My last post was
perhaps a little rough around the edges. I just really did not want to
sugarcoat the challenge of learning Japanese. Hopefully today is a bit of
a pick-me-up for you.
One aspect of
language learning that can be quite intimidating is a native speaker’s attitude
towards those trying to learn their language. Forgive me for relying on
generalizations, but on one end of the spectrum you have the French, whose love
of language results in a fair amount of snootiness towards those who do not
speak their language properly. Luckily for you, the Japanese are on the other
end of the spectrum. While they too love their language, they realize how hard
their language is to learn for a foreigner and are enamored by any attempts
from foreigners to even form a cohesive sentence.
In general,
Japanese people are patient enough to listen to you and figure out what it is
you are trying to say, all the while trying to be as helpful and encouraging as
possible. They are quick to tell you how good you are at the language and offer
compliments. Whether or not their assessment is accurate is beside the point.
It feels much better to have someone cheering you on in such an overwhelming
endeavor than it is to have them beating you down.
So take heart,
there are at least 120 million people out there who are cheering you on.
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