Occasionally I get asked what motivates me to keep studying Japanese. Learning a whole other language isn’t easy, and it doesn’t just end (although obviously there’s a plateau somewhere where it’s not constant studying). And the more I answer this question, the more I come to realise it’s just all the irreplaceable moments I’ve been able to enjoy because of it. Little things that can’t be taken for granted, that we all have. But these are mine.
What motivates me are all the things I’d lose, but I only have those feelings because of the precious first encounters I enjoyed.
When I got to read one of my favourite mangaka’s new books on day 1, or see the first chapter of a serialisation in a magazine. 恋に無駄口 sure was a tough pick for me early on, but it was worth the suffering. It never did get licensed like I thought it might. I’d have waited all that time for nothing! And now In the Clear Midnight Dusk and A Sign of Affection are both about to end, and I’ll be able to see that happen in real time.
When I got my first physical books in that language.
When I imported my first BD of one of Miyano’s live shows (I’m sorry, wallet, you’ve suffered a lot for live BDs since both for Mamo and Mrs Green Apple…).
When I bought and played my first game in that language (though, like my English backlog, I haven’t actually finished one yet lol). I am pretty close to just ordering Tokyo Xanadu Kyoto from Japan too since it’s half price on Amazon at the moment, but reason (and backlog) is winning on that front… for now…
When I was charmed by Shogo Sakata after listening to The Wrong Way to Use Healing Magic radio, which not only made me a fan of his but also opened a whole world of new ways to interact with the anime projects I enjoy that I had never even considered.
When I got to use my fledgling skills at work for the first time to talk about less than steller English translations being put into publication.
When I realised I can follow everything my favourite seiyu get up to without waiting for or being blocked by there being no English translation, which was a huge deal for me.
When I became a fan of Yuki Yamada after Mamoru Miyano guested on his All Night Nippon, which in itself became a precious memory for me as I followed along live with their Valentine’s special. In fact, getting to hear Miyano do his own All Night Nippon 0 was so much fun too! But being able to follow the actors, writers, and people I like has then had a domino effect of leading me to discover so many other people and things that I’ve come to love.
When I cried over I Hear the Sunspot while following along with the drama adaptation weekly (those two are such dorks…). And then I started watching a lot more J-dramas because I realised I could do it! And that has led to so many great experiences by itself.
When I started watching Seiyu to Yoasobi and my day-to-day became filled with absolute joy watching over the seiyu I love as they host that insanely chaotic variety show (every day!). Miyu Irino and Shimono Hiro even played a game idea I sent in for the premium content last year. I still can’t believe that happened.
When I’ve been able to talk to other fans of the things I like on social media. Which doesn’t happen that often since I’m shy and lack confidence in my abilities, but it’s always incredible to realise I can do it and be understood.
When I finish reading this Keigo Higashino short story novel I’m reading. I’ve been reading in Japanese for a while now, of course, but this too will become a precious memory as my first ‘novel’ rather than a light novel read to completion. There’s a special kind of satisfaction that comes from that. I guess this is cheating a bit since it hasn’t happened yet, but later this month!
For me, the accumulation of precious moments and things I couldn’t live without now are my motivation. I’m not going to say I’m good at this language (I’m both better and worse than I think I am at any given moment) or even that I’m within touching distance of that plateau I spoke of earlier, but all I can do is keep walking forward, come what may.
I understand that language learning isn’t for everyone, and you can’t underestimate the hard work required, but I suppose for me it very quickly became not optional. There was no quitting. Even when it’s hard, even when the last thing I want to do is engage with the reviews or look up yet more words I don’t understand, I would not trade those special moments I’ve had for an easier life without it.
Now, my advice is to get out of the textbooks once you’ve found some footing and just try and engage with the things you care about. You have to accumulate those moments, and you can do it sooner than you think. I have a lot of regrets about holding off on things that would have only strengthened my skills and determination, y’know. You can’t get worse; you can only get better.
The thing is, learning something like a language broadens your whole world. I know most of my precious things revolve around media and hobbies I was interested in already, and yours don’t have to nor likely will look anything like mine. But these things are out there waiting for you, in whatever form they may be. And doesn’t finding them sound like an exciting adventure waiting to happen? Giving up on that would be sad, wouldn’t it?
