Japanese for Computer Scientists

• Calendar

A First Principles Approach

This book presents Japanese through fundamental principles familiar to computer scientists. Rather than teaching through rote memorization, we approach Japanese as a typed system with clear rules for information flow and context management.

Core Concepts

• Japanese as a strongly-typed context inheritance system
• Information flow patterns following SOV architecture
• State management through verb transformations
• Context persistence and scope rules

Prerequisites

• Basic programming concepts
• Understanding of type systems
• Familiarity with state machines

How to Use This Book

• Read chapters sequentially
• Complete exercises to reinforce concepts
• Build mental models before memorizing patterns
• Apply concepts through provided code analogies

First, let’s establish a core teaching pattern that introduces concepts in both languages:

interface ConceptIntroduction {
  japaneseExplanation: {
    basic: "これは[概念]です" // This is [concept]
    purpose: "[概念]を使います" // We use [concept]
    example: "例えば..." // For example...
  }

  englishSupport: {
    conceptMapping: string // CS parallel explanation
    clarification: string // Additional details if needed
  }
}

For example, when introducing particles, we could start with:

これは助詞「は」です。
主題を示します。
例えば「私は学生です」。

This is the particle は.
It marks our topic.
For example: "I am a student."

1. Initial Concept Introduction

今日の文法パターン：
文型：[Topic]は[Object]を[Verb]します
例：私は日本語を勉強します

2. Pattern Explanation (Both Languages)

このパターンで：
- はは主題を示します (は shows our topic)
- をは目的語を示します (を shows our object)
- 動詞は最後です (verb comes last)

3. Practice Guidance

練習しましょう：
1. ___は___を___します
2. ___は___を___します

This bilingual approach offers several benefits:

1. Immediate Immersion

• Students begin thinking in Japanese from day one
• Core patterns are reinforced through active use
• Natural language acquisition alongside systematic understanding

2. Scaffolded Learning

• Japanese explanations start simple and grow with student ability
• English provides computational framework and clarification
• Students gradually transition to Japanese-only explanations

3. Pattern Recognition in Both Languages

• See how patterns work in both languages
• Understand systematic relationships bilingually
• Develop natural Japanese thinking patterns

To implement this effectively, we should:

1. Create a Core Japanese Metalanguage

• Simple explanation patterns
• Clear instruction templates
• Basic feedback phrases

2. Develop Bilingual Pattern Documentation

• Japanese pattern statements
• English computational parallels
• Integrated examples

3. Build Progressive Immersion

• Start with 20% Japanese instruction
• Gradually increase to 80% Japanese
• Maintain English for complex computational concepts

This enhancement would transform our curriculum from:

Current:

// English explanation of は as topic marker
class TopicMarker {
  role: "topic declaration"
  usage: "marks sentence topic"
}

To:

// Bilingual concept introduction
class TopicMarker {
  japanese: {
    explanation: "はは主題を示します"
    example: "私は学生です"
    practice: "＿＿は＿＿です"
  }

  english: {
    conceptMapping: "topic declaration"
    implementation: "marks sentence topic"
  }
}

This integrated approach maintains the computational framework while building true language immersion. Each lesson becomes not just an explanation of Japanese, but an exercise in using Japanese to learn Japanese.

Start with Foundations to understand core principles before moving to practical applications.

[Begin with Core Concepts →](./calendar/foundations/core.md