Why are you studying Japanese?
Date: July 27, 2023
Welcome to the first post on this blog, I wanted to start it out with a bang!
I feel as thought a common question language learners get asked or often times they ask themselves is: Why am I learning this language? As someone who has tried learning multiple languags before, all ending up in me giving up shortly after, why have I now decided to put so much time, effort and motivation into learning Japanese?
A simple answer is because I want to, but it's a bit more complicated then that.
I have been interested in Japanese culture as far back as when I was around 10 years old, when I first got into anime. It was one of the things that also got me into art! One of the first series I ever remember really being into was Osomatsu-san. The entirety of the show is a masterpiece and makes constant reference to the interesting details of the Japanese language as well as its rich history and culture. However, when I was younger I didn't really have any reason to learn a new language, as my life wasn't so internet oriented as it is now - and I wasn't so greatful and observant of these things, like I am now.
As I've grown older I've become facinated with retro and vintage toys, as well as the simpler times of the old web. Japanese web design in particular is one that piques my interest as it seems to be sort of stuck in this old era. Web design is reflective of culture, atleast to some extent, so this new found interest lead me to look more into Japanese culture and pop-culture. Three things that I enjoy are Tamagotchis, Splatoon 3 and Taiko no Tatsujin. These three things seem to be pretty popular in Japan!!! It sort of made sense to me in as a natural progression; in order to enjoy these things more I should probably learn the language they're from, so I can get a more native experience.
Time and time again I have tried to learn Japanese, but now I feel like I have a real chance to succeed. I'll be finished with college next year and will most likely take a gap year off, to be able to focus on my studies and travel. I don't know if I ever plan to live in Japan, since I have rarely visited out of my home town, but maybe I'll be convinced as I delve deeper into the language and its charming mystery.