(I won't write shorthand no more .. I think it is harder to read for most people which i am truely sorry. =,= )
I'm sure alot of people did the practice thing I gave out of the book so here is a true lesson!
I took notes this time while learning and I want 2 share with everyone! ^-^
(NOT: What I write MAY be wrong, I don't know. .. I might hear it wrong or take wrong notes so don't blame me. I am NOT fluent, I just share what I
know only ... so know that too. It is
your choice to read this or not And I am NOT good at Japanese, I am a beginner! ^-^ )
I hope everyone rili pay attention 2 these thingsss and I'm sooooo happi many want 2 learn!
Beginners:
VOWELS - A E I O U .. if ur spanish or italian, u will kinda think the vowel sounds is kind of the same in ur language which is ... goood for u, I guess..?
The closest words I found that they sound like:
A - r
Ather
E -
Eleven
I - m
EAt
O -
Oval
U - fr
Uity
emmm ........ lets see the best way to say this, they are ALL prounounced. Get it? You say every vowel, unlike English where there is a silent vowel, well not for Japanese which is easier.. but there ARE some silent vowels because....some decides not to say it ... like 'desu' .. mostly, they don't say the 'u' because I guess it is a weak vowel .. and 'i' too. but don't ignore those 2 vowels or people will be like .. you know "What the heck are you telling me?" haha .. it happened 2 me before so yeahhhhh .........
My point is that EVERY vowel is prounounced .. there! like ... hA jI mE mA shI tE
anyway .. R is a problem where I hear most people have. they don't say it right. it does NOT sound like our R in English .. it has more of an L too. It sounds pretty close to Spanish but NOT exactly. and F sounds like an H .. I don't why but it is.
Now good luck and Try to read this and break it down so it will be easier.
An easy example is:
tabetai~~~ ( My famous quote LOL

)
Nowww... break it down!

ta be ta i
Good luck!
"Watashi wa densha de ikimasu." (I go by the train)
"Kore wa denwa desu" (This is a phone)
"Ano hana wa totemo utsukushii desu" (This part, desu isn't required but you can say desu if you like lol./ That flower is really beautiful)
"Watashi wa nihongo o hanasanai" (Best way to escape when you can't speak Japanese lol/ I don't speak Japanese)
"Watashi wa benkyou dekinai" (I can't study.)