Hi JPod'ers!
First off, ALL my compassion for those involved in the quake/tsunami/nuclear meltdown in one way or the other. It's horrible...
Because of all this happening to Japan, I'm in the middle of writing a letter for people I met there; some of which live in Tokyo.
If anyone could correct major mistakes (mainly those that are WRONG or misleading - I'm only human, and they know I'm not very good at Japanese; that I've only learned it on my own), so I'm sure they won't mind mistakes - in fact they may think it's a little funny ^^
Anyways, I'll give you the Japanese and the English translation. I practically know no kanji, so the letter will be all kana.
Japanese:
れいこさん、しんじさん、ひさしぶり!おげきですか?
reikosan, shinjisan, it's been a while. Are you okay?
さっきのじしんとつなみはたいへんですね!しんぱいです!きゅうしゅうはたいへんあことがあってないんでしょう?
It's horrible about the recent earthquake and tsunami! I'm worried! I guess nothing terrible has happened in Kyuushuu, right?
とうきょうにすんでいますのじゅんこさんはだいじょうぶかな?けがをしなかったらいい。。。
I wonder if Junkosan in Tokyo is alright. I hope she's not hurt.
わたしはまあまあ。いま、がっこうのせんせいのしごとをしています。おかねをためようとしているんですけど、いきなりうまのあしはわるくなったから じゅういのかんじょうしょうは はらいしなければならないですね。うまのなまえはビッセンといいます。ビッセンはよくないのでかなしいです。はやくよくなるのぞみます!
I am so-so. At the moment I work as a school teacher. I want to save up money, but my horse suddenly hurt its hooves, so I have to pay the veterinary bill. My horse's name is Bissen. I'm sad that she isn't feeling good. I hope she will get better soon.
おとうさんもあっまりよくありません。からだがよわくてちからがありません。おいしゃはりゆうがわからないーせつめいができません。かわいそうなビッセンとおとうさん。ふたりのことがしんぱいです!
My father isn't feeling very well either. His body is weak and he has no strength. The doctors don't understand it - they can't explain it. Poor Bissen and dad. I am worried about both of them (*I know horses probably aren't counted "hitori, futari" etc., but I think I'll do it anyways...)
まっ、しかたがない!まいにち、わたしはじぶんに "しっかりして、げんきだしてねとゆっています"。がんばりあす!
Well, there's nothing to do about it. I tell myself every day "hang in there, cheer up!". I'll do my best!
このてがみをいっしょうけんめいでかきました。たぶん、このなかでわからないことかちがうことがかかれていますは、すみません。ゆるしてください!
みんなさんによろしくおつたえください。いつもありがとうございます!
I wrote this letter with all I had. There are probably wrong things or things you don't understand in this (letter), I am sorry, please forgive me.
Say hi to everyone for me! Thank you for everything.
リッケより
From Rikke
Please tell me if there are major mistakes or something that doesn't make sense at all. I want myself to shine through the letter, and I believe I would with some mistakes, so I don't plan on taking all of them out. As long as it makes sense, I don't care much about the mistakes (although I'd still like to know them )
Thanks for all your help!