How many of you understand Japanese?

[Tetsuwan Penguin]

I often wonder how many people on this forum have enough knowledge of the Japanese language to be able to either read the Manga in the native tongue, or to understand the original releases of the Animes. I imagine it is possible to to be able to read the language without being able to speak it (or understand it verbally) and visa versa.

With the increasing availability of Region 2 DVD's and ebay sellers offering direct purchase of Japanese language materials fans now have more options than before, and many titles never available before. Sites such as Viki are an opportunity for crowd sourcing of subtitles, with the fans doing the actual work.

So I wonder, how many members of this site have the ability to assist in such efforts? (I sure wish I could).

[Dante69]

Do not understand Japanese yet, but it does not take much to figure out what is going on. One day I will learn it though.
I have seen the 2003 series in Japanese and find out on-line the little things I miss out on because I cannot speak it. I would love to get the original manga in Japanese, but I imagine I would get mad when I would get confused. First step: Learn Japanese.

[Earthshine]

I studied the language for about 6 years, making me proficient in reading and speaking it given I have enough time to think. Listening is a bit rough for me though. I would never say that I am good enough to translate but I think I have an understanding that allows me to get the over all gist of what is going on.

I wouldn't be able to LIVE in Japan, but I think I'd be okay with a visit and a temporary stay, not enough grasp of the language to really make meaningful conversation.

[Little Brown Fox]

I just started a sort of "learn at your own pace" Japanese course on a website called Memrise. I say that, because I can just stop any time I want, as long as I'm not actually doing the exercises/whatever those things are, and pick it up again where I left off (I assume, anyway; I haven't been on there since late yesterday). My sister found it; she's using it to learn French. :3

[Tetsuwan Penguin]

Spoken, or written language course? I'll have to check it out later.

[Angel of the Stars]

I can't speak it fluently or anything, but if I'm watching an anime without English sub, I can catch most of what's going on.

[Dante69]

I'm starting to understand. It will take time though.

[tailz]

I only understand a few words. I know that Suki is Love and Heart is Kokkoro. (Heh, that word either reminds me of Astro boy or Kagamine Rin. !) Daisukiyo means I love you, though I'm pretty sure most anime fans know what that means already.
Oyasumi is Good Night.

I know a few others but they're just basic words, nothing special.

I am interested in learning the language, but I want to learn Spanish first, that's why I'm going to sign up for Spanish class next year for High school. (I'm Hispanic.) I heard that they used to have a Japanese class in High School years ago, but they swapped it with German. I guess that's why they have that Anime Club in our school now. (Though, I'm not interested in Joining Anime Club. I don't think anyone knows that the Godfather of manga and father of anime, "Osamu Tezuka" exists at my school. All they care about is that Naruto and One Piece stuff. (Nehhh....:lol So, yeah. I think I'm the only Tezuka fan at my school.

[Fuzzy Pickles!]

This should be in the Multi-language section.

I am currently studying 日本語 (Japanese). I have just finished the ひらがな (hiragana) and カタカナ (katakana) and I am currently working on 漢字 (kanji) and 日本語 grammar. However, as I have just started on those, I am nowhere near N5, let alone able to understand what would go on in a 満画 (manga)/アニメ(anime)。

The only ones I know of that could understand 日本語 well enough to watch an アニメ or read a 満画 are Strange Wind, Satus and Earthshine and only the latter has commented recently. No one on this forum is fluent on the language.

[Windswept Cloak]

I only understand a few words. I know that Suki is Love and Heart is Kokkoro. (Heh, that word either reminds me of Astro boy or Kagamine Rin. !) Daisukiyo means I love you, though I'm pretty sure most anime fans know what that means already.
Oyasumi is Good Night.

I know a few others but they're just basic words, nothing special.

I am interested in learning the language, but I want to learn Spanish first, that's why I'm going to sign up for Spanish class next year for High school. (I'm Hispanic.) I heard that they used to have a Japanese class in High School years ago, but they swapped it with German. I guess that's why they have that Anime Club in our school now. (Though, I'm not interested in Joining Anime Club. I don't think anyone knows that the Godfather of manga and father of anime, "Osamu Tezuka" exists at my school. All they care about is that Naruto and One Piece stuff. (Nehhh....:lol So, yeah. I think I'm the only Tezuka fan at my school.

I only know one Tezuka fan at school besides me. Just one. She's quite nice.

This might be offensive to some people but I really dislike Naruto and One Piece and that sort of anime.

I can't speak Japanese for real but I can read kanji due that I can read Chinese characters.