On Tue, 12 May 1998, Benjamin "Snowhare" Franz wrote:

On Tue, 12 May 1998, The Eternal Lost Lurker wrote:

Let's say, for instance, I am introducing myself to someone.
"Watashi wa Morrison Robert desu. Watashi wa nijuusai desu." 
The above example, while technically correct, is stiff and awkward,

[snip]

Well, I may be wrong (wa vs. ga is not my strongest suit), but I don't
think it is even quite technically correct. The second usage of 'wa'
should probably be 'ga'. 'wa' is a topic introducer in most situations. It
is _similar_ (but not the same as) to the 'a' vs 'the' distinction in
English. You introduce something into conversation with 'a' and refer to
it there after with 'the': 

[snip]

And in fact I *AM* wrong. 'Wa' is correct in this case. I (as usual) got
is 180 degrees backwards. 'ga' to introduce a subject, 'wa' thereafter as
a topic marker. With lots of exception rules. In this case - it should be
'wa' in both cases. Thanks goes to Lurker for prompting me to actually dig
out my grammar books.

-- 
Benjamin Franz