[Marc Greve]

Originally Posted by nvictor

Association is a technique of memorization that works great. It's simple, associate the new word with something you already know in your native language.

Here is an example of how to memorize the word for a cat in japanese.

cat = neko in japanese

think of neck in english, see a cat with a long neck in your mind (images and feelings work better than sounds)

You know what? I've learn this word 5 to 6 years ago and it's still there because of the strong image I've associated with it. I've forgotten many though...

Many people I've shared memory techniques with, I feel, don't use them outrageously enough - evolution has us wired to pay more attention to anything sexual or painful. Use this.
In regard to the cat example, I'd visualize something like this:

See a grey and black spotted cat with an exceptionally long neck, so long that the cat can't move properly because its head drag across the floor. Then all of a sudden blood starts dripping from the elongated neck and a little claw pops out and in one swift motion slices the head off of the neck-mutant and a tiny REAL cat emerges and looks you straight in the eye and says "That's not how a cat looks like, fool. I'M a cat and don't forget it. Then the tiny kitten explodes.