Oh, the language....

I am at a language crossroad. We have now been in Japan for 4 months, we are staying for the foreseeable future.  So far I have managed to live here despite speaking much of the language. I can say roughly 5 phrases and I use them often, but I have been able to live my daily life without the use of Japanese. There are many foreigners who live here for years at a time and never pick up much of the language. At first when I heard this it seemed, not only impossible but also silly. Why would you and how could you, live in country and not learn the language? It turns out it is rather easy. I can read signs (for the most part) read some menus (but not all), do daily activities like shopping and using public transportation, and respond with a cordial greeting when I see my neighbors. I can do all of this without knowing how to speak Japanese.

I would love to talk to the farmers at the market about their food!

I know I should learn. I want to learn. The big issue I am having is that I don’t ever have to speak it.  I go to work and I am literally paid to speak English, I come home and speak English, and all of my socializing is done in English whether with other expats or with people in America.  Yes there are situations where knowing Japanese would be helpful or give me more independence. I needed help setting up a cell phone contract, I needed help at the bank, I cannot order at restaurants unless there is a picture or the Japanese used is very simple.  I would like to talk to locals or join a club, both would require vastly more Japanese than I have now.  

My first attempt at learning kana symbols, a 4yr olds workbook

Learning Japanese is hard! Learning any language is hard at first. I know the “best” ways to learn a language and I know what makes you a better speaker, I teach them every day, I just can’t seem to follow my own advice. I suppose language study is like anything else, you just have to find the right motivation and stick with it. You can’t get better or even get started without committing time to do it.

Is this a time commitment I really want to undertake? It’s not enough to do it casually, it will never happen. Maybe I would pick up a few more phrases or be able to read more kanji but learning the language and being able to use it takes effort. I know others have and continue to struggle with this issue I just hope i can find the motivation to do something about it.