Japanese Language Proficiency Levels

Japanese is an agglutinative language. It is an ancient language with simple phonotactics and a pure vowel system. Apart from these Japanese boasts of a phonemic vowel, lengthy consonant and a substantial lexical accent. Word-order is typically the Subject-Object-Verb, with particles that identify the grammatical function of words. Particles of sentence-final are employed to enhance or challenge emotive or emphatic effects. In addition to kanji, the Japanese writing system utilises two syllabic scripts (or moraic); hiragana (together with kanji) and katakana (along with kanji). Latin writing is only confined to import acronyms, and the numerical system employs Arab numerals with traditional numbers.

The Japanese levels of proficiency are different when compared to many other languages. These proficiency levels are in accordance with the JLPT or Japnese-Learning Proficiency Test. This test has a total of five levels, all the way from N5 to N1. N5 being the easiest and N1 being the toughest. JLPT assesses an individual’s levels through language activities and skills like reading, speaking, listening etc.

• N5:

Every aspiring Japanese speaker starts at this level. The level of infancy where an individual can only understand the most basic level of Japanese. Keep in mind that the ‘ basic level ‘ definition of N5 is quite different from what you’d imagine. Here, the basic level refers to the knowledge of common sentences written in hiragana, katakana, and basic kanji. Furthermore, an individual should be capable of interpreting basic important aspects of conversations in their day to day life.

• N4:

This is slightly similar to the N5 level, but a more refined version. An individual should be capable of interpreting two things completely here. Firstly, the individual is expected to be capable of understanding general vocabulary and simple paragraphs written in Kanji. Secondly, the individual is now expected to perfectly understand a conversation held, provided it is spoken slow. 

• N3:

This is the advanced level. Here, the individual is expected to read and interpret three major things. Firstly, the individual should be able to interpret important headlines in newspapers and magazines. Next, the individual should be capable of interpreting general written material with topics regarding everyday issues and thirdly, the individual is also expected to interpret some rather complex written literature. Apart from this, the individual should also be capable of grasping the essence of conversations at an almost usual speed.

• N2:

At this level, an individual is expected to read both common and complex articles without any issue. They are also expected to be capable of interpreting the same. The individual should be able to grasp both the essence and aim of the said literature. Furthermore, the individual is expected to interpret general and highly complex verbal conversations, as well as identify the relationship between the two individuals.

• N1:

At this level, an individual is expected to achieve proficiency in the Japanese language and be at par with the natives. They are expected to read, understand and interpret extremely complex literature as well as be in a position to critique the same. The individual is also expected to understand the aim of the writer of the said literature. The individual is also expected to logically interpret orally presented information and identify the relationships in the conversation. 

Little is known about or when the Japanese language originally evolved in Japan or about its prehistory. A few Japanese terms were documented in Chinese writings from the third century but no significant literature appeared before the eighth century. The Chinese influenced the lexicon and pronunciation of old Japanese considerably throughout the period of Heian (794–1185). Late Middle Japanese (1185–1600) saw changes in the way the language was modern and European foreign words first appeared.

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