some more thoughts on learning japanese/a second language…
as a native english speaker, I guess the inevitable question is “why should I bother learning a second language at all?” to have learnt english as my first language puts me in a position of privilege in a lot of ways.
but the answer for me lies in a simple broadening of understanding, I guess? a lot of the media I consume in my downtime is in japanese, to the point that it’s the obvious choice for a second language. I guess if I were to consider candidates for a 3rd language, maybe spanish, chinese, thai, french or german?
I think language has a big influence on the way a person expresses things… unless I’m making a concious effort to be understood, I don’t think, or feel, I guess? in words? “understanding” is more abstract and intuitive than that. it’s in translating those thoughts and feelings to words or images that they gain a structure and expression.
to learn a second language is to open myself up to new understandings and expressions. it’s not unlike learning music, in some ways.