NIHONGO APPLICATION FOR ANDROID MOBILE PHONE Nihongo Application For Android Mobile Phone.

NIHONGO APPLICATION
FOR ANDROID MOBILE PHONE
PUBLICATION ARTICLE

By:

N ovel I dris Abas
H usni Thamrin, M .T., Ph.D
Aris Rakhmadi, S.T., M .Eng

DEPARTMENT OF INFORMATICS
FACULTY OF COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATICS
UNIVERSITAS MUHAMMADIYAH SURAKARTA
JULY, 2013

NIHONGO APPLICATION
FOR ANDROID MOBILE PHONE

Novel Idris Abas, Husni Thamrin, Aris Rakhmadi
Department of Informatics, Faculty of Communications and Informatics,
Universitas Muhammadiyah Surakarta

Email: [email protected]

ABSTRACT
Japan is an interesting country in many aspects. Most people, especially those who
first come to Japan face problems. The problems include the difference of language. Nihongo,
is a unique language. It has special structure of the sentence. In this research we develop
Nihongo application which has focus two focuses, i.e. to ease Indonesian to communicate in
Japanese language, and give some short information about Japan. Fix and Code Software
development model is used to develop the application. The Nihongo application has features
Hiragana table, Katakana table, daily conversations in Bahasa, Romaji, and Nihongo
translation, video about Japan, top cities in Japan with its attractions, tips about staying in
Japan, more than 2.000 vocabularies in Bahasa, Romaji, and Nihongo translation, and short
information about Nihongo application. The application can be installed at Android Froyo OS
(2.2) or later. The application is tested on Smartfren Andromax i, Sony Experia Miro,
Samsung Galaxy mini 2, Samsung Galaxy S2, Samsung Galaxy W, Sony Ericsson Mini Pro,
and Samsung Galaxy Ace 2. The result of the test proves that the Nihongo application run
well. Our surveys say that the application clearly gives useful information about Japan, and
eases Indonesian to communicate, socialize, and live in Japan.

Keywords: nihongo, android mobile, Japan.

Japan face problems. The problems include

INTRODUCTION
Tourism

the difference of weather, culture, and

Organization informs that on May 2012,

language. Nihongo, or bahasa Jepang as

there are 7.100 Indonesian tourists who

Indonesian say, is a unique language.

visit Japan (HaloJepang, 2012). Most

Nihongo

uses


people, especially those who first come to

systems;

Kanji

Japan

National

four

different

(Chinese

writing

characters),


Hiragana (phonetic alphabet for native

there is no application which provides

words), Katakana (phonetic alphabet for

information about Japan and Nihongo in

foreign words),

Bahasa Indonesia.

and

Romaji (western

alphabet use to write Japanese) (Facts about

There are several alternatives to


Japan, 2013). If we compare Nihongo and

solve the problem. First, Indonesian may

Bahasa we

bring Nihongo and manual tourism book

will find

some different

structures of sentences where Indonesian

wherever

they

go.


However,

it

has

are not familiar with.

disadvantage that is not simple because

The new comers to Japan have to

books need space to bring. Second, before

study Nihongo prior to their departure.

Indonesian people come to Japan, they

They usually have to bring bulky books


should study Nihongo. It will waste much

which take space in their baggage. On the

time.

other

of

application on their mobile phone. The third

telecommunication technology, especially

solution will be simple enough and we

mobile phone is fast. A new model of

don’t need to spend much time to study.


mobile phone appears every month. Ability

They can open the application everywhere

of mobile technology in creating flexibility

when they are in Japan or will be in Japan.

hand,

the

development

Third,

they

bring


a

Nihongo

This writing is about Nihongo

for users to communicate has caused the
technology to change so rapidly in terms of

application development to

number of users and the capabilities of the

aforementioned

technology itself. Increase the ability of

platform. The writer use android mobile


mobile phones has allowed to bring a

because IDC reports that on September 13th,

variety of new functions as well as its

2012 Android is the most famous smart

primary function as a communication tool

phone operating system in Indonesia (HL,

(Ridho, 2011). However, according to our

2012).

searching in mobile phone software market,

LITERATURE REVIEW


problems

on

solve

the

Android

Aryani (2012) said that mobile is all

web contains hiragana, katakana, particle

of activities that can be done in every time

and making sentence. The web contains

and

quiz or exercise that can be done by user.

everywhere

without

barrier.

The

development of information and technology

Nadira

(2011)

discusses

about

makes everything can be done quickly and

making an application that can be run on

easily. In the education side, the use of

Android platform.

They made Italian

good English is the main requirement which

language

application

cannot be ignored, because can face the

Android platform, where by using this

people’s ability to use that language.

application, the user can learn how to

English has also become international

understand and test their Italian language

language that is used in any developed

skills. The application can ease how to learn

countries. English become compulsory

Italian language with features like subject

lesson to study. In this research the writer

matter, and test the user’s skill with

tries to build an application which contains

exercise features without restricting the

subjects, the example of the sentences, and

dimension so can help Italian language

the exercise.

learning process.

learning

on

the

Lailasari, Kurniawati, Afriansyah

Kusumawardani (2013) said that the

(2010) said that nowadays, learning media

system provide a service that can map the

uses book. Other media that can be used in

location of tourism more easily and quickly.

the teaching learning process is internet.

The system is also designed in such a way

Today internet is one of people needs. This

to be more interactive with the user in its

research explained how to make Japanese

operation.

language web E-learning for beginners by

complete information on the tourism map of

using PHP and MySQL. The purpose of

the location of objects that exist in Malang

making the website is to make people learn

regency, travel guides to the tourists as

through the web instead of using book. The

tourist information, hotel, restaurant and

This

system

will

provide

travel packages are available and offered by

Furthermore, if the application has not

the Department of Tourism Malang.

been fixed, then the writer will back to

RESEARCH METHOD

code and fix the program.

a. Code and Fix Diagram

In this research, writer expands

In creating this application, writer

Code and Fix Development Life Cycle

uses Code and Fix Development Life

Models and the activities are shown in a

Cycle Models. Generally, Code and Fix

flowchart in Figure 2.

Development Life Cycle Models can be
described in a phase in Figure 1.

Figure 1 Code and Fix Models Diagram
Figure 2 Code and Fix Models in flowchart
Code and Fix Method contains some
In developing “Nihongo Application
step to complete the life cycle, which
for Android Mobile Phone”, there are
are conceptual, code and fix, and
some steps that must be done. First, the
release. In conceptual step, the writer
writer must collect data about the
collects the data and designs the general
content of its application. The writer
layout. After designing the application,
gets data from Japanese, website, and
then the writer goes to code the
books. After collecting data, the writer
program. If the application has been
must check completeness of data. If
fixed, then application will be release.

data is not complete then writer must

application until application is ready to

recollect data, but if data is complete

be released. When the application

then the writer designs the application.

passes the test, the writer goes to

After designing application, the writer

reporting a research.

constructs application by using Eclipse

b. State Diagram

Indigo. Next step is testing application,

State Diagram on figure 3 shows

and ensure that the application runs

how application works on Android

well. If the application does not run

mobile phone.

well, writer must fix application and test

Figure 3 State Diagram of Nihongo Application
Hiragana, Katakana,
When application runs, user sees

Percakapan,

main menu of the application. There are

Jepang, Kiat Hidup, Kosakata, and

seven menus in main view, such as

About. When user clicks Hiragana,

then they will see Tabel Hiragana.

application. If user does not click any

When user clicks Katakana, then they

menus, and user clicks back in android

will see Tabel Katakana, and when user

devices, then application will close

clicks Percakapan, then user goes to

automatically.

sub menu. If user clicks sub menu, there

c. Testing System

will be kumpulan percakapan. If user

In order to ensure that Nihongo

clicks Jepang, user will see Video menu

application is useful, the writer tested

and Kota Populer menu. If user clicks

the application to the user by using

Video menu, then user can watch video

questionnaires

about Japan, and if user clicks Kota

Moreover, system testing is used to

Populer menu, then user will go to sub

prove that the application can be run

menu. If user clicks sub menu, user will

well.

go to page of its sub menu which has
attractions

menu.

If

user

clicks

analysis

system.

RESULTS and ANALYSIS
In

implementing

Nihongo

attractions menu, then user will go to its

application for Android mobile phone,

page.

the application is tested by using

When user clicks Kiat Hidup, then
user goes to sub menu. If user clicks a

android mobile phone. The results are
as follows:

sub menu, user will see Kiat-kiat hidup.
If user clicks kosakata, then user goes to

a. “Percakapan Sehari Hari” Page

kosakata page, and if user clicks about,

Figure 4 shows list menu of

then user will see information about

“Percakapan” page. User can find this

application. If user clicks website link,

page by clicking “Percakapan” button in

then the application will open its

main menu page. “Percakapan Sehari

website page by using web browser

Hari” page contains twenty four daily

conversations in Japanese language to
Bahasa

Translation.

conversations

include

The

daily

“Ungkapan

Berguna 1”, “Ungkapan Berguna 2”,
“Perkenalan

(Nama,

Negara,

Pekerjaan)”, “Perkenalan (hobi)”, and
“Perkenalan

(Keluarga

pekerjaan

Figure 5 Display of “Tiba di Rumah
Keluarga Angkat” page.
b. “Kosakata” Page
This page contains more than 2.000

rumah”

words in Bahasa, Romaji, and Nihongo
words. Figure 6 shows “Kosakata”
page. User can put words in the text
fields, and then the application shows
Figure 4 Display of “Percakapan” page
If user clicks a menu, user goes to

the words in Bahasa, Romaji, and
Nihongo words.

its page. For example, if user clicks
“Tiba di Rumah Keluarga Angkat”
menu, then user will go to “Tiba di
Rumah Keluarga Angkat” page. In this
Figure 6 Display of “Kosakata” Page
page,

user

can

hear

and

read
c. Questionnaire Analysis

conversations about visiting Japanese
Questionnaire analysis is conducted
family. Figure 5 shows “Percakapan
to infer how effective this application is
sehari hari” page.
used for Indonesian generally, and
Indonesian who first come to Japan.
Questionnaire is done on 14th of June,
2013 with respondents are Indonesian

who will work in Japan on August,

61 - 80

(strong)

2013.

41 - 60

(enough)

21 - 40

(weak)

processed the data by using formula.

0 - 20

(very weak)

The formula is:

After processing the data, the writer

After getting the data, the writer

The highest score/ ideal score (SMax): 5

got the data in percentile rank. The data

x n = 5n (SS) .......................................... (1)

is shown in figure 7.

The lowest score (SMin): 1 x n = n (STS),
n = total respondent................................ (2)
Score (S): ∑ (total respondent that
choosing answer x answer weigh) .......... (3)
Interpretation Percentage (P):
Score (S)
SMax

× 100%

………………...(4)

Figure 7 Display of Questionnaire result
The

Where each answer has weighed;
SS

:

Strongly Agree (5)

S

:

Agree (4)

N

:

Neutral (3)

TS

:

Disagree (2)

STS

:

Strongly Disagree (1)

Moreover,

the

measurement

scale

(Riduwan

Akdon, 2007) as follow:
81 - 100

(very strong)

of

Graphic’s

statement shows in Table 1.
Table 1 Description of Graphic’s Statement

of

interpretation percentage (P) is using
international

description

and

Question

Abbreviation

Interesting display
Application is easy to be
used.
Application runs smoothly
in mobile phone.
Conversation list, hiragana
table, and katakana table
ease Indonesian to
communicate in Japanese
language.
Information is easy to be
understood.
Maximum graphical

Q1
Q2
Q3

Q4

Q5
Q6

Furthermore, Nihongo application gives

display.
Clear audio.
Application eases user to
know city in Japan, its
attraction, and Japanese
culture.
The vocabularies help
Indonesian to
communicate in Japanese
language.
Application will ease user
to communicate, socialize,
and live in Japan.
I am satisfied with the
application’s performance

Q7
comprehensive
Q8

information

about

Japan. The facts above is proved with
79,41%

Q9

respondents

conversation

list,

said

that

hiragana

table,

katakana table ease Indonesian to
Q10

communicate in Japanese language.

Q11

73,53% Respondents mentioned that
vocabularies in Nihongo application

Nihongo application for Android
mobile

phone

interesting

Japanese language. Moreover, 77,06%

application. It is proved that 85,88%

respondents concluded that Nihongo

respondents

of

application will ease Indonesian to

application is interesting, and 78,82%

communicate, socialize, and live in

respondents said that the Nihongo

Japan.

application has maximum graphical

comprehensive information about Japan

display. It is also supported that 78,24%

can be supported by facts that 82,94%

respondents

the

respondents mentioned that Nihongo

application can run smoothly in mobile

application ease Indonesian to know

phone. Moreover, 84,12% respondents

cities in Japan, city’s attractions, and

agree that application’s audio is clear to

Japanese culture. Furthermore, 87,06%

be heard.

respondents agree that Information in

Nihongo

said

is

an

help Indonesian to communicate in

that

mentioned

application

display

that

can

ease

Indonesian to communicate in Japanese
language, socialize, and live in Japan.

Nihongo

application

gives

Nihongo application is easy to be
understood.

that

The Nihongo Application has several

Nihongo application is an effective

features. The first feature is information

application. It proves that 90,59%

about hiragana and katakana. The feature

respondents agree that the application is

has a purpose to give information about

easy

hiragana and katakana character to the user.

Almost

to

respondents

be

respondents

used,

said

and

satisfied

77,65%

with

the

It helps user to read the Japanese character.
The

application’s performance.

second

feature

is

the

daily

conversations. In this feature, user can read

d. System Analysis
In order to analyze the Nihongo

the daily conversations in Bahasa, Japanese

application system, the writer tested the

Language, and Romaji. The user can hear

application to several mobile phones

the

with different specifications. Different

Language. The daily conversations help the

specifications

the

user to communicate, socialize, and live in

application’s quality, especially the

Japan. The third feature is a video about

interface of application.

Japan. The feature informs to the user about

also

affect

daily

conversations

in

Japanese

Based on the system which has been

Japan in video. The fourth feature is

tested, it proves that the Nihongo

information about several cities in Japan

application

on

and some attractions of the city. The feature

Smartfren Andromax I, Sony Xperia

is useful to the user which will have

Miro,

2,

vacation in Japan. The fifth feature is

Samsung Galaxy S2, Sony Ericson

Japanese phrase. The feature provides more

Xperia Mini Pro, and Samsung Galaxy

than 2000 phrase in Bahasa, Japanese

Ace 2.

Language, and Romaji. In this feature has

DISCUSSION

searching box. The searching box is useable

can

Samsung

be

run

Galaxy

well

mini

to search the phrase. The feature is useful

for the user when the user face the problem

development

about Japanese language. The sixth feature

previous

is several tips about staying in Japan

Lailasari,

includes.

Afriansyah made Japanese language

In comparing the research with another
research which relates in the literature

method

research

is

with

the

made

by

Kurniawati,

and

web E-learning for beginners by
using PHP and MySQL.

review, there are some differences and

3. The research discuss about Japanese

similarities. The differences and similarities

language and Japan. The Nihongo

are

application is made for Android
1. This research discuss about making

mobile phone. There is a difference

six

and a similarity with the previous

features. The previous research is

research is made by Nadira. The

made by Aryani built the mobile

difference is Nadira discuss about

phone application. The application

the

about English with several features.

application. The similarity is the

The features include the English

Italian language learning application

subjects,

is built for the Android mobile

Nihongo

application

the

with

example

of

the

Italian

language

learning

platform.

sentences, and the exercise.
is

an

4. The Nihongo application informs to

Japan

and

the user some information about

Japanese language. This research is

several cities in Japan and some

developed by Eclipse programming

attractions of the city. The previous

development software with Java

research is made by Kusumawardani

programming

construct

2. Nihongo

application

application

about

and

xml

programming. There is a different

the

application

with

information about Malang. Malang

is one of cities in Indonesia.

information in Nihongo application

CONCLUSSION

is easy to be understood.

Based on the questionnaire analysis and
system analysis, the writer concludes that:

3. Nihongo Application for Android
Mobile Phone eases Indonesian to

1. Nihongo application for Android

communicate, socialize, and live in

Mobile Phone can be run well in

Japan. It is evidenced that 79,41%

several mobile phones, such as

of

Samsung Galaxy Young, Samsung

conversation list, hiragana table, and

Galaxy Wonder, Samsung Galaxy

katakana table ease Indonesian to

Mini

communicate in Japanese language.

2.

However,

Nihongo

respondents

is

also

agree

proved

that

application for Android Mobile

It

Phone could not be installed in some

vocabularies contained in Nihongo

devices, such as Samsung Galaxy

application

Tab.

communicate in Japenese language.

help

that

the

Indonesian

to

2. Nihongo Application for Android

It is corroborated that 77,06% of

Mobile Phone gives information

respondents agree that Nihongo

about

application

Japan,

culture,

and

its

will

ease

user

to

attraction clearly. It is proved in

communicate, socialize, and live in

questionnaire analysis that 82,94%

Japan.

of respondents agree that Nihongo

Based on three points above, it can

application can ease user to know

be concluded that the objective of

city in Japan, its attraction, and

Nihongo

Japanese

successfully.

culture.

Furthermore,

87,06% of respondents agree that

Application

is

done

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