their Japanese names is a fun and effective way to build vocabulary. Plus, it’s a great conversation starter when you have guests over. “Oh, you like my cat? His name is Neko, which means ‘cat’ in Japanese.” Just make sure you don’t accidentally label your pet as a “toilet” or a “trash can.” Unless your pet is named “toilet” or a “trash can.” But… if only for my sake, please don’t do that, either.

5. Play language-learning games (like Japanese: The Game)

Learning should be fun! Language-learning games like Japanese: The Game are a great way to practice grammar and vocabulary in a more engaging way. This card game focuses on sentence-building practice, with the twist that you get random and amusing sentences like you’d enjoy with MadLibs. It’s easy enough for kids, but it’s great practice for high school and up! Plus, you can play with friends and family, making it a social activity. Just don’t get too competitive and start throwing cards at each other. I’ve seen Japanese card throwers cut fruit in half and that’s got to sting.

6. Talk to yourself (in Japanese)

This one might sound a bit strange, but hear me out. Talking to yourself in Japanese is a great way to practice speaking without the pressure of talking to someone else. Plus, it’s a great way to work through grammar and vocabulary that you’re struggling with. Just make sure you’re not doing it in public, or people might think you’re a bit crazy. If you want to get really Japanese about it, though, you could plan out the phrases you’re going to speak to yourself so that they’re minimally awkward in public. Diminishing awkwardness is an art form you should get used to if you’re going all the way with this.

7. Go to a Japanese restaurant (and order in Japanese)

Last but not least, going to a Japanese restaurant and ordering in Japanese is a great way to practice speaking in a real-life situation. The phrases to order, such as “o kudasai” are pretty basic and memorizable. Plus, you get to enjoy some delicious food in the process. The waitstaff will forgive you if your accent is a bit off. And don’t be discouraged if you accidentally order “nattō” (fermented soybeans) instead of “tempura” (batter-fried meat and vegetables) even though those things don’t sound anything like each other. I pre-forgive you. And I’ll even eat your nattō. I forced myself to like it back when I lived in Hiratsuka.

Ganbatte!

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