Why I Think You Should Learn Japanese

Summary

This video explores why learning Japanese can be a uniquely rewarding experience, addressing common concerns like time investment, age, and practicality. The speaker highlights that mastering a challenging language transforms how you perceive your own language and culture, encourages personal growth, and fosters humility through inevitable mistakes. Even intermediate knowledge can open doors to cultural insights, entertainment, and new perspectives. Using humor and personal anecdotes, the video emphasizes that the process of learning itself—regardless of fluency or career benefits—is valuable, and that Japanese, or any language, offers lifelong enrichment and a fresh way to experience the world.

Takeaways

• 😀 Learning Japanese is challenging, but the difficulty itself can be rewarding and transformative.
• 😀 Studying a language that is very different from your own changes how you perceive culture, language, and thought.
• 😀 Time investment in learning Japanese is significant, but the cultural and personal benefits outweigh the effort.
• 😀 Adults can still learn new languages effectively; age is not a barrier, only mindset and experience with mistakes may pose challenges.
• 😀 Embracing mistakes is a crucial part of language learning and fosters humility and self-awareness.
• 😀 Focusing too much on perfect grammar and vocabulary can hinder natural communication; flow and practice are important.
• 😀 Even intermediate Japanese knowledge can be highly valuable, providing access to culture, media, and new experiences.
• 😀 The usefulness of learning a language does not have to be tied to career or living abroad; personal enrichment is equally important.
• 😀 Learning a language encourages curiosity and a fresh perspective on your own culture and ordinary experiences.
• 😀 The speaker recommends learning Japanese not just for practical purposes, but for the joy, growth, and unique experiences it brings.
• 😀 Benefits of language learning apply broadly: any language can enrich your life and expand your worldview.
• 😀 Language learning is a long-term journey, and even small, consistent efforts can have meaningful impact over time.

Q & A

Why does the speaker suggest learning Japanese despite its difficulty?

The speaker suggests learning Japanese because it offers a unique perspective, changing how you perceive language, culture, and your own ordinary experiences. The difficulty itself is less important than the cognitive and cultural growth that comes from learning a very different language.

Is it too late for adults to learn a new language like Japanese?

No, it’s not too late. Adults can learn new languages effectively. The main challenge is overcoming past experiences of being shamed for mistakes and focusing too much on perfection. Mistakes are natural and essential for learning.

How does learning Japanese affect your perception of your own language and culture?

Learning Japanese can make what is familiar to you seem strange and what was once foreign feel familiar. It broadens your vocabulary, expressions, and ways of thinking, helping you see your own culture in a new light.

What is the speaker’s advice about making mistakes while learning a language?

The speaker advises embracing mistakes rather than fearing them. Speaking imperfectly and listening to feedback is crucial for learning and helps build humility and self-awareness.

Why might someone feel that learning Japanese is a waste of time?

Someone might worry about wasting time if they doubt practical benefits, such as career opportunities, or if they compare Japanese to more widely spoken languages. The speaker argues that even intermediate knowledge can be unexpectedly useful and rewarding.

What personal experience does the speaker share about learning languages?

The speaker initially considered learning French but never succeeded. Instead, they learned Japanese, which turned out to be very useful for hobbies, exploring media, and traveling, even without fluency or living in Japan.

How does the speaker address concerns about time investment in learning Japanese?

They acknowledge it takes time but highlight that the reward is not just fluency. The process itself expands your perception, introduces new cultural insights, and transforms ordinary experiences in meaningful ways.

Does one need to live or work in Japan to benefit from learning Japanese?

No, one does not need to live or work in Japan. Learning Japanese can enhance personal interests, hobbies, and cultural understanding, and even occasional travel to Japan can be enriched by any level of language knowledge.

What are some unique features of the Japanese language that the speaker finds appealing?

The speaker finds Japanese appealing because it has ordinary ways of saying things that include historical context, rhythm, and expressions that are different from other languages, making daily interactions surprising and enriching.

What overall message does the speaker want to convey about learning Japanese?

The overall message is that learning Japanese is a worthwhile endeavor that goes beyond practical benefits. It challenges your mind, changes your perspective, encourages personal growth, and can bring joy even at an intermediate level.

Can the insights from learning Japanese apply to other languages?

Yes, the broader lessons about embracing mistakes, cultural exploration, and expanding perception can apply to learning any language. Japanese is used as an example due to its distinctiveness and personal impact on the speaker.